Hi New to the site. My sister purchased a gardenia for my mom and promptly brought it to me to be taken care of till her birthday.
Heres the issues:
1: the more mature leaves are yellowing and dropping at an alarming rate.
2: I need to put it in a pot as they did not do so at the bonsai store. I have a bonsai mix that is Akadama, Black Lava, Pumice & Charcoal.
3: The gardenia seems to actually want to flower, so I'm hesitant to actually repot it.
Needing some advice here. (thats not it's permanent pot, just something to keep the plant sturdy) [attachment=19125]IMG_20190504_164307.jpg]

Hi and welcome to the empire.

I do not grow this species so cannot give you any specifics. However, I hope you realize this is just a regular plant, and has not much to do with bonsai yet. I also see no reason for wanting a bonsai pot.

If your mom is growing bonsai, leave the repotting to her. This is something that has loads of things to thing about.

I appreciate your response. It may be a plant "for" her but she lives two houses down and I will be caring for it. She is an elderly gardener and lost the use of one arm. I would like to get this all set up for her birthday instead of dragging all my supplies down to her house. Thanks again!