[Arid_gardener] Oleander Question

[Dick Gross]

This analogy is what I have believed for years, Brian. If anyone has a 
fifferent take on the situation, I would appreciate hearing it and will 
stand corrected.

An excess of water and/or fertilizer will result in lush vegetative growth 
at the expense of flowers that a plant produces when percieving that its 
existence is in jeopardy causing an urgent need to produce progeny. A plant 
exploding in new vegetative growth is fat and happy seeing no need to 
reproduce by producing flowers, the only reason for blooming that attracts 
insects who move pollen around to complete a sexual union producing seed.

In this climate, the two most important culture factors may be deep 
irrigation while flushing salts from the root zone but roots die immediately 
without the air that flows in behind the water table as it travels downward. 
Deep irrigation results in deep roots that can better sustain the plant 
during drought. Shallow roots run out of water quickly. Watch for a slight 
wilt, the earliest sign of water need. But, when the root zone stays 
saturated and root hairs strangle without air, they quickly die and you will 
hear a choking, gagging sound if you hold an ear close to the ground.

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
University of Arizona Maricopa County
Cooperative Extension

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "L V" <fitnessgirlaz at hotmail.com>
To: <briansylvester at msn.com>; <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 5:32 PM
Subject: RE: [Arid_gardener] Oleander Question


I have had the same problem and it was because of over watering.


>From: "BRIAN SYLVESTER" <briansylvester at msn.com>
>To: arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu
>Subject: [Arid_gardener] Oleander Question
>Date: Wed, 16 May 2007 16:02:16 -0700
>
>I have the following problem with my oleanders and was wondering if it is 
>normal or is there something that I can do to prevent it.  Here is the 
>situation:  Everytime this year we have yellowing of the leaves followed by 
>leaf drop on our oleanders.  We have about 8 plants that are about 14 yrs 
>old that are on the west side of our house.  I also noticed that they don't 
>bloom as much as ones that I see around town.  Is there something that I 
>can be doing different?  Should I try Ironite on the plants in early April? 
>Thank you for your time on this matter.
>Sincerely,
>Brian G. Sylvester
>
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