Decorative, beautifully flowering oleanders require pruning to develop properly.Cutting oleanderis necessary to preserve the decorative qualities of the plant grown in a pot. Find outhow and when to prune oleandersso that the plants retain their proper compact habit and bloom profusely. Here are the basicrules for cutting oleander
Oleander cut. How and when to trim oleander?
In young oleanders, the apical shoots are prunedbecause then they branch better.In this way, the plant is formed, giving it the right shape. The tops of the young shoots are pruned, leaving the remainder for flower buds to form (flower buds form on one-year old shoots).
As a result of this oleander pruning, flowering is delayed, but much more abundantThis treatment should be carried out for 2-3 years. It is good to cut the tops of the shoots with a razor blade. It should be remembered that it is not contaminated, because it transmits fungal and viral diseases.
Older oleanders require rejuvenating pruning every 3-4 yearsWith a secateurs, leafless old shoots are cut. Thanks to this treatment, young shoots will gain access to light and space and will be able to develop better.Blown inflorescences are cut on a regular basisEvery year, too long, overgrown shoots are also removed.
Oleander pruning is best done at the beginning of spring , at the end of the wintering period. When lesions are noticed during the growing season, the infected shoots, leaves and flowers are removed as soon as possible.
Note!Oleander juice is poisonous, so it is best to trim it with gloves, or wash your hands thoroughly after the procedure. You cannot touch your mouth or eyes. Tools that have been used should also be washed. Cut shoots should not be used for smoking, e.g. in a fireplace, because their smoke is poisonous.
If you are unsure how to cut or simply afraid to do it, the fantastic book "Cutting School" will help you. Thanks to it, you will gain confidence in pruning plants and learn to cut plants so that they grow according to your expectations. After reading this book, your approach to pruning plants will probably change completely!
MSc Eng. Katarzyna Żywot-Górecka