Description and rules for the content of milkweed

Euphorbia euphorbia belongs to the Euphorbia family, and the succulent was named after the Moorish doctor Euphorb. only some decorative varieties are grown, let’s consider which species are suitable for home maintenance and how to care for them.

Description and rules for keeping milkweed

General description

A decorative-deciduous plant is readily used for landscaping residential premises and offices.

External parameters:

• depending on the variety, the height varies from 30 to 100 cm;
• the stems are thin or thick, fleshy, sometimes covered with thorns;
• on the top or along the entire length there are green, juicy leaflets of different sizes with a smooth surface;
• some species have bare shoots;
• the root system is branched, fibrous;
• flowering rarely occurs at home.

According to popular signs and superstitions, euphorbia without thorns brings home luck, prosperity and prosperity. T

You should not keep the spiny plant for those families who do not have mutual understanding and harmony in the relationship, otherwise it will exacerbate the situation.

Varieties

Having familiarized yourself with the detailed name of the species of indoor flower, you can choose the most suitable variety for decorating your home interior.

Mile

Long-term succulent with good branching. The stem is ribbed, with a grayish tint. The leaves are elongated, green, length is 10-15 cm, on the surface there are white, transverse stripes.

Bracts of a reddish, orange or yellowish hue.Inflorescences of red or fiery color are gathered in bunches.

Belozhilkovy

The plant in the form of a columnar perennial in appearance resembles a palm tree. The stalk is fleshy, ribbed with oval leaves pointed at the tips. The leaves are located on long petioles.

Blossoms in plain small inflorescences, seeds form after flowering.

Large-bearing

Perennial shrub succulent. The trunk in the lower part is zigzag, contains several erect shoots arranged in a tier.

Spines grow on the edges of the ribs, they are gray or yellow-brown.

Carapace

This subspecies, like other varieties of milkweed, emits poisonous milky juice. The stems are tetrahedral, at the edges they form long, thin leaves located at right angles.

The length of the leaf plate in adult plants is 5-6 cm. Leaflets develop in bunches, several pieces.

The most beautiful

This is a deciduous species – on the tips of each shoot a small bract rosette is formed in yellow, pink, white or red.

There are many varieties of milkweed

It blooms with inconspicuous small flowers yellowish-green Foot color. The duration of flowering is about 1.5 months.

Head of the jellyfish

The stem of this variety is underground, a large number of long, cylindrical shoots resembling the tentacles of a jellyfish develop on the surface.

Blossoms small inflorescences of a yellowish tone that do not represent decorative value.

Cypress

A compact, small-sized herbaceous plant 25-30 cm tall. The stem is erect, grayish-green, bare, sometimes slightly pubescent. Leaflets are oval, emerald with a smooth surface.

The root system is creeping, cylindrical. It blooms in May and blooms in July, rarely blooming in autumn.

Brilliant

Beautiful euphorbia with upright lignified shoots covered with dark brown bark. The surface contains thorns of the same tone as the bark.

During the growing season, the plant is strewn with green leaves of oval or round shape. They are located along the entire length of the stems.

Tree-like

This species looks like a palm tree – a thick, fleshy, five-sided stem at the top forms an elongated leaflet shape. The trunk is erect, sometimes spiral. Emerald-colored leaf plate, 10-15 cm long, 4-5 cm wide.

There is a pronounced burgundy stripe in the center of the bottom of the leaves.

Variegated

Perennial mottled euphorbia is often confused with the Altai variety.This euphorbia is grown both as a garden and indoor culture. The stems are thin, light green in color, slightly leafy.

Lanceolate leaves with a pointed tip, length – 3-4 cm, width – 2-3 cm.

Light green on the shoot tops of variegated milkweed , dense inflorescences, consisting of many petals, closer to the center they acquire a yellowish tone. This combination of different shades gives the plant variegation.

Scheffler

The birthplace is Africa, southeast Asia and South America. The flower of the Araliev family belongs to ornamental-deciduous plants with palmately dissected leaves.

The color of the leaf plate is monophonic emerald or variegated, depending on the variety.

Euphorbia has a massive erect stem, covered throughout the length of the leaves located on the elongated petioles.

Akrurensis

Euphorbia is poisonous

Another popular species among gardeners, which is called a cowboy-cactus, a candelabra tree. The birthplace is Africa and the East Indies.

This is a poisonous thorny plant – when broken, it secretes milky juice, and if it comes into contact with skin and mucous membranes, it can cause allergies.

Variety description:

• the stem is massive, thick, consists of several faces;
• in adulthood, the flower forms lateral processes that repeat the shape the main trunk;
• the height varies from 50 to 80 cm;
• short brown spikes develop on the faces.

Laktea Cristata

Homeland – tropical zone of Asia. In the wild, this is bulky euphorbia with massive shoots, in culture they have the shape of a rounded crest or fan.

The stems are uneven with outgrowths, teeth and spikes at the edges. The color is unusual – the main tone is dark green with a whitish center and pink bordering. Some varieties contain a silver tint.

