Rules for growing and caring for oleander at home, pruning and shaping
The care and cultivation of oleander is of interest to many flower growers. This plant has pronounced decorative properties and can be a decoration of any site. To be successful in growing a flower, it must be given full and comprehensive care. This should include timely moistening of the soil, correct fertilization and systematic pruning.
Description and characteristics of the plant
Oleander or, as it is also called, Nerium belongs to the Kutrov family. Under natural conditions, this shrub is found in Mediterranean countries. It prefers to grow near water bodies, forming dense thickets in these places.The plant has long stems covered with round lenticels. It is characterized by bright green lanceolate leaves. In length, they can reach 15 centimeters. The foliage is located on small petioles.
The shrub is decorated with lush inflorescences of various shades - red, yellow, white, pink. They are large in size and have 5 petals. The severity of the aroma and the degree of sponginess are determined by the type and variety of the harvest.
Origin
The native land of the plant is the Mediterranean region. It is also found in the subtropics of Asia and America. The Latin name of the plant comes from the Greek word "nerion". It translates to “wet” or “gross”. This means that the crop needs moist soil.
Popular varieties
Today there are many varieties of oleander, each of which has certain characteristics.
white
This plant reaches 2-2.5 meters in height. It is characterized by lush white inflorescences that exude a pleasant light fragrance.
Pink
It is a perennial green shrub with elongated leaves. The culture has a compact size and pale pink flowers.
YELLOW
This is an unpretentious plant of medium height. 2 bushes appear from each seed. They are characterized by bright yellow flowers that look like bells.
red
It is an evergreen plant that grows up to 2 meters. It has beautiful leaves and red racemose flowers.
rustic red
This plant is characterized by bright red inflorescences that have velvety green leaves.
Cardinal
This plant is characterized by simple burgundy corollas that look quite impressive.
Indian
India is considered the birthplace of this type of oleander. Under natural conditions, the culture reaches 4 meters. Flowering begins in the first half of summer and lasts until mid-autumn. The flowers are red and white.There are also yellow and pink varieties.
Fragrant
This type of plant is considered Asian. It is smaller compared to the common variety of the crop. In height, such an oleander does not exceed 50 centimeters. Culture is decorated with single flowers.
Features of home care
In order to grow an oleander yourself, you need to take into account many features and provide it with high-quality care.
Location selection
It is recommended to place the plant in the lightest place in the room. The crop is very sensitive to direct sun exposure.
In spring and summer, it is worth taking out oleander.
Temperature and lighting
Indoor oleander needs lots of light. If grown on the north side, the use of fluorescent lights may be necessary. With a lack of light, the plant loses its leaves. The ventilation of the room is not negligible. However, it is important to avoid cold drafts. In spring and summer, the temperature should be + 20-28 degrees. In the fall, it is reduced to +18 degrees. In winter, the culture should be provided with a bright place and indicators of + 8-15 degrees. Temperatures gradually rise in March.
watering mode
For watering it is recommended to use soft water slightly above room temperature. In autumn and spring, the soil is moistened as the top layer dries. In hot weather, leave the liquid in the pan. It is recommended to pour it on cooler days.
In winter and autumn, the procedure should be carried out carefully - only 2 days after the top layer of soil dries out.
It is important to ensure that the root system does not rot. In this case, the soil should not dry out.
Spray and bath
In spring and summer, the crop should not be sprayed. At high temperatures, the pot with the plant is placed in a container of water. In winter, the crop should be sprayed, as the leaves can dry out due to the increased dryness of the air.
top dresser
It is recommended to apply fertilizers only in spring and summer. This is done 2 to 4 times a month. In this case, it is worth using minerals and organics alternately. It is recommended to fertilize the soil half an hour after watering. This can only be done in cool weather.
Size
With this procedure, it will be possible to make flowering more lush, as it helps to activate the formation of dormant buds.
