If you want to bring a Mediterranean touch to your garden, there is no better option than planting an oleander. The robust, flowering shrub is very easy to care for and offers a breathtaking display of flowers. Even a single plant can add a colorful accent to any garden. However, some growing problems can arise and a close inspection of the foliage is important to determine what your shrub is suffering from. In this article we have summarized 5 common oleander care mistakes that can lead to yellowing of the plant.
5 common oleander care mistakes: How can you avoid yellowing?
Yellowing of leaves is a problem that can occur with most plants. In most cases, this indicates a care error and the problem can be quickly resolved as soon as the cause can be identified. To help you treat the yellowing leaves as quickly as possible and admire your evergreen plant all summer long, we explain below which onesMake mistakes in careshould definitely be avoided.
Watering oleander incorrectly
One of the most common mistakes that can occur when caring for oleander is incorrect watering, which plays the most important role in the well-being of the plant. Both overwatering and underwatering can cause the leaves to turn yellow.
If the oleander is watered too little, the root tips die in the dry soil and the nutrient content drops,resulting in drooping, dry leavesleads to eventually yellowing. If you improve the water supply, the roots will revive and the plant will recover in no time.
Oleander plants like humid climates and generally require a lot of water, but they cannot tolerate overwatering. Waterlogging can easily lead to root rot, which causes yellowing of the leaves, which then slowly fall off. Yellow leaves caused by too much water are easily remedied by changing the watering schedule.
To create a balance between moisture and dryness, it is beneficial to allow the soil to partially dry before watering. Water your plant daily in summer and at least twice a day on hot summer days to keep it thriving. If you are unsure whether to water it, test the soil with your fingers and only water when the top 2-3cm is dry. Make sure you only water the soil and do not wet the leaves.
Oleander Care Mistakes: Poor drainage
However, if you are sure that you are watering your oleander properly but your plant still gets yellow leaves, it may be due to poor soil drainage.
Poor drainage can lead to waterlogging and promote various diseases by cutting off the oxygen supply to the roots.
If your oleander is constantly yellowing quickly, you should check the soil for poor drainage. The oleander plants can adapt to different types of soils, but you should use a balanced soil mix that can retain the necessary moisture and drain the excess water. Therefore, do not choose a very porous or compacted soil mix so that your plant can thrive properly.
To avoid yellow leaves, mix the garden soil with a little clay to help it retain water better. By adding sand you get a water-permeable soil mixture. Last but not least you should add some lime. Also make sure that the pH of the soil should be between 6.0 and 7.0 to ensure optimal growth. If the soil is outside this range, this can also result in yellowed leaves.
If you grow your plants in containers, use a substrate suitable for succulents.
Fertilizing the shrub incorrectly
The oleander should be fertilized twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn. It does not require heavy fertilization; a balanced, slow-release fertilizer is sufficient to promote healthy growth and lush flowering.
If you notice that the new, young leaves are still green but the old ones are yellowing, there is a nitrogen deficiency. The plant has difficulty supplying nutrients to the old leaves and they turn yellow and then fall off. Remember that this can happen even if you don'tuse the right fertilizer, which can meet the plant's nutrient needs.
To fix this problem, provide your oleander with a balanced fertilizer and the yellow leaves will turn green again within 3 to 4 days.
In rare cases, when the plant does not bloom, a fertilizer with a significantly increased potassium and phosphorus content can also be used.
Space distance too small
The different types of oleander vary greatly in size and width. Even if they look sparse when planted, they can grow 30 to 50 cm per year.
When growing, make sure to position the plants according to their size. The oleander has an extensive root system that needs a lot of space to grow. Planting it too close can affect the roots and cause yellow leaves. Too little spacing between plants leads to a competition for nutrients and light, which subsequently causes yellowing of the leaves.
To ensure your oleander grows healthily and blooms profusely, plant it far away from buildings and other plants and keep a distance of at least one and a half meters.
What distance should you keep between the different varieties?
- Petite Salmon:This variety grows 1.5 m high and 1.5 m wide and requires a minimum distance of one meter from other plants.
- Hardy Pink and Sister Agnes:These large varieties grow up to three meters tall and are best suited as solitary plants.
No pest control: spider mites and lice
An untreated pest infestation can also cause yellow leaves and even kill the plant. In order to avoid such damage, it is important to recognize and treat it as quickly as possible.
Check the oleander plant regularly and don't forget to examine the underside of the leaves, where most pests like to hide.
The evergreen leaves of the oleander are preferred by all types of lice. Sucking insects such as aphids and mealybugs feed on the foliage and suck the plant nutrients, resulting in yellow leaves.
If you notice an infestation, quarantine the plant. Remove any affected leaves and wipe the foliage with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol. Spraying with neem oil can help eliminate existing pests and keep new ones away.
Spider mites are the biggest problem. The tiny insects can be recognized by the webs they leave behind on the leaves. If infested with spider mites, wash the plant with lukewarm water and wrap it in a plastic bag or clear garbage bag for 3-4 days. The high humidity kills the pests.
Tipp:Be careful that oleander is a poisonous plant. Avoid contact with its stems and wear gloves when transplanting. Do not plant it near edible plants and keep children and pets away from it.
