Watering, fertilizing, cutting and more

Which location does oleander prefer?

The plant that is used to a Mediterranean climate is preferred a full sun and warm locationthat is as free from drafts as possible. Especially varieties with double flowers should be protected from rain (e. B. by stowing the plants under an eaves if the worst comes to the worst), otherwise fungal diseases can develop very easily.

Can I also plant oleanders in the garden?

Oleander is only hardy up to a maximum of minus five degrees Celsius and should therefore, if possible, only in mild regions and with adequate protection planted in the garden will. However, the wood can be grown very well cultivate in large containers.

What substrate does oleander need?

The plant has a very high need for nutrients and therefore needs one nutrient-rich, well-drained substrate such as flower or garden soil, which you also use

Humus soil can upgrade. Young oleanders should be repotted once a year, older specimens at least every five years, with a complete exchange of the substrate.

How often should i water an oleander?

Oleander should be given twice a day - in the morning and in the evening - especially during the main growing season in the hot summer months. pour vigorously. It doesn't hurt if you leave excess water in the saucer, because the plant has an immensely high water requirement and will use up this water quickly. Of course, if it's not that hot, the plant doesn't need that much water. Oleander must not dry out, but it should not be left permanently in great moisture either. In winter, on the other hand, you only need to water very rarely and little.

When and with what should an oleander be fertilized

Due to the high nutritional requirements, oleanders should be taken once or twice a week during the growing season with a good flowering plant fertilizer are supplied.

Basically, oleander does not have to be cut back, because the shrub branches very well on its own. If the plant gets too big, you should wait until after the first flowering before pruning - in autumn or spring, pruned oleanders will form in this or the following season no more flowers. To stimulate the development of flowers, however, you can carefully pluck out the faded.

My oleander is getting yellow leaves. What is the reason?

Lightened to yellow leaves often indicate a nutrient deficiency in oleanders, for example due to insufficient fertilization. However, the substrate can also be unsuitable or have an incorrect pH. Repot the affected plant in fresh substrate, add something if necessary Garden lime(€ 9.70 at Amazon *) add and / or pour preferably with hard water. However, if the yellow leaves do not appear en masse, but only sporadically, an otherwise healthy oleander only sheds old leaves.

The leaves of my oleander turn brown. Why?

Brown spots on the leaves or Brown leaf margins are often the result of sunburn, which occurs after clearing out of the winter quarters as a result of insufficient acclimatization to the sun. Oleander should slowly and gradually be accustomed to a location in full sun again, but not immediately placed in full sun.

Above all Spider mites, Thrips and scale insects often haunt the bush with the leathery leaves. With these pests, however, you do not need to use lethal injection right away, because biological (and self-made) antidotes often work very well.

In particular, oleander that is not sufficiently fertilized and thus weakened often develops oleander cancer, the is triggered by the bacterium Pseudomonas and is mainly caused by brownish growths on the shoots shows. Only a strong cut back into the healthy wood can help against this disease.

Oleander cuttings can be easily rooted in a glass of water and, as soon as the roots are strong enough, planted in a pot of soil. If possible, cut the corresponding shoots in spring or in early summer. It is also possible to reproduce using seeds that you have collected yourself or bought.

Oleander should overwinter in a light and frost-free winter quarters at around five degrees Celsius.