Oleander - a fragrant source of well-being

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Oleander (Nerium) - a genus of flowering plants of the Kutrov family (Apocynaceae) The only kind is Oleander ordinary (Nerium oleander) Is a shrub widely distributed in the subtropical regions of the planet. In nature, the oleander grows near the water. As an ornamental plant, the oleander is widely used in landscape design in regions with a subtropical climate. It is also cultivated as a beautifully flowering houseplant. About the features of growing oleander in room conditions, we will describe in the article.

Content:

Features of growing oleander in room conditions
Oleander Diseases and Pests
Signs of oleander poisoning

Features of growing oleander in room conditions

There is a legend that in ancient times, when a huge volcano suddenly woke up over one wonderful city, people rushed to run, but the lake blocked their way. The beautiful son of the gods Oleander, to help the townspeople, drank the lake, but could not move on. People were saved, a young man died in a red-hot lava. The flower, which was given the name of the hero, is always ready to help a person. He is very unusual: strong, beautiful, poisonous and noble.

Oleander is suitable exclusively for large areas. Firstly, the small bush that you purchase in the store, with proper care, will grow two meters in height. Secondly, the wonderful aroma of its flowers is too strong. In a small room you just have a headache. For the same reason, you can not keep an oleander in the bedroom.

Oleander is poisonous, but you can smell its flowers without fear. But working with an adult plant is better with gloves. We have to abandon this useful plant and those who have small children, as well as child care facilities.

Oleander care at home

Location As much heat and light as possible. In winter - coolness (not higher than +8 ° C) and light (heat and lack of lighting will destroy the plant), in summer, the open air, the sun and the breeze are useful to the oleander.

Lighting. The bigger, the better.

Air humidity. Moderate.

Watering. In summer - the maximum (if the plant is in the sun, there should always be water in the pan all the time). Water - settled, not hard, room temperature. Winter watering - as needed, with lukewarm water.

Pruning. On a large oleander bush, all faded branches are cut in autumn, otherwise in spring there will be few shoots. Withered inflorescences should not be removed closer to autumn - in spring they will bloom first.

Reproduction. Cuttings. Put the cutlery in a bottle of water, dropping a few pieces of charcoal into it. Plug the neck with cotton. Leave until the roots appear.

Transfer. Young plants are transplanted annually, grown up - once every 2-3 years. Transplantation is done only in the spring. Completely adult plants do not even need to be handled, just replace the topsoil. Optimum substrate: turf land, humus and peat in equal quantities.

In the southern regions oleander can be grown in the ground. On the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, in Transcaucasia, it is widely used for landscaping streets and parks. Oleander does not care about exhaust fumes, it perfectly cleans the air. Thanks to numerous plantings, the oleander has become a flourishing symbol of the city of Yalta.

Oleander Diseases and Pests

Shield

Wipe the leaves with a sponge dipped in soapy water. Then spray the plant with 0.15% Actellik solution (1-2 ml per 1 liter of water).

Spider mite

Wipe the leaves with soapy water, then hold in a hot shower (water temperature is about 50 degrees). Regular spraying is also required. In severe cases, actellic solution (0.15%).

Mealybugs

The control measures are the same as for the spider mite.

Signs of oleander poisoning

Important! Fatalities are possible when using wood as a fuel and brewing tea from leaves.

After a few hours, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, tachycardia (accelerated heartbeat), visual effects begin. Later, a rare slow irregular pulse, a drop in blood pressure followed by cardiac arrest.

When ingested, it causes disturbances in cardiovascular activity.

Attention! Care must be taken when handling this plant, since its wood and juice are poisonous. It is advisable to use gloves during transplantation, and after contact with the plant you need to wash your hands.

Beautiful evergreen foliage and wood oleander ordinary (Nerium oleander), contain cardiac glycoside, which in small doses stimulate the work of weakened heart muscle, but in case of an overdose it leads to arrhythmias and blockade of the electrical conductivity of the heart, necessary for its normal contractions.