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| Nerium | Common name; Oleander |
A tender evergreen flowering shrub, that may be grown as wall shrubs outdoors in the extreme south-west of the UK. Elsewhere, they will normally need greenhouse conditions.
Clusters of single white flowers appear from June to October, although there are some single and double forms with white, cream, pink and red flowers available.
Water freely during the growing period and keep the plants just moist in winter when a minimum temperature of 7°C (45°F) is required.
Pot plants may be stood outdoors during summer; in the greenhouse, place plants in full light and ventilate freely at all times except in frosty weather.
To maintain the shape of the plant shorten flowering shoots by half after flowering; at the same time cut back lateral shoots to within 100mm (4”) of their base.
Keep an eye open for pests and diseases such as; when plants become sticky and sooty, and there are conspicuous tufts of white waxy wool on the leaves and stems, these are caused by Mealy bugs.
Scale Insects can form rounded white or brown scales under the leaves, and make the plants sticky and sooty.
Discoloration of the foliage and leaf-fall can be a sign of a physiological disorder.
Week 12; Plant out in the greenhouse border or in small tubs or in 250-300mm (10”-12”) pots potting compost (equiv JI No. 2.)
For established plants; re-pot on annually, or subject to the size of plant and plot do this every other year.
Week 14; Sow seeds in pots or pans of seed compost, and germinate under glass at a temperature of 18°-21°C (65°-70°F).
Prick off the seedlings, when large enough to handle, into 75mm (3”) pots of potting compost (equiv JI No. 1) then treat as described for cuttings.
Week 18; Commence giving established plants a weak liquid feed at fortnightly intervals from now and until September.
Week 22; Plants to be grown outdoors can be planted against a sheltered sunny wall in ordinary garden soil.
Week 24; Take 75-100mm (3”-4”) cuttings of half-ripened shoots and insert in equal parts (by volume) peat and sand in a propagating frame at a temperature of 16°-18°C (60°-65°F).
Pot the rooted cuttings in 3 in. containers of potting compost (equiv JI No. 1) and grow on in a greenhouse at a temperature of 13°-16°C (55°-60°F).
Pot on successively as required, and finish off in 250-300mm (10”-12”) pots.
Harden off outdoor plants in a cold frame before planting out the following year.
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