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Oleander is an unusual plant. Although it is a symbol of Mediterranean fauna, it can be a decoration of our balconies and terraces. How to cultivate and reproduce it? I will tell you in a moment. I invite you.
In the Mediterranean countries, oleanders grow up to several meters high. They are not afraid of compact, dry, loamy soil or rainless weather. They bloom wonderfully, often planted in long rows formed into hedges.
Their cultivation in our country looks a bit different. The main difference is that they have to be moved to a warmer place for the winter, so it's only a container crop. But you can not deny that putting them in the pot on the balcony or terrace in the summer introduces the southern climate, awakens dreams or memories.
Specimens growing in pots rarely grow up to several meters, but grow quickly and also bloom splendidly. It's the oleander I bought last year. After 12 months it is at least twice as large. He was wintering at home, by the window from the south. In mid-May, he took his place on the terrace.
The downside of oleander growing in our climate is that the plant blooms only during the warm summer. In cold, rainy seasons, it does not develop buds.
Unlike some other plants, oleander feels great in the direct sun of the hottest summer. Of course, before it takes a sunny place, it should be tempered after getting out of the house. However, it should be remembered for its abundant watering. All the time I wonder how it is that in the Mediterranean countries, these plants can grow and bloom during really long rainless periods. However, in my garden it is enough for me to forget about it for a day or two and I already see bleeding flowers and leaves. During the growth period, oleander really needs a lot of water and fertilizer. Often, the reason for their poor growth and flowering is their excessive drying. What can be observed in my second specimen, who just barely survived last summer.
Although gardeners' guides differ in the subject of removing blossomed flowers from oleanders, my experience tells me not to remove old inflorescences. From them new growths grew out of my plants and new flower buds appeared. It's time to overdo these plants.
Oleanders are poisonous plants. That is why it is worth to handle them carefully during care. Use protective gloves when transplanting or trimming.
Flowers or oleander leaves can be poisoned, and contact with the juice of this plant can lead to skin irritation. Such poisonous beauty.
It's best to replant oleanders in spring. Unfortunately, my potted plants mostly have to wait until summer when there is less work in the garden. Only then do I find time for them. The substrate for growing oleanders in containers should be fertile, humus and well-permeable. We can use a ready substrate for Mediterranean plants. We plant the plant in a new pot at about the same depth as it has grown so far. After planting the oleander, carefully water.
Remember that in potting the substrate in which the oleander grows should be constantly moist. On hot days, you can reach for a hose with water or a watering can every day, or even twice a day. Let's try to pour water directly into the pot, because the oleanders do not like spraying during flowering.
These plants may have flowers in white salmon, light or dark pink, single full or semi-double. Some varieties smell beautifully, such as this my dark pink specimen, which does not bloom yet too abundantly. The aroma is sweet and pleasant, some resemble aniseed sweets. Until you want to breed such a variety.
It is not difficult to reproduce oleanders. Just cut off the top seedlings and root them in water or directly in the substrate.
We choose non-flowering top cuttings with a length of 10-20 cm. We peel down the lower leaves leaving at least 4 on top. These seedlings can be placed in water, they should release the roots within 3-4 weeks. Gently, then, we transplant the young plant into the pot with the substrate.
If we choose the second way, we put the seedlings directly in the substrate. It can be mixed with sand, we can also use rooting. Remember that this substrate for the next few weeks is constantly moist.
These seedlings came to my garden from Greece. I hope that they will accept our less-favorable colder conditions. Oleanders can also be propagated from seeds. One of my plants, this fragrant, has been fruiting, so maybe when ripe, I will also try this method of oleander reproduction. In this case, however, you have to wait longer for flowers. Plants propagated from cuttings can already bloom even in the next year. Oleanders multiplied from seeds may blossom only after 4-6 years.
He translated: Joachim