The representative of a huge family of euphorbian euphorbia is a garden perennial, planting and care of which does not require special efforts, allows structuring flower beds or flower beds, playing with flowers and shapes, creating stunning expositions. Interesting opportunities combined with unpretentiousness and minimal maintenance will satisfy any landscape condition from the Mediterranean patio to an elegant formal courtyard, from a rock garden to a wooded area.
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Euphorbia garden perennial - the nuances of growing
If there was a need to give a general characteristic to all plants of the genus Euphorbia, which has about 2000 species, then this is a special juice that has the texture of milk latex and irritates the skin. Gloves should be worn when handling the plant, especially if there are open cuts or scratches on the hands. A large number of species are decorative varieties. They are all characterized by the absence of flower petals and sepals, and instead have brightly colored modified leaves, known as bracts, covering plants like flowers in spring.
Milkweed care is simple. It needs to be pampered a bit before the plant takes root, but as soon as this happens, it becomes almost self-sufficient. It happens that euphorbia dies from excessive care and watering than from neglect.
Euphorbia looks better if you allow its arbitrary growth, but when space is limited, you will have to maintain shape.However, routine pruning is not required, it is enough to care for the plant when it begins to look inconspicuous.
Types and varieties of plants
Milkweed can be found all over the world, from temperate to tropical zones. This is one of the largest and most complex genera in the plant kingdom. Several attempts to divide them into smaller genera have been unsuccessful, as new species are discovered again and again. They range from annual plants creeping on the ground, to well-developed leafy bushes and trees, which can reach 20 meters. In the deserts of Madagascar and southern Africa, convergent evolution has led to succulent forms, where plants occupy the same ecological niche as cacti in the deserts of North and South America.
The unique floral structure consists of bright bracts of yellow, red, purple, brown or green with tiny floral parts of male and female contrasting tones.
Decorative varieties, there are about 120, generally prefer the sun and dry soil. However, Griffith's euphorbia, as well as the bog euphorbia, also thrive in moist soil. Evergreen perennial euphorbia myrtifolia develops well in dry soil in full sunlight, but is very tolerant of rocky and sandy conditions. Propagated by seeds spontaneously, therefore, dried flowers should be immediately removed to limit unwanted growth. Its bluish-green, fleshy, succulent-like leaves are arranged in spirals close to the stems growing from a descending tree base to a height of 10-20 centimeters. It prefers warm winter climatic conditions and in colder climates leaves usually fall.
Most ornamental milkweed grows in zones 6–9, several species tolerate the conditions of climatic zone 10–11, however, there are several evergreen species that have adapted in the temperate latitudes of zone 5, like cypress euphorbia - a source of charm in the garden thanks to interesting flower heads.
A spectacular plant that produces fragrant lemon-yellow bracts, as they mature, acquiring a pinkish-orange color. A forest of tiny flowers in umbellate clusters appears in late spring or early summer. Foliage resembles miniature cypress, hence the name. As a rule, lives up to 12 years, grows up to 30 centimeters. An upright branching plant can aggressively spread in the form of a dense grass cover, if not to limit the space for it. Remaining attractive throughout the growing season, euphorbia cypress is resistant to most pests and diseases, does not require special care.
Outdoor landing
The first step in preparing for planting a plant in open ground is to get rid of debris in a selected area, dig out weeds, carefully removing all parts of the roots.
Site and soil preparation
The soil can be enriched with humus to make the soil lighter and more airy for a long-term culture.
Too rich soils should be avoided, because the plant grows quickly, has fragile stems that break under the weight of inflorescences.
Euphorbia prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil (with pH from 6.0 to 7.0) in the area illuminated by the sun. Some varieties tolerate a slight shade, but, none of them is picky regarding soil conditions and can thrive even on very poor lands, tolerant to periods of drought. One of the few species of almond-shaped spurge thrives in the shade of trees. Spreading underground rhizomes, it can become invasive, although relatively easy to remove.
Time frame
- New plants are grown from seeds that are sown directly in the soil in early autumn (September) or in spring, from April, after the threat of frost has passed at a temperature of 18-20 ° C. Shoots appear around 7-10 days.
- Seeds can also be sown for seedlings 6-8 weeks before the end of the frosty season. Sprouts are transplanted outdoors as soon as the soil is warm enough.
- Euphorbia is propagated by cuttings after flowering in late September or early October, but not later.
Landing rules
Seeds are planted with an interval of 30-40 cm for small varieties and 50-70 cm for large ones. They are cooled in the refrigerator for seven days, then washed in warm water for two hours immediately before planting. Planted in the soil to a depth equal to the diameter of the seeds. The soil is kept slightly moist until germination.
