Euphorbia Mile: home care
Milkweed Euphorbia is one of the most beautiful plants of its family, because, in addition to nondescript forms and thorns, it has decorative leaves and flowers. For this, it is highly appreciated by plant breeders. About care of this houseplant - further.
Botanical description of the plant
This type of milkweed also has other names - “crown of thorns”, “brilliant euphorbia”, “euphorbia”. The plant is a small shrub densely dotted with thorns. Massive long stems with small bright green leaves end in inflorescences with flowers of a pale red color.
| Indicator | Value |
| Root system | small, weak |
| Stem | fleshy, long |
| Leaf shape | elliptical |
| Leaf color | pale green |
| Flower shape | round, slightly oval |
| Flower color | red - from pale to saturated |
| Fruit shape | box |
| Fruit color | light brown |
House growing conditions
The room form of the plant does not impose special requirements on the conditions of detention. Given that this is a heat-loving succulent, it is capable of quite a long time “support” itself from its own reserves.
Lighting and ventilation
Euphorbia loves diffused sunlight, so it can be placed on the southern windowsills, slightly obscured by a transparent curtain. In this case, the plant will receive a sufficient amount of heat, and its leaves will not be affected by sunlight. In summer, the pot is recommended to be taken to the loggia, balcony or into the courtyard of a private house.
Did you know? According to popular beliefs, both wild and domesticated euphorbia are able to help people who suffer from chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, heart and psyche.
In winter, daylight hours must be extended through the use of artificial lighting. This species is not afraid of small gusts of wind, so do not restrict their access. It is not necessary to put a flower on a draft, and in the fresh air a sudden wind will not harm the plant.
Temperature and humidity
Spring and summer temperatures for optimal well-being of the bush - up to +26 ° С. In the autumn-winter period, when the euphorbia is at rest, the permissible degrees for maintenance are +15 ... + 18 ° С. Lowering the temperature to +12 ° C will lead to the death of the plant from freezing of the roots.
Home Care
Caring for a room bush of Milkweed milk does not differ in increased complexity. It is enough to water in time, feed it, transplant as necessary.
Watering
When the top layer of soil dries, the plant is watered. Do not overfill the bush, but the moisture should be of good quality - under the main stem of the plant. The water temperature for irrigation is selected at room level (or a little cooler). The plant does not tolerate dry soil and air - under such conditions, it should receive a sufficient amount of moisture. In summer, Milk's euphorbia is watered 2-3 times a week, and in winter - as needed, when the topsoil dries.
Important! When watering some plants, water is not allowed on the leaves and base of the stem. In this way, the formation of fungi can be avoided.
Top dressing
You need to feed the bush every month during the period of active growth - in spring and summer. Any top dressing for cactus and succulent plants is used, which includes nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium. Fertilizers are applied in small quantities under the base of the stem, and after 1-2 hours the plant is watered.
Pruning
The formation of a bush of milkweed is carried out at the request of the owner. You can let it drift and let the plant lose its shape, or you can form a beautiful crown for this succulent. How to cut the shoots, each grower decides for himself. Usually the branches are shortened by a third, and the fading, drying, old shoots are completely removed. The crown after trimming should look like a spherical one and look fresh and well-groomed.
Transfer
Due to the weakness of the root system, a planned transplant is carried out extremely carefully. Given the small growth rate of this species, it is worth transplanting it once every 2-3 years. A new pot is taken only one “size” larger. It is also worth preplanning how and how to root Milk Euphorbia in a new tank.
Read also about how to properly and when to transplant indoor plants.
You will need a high-quality substrate in the form of turf land and small pebbles. Transplantation is carried out in the spring, so that the plant has time to take root well during the summer before the winter dormancy. To give stability and as drainage, a layer of expanded clay and 1-2 large stones are laid at the bottom of the flower pot.
How to propagate euphorbia at home
This type of milkweed can be propagated by cuttings, lateral processes or seeds. Most often, flower growers use cuttings.
Cuttings
For propagation by cuttings in the middle of summer, the stem is cut off, from which milky juice is removed. To do this, the place of the cut is placed in a container with warm water, after which the wound is treated with coal, and the seedling is put aside for 2-3 days to dry. After this procedure, the stalk is planted in a mixture of peat and sand. Prior to rooting, it is necessary to maintain the temperature not higher than +20 ° С.
Seeds
Euphorbia Mile can also be propagated by seeds that are soaked in clean, cool water a few hours before planting. The prepared seed is laid in loosened moist soil and slightly pressed into it. Before the emergence of sprouts from the soil, the soil is covered with a film or glass, this will help to constantly keep the earth moist and warm.
Possible growing difficulties
Growing a plant in room conditions, there are no particular difficulties. Given that this is succulent, watering can be limited - the bush will be fed on the basis of its own reserves.
Why does not bloom
Lack of flowering signals a problem. In the case of succulents, the cause of the disturbance of the flowering phase is excessive watering or insufficient lighting of the bush. It is necessary to rearrange the pot on a warmer window sill and adhere to the rules of watering.
You will also be interested to know why the Decembrist does not bloom.
Disease
Euphorbia is not too susceptible to disease, but some ailments do not bypass them. Most often, the plant is attacked by fungi.
- Alternariosis. It causes concentric spots on foliage that are treated with fungicides like Ridamil Gold or Skor.
- Gray rot. Brown and gray putrefactive spots spread on the stems and leaves that need to be treated with the fungicides "Vitaros", "Fundazol", "Rovral".
- Stem rot. It can develop throughout the stem and to the roots. It is treated with systemic drugs "Previkur" or "Ridomil".
- Bacteriosis It occurs with mechanical damage to the bush. You will need quality care, including the removal of damaged parts.
- Mosaic of euphorbia. On the leaves, a mosaic type coloring appears, leaf blades can grow unevenly. You can avoid the disease by using carefully examined cuttings for reproduction (only healthy ones are suitable).
Important! If there is no possibility of replacing the soil, the old soil can be calcined. Then it is fertilized and used again. This applies not only to milk care.
Pests
Pests do not pass by Euphorbia Mil. The main harmful insects and methods of combating them:
- Aphid. Red, pink and lemon-colored insects are able to eat succulent leaves that lose their color and crumble. The bush is carefully inspected, parasites are washed off with water or removed manually, and the most affected leaves or parts of the plant are completely removed.
- Whitefly This small midge can cause serious damage. Its green larvae are located on the lower part of the foliage, sucking juice from it. To combat these pests, you need to treat the bush with the insecticides Actellik, Fufanon, Intavir twice a week. Affected leaves are removed.
- Spider mite. This insect is clearly visible when examining the plant. You need to remove it from the foliage with a stream of warm water, after protecting the soil from waterlogging. If the colony of ticks became mass, then the pot is treated with insecticides for succulents.
- Mealybug. Shoots, leaves and roots look like they were sprinkled with flour. When symptoms appear, it is necessary to take such measures: treat the roots with an insecticide solution for cacti, transplant the bush into a new substrate and a new pot. Fertilize the soil and water abundantly.
Signs and superstitions
In places of natural growth of milkweed, local residents try to avoid contact with the milky juice, which is released when the plant is cut. Care for indoor species must be carried out with gloves. It has long been popularly believed that euphorbia brings peace to the house. It is said that during flowering, the owners of the plant must necessarily contribute to luck.
Did you know? Some plants are kept at some distance from the entrance to the house (not in the house!). So they protect the home from external negative energy, bad thoughts and protect from bad people (for example, pandanus - a kind of palm tree).
Milk Euphorbia is an unusual and very beautiful houseplant, and it’s easy to care for.
