neruim oleander

Lppwrth · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 2:10 pm Post subject:

My oleander leaves are being eaten away by something. I have checked all over the plant and can't see any caterpillers or ants. What could be doing this and any idea how I can treat something that can't be seen? The leaves really are being stripped so that all that remains is the centre "vein" on each one. Help!!
Lorraine

Tango Bunny · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 4:12 pm Post subject:

It will be the caterpillers of this little devil that's eating it.God knows how they dont die as the shrub is extremely poisonous....obviously not to them though

http://www.habitas.org.uk/moths/species.asp?item=6073
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Trish · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 12:10 am Post subject:

Yes, I agree it's prob the oleander moths caterpillars. The plant WILL recover from this, but I would take cuttings, just in case. They'll root really easily in glass/jam jar of water.

Lppwrth · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:08 am Post subject:

To come back to an old topic. This plant is now getting rather big 6-7ft high. It would be fine other that the bottom 3ft is more or less bare. If I cut it right down now, would it recover? Will new shoots come out from the bottom. The stems are quite thick now, so may require sawing. If it is not going to grow leaves at the bottom would I be better off just digging it out.
As you can tell I know nothing at all about gardening....doh!!!
Lorraine

Tango Bunny · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:50 am Post subject:

I doubt if you'll get shoots from the bottom as the stem is probably wooded.....new shoots usually grow from a softer stem.....I wouldn't cut it back to harshly
have a look here for pruning tips
http://oleander.org/culture.html#Anchor-Pru-33090

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