Decorative indoor spurge

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Euphorbia is an indoor flower representing the Euphorbia plant family. It is becoming more and more popular in Russia. Its Latin name is Euphorbia. Milkweed is native to the tropics and subtropics. In the wild, it grows in America (South and Central), Africa, the Canary Islands and Arabia. There are about 2000 species and subspecies of this shrub in the world. The plant is unpretentious, you do not need to take special care of it. Euphorbia can be propagated by cuttings, seeds or by dividing a bush.

Spurge

General description of the plant

The Latin name for the milkweed plant was invented in ancient times. It comes from the name of the Roman healer Europhobe, who studied the healing properties of the plant and actively used them. It is a shrub of the Molochaev family.

The types of this flower are very different from each other. They can have leaves or spines, the stems are thin and long, faceted, spherical. Some resemble a palm tree in appearance, others look like cacti, and still others grow like grass. A number of species grow in open ground: this is a familiar weed in the country or in the garden. But at home, tropical varieties are grown, they are more beautiful. These plants have one thing in common: each Euphorbia has a poisonous white sap, which is secreted at the cut of the trunk.

Euphorbia is grown at home relatively recently. At first glance, all of its varieties are inconspicuous, many do not even bloom, do not give seeds and reproduce exclusively by cuttings. Easy care has made the plant very popular. Most often in apartments you can find the following types:

• Bordered;
• Variegated;
• Mile;
• Belozhilkovy;
• Triangular or triangular;
• Cypress;
• Tirucalli;
• Pallas or Fischer;
• Poinsettia.

Each species needs to be cared for in a different way, although the rules are not very different. It is important to remember that Euphorbia grows in the wild on dry, desert and semi-desert soils, as well as warm regions. This is the reason that the indoor flower does not tolerate overflow and hypothermia, but it can grow calmly at very low humidity.

Care rules

Euphorbia loves proper care. It is not at all difficult to master its principles. This unpretentious flower can easily grow in public institutions, in the apartments of busy people and novice florists. It is very important to adhere to safety rules for any manipulations, because milkweed juice is poisonous.

Below are a few tips on how to care for Milkweed.

Lighting

The Euphorbia plant loves a lot of light, it perfectly tolerates even direct rays of the sun, although you should not abuse such properties: if the light is too intense, the green bush can get burns. Especially sensitive to light, Euphorbia is triangular multifaceted.

In the shade, the flower also withers, stops growing, because the flower pot is best placed on the southern or southeastern windowsill.

Temperature

In the tropics, it is warm all year round, at home it is necessary to ensure the same ambient temperature. The optimum temperature in summer is 22-27 ° С, in winter - 14-16 ° С. Some varieties of Euphorbia flower tolerate lower temperatures, around 8-12 ° C.

Watering

You don't need to water your decorative indoor Euphorbia too often. This is a desert shrub that does not like excess moisture. In the summer, it is enough to moisten the soil once a week. Wintering can take place without watering at all, if the apartment is cold enough. When the temperature is in the range of 16-18 ° C, the plant should be watered once a month. The water for irrigation should not be too cold and not too warm, soft (weeded out or boiled).

Top dressing

Do I need to apply fertilizer to the ground where the Euphorbia bush grows? Feeding the flower is needed, but you cannot overdo it with it. Fertilizer is applied during the period of active growth and development from early March to early October. You need to feed the plant 1-2 times a month.

Leaves and stem care

If the leaves are very dusty, wipe them with a damp cloth. For fragile varieties, a thick brush is more suitable, which can be slightly moistened. Dried twigs should be removed. When the apartment is very hot or the air is dry due to heating, you can spray the spurge. In this case, the soil is covered with polyethylene so that the roots do not become waterlogged.

Pruning milkweed

Pruning Milkweed is a mandatory procedure. Most of the species of this shrub are capable of growing 2-3 m in height. Some give ugly lateral shoots, the flower resembles a weed or a shapeless bush. In the interior, such a plant will look completely inappropriate.

Pruning time depends on whether the homemade Milkweed variety is blooming or not. The flowering bush must be cut in the fall, immediately after the end of the growing season. If you do this in late winter or early spring, there will be no flowers in summer. If the variety does not bloom, you can trim it in both autumn and spring. It is important to know that it is easier to form a beautiful crown with spring pruning, therefore many owners sometimes prune even a flowering bush at the end of February, sacrificing inflorescences for the sake of shape.

Before the procedure, the following instruments should be prepared:

• regular or sickle knife;
• sterile gauze pad;
• pounded charcoal;
• rubber gloves;
• glasses.

Before trimming the decorative spurge, you should wear glasses and rubber gloves: the poisonous juice is dangerous if it gets on the skin of the hands or eyes, it will burn. Many people are allergic to milky juice.

