Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Oleander Question, 1 by mittsy

mittsy wrote:
I'm sorry it seems to be so difficult for many of you. Just a bit of information I have picked up along the way. Seeds do not come true to parent plant and take three to four years to know what you have. Cuttings are easy, but don't make them too tall, 8" should be max. Cut bottom at an angle and remove a thin sliver of bark to stimulate root growth. I remove all leaves but four, and cut the bottom two in half. I don't cover the container. ( 1 lb yogurt container with drain holes in bottom). Sometimes I use Rootone, sometimes I don't. No fertilizer in the water you use to wet the soil (I use Farfeld potting soil from Ace Hardware). Place in a spot where it will get bright light but no direct sun. Direct sun cooks them! I have done this with several different colors and find I can train them from shrub shape to tree form in a couple of years. I don't do this but if you are having a hard time you might want to try using vermiculite in a clean container with regular clorinated water to the level you wish to grow roots. Prepare your cuttings as above and insert into the vermiculite, add an aquarium air stone connect to a small electric pump to add bubbles to the water. Cuttings root much quicker when using this method. (Even those without two green thumbs have success with the aquarium pump method. I have access to many different varieties from October to May. I'd be happy to send cuttings during that time.

Sorry wrong pictures, not oleander but frangipani.

This message was edited Jul 26, 2012 3:37 PM