Euphorbia Mila, or Crown of Thorns care

Euphorbia Mila, or Euphorbia beautiful, or Euphorbia Mila (Euphorbia speciosa) Is a succulent plant of the Euphorbia family (Euphorbiaceae). A fairly unpretentious plant, and its appearance is able to please in any setting. Among the people, the euphorbia Mila received the name “crown of thorns”, possibly because of the abundance of thorns on its branches. In the article we will tell you how to care for this houseplant: propagate, transplant, fight pests and diseases.

Milk Milk (Euphorbia speciosa). Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com Mokkie

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Description Milkweed Mil

The plant got its name “Millet spurge” after the name of Baron Mil, the governor of Reunion Island, who brought this species to France in 1821. Sometimes in the literature, another name for the milkweed Mil is used – the milkweed is brilliant (Euphorbia splendens).

This perennial succulent shrub, reaching an impressive size in its homeland (up to two meters high), has abundant branching. The stem is grayish, slightly ribbed. At the tops of the shoots, elliptical pale green leaves are born, 3,5 cm long and 1,5 cm wide, each of them is equipped with two stipules, transformed into sharp thorns. The leaf blades of Milkweed Mille fall off with age, and strong thorns remain forever, so only the tops of the stems are covered with leaves.

The bracts of Mil’s milkweed have the brightest color of all milkweed (scarlet, orange or yellow), they are round, up to 12 mm wide. Inflorescences consist of 2-4 groups of flowers, each of which is surrounded by bracts. The inflorescences are carried out from a bizarre tangle of thorns on long green legs.

Milkweed cultivation requirements

Location: bright and sunny all year round, in summer outdoors, in a sheltered place, in winter at room temperature. In a cool place, Mil spurge can winter only when there is enough light and high soil temperature (next to the heating device). The appearance of yellow leaves and their dropping is associated with non-compliance with the temperature and water regime, as well as with a lack of light in winter. Grows well in hydroponics.

Lighting: bright light.

Watering: limited but regular. Mille spurge carries dry soil and dry air.

Air humidity: moderate, in spring and summer it is advisable to increase the air humidity.

Additional fertilizing: fed only from spring to autumn once a month with fertilizers for cacti and succulents. The soil mixture for Mil’s euphorbia should be loose and nutritious.

Transfer: Every two to three years in the spring. The soil is clay-soddy with the addition of leaf sand and humus.

Euphorbia miliiEuphorbia milii
Euphorbia miliiEuphorbia milii
Euphorbia mileEuphorbia is a mile. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com Euphorbia Garden

Planting and breeding Milkweed Mil

Milkweed is planted in a container with the obligatory presence of a drainage hole, laying a layer of expanded clay on the bottom. Planting in pots without a drainage hole is unacceptable: due to one improper watering, the plant can die from root and stem rot. The pot should be shallow and wide, because the root system of the milkweed is weak.

After reaching an impressive size, it is advisable to transplant Mil spurge into a heavy container or put a couple of heavy stones on the bottom of the pot to give stability. Young plants need an annual transplant into fresh soil, adults are transplanted less often – after 2-3 years in the spring.

Mille spurge reproduces by seeds, lateral processes that appear on the main stem and cuttings. Ripe seeds can be harvested and used for propagation by sowing into damp ground with light pressure. Before emergence, crops can be covered with glass or plastic wrap.

Cuttings are harvested in the summer in June-July. After cutting off the stalk, you need to let the milky juice drain off by immersing the cut for a short time in warm water. Then the wound is sprinkled with crushed coal and the cutting is left to dry for 2-3 days. Then they are planted in a sand-peat mixture and placed in a warm (not lower than 20 ° C) place for rooting.

Diseases and pests Milkweed Mil

Among the pests of euphorbia, Mil is affected by spider mites, aphids, thrips, and scabbard. With excessive humidity and low temperatures, fungal diseases develop. But if you follow the basic rules of care, then the spurge will not give you much trouble.

Tli

Light green, yellow or pink insects. The damaged parts are discolored, the leaves turn yellow and fall off. The plant is severely depressed and stops normal development.

Control measures… Pests must be mechanically removed from the affected parts, severely affected leaves or shoots are also removed. Spraying with insecticides is then applied. If the lesion is severe, the treatment is repeated.

Euphorbia Mila, or Crown of ThornsEuphorbia Mila, or Crown of Thorns. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com kai lazarte

whitefly

Small white midge, clearly visible to the naked eye. Greenish larvae settle on the underside of leaves, suck out cell sap and leave sugary secretions. Faintly noticeable whitish or yellowish spots appear on the leaves.

Control measures… Spraying with insecticides (fufan, actellik, intavir) is required every three days. Pick up affected leaves.

Root mealybug

Affected plants slow down and stop growth, the leaves turn yellow, dry and die off. The plant will die if you do not take action. If you get the plant out of the pot, you can see in them at the initial stage, small, and then more and more spreading areas of mealy accumulations of pests and their products.

Control measures… As a pest prevention – when transplanting a plant, you need to carefully examine the roots. If pests are found, disinfect the pot, clean the roots of old soil, rinse the roots of the plant in an insecticide solution and plant in fresh soil.

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Anna Evans

Author ✓ Farmer

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