The pruning knife should be washed well and wiped with an antiseptic. The cut is made either straight or along an oblique line. First, you should shorten the tops, then grab the side shoots. The branch is removed so as not to damage the edge of the trunk. It is desirable to carry out pruning according to a clear plan. It is better to try to imagine how the crown will look in the future. It is conditionally necessary to remove unnecessary branches and only then proceed to the practical implementation of the plan.

After cutting off the branches, it is necessary to blot the released juice with a napkin. Further, the place of the cut is sprinkled with charcoal. This manipulation allows the "wound" to heal faster and prevents infection.

Very soon, "kids" and side shoots will appear near the cut area. Over time, the extra ones can also be removed. Cuttings that form after pruning Euphorbia can be propagated.

Plant transplant

We have figured out how to properly care for the Euphorbia and prune it. Now let's talk about the transplant. It is allowed to do it only during the rest period. Transplanting at another time is possible only in an exceptional case, when the roots are damaged by parasites or rot, immediately after purchase.

Planting soil

When transplanting milkweed, it is very important to choose the right soil, because the intensity of growth and plant health largely depends on the quality of the soil. You can buy ready-made soil for cacti or universal soil. It is easy to prepare the mixture yourself.

Option number 1:

• sheet soil - 2 parts;
• earth with humus - 3 parts;
• sand - 2 parts.

Option number 2:

• turf soil - 1 part;
• sand - 1 part;
• peat - 1 part.

All soil components are thoroughly mixed and slightly moistened. It is best to let the mixture settle for a few days to make the planting more effective.

Transplant process

Pot for euphorbia indoor plant transplant should be high. Its roots are much weaker than the crown. So that the long trunk does not outweigh and the flowerpot does not overturn, heavy stones are placed on the bottom, then a layer of expanded clay is poured as drainage and the pot is filled with earth by one third.

The plant to be transplanted is carefully pulled out of the old flowerpot. The soil should be shaken off without great effort so as not to damage the roots. The flower is carefully transferred to a new container and sprinkled on top with the rest of the earth, lightly tamped. At the end, spurge should be watered, you can lightly feed it with mineral fertilizer.

Young plants should be replanted annually in the first 2-3 years. The new pot should be 2-3 cm larger in diameter than the old one. In the future, you can do a transplant once every 3-5 years, changing only the top layer of the soil. A bush is transplanted unscheduled if the root of the Euphorbia begins to rot or pests attack it. In this case, the damaged roots are removed, and the earth is carefully removed.

Propagation of Euphorbia

Milkweed propagation is not difficult: it takes root well and takes root quickly. How can this bush be propagated? There are several methods for propagating a tree:

• cuttings;
• leaflets;
• seeds;
• dividing the bushes.

For some species, any of the techniques is suitable, while others recognize only grafting or dividing the bush. Let's take a closer look at these methods.

Propagation by cuttings

Propagation by cuttings, or cuttings, is the most popular way to get a new Euphorbia bush. It is suitable for any variety. It is best to cut the bush during autumn pruning. You can cook cuttings in the spring. Preparation and landing consists of the following steps:

• a branch about 10 cm long is cut off (the cut should recede one centimeter from the last leaf nodule);
• the lower leaves are carefully removed;
• the juice is washed off in a container with warm water;
• wipe the cut with a dry cloth or napkin;
• sprinkle with crushed charcoal;
• dried in the open air for 2-3 days;
• the cutting is planted in a substrate consisting of equal parts of sand and peat;
• watered and covered with a plastic bottle.

Keep the cutting under the cap until it takes root, about 2 weeks. Then the cap is removed and after another 2-4 weeks the Euphorbia is transplanted into a permanent pot.

Propagation by leaf cuttings

Not every euphorbia accepts propagation by leaf cuttings. For this, only Trekhgranny and Belozhilkovy varieties are suitable. Here are the stages of planting leaf cuttings:

• gently pinch the green leaf;
• waiting for the white juice to drain;
• the slice is treated with a rooting stimulant (Kornevin or Epin is best suited);
• wrap the tip in mineral wool;
• dipped into a wet substrate of sand and peat;
• cover with a jar or plastic bottle.

Every day you need to remove the cap for a couple of hours so that the green leaf can breathe and not become moldy. Rooting is complete in about a month. Since that time, the stalk is kept in the substrate for another 2-3 weeks, but already in the open state. After the expiration date, you can transplant the plant into a permanent pot.

Seed propagation

Propagation of Euphorbia by seeds is possible only in cases when it blooms at home.The plant forms small pods containing small peas. To get seeds from Milkweed without loss, ripening pods are tied with gauze. When they open, the gauze is untied, the seeds are taken out and dried. You can store them in a place protected from moisture for no more than a year.

Sowing and germinating seeds looks like this:

• prepare a substrate from equal parts of sand and peat;
• disinfected in the oven for 2-3 hours at a temperature of 100 ° C;
• when the soil cools down, moisten it;
• seeds are soaked in water for a day;
• planting seeds to a depth of 0.5 cm;
• cover the container with a film and put it in a bright place;
• the ideal temperature for germination is 25 ° C.

