Growing oleanders
There are three varieties of oleander. At the same time, only ordinary oleander has decorative characteristics, so it is suitable for growing in a flower bed. It is a bush with pink flowers (yellow or white inflorescences are less common). Growing oleanders means creating favorable conditions for the plant.
Growing conditions for oleander
The shrub blooms from June to September, then leaves behind seeds in the form of small umbrellas. In the natural environment, it reaches 8 meters in height.
When growing oleander, the plant is provided with good lighting.
In order for it to develop quickly and bloom regularly, it needs to create special growing conditions:
- The plant prefers fertile soil, which must include sand, humus and leafy soil.
- The flower feels good with an excess of sunlight. In the absence of such lighting, the stem of the plant may deform, the leaves will be pale, and flowering, if it does, will not last long.
- Oleander tolerates hot climates well. The optimum temperature should be between 22 and 25 degrees.
If the plant is planted in a pot, it should be taken out into fresh air during the summer. Although it is recommended to give preference to growing oleander outdoors.
In winter, the shrub feels good at a temperature of 10-12 degrees. Therefore, for the winter it is better to uproot it and keep it in the house. An important condition for wintering for oleander is constant lighting. If there is not enough light, the plant will shed all the leaves, and the flowering period will not come.
Fertilizing, watering and pruning oleander
The correct watering of the plant should be calculated based on the conditions of detention:
- If the flower grows in a sunny place, you need to water abundantly, the soil should not be allowed to dry out.
- If the oleander is planted in a shady area, water it sparingly, every few days.
- In the summer, the plant loves spraying – this helps it cool down and freshen up.
It is necessary to feed the oleander 2-3 times a month in the summer and once a month in the off-season. For this, ordinary complex fertilizers for flowering plants are suitable. You can water the bush with mullein infusion, but always in the correct proportions: 1 part tincture and 1 parts water.
After flowering, the flower needs proper pruning. This has a beneficial effect on further flowering, helps to give the plant the correct shape and well-groomed appearance. For oleander, pruning is safe, and after it, it grows well.