[IBC] Oleander
My daughter is removing all toxic plants (and a few others from
where the pool is going ;-) from her new yard in St. Pete Beach. One is a dwarf oleander. Aside from their total toxicity (roots, stems, leaves, flowers and seeds), does anyone know of oleander as a bonsai? This one is 4 feet tall and wide, and quite rugged looking, and was planted in the 50s. We'll be there next weekend .. . . Oleander will JUST survive in lower zone 8; though I'd have to give it more protection than I give most of the rest of my trees. It is amazing how many tropicals can make you ill! Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Our life is frittered away by detail . . . . Simplify! Simplify. -- Henry David Thoreau - Walden ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] Oleander
Is it a Nerium Oleander ?
I did some research on its toxicity a few years ago. N. oleander is cultivated worldwide as an ornamental plant. It is native only in the Mediterranean region (Kingsbury, 1964; Hardin & Arena, 1974). Well, you can find the plant here in Crete absolutely everywhere. Hot spots include the roadsides and parks. Never seen it as a Bonsai. Dimitris. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo. http://search.yahoo.com ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] Oleander
Jim: Oleander tend to grow with long, straight branches, so they are not ideal
candidates for bonsai. I don't recall seeing any nice bonsai oleander, but I do know they are common in our latitude. They are planted in the medians of I-10 and other roads throughout the New Orleans area. I believe Galveston, TX has an Oleander Festival every year. Oleander is one of the plants listed as toxic which really does pose a danger. Reportedly one leaf is considered sufficient to kill an adult. An all too common mistake is to use the straight branches to skewer a hot dog for roasting over an open fire. Fortunately, composting seems to break down the toxins, so that is a feasible means of removal. Alan Walker, Lake Charles, LA, USA http://LCBSBonsai.org http://bonsai-bci.com ================================ Jim Lewis wrote: My daughter is removing all toxic plants (and a few others from where the pool is going ;-) from her new yard in St. Pete Beach. One is a dwarf oleander. Aside from their total toxicity (roots, stems, leaves, flowers and seeds), does anyone know of oleander as a bonsai? This one is 4 feet tall and wide, and quite rugged looking, and was planted in the 50s. We'll be there next weekend.... Oleander will JUST survive in lower zone 8; though I'd have to give it more protection than I give most of the rest of my trees. It is amazing how many tropicals can make you ill! Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] Oleander
I also have a dwarf oleander, growing in the wrong spot, though not as big
as Jim Lewis'. By chance I wondered if it would be suited to bonsai, on the day he posted his message here. My one worry is that the leaves won't reduce sufficiently, but otherwise: why not try? They strike very easily, so the roots shouldn't be a problem. Their branches tend indeed to grow long and straight if left unpruned, but pruning just above a leaf node promptly results in new branching. They are sappy things, so I wouldn't wire them. They seem to need more water than the full size ones do. My kids grew up in a garden with oleanders used as a windbreak. They were told never ever to touch them, plus the reason why. They obeyed, probably for the one and only time in their childhood. What is even stranger is that they didn't kill _me_ with a couple of leaves chopped through my salad. Lisa |
[IBC] Oleander
My daughter is removing all toxic plants (and a few others
from where the pool is going ;-) from her new yard in St. Pete Beach. One is a dwarf oleander... The hot dog skewer story is about as rampant as the Neiman Marcus cookie recipe. While the toxic info above is true, the likelihood of consuming enough to bring on toxic effects is unlikely because all parts taste down right nasty... The actual number of reported poisonings is extremely low as a result. I'd say the pool is the GREATER hazard here. ;^) snip does anyone know of oleander as a bonsai? I've played with some- kinda have to to keep my Festival invitation ;^) They've been a novelty more than anything so I've never photo'd my attempts. You have to overcome the straightness of the branches, just like any other tree. I suppose there are two roads you can go down- clump styles for flowers (i.e., banyan/mushroom top) or keep at the sucker growth, developing a tree form. You can get some movement through pruning, can be drastically pruned back and will break all over the place. Probably easily trained by clip and grow (we use them like hedges here). Oleander will JUST survive in lower zone 8; though I'd have to give it more protection than I give most of the rest of my trees. You should be fine- I'm "8b" and give mine no protection at all. As far as post collection aftercare, keep it plenty moist. They are wonderfully drought tolerant but seem to like dampness when throwing out new roots. The easiest way of propagating uses WOODY bark sections, stripped of leaves, soaked in a bucket of water till roots appear... Good Luck! Jim Stone Galveston, TX home of the INTERNATIONAL OLEANDER FESTIVAL (presumptuous little old ladies aren't they!) ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Mike Page ++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
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