The first shoots of Euphorbia appear 2-4 months after sowing. After 2 weeks, they will get stronger, and the sprouts can be transplanted into a new substrate of the same composition. After another month, the seedlings are transferred to a pot. The easiest way to grow White-veined Euphorbia is from seeds: it has excellent germination capacity.

Reproduction by dividing the bush

Reproduction by dividing the bush is most often carried out at Milkweed Mil. You can plant it in spring or autumn, when the growing season ends. The green flower is pulled out of the pot, the earth is gently shaken out. The crown is divided first, and then the root system. If it is impossible to divide the bush without tools, cut it with a knife. White juice is washed off with some water. Transplant the plant into a new pot with good drainage.

Diseases

Taking proper care of your flowers at home helps to avoid any problems. But it is not always possible to provide it, therefore it is worth knowing the main symptoms of plant pathologies and ways to get rid of them. Diseases and pests can affect Euphorbia. Here is a description of the signs of disease that occur when a tree is poorly cared for:

• Lack of light. The leaves turn pale, curl, deform and fall off, the bush is stunted.
• Excessive light (sunburn). The leaves or trunk turn red or yellow in one of the areas, which then turns brown. The worst effect on the bush is prolonged direct solar irradiation.
• Falling leaves. This phenomenon may be natural in some species in the middle of autumn, when they fall into a dormant state. If a bush sheds leaves out of season, most likely it does not have enough light or fresh air.
• Insufficient watering. All the leaves of Euphorbia turn yellow if you water it a little. Yellow leaves can also be a sign of a deficiency or an excess of mineral fertilizers, primarily nitrogen.
• Sudden changes in temperature in the apartment or drafts. In this case, the flower withers, its leaves dry, it stops growing, sometimes even dies.

In nature, plants with poisonous sap have few enemies. but at home, pests attack Euphorbia and it can wither. Most often, a tree is affected by such a group of insects:

• Mealybug. The leaves are covered with white spots and bloom. You can fight the pest with a soap solution, infusion of tobacco, calendula flowers, garlic.
• Shield. Spots appear on the leaves that have a red, yellow, bright orange or brown tint. They fight the scabbard with insecticides; the use of Aktar and Fitover helps well.
• Thrips. This pest leaves pale yellow or silvery spots on the leaves. The fight is the same as with the scabbard.
• Aphid. Beetles appear on the plant, which can be either green or black. Garlic, onion, hot pepper, mustard, infusion of alder cones help well to destroy aphids.
• Spider mite. The lower parts of the leaves are covered with white cobwebs. To remove parasites, the leaves are wiped with alcohol or soapy water.
• Root worm. The pest gradually gnaws at the roots, which is why the bush can dry out completely. It is often found during transplantation. To destroy the parasite, the roots are treated once with an insecticide, then watered with Aktar once a month.Salting the roots sometimes helps.

In order not to miss and not start the disease, the Euphorbia bush is regularly examined at home. When parasites first appear, they can be collected manually. If Euphorbia suffers from improper care (the leaves hang, turn red, fall off, the whole bush turns yellow, withers or dries), they try to correct it.

Beneficial features

The beneficial properties of Milkweed have been known for a long time. It is used by both traditional healers and official medicine. Plant sap, which has medicinal properties, contains:

• resin;
• rubber;
• copper compounds and other minerals;
• coumarin;
• alkaloids;
• flavonoids.

In modern pharmaceuticals, emetic, anthelmintic drugs, means for simulating vomiting, treatment of poisoning, and weight loss are made from Milkweed. In folk medicine, the healing properties of poisonous juice were used to treat warts, calluses, and purify blood. With its help, the skin and face were whitened and cleansed of spots with freckles on any area. Contraindications say that milkweed juice can cause allergies. You should not treat them yourself.

Popular beliefs speak about the benefits of growing milkweed, astrologers are interested in it. It is believed that the plant has a very strong energy. It is able to absorb all the negativity that has accumulated in the house. Families who keep the plant in their apartment rarely quarrel and break up, harmony always reigns in their relationship. Even in difficult families, people begin to relate better to each other. The magical properties and secret meaning of the flower are used in India to fight demons.

There is also a scientific explanation for the benefits of Milkweed. Some scientists believe that it absorbs electromagnetic waves, so they advise planting them in offices, near computers and other electrical appliances. Keeping a flower in the kitchen can get rid of unpleasant odors. Even if you do not believe in all the signs and superstitions, it is worth planting a bush at home. The tree looks very beautiful, and caring for it is not at all difficult. Euphorbia is called a flower for lazy people for a reason.

It is very important to adhere to safety rules when growing a flower. It can be harmful to humans and cause allergies. Poisonous juice, getting on open areas of the body, burns them. Animals and small children should not be allowed near the flower, so that they do not get poisoned. Similar recommendations exist for all poisonous houseplants, among which there is a large Euphorbia family.