My gardenia has white sticky growth on leaves and new stalks that can be wiped off. What is it? what can I do to get rid of it? Eversince the white growth appears, there has not been any flower buds.

Thanks

G'day Kenhorng, my first thought was that it was mealy bug. A sapsucking insect that hangs in clusters along branches and onto leaves. Check if that's the case, you'll be able to see individual bugs if you look closely.
From your description though it may be a fungus.
If that's the case a spray with a copper based fungicide 3 times 7 days apart may do the trick. If neither of these are likely some more information regarding the problem may help to get further replies. Strewth, i don't even know if you have mealybug in Vancouver.