Things to note when planting oleander

Oleander is a common ornamental plant with bright colors, long flowering period and strong adaptability. It is very suitable for planting in courtyards, gardens, balconies and other places. Many people want to plant oleander. Let’s take a look at the precautions for planting oleander.

1. Breeding method

Oleander can be propagated by cuttings, layering or division. Cutting propagation can be carried out in spring or summer. Choose 1-2 year old branches, cut them into 15-20 cm segments, soak them in water for rooting, and then insert them into the soil. When propagating by layering, first cut or ring the part to be buried, bury it in the soil, and then cut it off from the mother plant in about 2 months. When propagating by division, take the potted oleander out of the pot, use a knife to divide the roots into several parts, and replant them in the pot or in the ground.

2. Soil matrix

Oleander prefers fertile neutral or slightly acidic soil with good drainage and good air permeability. The substrate can be made by mixing leaf mold, garden soil and river sand in a ratio of 3:3:4. The potting soil should be changed every 2-3 years, and some old roots and yellow roots should be cut off when repotting.

3. Light temperature

Oleander likes sunlight and needs to be placed in sufficient sunlight during the growing period, otherwise the flowers will be few and pale in color. During the high temperatures in summer, provide shade to cool down and avoid sun exposure. Oleander is not cold-resistant, so it needs to be moved indoors to keep warm in winter, and the room temperature should not be lower than 0℃. If the outdoor temperature is high, you can cover the roots with soil to keep them warm.

4. Watering and fertilizing

Although oleander likes water, it is afraid of waterlogging. Watering should be done in moderation to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. In spring and autumn, water when the soil is dry and wet. In summer, water once in the morning and evening every day, and spray the leaves frequently. Control watering after bringing the plant indoors in winter to prevent root rot and leaf loss. Oleander likes fertilizer. From the time it is taken out of the room until the flowers fade, apply thin liquid fertilizer every 20 days or so. It grows rapidly after the beginning of autumn and can be fertilized and watered every 15 days or so until it is brought indoors.

5. Pruning and shaping

If oleander is not pruned, the plant will be too large and affect the ornamental effect. In principle, pruning should be done at the base of the branch to facilitate the sprouting of new branches. After flowering in summer, it is necessary to promptly cut off the withered branches and overgrown branches to keep the tree shape symmetrical. A heavy pruning should be done before bringing the plants indoors in winter to promote the renewal of aging tissues.

It should be noted that oleander is a poisonous plant. Contact with its juice or flowers may cause skin allergies or poisoning. Therefore, you need to wear gloves and avoid contact with its juice during planting and pruning.