Sanitary
This pruning is done at the end of autumn. This involves the removal of weakened and mature branches. Pests most often settle there.
Training
Training pruning is carried out in the spring. In this case, it is recommended to remove the elongated shoots by half. The procedure activates the formation of side shoots, on which flowers appear after some time.
After flowering
After the end of flowering, it is worth pruning the crop. Thanks to this, it will be possible to get a compact bush with a dense rounded crown. It is best to prune each faded branch to 2/3 of its length.
Dormant period
This period lasts from November to February. First of all, it is worth choosing a bright and cool place for cultivation. The temperature regime should be + 12-15 degrees. Watering the culture is very careful. It is important to remember the sense of proportion so as not to cause root rot.In winter, cultivation requires artificial lighting - up to 10 hours a day.
Rejuvenation
Pruning is recommended to rejuvenate the oleander. Proper transplanting of the culture also leads to good results.
Ground requirements
Cultivation needs special soil. To make a substrate, it is worth mixing garden soil, leaf humus and peat in a 2: 1: 1 ratio. To improve drainage, a little sand should be added rude to composition.
Transfer
Within 3-4 years, young plants need annual transplantation. In this case, it is recommended to increase the size of the container, taking into account the growth of roots. The procedure should be carried out in mid to late spring.
Jar
The new container should be 3-4 centimeters larger than the previous one. If you use too large a pot, you cannot expect rapid flowering. There should be large holes in the bottom of the pot to drain excess moisture. For this, it is worth laying a layer of expanded clay of 2-3 centimeters.
Floor
Oleander needs loose, fertile soil. It is best to use a composition based on turf, leafy soil, sand, humus and peat in the proportions of 2: 1: 1: 1: 1: 1. You can add a little charcoal wood to the composition, which will help prevent the development of infections.
Breeding methods
Culture can be propagated in various ways. Each of them has certain characteristics.
Cuttings
Extra shoots always appear when pruning. They must be cut and used for breeding. For this, young cuttings of 15 centimeters are suitable. They should have a growing point and green leaves.You can root cuttings by the following methods:
- In the substrate. To do this, you need to pluck the lower leaves, treat the cut with charcoal and air dry. Then place in a composition based on peat and sand and pour over it. Cover with foil and place in a warm, bright place. It will take 1 month for rooting. When the roots reach 3-5 centimeters, the plant can be moved to a small container.
- In water. For this, it is worth using settled water. It is recommended to add an activated carbon tablet and a little root growth stimulator.
Air layering
To implement this method, it is recommended to perform the following actions:
- Choose a suitable young shoot.
- Cut the bark on it at a distance of 10-15 centimeters from the top.
- Wrap a bag of damp sand or sphagnum moss over the incision area.
- The roots will appear in a month. When they are strong, the shoot can be cut off and moved to a new pot.
Seeds
This method is considered very time-consuming, so it is used very rarely. It is recommended to buy seeds in specialized stores. Before planting, they should be soaked in a growth-stimulating solution. For the procedure you will need a box or container with a lid. It is recommended to lay out a composition of sand and peat at the bottom and water it. Spread the seeds over the surface and cover with aluminum foil. Put in a warm place. If necessary, it is recommended to moisten and aerate the soil.
After about 1 month, sprouts will start to appear. At this point the film can be removed. After the formation of 3-4 leaves, the bushes should be moved to separate containers.
Divide the bush
When transplanting a plant, it is allowed to divide it into 2 fragments. To do this, take the plant out of the pot and gently shake off the soil from the roots. After that, it is recommended to carefully study the state of the culture. If there are a lot of growth points on the shoots, it is worth dividing the plant carefully into 2 parts. Sprinkle damaged areas with crushed charcoal, dry and plant in separate pots.
Diseases and pests
In case of improper maintenance of crops, there is a risk of developing various diseases. In such a situation, it is worth acting in time.
Leaf tips dry up
This symptom indicates a lack of humidity. In this case, it is worth establishing watering. It is important to ensure that the soil is completely moist. There should be containers with water near the culture.
