The oleander plant belongs to the family of kutra. His homeland is Asia Minor and the Mediterranean countries. In areas with a Mediterranean climate, three species of this plant are common, and only one oleander grows in indoor culture. It is an evergreen shrub with thin, dark, branching stems, which can reach two meters. Oleander is grown on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus and the Crimea, in the south of Central Asia, in the Transcaucasus. In the northern regions, it occurs only in room culture.
House plant oleander is a decorative, deciduous, beautifully flowering shrub, well adapted in the conditions of the room. The leaves of oleander are narrow and long, shaped like leaves of willow. The leaves are dark green, leathery, with a pronounced vein in the middle. Oleander flowers are simple and terry. In color they are divided into yellow, red, pink and white. Oleander is a typical flower of the south. Receiving moisture, food and sunlight, it will bloom for a long time, from June to October, depending on the variety. Oleander blossoms gradually, therefore simultaneously it is possible to observe both buds, and flowers, and ovaries. When flowering, it is very fragrant, so it can cause a severe headache. You can not sleep in a room with a flowering oleander, because flowers make a pleasant but too strong flavor.
Oleander: cultivation
If you buy a compact oleander bush, know that the plant can grow up to 2 meters in height and it will take a lot of space. For this reason, the growers are not in a hurry to acquire the plant, although the oleander is unpretentious and easy to take care of. Since this plant is large, it is more suitable for office buildings. Oleander at home prefers a bright and very sunny place. It grows well at a temperature of 20-25 ° C. Oleander needs good lighting in the winter - in the shade the plant will not bloom and will discard the leaves. Do not put a flower near the heating appliances. If the room is heated, sprinkle it daily.
How to care for oleander?
During the growth period, the plant is constantly watered at room temperature, and once a week fed with mineral fertilizers. Oleander likes organic fertilizers. In summer, the plant can be taken out to the front garden, in hot weather put in a drip tray with water. When the oleander is still young, it must be transplanted every year. The adult plant is transplanted every two to three years. Do this in the spring. In the old plant, the top layer of the soil is simply replaced.
Oleander: pruning
Pruning plants is carried out in autumn, after flowering. The young oleander should be formed into three trunks, so that it is more stable. Old stems periodically have to be cut (at ground level), this will give abundant flowering and rejuvenation of the plant.
Reproduction of oleander
Oleander is propagated by cuttings. As a rule, not stiff cuttings root more quickly. They put in a bottle of water, which throw a few pieces of wood ash. This will not allow the plant to rot in the water. The neck of the bottle is plugged with cotton. It is possible to root the cuttings in sand or earth, but rootlets appear more quickly in the water. Rarely the reproduction of oleander ends in failure.
There is one more way of rooting. A bundle of cuttings is taken, wrapped in a newspaper. The bottom of the roots together with the newspaper is wetted with water, after which it is placed in a plastic bag. Roots appear quickly, after which the plant is planted in the ground.