Milkweed Care
Milkweed cultivation will require control of irrigation and top dressing as needed. The plant needs special attention after planting, while its roots grow and expand.
Watering a plant
During the first few weeks, the plant is watered regularly, using a small watering can to maintain the humidity necessary for optimal growth.
It is enough to water the euphorbia once or twice a week, perhaps more often in hot and dry periods: the soil should dry a couple of centimeters below the surface between irrigations.
Moreover, water should not penetrate deeper than 15 centimeters without reaching the roots. Euphorbia does not like moist soil and is subject to rot. Watered under the leaves of the plant to prevent powdery mildew.
Fertilizing and fertilizers
To help the milk milk become solid and healthy, compost or balanced organic fertilizer is added when planting in the hole. During the growth process, if the soil is very poor, the plant is fed every couple of weeks in the spring and summer, choosing water-soluble fertilizers with a low nitrogen content. It is advisable to mulch the plant to inhibit weed growth and helping to keep the soil evenly moist.
Optimum temperature and humidity
Euphorbia needs at least six hours of sunshine every day to flourish. Otherwise, it adapts well, but does not tolerate moist soil and moist roots. Once a year, in spring, a layer of organic matter is spread under the plant to enhance drainage.
Most leafy varieties of temperate latitudes are resistant to cold, and can withstand temperatures up to -10 ° C, but suffer from stem dying during severe winters.
- The optimum temperature for germination ranges between 20 and 30 ° C.
- The optimum temperature during the period of active growth is a minimum of 15 ° C, a maximum of 24 ° C.
- Temperature at rest is a minimum of 10 ° C, a maximum of 15 ° C.
Although succulent milkweeds are suitable for warm and dry conditions, their temperature requirements vary greatly. Species coming from Arabia, Central and West Africa, tropical and subtropical parts of America need 12-14 ° C in winter. Madagascar and East African species need 10-12 ° C, while species from North and South Africa can withstand lower 10 ° C, but under the condition that the temperature rises quickly the next morning.
Pruning
Trimming milkweed depends on the cause and is carried out at different times.
- The plant easily develops by self-sowing and to reduce its unwanted distribution, it is necessary to trim it with garden scissors or remove wilted flowers by pinching with your fingers.
- Pruning the bush in the spring will keep it compact and neat during the growing season. Removing about a third of the stems causes the plant to produce new growth.
- Regardless of the season, the weak and diseased parts of the plant are removed with a secateurs, which after treatment should be washed in soapy water and wiped with a paper towel or a cloth soaked in alcohol.
Winter preparations
In the fall, cut all the stems to two centimeters above the surface of the soil, but not lower. Buds are formed on the basis of the plant.
Milkweed Reproduction
Euphorbia propagated by cuttings or division of the bush. In the vegetative method, cut cuttings are placed in warm water for some time to stop the secretion of milky juice, which prevents rooting.Planting material is placed on a paper towel or piece of cloth and dried in the open air at a temperature of 20-22 ° C for several days to prevent the formation of juice at the end of the cut and prevent decay.
Stalk cuttings are planted in a pot with peat or in a substrate of sand and earth. The pot is placed in a plastic bag so that they remain slightly fogged. Once a day for an hour they are allowed to breathe in order to prevent moldy soil. After rooting, the cuttings are planted in ordinary soil. The time that is usually required for the appearance of roots is 2-3 weeks, but sometimes it can be longer.
Pest and insect control
The most common pests for milkweed are aleurodides (whiteflies) and spider mites. They feed on the plant, weaken it, and ultimately kill. Insect populations grow rapidly in a short time and the best chance to control them is to get rid of them at an early stage by spraying with mineral oil-based pesticides.
Milkweed diseases, root rot and powdery mildew will not be a particular problem if the plant has well-drained soil and air circulation. Root rot makes itself felt by the appearance of brown stems and the fact that the plant bends. It will be necessary to trim the affected areas. Euphorbia is treated for fungal infections.
Landscape design
Euphorbia has deep connections with the history of landscape culture. Depending on the species, the plant is used for rock gardens (for example, capitate euphorbia), in group plantings, for borders, decoration of flower beds.
Sculptural euphorbia, which is highly regarded as an ornamental plant for its resistance to drought and frost (up to -10 ° C), is ideal for decorating a Mediterranean-style patio. Large varieties look good with architectural elements, next to stairs or walls, in the corners of courtyards.
Milkweed goes well with small tulips, daffodils, Iberis, tenacious, martensia virginia. In addition to bright yellow bracts in the spring, some varieties acquire purple leaves, which contrasts beautifully with other perennial plants throughout the growing season.
Succulent varieties provide excellent contrast with stunted plants, such as spiked phlox.
