White-veined spurge: flower description, planting and home care with a photo

Many people get white-veined spurge because it has a beautiful appearance, resembling a miniature palm tree. There is an opinion that the plant protects against evil forces and neutralizes harmful radiation emanating from the computer. Even at the court of the Moorish king, they used the healing properties of the flower. Knowing about the healing abilities of the plant, many grow it at home so that they can prepare medicine at any time.

Variety selection

Thanks to the active work of breeders, more than 2000 plant species have been bred. Among them, 120 varieties are grown in Russia.The culture of the Euphorbiaceae family is used in home and office floriculture. All euphorbias differ in the forms of leaves, inflorescences, but all have a milky poisonous juice.

The most common varieties include the following varieties:

• triangular - with a fleshy trihedral stem;
• cypress - with needle-shaped leaves that change color during the growing season;
• white-veined - the leaves have white veins, hence the name;
• armored - narrow leaves are on an octagonal stem;
• obese - looks like a greenish ball and has no leaves;
• crown of thorns - has many thorns, but blooms very beautifully;
• poinsettia - pleases with scarlet flowers in December;
• jellyfish head - with shoots resembling tentacles;
• palasa - has healing properties.

All varieties are quite unpretentious in care and adapted for cultivation in Central Russia.

Features and description of milkweed

Decorative deciduous plant belongs to the Succulentus group. With proper care, the plant reaches a height of two meters. His homeland is Madagascar, so his native soil is sandy soil.

Stem and leaves

The stem of the flower is dark green, has a five-sided shape. Below it is thin, dense, and towards the top it gradually thickens and ribs. At the end of such faces, hard bristles of a red hue are formed. The fleshy shape of the trunk gradually stiffens. And the lower part is smoothed and rounded over time.

There are no branches on the stem. Compensate for deprivation of branches large bright green leaves with veins. They differ in juiciness and fragility. If the petioles are damaged, the leaves fall off, and scars form in their place.

Young leaves rush up, which gives them a similarity with a palm tree. Their upper glossy part is darker than the lower one.

The properties of the plant include the fact that in the autumn it turns yellow and sheds leaves. The process is explained by a short daylight hours. At the first warm rays of the sun, the flower turns green again and overgrown with beautiful leaves.

Flowering and fruits

The plant has dim flowers that peep out of the scales. They resemble white or white-brown thin sticky threads. Inflorescences are located in the axils of the upper leaves. The culture usually begins to bloom in the second year of life.

The fruits are collected in a three-nested box where the seeds are stored. At the time of maturation, she shoots them. Once in a nearby pot, the seeds easily take root.

Susceptibility to diseases and insects

Incorrect care can cause yellowing and dropping of the leaves or the appearance of black-brown spots on the leaves. Cold snap, lack of lighting, overflow can lead to the appearance of fungal rot.

The most common plant diseases include:

• powdery mildew;
• black rot;
• viral infection tobacco mosaic;
• fusarium root rot.

If a home flower is affected by insects, then the leaves on the wrong side are strewn with multi-colored spots. Pests, parasitizing on the plant, are very harmful to it. These parasites include:

• aphid;
• aleurodides;
• mealybug;
• spider mite.

Violation of crop care leads to the development of diseases and insect attacks. First of all, weak plants are affected. Subject to all the rules of agricultural technology, the risk of infection is excluded.

Necessary conditions for growing

Despite the fact that the flower is not whimsical at home, it needs to provide optimal conditions for comfortable well-being.

Pot Requirements

Dishes in which it will be convenient to grow a flower should be wide enough. In this case, the depth should not be large, otherwise moisture is collected. And the plant does not like waterlogging.

If there are no holes on the bottom, you should make them yourself. Do not forget about drainage.

Euphorbia is not picky about the material of the pot. It can be made of ceramic, clay, wood or plastic.

Perfect soil

Soil for plants is better to take intended for cacti and succulents. They can be purchased at the store, or you can assemble them yourself. This requires the following components:

• peat mixture;
• river sand;
• leaf humus;
• pebbles or expanded clay.

The composition is collected in the same proportion. Then a large drainage and the prepared mixture are laid on the bottom.

Humidity

The room in which the flower grows needs systematic ventilation and relative humidity. The plant prefers to be in a dry atmosphere, but away from heating appliances.

Spraying the plant is not recommended, it is better to wipe the leaves with a damp brush.

Optimal lighting

Culture needs diffused sunlight. If the flower is in constant shade, it loses the bright color of the leaves.

Important: after placing the flower on the windowsill, periodically turn it towards the light source.

Temperature conditions

The flower is quite thermophilic. If the room temperature drops below 16 degrees, then the plant needs additional heating. In a cool room, spurge begins to hurt, harmful insects can infect.

Methods of plant propagation

Any method is suitable for plant propagation. The event is recommended to be held in the spring.

Seeds

Sowing is carried out in light soil and shallow. Pre-moisten the soil, lay the seeds and cover with plastic wrap. The room should be warm and light. Seeds germinate quickly enough, so you need to make sure that you remove the polyethylene in time. As soon as a few leaves appear, the shoots are transplanted into separate containers.

Cutting

This method is recommended to be carried out at the beginning of summer, as during this period shoots grow at the flower.With a sharp knife, the lateral processes are carefully cut off and placed in the water. The procedure is carried out in order to stop the secretion of juice. The cutting must be at least 10 centimeters.

Cut shoots, if desired, are processed with root and stuck into the previously prepared soil. After that, it is necessary to water well and put in a warm place. If everything is done correctly, the shoots will be accepted within a week.

Planting and care at home

Plant care includes planting, pruning, watering and transplanting into a larger container. When caring for a plant, it should be remembered that in the wild it grows in a dry and warm climate. Therefore, it is desirable to maintain such an environment at home.

Purchasing and transplanting a plant

When purchasing a culture, it is necessary to check the absence of spots on the leaves, and whether the shoot turgor is normal. The flower should not have drooping leaves and a wrinkled trunk. A plant purchased in a special container requires a transplant.

Also need to be transplanted if such cases are noticeable:

• the roots have little space in the tank;
• plant started to rot;
• root affected by fungal infection.

Repotting should be done regularly to change the dishes to a larger size and to change the earth to fresh. Over time, the soil is depleted.

Irrigation and fertilization

The plant is comfortable with moderate watering. It starts to hurt as soon as water stagnation appears. It grows poorly if you do not water the flower at all.

Important: it is better not to moisten the plant than to overwater it.

In summer, it is enough to water the flower 2-3 times a week, and in winter - once is enough. With the advent of spring, the culture requires fertilizer. For these purposes, they take dressings that are suitable for all succulents. Fertilize once every 30 days.

Cutting

Pruning is done in order to rid the flower of dry shoots. Also, the procedure will give the culture a compact and beautiful shape.

Depending on how you cut the plant, you can achieve different results. If you cut off the top, then this can provoke branching. To do this, cut off about 7 centimeters of the top with a sharp knife and sprinkle with fly ash.

Pruned shoots or tops can be further used for propagation.

Main growing problems

Culture grows well at home. Mistakes in care negatively affect flower growth. To avoid problems in cultivation, we need to revise the rules of keeping.

Main complications include:

• dropping leaves - excess moisture;
• leaf desiccation - lack of nutrients;
• growths on the shoots - prolonged exposure to the sun.

To prevent the flower from becoming infected with diseases and pests, it can be treated with insecticides.

Culture easily adapts to home conditions. With proper care, the result on the home windowsill will delight all year round. It should not be discounted that the plant emits not too much, but still toxic juice. Therefore, it is recommended to take care of the culture with gloves.

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