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.
