What Is the Price of Oleander Seeds? A Detailed Guide to Planting Methods
Oleander, also known as Chudong, willow-leaf tree, and foreign peach plum, is an evergreen upright large shrub of the genus Nerium in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). Its flowers are large, showy, and long-blooming, so it is often used as an ornamental plant. It is widely cultivated throughout China, especially in southern China, while cultivation north of the Yangtze River requires overwintering in a greenhouse. Let us take a look at oleander seed prices and planting methods together!
How much does one jin of oleander seeds cost?
The price of oleander seeds is about 60 to 70 yuan per jin, but prices vary greatly depending on seed quality, variety, market, and other factors. Oleander is very easy to propagate from cuttings and layering, but long-term cutting propagation can also lead to variety degeneration, so sowing is also a very important propagation method for oleander. Seedling plants of oleander are sturdier, more upright, have larger leaves, a more attractive plant shape, and a longer lifespan than cutting-propagated plants, and they rarely suffer from diseases. In addition, sowing readily produces variation, making it an important method for breeding new varieties.
Sowing methods for oleander
1. Seed collection: Oleander sets few seeds through natural pollination, so artificial pollination is best (especially for double-petaled varieties). The fruit is a purplish-brown, oblong follicle that matures and splits around December. When the fruit splits, the seeds fall off on their own, so they must be collected promptly, dried, and stored.
2. Sowing method: Oleander can be sown in both spring and summer. Sow the seeds in plain sandy soil in a shallow pot, cover with a thin layer of soil, then water thoroughly once with a fine-nozzle watering can. After that, spray daily to keep the soil moist. At a room temperature of 10°C, germination occurs in 40 days; at 25°C, seedlings emerge one after another in 20 days.
3. Seedling management: When oleander seedlings grow to 3 to 4 true leaves and a height of 3 cm, they can be divided and potted. Seed-grown seedlings grow slowly in the seedling stage and then speed up. They usually flower in 16 months. To grow them into mature plants faster, they can first be moved to open ground for cultivation and then potted after the weather turns cold.
Planting methods for oleander
1. Watering: Although oleander likes water, it fears waterlogging. During consecutive rainy days, the accumulated water in the pot should be poured out promptly to prevent root rot. In spring and autumn, water according to the principle of watering when the soil is dry and keeping the potting soil moist. In summer, it is best to water once each morning and evening. After moving indoors in mid-October, watering should be controlled.
2. Light: Oleander likes sunlight and can also adapt to a relatively shady environment, but plants grown in shade produce fewer and paler flowers. Therefore, during the growing period, it should be kept in a sunny place; otherwise, its ornamental value will be affected.
3. Temperature: Oleander should be planted in a wind-sheltered, sunny spot. In winter, move it indoors to prevent freezing; a room temperature no lower than 0°C is sufficient. If the temperature is too high, nutrients are consumed, which is unfavorable for growth and flowering the following year. Where outdoor temperatures are high in winter, soil can be banked up around the plant to protect it from the cold.
4. Fertilizing: Oleander likes fertilizer. From the time it is moved outdoors until the flowers fade (around Frost's Descent), apply a dilute liquid fertilizer about once every 20 days. After the Beginning of Autumn, oleander grows rapidly, so at this time apply fertilizer solution about once every 15 days until just before it is moved indoors.
5. Pruning: Oleander is generally pruned four times: first after Grain Rain, second during July and August, third during October, and fourth in winter. If it is to bloom indoors, move it to a sunny spot indoors at around 15°C. Prune immediately after flowering; otherwise, flowers will be fewer and smaller, or it may not bloom at all.
6. Diseases: Oleander is often affected by brown spot disease. In the early stage of the disease, spray 50% benomyl wettable powder at 1000 times dilution or 25% carbendazim wettable powder at 600 times dilution. For the control of black spot disease, management should be strengthened and tree vigor increased, and 75% chlorothalonil at 700 times dilution can be sprayed.