Euphorbia Mile, or Crown of Thorns

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Euphorbia Mile, or Euphorbia beautiful, or Euphorbia Mil (Euphorbia speciosa) - a succulent plant of the family Euphorbiaceae (Euphorbiaceae) A fairly unpretentious plant, and its appearance is able to please in any environment. Among the people, the euphorbia Mil received the name "crown of thorns", possibly due to 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.

Content:

Description Milkweed Mil
Milk Milkweed Requirements
Planting and breeding milkweed Mil
Milkweed Diseases and Pests

Description Milkweed Mil

The plant received the name "Milk Euphorbia" by the name of Baron Mil, the governor of the island of Reunion, who brought this species to France in 1821. Sometimes in the literature another name is used for Milkweed - Milkweed (Euphorbia splendens).

This one, which reaches impressive size in its homeland (up to two meters high), a perennial succulent shrub, has abundant branching. The stem is grayish, slightly ribbed. On the tops of the shoots elliptic pale green leaves are born, 3.5 cm long and 1.5 cm wide, each of which is equipped with two stipules, transformed into sharp thorns. Leaf blades of Milkweed Milk fall off with age, and strong spines remain forever, so only the tops of the stems are covered with leaves.

The bracts of the Milkweed milkweed have the brightest color of all the milkweed (scarlet, orange or yellow), they are rounded, up to 12 mm wide. Inflorescences consist of 2-4 groups of flowers, each of which is surrounded by bracts of leaves. Inflorescences brought out from the intricate intricacies of thorns on long green legs.

Milk Milkweed Requirements

Location: it is bright and sunny throughout the year, in the summer in the fresh air, in a sheltered place, in winter at room temperature. In a cool place Euphorbia Milia can winter only with sufficient light and high soil temperature (next to a heater). The appearance of yellow leaves and their dropping is associated with non-compliance with temperature and water conditions, as well as with a lack of light in winter. It grows great on hydroponics.

Lighting: bright light.

Watering: limited but regular. Euphorbia Mile carries dry soil and dry air.

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

Top dressing: fed only from spring to autumn once a month with fertilizers for cacti and succulents. The land mixture for Milk Euphorbia should be loose and nutritious.

Transfer: Once every two to three years in the spring. The soil is needed clay-turf with the addition of sheet sand and humus.

Planting and breeding milkweed Mil

Euphorbia is planted in containers 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 irrigation, a 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 Mila's euphorbia into a heavy container or put a couple of heavy stones on the bottom of the pot to give stability. Young plants need annual transplantation in fresh soil, adults transplant less often - after 2-3 years in the spring.

Milkweed propagates by seeds, lateral processes that appear on the main stem and cuttings. Ripened seeds can be collected and used for propagation, sowing in moist soil, slightly pressing. Before the emergence of seedlings, crops can be covered with glass or plastic film.

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

Milkweed Diseases and Pests

Of the pests, Euphorbia Mila is affected by a spider mite, aphids, thrips, and scale insects. With excessive humidity and low temperature, fungal diseases develop. But if you follow the basic rules of care, then the euphorbia does not cause you much trouble.

Aphids

Light green, yellow or pink insects. Damaged parts discolor, leaves turn yellow and fall off. The plant is strongly inhibited and stops normal development.

Control measures. Pests must be mechanically removed from the affected parts, and strongly affected leaves or shoots are also removed. Then spraying with insecticides is applied. In case of severe damage, the treatment is repeated.

Whitefly

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

Control measures. Spraying with insecticides is required every three days (Fufan, Actellik, Intavir). Picking affected leaves.

Mealybug root

Affected plants slow down and stop growth, leaves turn yellow, dry and die. 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 sections of powdery clusters from pests and their waste products.

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