The leaves are turning yellow
This sign indicates excessive soil moisture or lack of proper fertilizers. In such a situation, it is worth changing the soil and adjusting the irrigation regime.
wilted foliage
If the oleander foliage has turned pale, this indicates a lack of light and a disturbance in photosynthesis.
Black spots on the leaves
The appearance of black dots on the leaves indicates the defeat of the culture by fungi. They cover the entire plate, which leads to a violation of photosynthesis and weakening of the flower.
Fall of lower leaves
These signs indicate a lack of light. In summer, it is enough to move the flower to a brighter place. In winter, it is worth using artificial lamps.
Massive foliage discharge
Low temperatures or drafts can cause problems. The plant should be moved to a warmer and brighter place.
falling buds
Such a violation is observed at low temperatures or when exposed to a draft. Also, bud drop can be the result of using cold water for irrigation.
Little or no growth
Violation of the development of culture may be the result of improper temperature conditions or insufficient lighting.
cochineal
This is one of the most dangerous pests for oleander. In this case, fleas appear in the buds, which absorb their juice. The soap solution will help to cope with the problem. You can also use special tools - Aktaru, Fitoverm, Aktellik.
Spider
When a bush is damaged by this pest, drying and falling of leaves is observed. In this case, it is worth treating the culture with soapy water. If there is no effect, it is worth using Aktellik, Fitoverm or Vertimer.
Shield
When a flower is damaged by a scutellum, small tubercles appear in the area of the base of the trunk. You can delete them yourself. When pests attack, the bush becomes ugly and loses its leaves. To control pests, it is recommended to remove them manually. Damaged areas should be wiped with soap or an alcohol solution.
To increase the effectiveness of treatment, it is worth using chemicals - Aktara or Aktellik. It is recommended to process the soil with these means. With a strong defeat, it is worth systematically getting rid of the affected shoots.
Useful properties of a flower
The plant has poisonous properties. In addition, it contains oleandrin and cornerin. These substances are cardiac glycosides found in the leaves.In small amounts, they are useful in the treatment of certain heart diseases.
In traditional medicine, tinctures made from the leaves of the plant are used for headaches, sleep disorders and furunculosis. They can also be used for tachycardia, nervous exhaustion, lichen. In veterinary practice, such agents help activate the digestive system and eliminate acute heart failure in animals.
Many gardeners claim that a flowering plant can help cope with seasonal deterioration in mood. Also, oleander is often used in landscape design. With its help, it is possible to create interesting accents in group plantings. The plant helps to purify and refresh the air. Its essential oil is often used in perfumery.
Virulence
Oleander is considered a very poisonous plant. It can be deadly when used as fuel or added to tea. A few hours after oleander poisoning, a person develops abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. There is also a risk of bloody diarrhea, visual effects and tachycardia. As the poisoning progresses, the pulse becomes slow and irregular, the blood pressure decreases, which leads to cardiac arrest.
Any manipulation of the culture should be done with extreme caution. The wood and sap of the plant contain many dangerous components. Gloves are recommended for the transplant. After contact with a flower, wash your hands thoroughly.
Tips & Tricks
To successfully grow a crop, it is important to properly care for it. To do this, you should follow the recommendations of experienced florists:
- Carry out the planting work correctly, respecting the safety instructions.In this case, it is worth using protective equipment.
- In winter, the container with the plant should be kept in a cool room. In summer, it is recommended to take it out to the veranda or garden.
- After flowering is complete, all branches should be cut in half. This will help stimulate the growth of side shoots and the emergence of new flowers.
- It is recommended to replant oleanders in the spring. In the summer it is worth doing the transshipment. During the flowering period, any manipulation with the culture is prohibited.
Oleander is considered a popular culture with excellent decorative properties. In addition, this plant has a toxic effect on the human body. Therefore, when growing it, you need to be careful.