In summer, it can bloom – small flowers bloom along the edges of the ridges.

Platiclada

The second name is flat-stemmed. It forms long winding shoots of emerald color, which grow in different directions. Small light brown spikes develop along the edges of the branches.

In adulthood, forms flower buds at the top of the stems. The inflorescences are small pinkish or white, do not represent any value.

The color of the shoots of the old prickly milkweed changes to dark brown.

Spherical

Euphorbia can have a bizarre shape

Externally resembles a cactus. The maximum height is 7-8 cm, consists of numerous thick shoots in the form of a barrel. The surface is multifaceted, covered with short spines. The color of the stalks is light green, the circumference can reach 50 cm.

The name of the plant is due to the spherical shoots.

At the top, small leaves of emerald tone can form, which through crumble for a while.

Bristled

The second name is coarse. In the natural environment it can reach gigantic sizes – up to 16 m high, in cultivated form – up to 1 m.

This tree-like plant is similar to a cactus – with ribbed, trihedral shoots, with a diameter of about 1.5 m. Along the edge of the ribs spines 6 mm long develop. The stems are covered with scaly leaves

Milky

It differs in milky-white color of the stems – on each branch there are 2-3 ribs with whitish stripes, sometimes they are double.

Variegated spurge is readily used in landscaping residential premises, offices.

Papillary

A miniature fringed shrub up to 20 cm tall, forms cylindrical branches with a diameter of 6-7 cm On the surface there are thorns of a grayish tone, 1 cm long.

It looks especially beautiful during the flowering phase – small flowers of different shades are formed on the tops of the shoots.

Melon-like

It is also called a false cactus, because He is very similar to him in appearance. A dwarf plant up to 10 cm tall with a massive, oval stem consisting of 3-5 ribs.

The entire surface of the shoot is covered with numerous yellowish spines, 1-1.5 cm long.

Bold

This variety is 12 cm long and 8 cm wide. The surface is striped with a slightly pronounced ribbing, does not contain spikes, forms single inflorescences of white or pale pink color.

Multi-thorns

Another unique variety of short stature with numerous shoots, gray -green color, the surface consists of 4-5 ribs, diameter 2.5 cm.

On the stems spines grow up to 8 mm long. This euphorbia is dangerous for children and pets, it can cause severe irritation during injections, therefore it must be kept out of reach.

Pallas (Fisher)

Pallas euphorbia has healing properties

People call the decorative perennial root man. It has medicinal properties, because it contains lactones – which have an antibacterial and antitumor effect.

The root system is tuberous, massive, beige in color.The stems are thin, the leaves are light green.

Purchase and adaptation

You can purchase all varieties of milkweed in one of the flower shops.

When choosing, pay attention to the condition of the plant. In viable:

• the crown is fresh, juicy, saturated color in accordance with the description;
• stems and leaves do not contain yellow, black spots, blotches and growths;
• the substrate should be fresh, slightly moistened, without acidification and mold on the surface.

The price of one seedling is from 250 to 700 rubles.

After purchase, the euphorbia for several weeks kept separate from all vegetation. During this time, he will have time to adapt to room conditions.

If after this period no infections and parasites are detected on it, you can safely place it among other flowers.

Landing

Almost all types of milkweed have a surface fibrous root system. Therefore, for landing, it is necessary to take a wide and not too deep capacity. Use a pot made of ceramic or plastic with drainage holes.

A bit of expanded clay or pebble is poured, then fertile soil is filled to half the volume. Lower the roots, add earth to the top, tamp, watered.

For treelike and shrubby forms need support, therefore, next to the stem set a special mini-trellis.

Growing conditions

Almost all types of euphorbia need the same care – regular moistening, fertilizing and periodic pruning.

Soil selection and places

Euphorbia grows well in light, loose soil. Many people use store composition for cacti and succulents.

Some gardeners prepare their own soil mix by mixing the sheet soil with humus and sand in a ratio of 2: 3: 2.

The second version of the substrate is turf with sand in equal quantity.

The best place to keep is the southwestern or western part of the house, where there is continuous daylight and no direct scorching rays.

Plain varieties are placed on the windowsill on the east side. Variegated leaves are especially demanding of light – because of its lack, leaves turn pale and lose their original variegation.

Humidity

Warm water

is suitable for spraying. Indoor euphorbia is a drought-resistant crop, therefore it is not demanding on humidity. The optimal indicator is 60-65%.

To maintain decorativeness and prevent the appearance of parasites, it is periodically sprayed on hot days – once every three days.

In autumn and winter, to wash off the dirt with leaflets and stems irrigated once a month. Use water at room temperature.

Lighting

This is a plant of prolonged daylight – it needs at least 10 hours a day.

• In summer, flowers can contain on the balcony, terrace, loggia with the possibility of shading from the scorching sun and protection from drafts.
• In the winter season, when kept on the northern and eastern windows, artificial illumination with a fluorescent lamp is required. The device is placed at a distance of 50-60 cm from the crown.
• It is recommended that variegated varieties be kept in the southern corner of the house, because from a lack of light their leaves become solid green.

