A look at the oleander flowers evokes a strong association with the exotic of Crimea and the warm subtropical summer. These evergreen shrubs of the Kutrovy family grow in abundance in these places.
Many people know that they are extremely toxic, especially many toxins in the sap of plants. But if this does not scare you, then you can grow purple or white oleander at home - the flower will remind you of the summer and delight you with its beauty and aroma. Paniculate inflorescences come in a wide variety of shades; they bloom from July to early fall.
Features oleander
This plant has been cultivated since ancient times, its images are often found on frescoes and in the carvings that adorn the temples. This is a thermophilic shrub, sensitive to coolness (especially terry varieties). When the temperature drops below twelve degrees Celsius, adult plants freeze and die.
In warm places in sunny places protected from the wind, they grow well. They like moist and fertile soils. They respond well to the formation of the bush by cutting, quickly restore the crown, are resistant to pests. On very wet soils and in shading, they can be affected by fungus, mealybug, aphids. Oleander flowers are a wonderful decoration of Crimean parks. It is often planted along the embankments as a single plant, as well as in group plantings for the design of alleys. Propagate the shrub by cuttings, as well as layering, seeds.
Delicate oleander flower - care and growing on the windowsill
Cultivating it in a pot is quite simple, all that is required is regular pruning. On the windowsill, grades such as Hardy Red, Petite Salmon, Soleil Levant are best established.
Oleander flowers will not be long in coming, because it is a fast-growing shrub. Place the plant in well-drained soil (one part of peat, compost and humus, two parts of loam and peeled sand), you can use ordinary manure as fertilizers. To water, put the pot in a dish with water. During the period of intensive development, you can also spray.
After trimming, you need to reduce the amount of moisture, and in winter to minimize it altogether. The shrub does not like sudden changes in temperature and drafts - because of them, oleander flowers can even fall.
Propagation by cuttings and seeds
Perform this procedure in the summer months, after the shoots get stronger. Cuttings need to be cut up to fifteen centimeters long, leaves should be removed. Carefully prune the stem obliquely. Place the stalk in water. Then root in a mixture of peat and peeled river sand. Propagating by seed is much more difficult. Mostly because they retain good germination for a short time. Therefore, at home it is still more convenient to propagate by cuttings.
Oleander diseases
Mealyworm inflicts the greatest damage to the bush. These insects are able to form whole colonies and weaken the plant, sucking juice from it. The infected bush must be isolated from other indoor flowers and treated with chemicals. Sometimes it’s worth planting the worm's natural enemies — ladybugs — on the oleander.