Pruning heavily at this time of year is never a good idea. Also, pruning heavily in advance of transplanting is not a good idea, counterproductive in fact.

As the plant tries to replace the food factories (leaves) lost to the pruners, it cannot proceed to store energy in the roots....which is essential to winter survival and regrowth. Plants cannot store energy AND use energy to regrow lost leaves at the same time.

Nor can they grow new roots lost during a transplanting project while responding to the removal of the leaves. The leaves fuel the root regeneration process. That pruning needs to be accomplished in advance of transplanting is a total myth.

Gardenias are among the worst of whitefly magnets. Frankly, it doesn't matter mucb what you do....they will always have whiteflies. Consistant applications of horticultural oil to the underside of the foliage to smother eggs and nymphs is the one thing that can be truly helpful.

Use a nozzle on your sprayer that deflects the spray up instead of down.

As far as transplanting goes, I'd wait until winter. Whether or not it's a good idea is up to you.

Pruning heavily at this time of year is never a good idea. Also, pruning heavily in advance of transplanting is not a good idea, counterproductive in fact.

As the plant tries to replace the food factories (leaves) lost to the pruners, it cannot proceed to store energy in the roots....which is essential to winter survival and regrowth. Plants cannot store energy AND use energy to regrow lost leaves at the same time.

Nor can they grow new roots lost during a transplanting project while responding to the removal of the leaves. The leaves fuel the root regeneration process. That pruning needs to be accomplished in advance of transplanting is a total myth.

Gardenias are among the worst of whitefly magnets. Frankly, it doesn't matter mucb what you do....they will always have whiteflies. Consistant applications of horticultural oil to the underside of the foliage to smother eggs and nymphs is the one thing that can be truly helpful.

Use a nozzle on your sprayer that deflects the spray up instead of down.

As far as transplanting goes, I'd wait until winter. Whether or not it's a good idea is up to you.