Oleaster is a plant that is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is a member of the family Oleaceae, which includes olives and lilacs. Oleaster is a deciduous shrub that can grow to be 10 feet tall. The leaves are oblong and have a pointy tip. They are dark green in color and have a hairy surface. The flowers are white and have five petals. They bloom in the spring and summer. The fruit of the oleaster is a berry that is olive-green in color.
About soil condition, Oleaster prefer deep, well-drained and sandy loam soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. They are very adaptable to different soil types, but they will not tolerate wet or poorly drained soils.
Like the other plants, the oleaster tree needs sunlight to grow. This tree prefers full sun, which means it needs at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. If it doesn't get enough sun, it will not grow as well.
The temperature condition that is best for the oleaster is between 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. They can also tolerate some cold snaps down to around -5 degrees, but they will not perform as well as in warmer temperatures.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50-60%. If the humidity drops below 50%, the plant may experience stress and drop its leaves. If the humidity climbs above 60%, the plant may become susceptible to fungal diseases.
Discussing fertilizer, this plant prefers low levels of nitrogen and slightly higher levels of phosphorus and potassium, allowing the oleaster to become established quickly. The roots of this plant are deep and spreading, so it is best to have sandy or loamy soil with good drainage.
Pruning is a vital part of Oleaster care. It helps to control the size and shape of the plant, and also encourages new growth. When pruning, always use clean, sharp pruning shears. Oleasters can be pruned at any time of year, but it is best to do it in early spring before new growth begins.
Propagation of Oleaster is best done from softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be about 6 inches (15 cm) long and taken from new growth. Cuttings should be taken from the tips of the branches, as this is where the new growth is. Cuttings should be placed in a propagating tray or pot filled with a mix of sand and peat. The tray or pot should be placed in a sheltered spot outdoors where it will get some indirect sunlight. Cuttings should be kept moist and in about six to eight weeks they should have rooted and be ready to plant out.
Usually, the plant growth rate studies have been conducted on young plants in nurseries. However, one study of adult plants in the wild found that oleasters can grow up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in a single year.
Common problems for this kind of plant plants are dehydration, over-watering, and under-watering. If the plant is not getting enough water, the leaves will start to dry out and turn brown. If the plant is getting too much water, the leaves will start to yellow and drop off.
Source:
Antioxidants in different parts of oleaster as a function of genotype
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