Okay, so, today I tried my hand at growing rose laurel, also known as oleander. It’s a pretty plant, but apparently, it’s super poisonous, so keep that in mind if you’ve got pets or little kids running around.
Getting Started
First, I got myself a small oleander plant from the local nursery. You can also grow them from seeds, but I’m not that patient, hah. I also picked up some potting soil and a nice-looking pot that’s a bit bigger than the one the plant came in, you know, so it has room to grow.
Planting Time
I filled the new pot with some soil, leaving enough space for the plant. Then, I carefully took the oleander out of its original container and loosened up the roots a bit. I placed it in the new pot and filled in the rest of the space with soil, making sure the base of the plant was level with the soil surface. I gently pressed down to remove any air pockets, but not too hard – roots need air too.
Watering and Sunlight
After planting, I gave it a good watering until the water started to drain out the bottom of the pot. These plants like their soil to dry out a little between waterings. They also love sunlight, so I put the pot on my balcony where it gets plenty of sun throughout the day.
Keeping an Eye on It
- I’ll be checking the soil every few days by sticking my finger in about an inch. If it feels dry, time to water.
- I’ve also read that you can fertilize them every few weeks during the growing season, so I might try that later on.
- I need to keep in mind that all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested, so I made sure to wash my hands thoroughly after handling it.
So far, so good! The plant seems happy in its new home. I’m excited to see it grow and hopefully produce some beautiful flowers. I’ll keep you guys updated on its progress!
