Although the oleander is considered drought-resistant, it should be properly watered in the hot summer months. But when and how often should you water the oleander and what problems can arise? Can it also benefit from rainwater?
If you are looking for a hardy shrub that produces lots of flowers from spring to fall, oleander is an extremely popular choice. As an evergreen ornamental shrub with large flowers, it is a characteristic plant for the Mediterranean region. And although it does not require any special irrigation and is quite resistant to lack of water, it should be watered regularly in summer. Learn when and how often to water your oleander so that it blooms profusely and for a long time.
Watering oleander: tips for proper watering
The oleander willusually in potsis grown and placed outdoors in summer to decorate the garden with its blossoms. One of its advantages is that it is fairly easy to care for. Its water requirements are low, although it should be watered regularly in the hot months to promote flowering. Learn how to properly water your oleander to keep it blooming all summer long.
When and how often should the oleander be watered?
The ideal time to water the oleander is early in the morning, when it is not too warm. Then evaporation is low and the plant has time to absorb the water.
The frequency of watering should be adjusted depending on the season.
In spring and autumn, the oleander should only be watered when the soil is completely dry.
In summer, during the growing seasonand the flowerIf temperatures rise and the plant needs more water, it should be watered once in the morning and once in the evening.
In the winter months, watering should be reduced and you should try to minimize humidity. If the oleander is placed in a cool room, it is enough to water it every two to three weeks.
Oleanders are poured directly onto the ground
One of the ways to water your oleander is to water the soil abundantly.
In order to create a balance between moisture and dryness for the plant, it is recommended to let the soil dry first.
Since it typically dries from top to bottom, you'll want to use a long, thin wooden stick to check it. The wooden stick should easily penetrate the soil surface and reach the top 5 cm. Pull it out and if it feels dry, it's time to water your oleander.
Water the soil thoroughly using a watering can with a long spout and allow the plant to sit for a minute before discarding the excess water from the saucer. Never leave the plant in water for too long and make sure that the leaves and flowers do not get wet when watering to avoid fungal diseases.
Pour into the coaster
Fill the saucer with water, making sure the soil comes into contact with the water. Let the plant rest for 10 minutes and discard the excess water from the saucer once the soil is evenly moist. If the soil still looks dry, pour more water into the saucer and let the oleander sit for another 20 minutes. Carefully remove any remaining water.
If the summer is very dry and there is no rainfall, you should water the plant from above at least once a week. The remaining water can be added directly to the saucer.
Can you save a dried up oleander?
The oleander in the pot can dry out very quickly in summer due to a lack of water and shed its leaves. In this case, you should not take the oleander out of the pot, even if it has lost all of its leaves and looks completely dried out.
Water the plant sufficiently and often and it is very likely that it will grow new foliage again within the next 10 days. It will grow very slowly at first, but it will recover after a few months.
What to do if you overwater?
The most common symptoms of overhydrationare yellow leaves, root rot and leaf drop. If you find that you have given your plant too much water, you should take the following measures.
- Increase soil aeration by loosening the surface regularly.
- Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering the oleander again.
- Provide a well-ventilated, warm environment to promote water evaporation.
Can you water the oleander with rainwater?
Although many plants only benefit from rainwater, avoid watering your oleander with it. The plant does not tolerate rainwater as it makes the soil in the container acidic. Oleanders thrive best in calcareous soils and therefore require calcareous tap water.