Temperature

During the growing phase (spring and summer), the optimum temperature is 18-25 ° C. In winter, it is lowered to 16 ° C, because the flower goes into a dormant period.

Some varieties feel great at 4-6 ° C all year round.

In autumn and winter the room needs to be aired periodically. At this time, the euphorbia is moved to another room, because it can drop foliage and wither from sudden temperature changes.

Care

Fertilizers

All species of the Euphorbia family should be fed during the period of active growth and development (spring and summer).

For decorative deciduous plants, special fertilizers are used for succulents and cacti. Make top dressing in liquid form once a month.

In the budding phase, the flowering euphorbia is additionally fed with preparations containing potassium. In the autumn-winter period, food is completely stopped.

Watering

The main care of this flower includes regular hydration – as the soil dries to a depth of 3-4 cm.

Euphorbia does not respond well to overflows.

To avoid the development of root rot, it is worth using settled water at room temperature. The water that accumulates in the pan after pouring is poured.

After a day, the soil is loosened so that it remains light and moisture permeable.

Pruning

Formation is required for bush varieties. Corona correction is carried out in winter – all shoots are cut. After such a cardinal cut, the plant will not bloom, but the next year it will please a large number of inflorescences.

Sanitary pruning is also necessary in the summer, after flowering. Remove should be shrunken, yellowed, broken off stems with leaves. Too elongated shoots are also cut. Young flowering stems are left in the flowering variety, on which flowers will appear next year.

Use a sharp and sterile tool to prevent infection with a viral, bacterial or fungal infection.

Transplant

Purchased plants need to be transplanted

This procedure is necessary for purchased specimens, since store soil is not suitable for further cultivation. Be sure to wait until the plant fades, and only after that it can be transplanted.

Take a flowerpot with holes at the bottom in diameter 2-3 cm larger than the previous capacity. Expanded clay is poured at the bottom, then a small layer of fertile composition.

Water the soil abundantly, after an hour it is removed and, together with the earthen lump, transferred to a new container. They add soil to the top, squeeze around the stem, moisten.

House flowers need a transplant – usually this procedure is carried out every 2-3 years. You also need to transplant a specimen in which the roots are rotten or damaged by infection, parasites.

Euphorbia is watered, removed from the flowerpot, washed off the remains of the soil, cut out all the roots to a healthy tissue, dip into a fungicide solution. It is dried, transplanted into a new container with a sterile substrate.

Propagation methods

Cuttings

Vegetative propagation is considered one of the easiest and effective. This procedure is started in the fall, when the plant completely drops inflorescences.

The technology consists of several stages:

• cut off shoots 10 cm long on the top of the stem from under the leaf node;
• in the lower part of the shoot, pluck all the leaves;
• dipped in water for an hour to rinse off the remnants of the milky juice;
• then removed, dried, dusted with charcoal;
• planted in moist coarse sand, watered, cover with a film.

Further care consists in periodically moistening, airing.

As soon as the cuttings release new leaves, the shelter is removed, extended They want to grow another month, after which they transplant into a pot.

Seeds

You can propagate the flower by the seed method. Seed collection is carried out in autumn in order to avoid self-seeding, each box is wrapped in advance with a cloth. Ripe seed can be stored in a paper bag for no more than a year. It is advisable to sow immediately after harvest.

For seedlings you will need a seedling box or plastic container. It is filled with a mixture of peat and sand (1: 1). To avoid infection, the soil is calcined in an oven or spilled with boiling water.

Before planting, the seeds are soaked in water for 24 hours, then they are laid out moist on the surface of the substrate, sprinkled with a thin layer of the remaining soil mixture.

Cover with clear glass or film, put in a warm place with diffused daylight.Until germination, the crops are periodically irrigated from the spray gun, ventilated every day.

As soon as greens appear on the soil surface, the shelter is removed, watering continues. At the stage of the appearance of one pair of leaves, seedlings need to be planted in separate flowerpots.

By dividing the rhizome

Reproduction of milkweed by this method is used during the rejuvenation of an old bush or when an adult plant is damaged by infection, parasites and needs in transplant.

It is abundantly watered, then it is removed from the flowerpot, the roots are washed, all rotted and moldy fragments are cut out, dusted revesnym charcoal, dried. Divide the root system into parts so that each has one stem and several roots. The cut off places are sprayed with fungicide, dried. Planted in separate pots.

Diseases and pests

Indoor euphorbia rarely gets sick, its poisonous milky juice repels many parasites. But in violation of the rules of agricultural technology, the immunity of the flower weakens and it becomes vulnerable to various diseases.

Useful properties

This plant has healing properties – its benefit is expressed in the ability to cure fungal skin diseases, eczema, warts, lichen.

Roots are used in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Milk alcohol tincture helps get rid of cystitis and headaches.

A flower can cause serious harm – milky juice is dangerous and has a toxic effect on the body. Causes severe burns to the skin and mucous membranes. Therefore, you must ensure that the child or pet does not accidentally eat leaves or stems.