Oleanders

Some advise please guys

My Oleanders have arrived and at the moment they are enjoying the conservatory.
Question I have is when should I introduce them to the outside world?



I`m sure you are wondering whats in the covered box behind??
Its my onion store. still supplying us since last harvest.

 

Afternoon Capney,
I have a few Oleanders , I have usually kept them just frost free ,and a couple got very large and I left them in a cold greenhouse and I lost both ..Now my younger ones I have decided to keep in the heated greenhouse .So I would say put outdoors during summer and frost protect during winter .
I suppose it depends where you are, and others will probably have other opinions to mine
Dave

 

Leave them in the greenhouse if you have one, or somewhere cool, but not outside yet. Mine comes into the cold greenhouse every year. They are fine young plants.

 

one of my clients has one ip a fairly large pot which is kept outside

will let you know how hardy they are in a few weeks time .... it looks ok sofar ... (checked it yesterday) ...

still early to say if there is any damage and will know in a few weeks time (we had -16 degrees for a few nights here in cambridge)

 

I've left mine out all winter (-12C lowest) as they have had mealy bug the last two years ...

... I have sown some seeds for new plants as a fall-back though!

I would put out, first year, after frosts have gone, and bring in reasonably early. Once isn a "large" pot you can be a bit more cavalier

 

My two have discoloured after the recent cold with one nigh of -9c but I think they will recover. Flowering in our climate is very hit and miss and often in late Summer/ Autumn, at least mine did.
I see one of yours has a nice bud forming Robert. I presume you know about all parts being toxic.

 

Sound advise as usual guys, and I thank you for it.
Looks like I`m going for large pots which can be placed in the garden during the summer and then into the conservatory during the winter. I like that idea.
The conservatory doubles up as a greenhouse in the winter anyhow.

 

Can they be propagated from fresh growth cuttings?

 

Strongy, not undermining your great knowledge, but I have 'handled' my Oleanders now 3-4 meters tall for 14 years and have never worn gloves ... but I do appreciate that you warn people of the disasters in our gardens ... like 90% of what we grow ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_poisonous_plants

... perhaps we should start telling folk what plants are NOT poisonous ...

The problem in less civilised countries with Oleander came about because they have very straight and firm branches and people used them as bar-b-que sticks for roasting their meats ... and there was the problem! Handling them, when cutting or whatever is no different than many other shrubs/plants/bulbs ... Poinsettia has to be the worst of them all and I shall be cutting mine down from it's 4 meter height tomorrow getting the white sap all over my hands but being a sensible person (at times ) washing them thereafter. :yess:

 

Thanks for that Victoria..duly noted.

 

Hi capney .
I have propagated from stem cuttings . I usually pop five around a 3.5in pot of 50/50 multi purpose and vermiculite.Water in and cover with a plastic bag and pop in propagatoror hotbed . Have done them in late summer by same method but just put in a shady place..keep them just moist till rooted ..

 

Thanks for that davygfuchsia. I shall give that a go.

 

You have some very healthy looking plants there capney.
Would be interested to know if they are single or double flowered?

 

I know what you are saying Vicky, where they are popular and almost considered a native plant people are aware of their toxicity but here not everyone knows and anyway Robert might have thought of using them for salad garnish!!