Having just started a greenhouse of my own, I bought numerous books on plants and fruits and vegetables to start growing. Orchids are my favorite type of flowers so of course naturally I wanted to start there. After I discovered they can be complicated to grow and the fact that there are so many different kinds with different requirements to flourish, I decided to start somewhere a little bit easier. Oleanders, although in the same letter family as the Orchids, are much different.
Oleander is actually a shrub in the evergreen family. Some may say that it’s a tad crazy to grow Oleanders in a greenhouse because they can grow to the height of 20 feet or more if not pruned routinely. Keep in mind, if you are growing or are starting to grow Oleander, that the leaves are poisonous if ingested. Oleander may not be the best plant to grow if you have small children running around.
The Oleander has six-inch-long lance-shaped leaves and the flowers tend to bloom in the warmer time of year. When they are in bloom, Oleanders have clusters of white, pink or red flowers at the ends of the branches. If suckers start to form just below the buds, pinch them out because the suckers tend to keep the flowers from forming.
Oleanders enjoy growing in full light. Pruning is best done in the winter months to control their rapid growth. Soil should be well-drained and make sure that there are big enough holes in the bottom of your tubs for draining. Oleander can withstand temperatures as cold as 40 degrees Fahrenheit. When in bloom, constant watering is necessary but be sure to cut down on watering during winter months.
After all your hard work, be sure to enjoy the pleasant fragrance that emanates from the flower blooms.
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