These plants are succulents, herbaceous plants (one and perennials), half-shrubs, and also stunted trees. The leaves are located alternately, rarely whorled or opposite. All organs of the milkweed contain milky juice, which is toxic. Small flowers are located inside the bedspreads in groups: men's with one stamen and female in the center on a long pedicel.
The name "Euphorbia" was given at the beginning of the last millennium by an ancient Roman physician, the Greek Dioscorides. He studied the systematics of plants and gave the name to this family in honor of his fellow tribe and colleague Euforba, who was a physician at the court of the ruler of Mauritania.
Milk, which are used in indoor floriculture, are mostly unpretentious and resistant to the dry air of the plant.
Rules of care of a plant.
Lighting. House plant spurge loves bright diffused light. It can be grown at windows oriented to the west and east. At southern windows in the summer time it is necessary to provide a shade from direct sunlight. However, some species, for example Mila's Milk, can carry direct sunlight. Shading from the midday sun will help to avoid unwanted fall of leaves. In the summer, this indoor plant should be taken to the open air, avoiding direct sun.
Temperature regime. Molochia, mainly heat-loving plants. In summer, the optimum air temperature is 21-26 ° C. In other periods, it is best not to allow the temperature in the room to drop below 12 ° C. Note that many species of milkweed can safely withstand a decrease in degrees to 5 ° C. If the milk content is sufficiently warm in winter should put it in the most lit place.
Watering. In the spring-summer period, moderate watering of the milkweed is recommended, while it is better to use soft standing water. Watering should be carried out as the upper part of the substrate dries. For some types, the drying of the substrate is not terrible. However, species with large leaves, like the Milk Milk and Belokolkovy Milk, should not be dried, as this will lead to the fall of the leaves. In winter, watering is better to reduce, thereby, give the substrate a dry. Remember that overflowing the milkweed is very dangerous, as it leads to a rapid decay of the root system. Milk, which looks like cacti, like the spurge of chubby, should be watered sparingly in the summer days, in winter even less often than other species.
Humidity of air for these plants does not matter much. But the spurge of beige should periodically spray or wipe the leaves. Top dressing. From April to September it is recommended to feed the milkweed once a week with dilute solutions of mineral fertilizers. You can use for this fertilizer, designed for cacti. For a better branching of the milkweed, the tips of the shoots should be cut off, and this can be done in any period of the year.
Transfer. It is advised to transplant the plant in the spring, that is, before the beginning of active growth. Young plants should be transplanted annually, adults - every 2-3 years, preferably in March-April. The soil for transplantation should be neutral (pH 5-7), nutrient and permeable to air and water. For its preparation use the leaf earth, sand, peat, a little brick crumb and charcoal. At the bottom of the pot laid claydite or broken shards, thereby creating a drainage. Euphorbia can be cultivated by methods of hydroponics.
Reproduction. Euphorbia is a plant that can be propagated vegetatively (by dividing the bush and cuttings) and seeds. Many milkweed are dioecious plants, that is, on one plant only male flowers are located, on the other - only female flowers. In order for the seeds to form, at the disposal of the florist should be plants with sex-disparate flowers. Seeds of suckling puffy, as well as bee-eared milkwort well germinate in any soil substrate.
All kinds of milkweed, with the exception of the milkweed of the beet and the chubby, can be propagated by means of stem cuttings. First cut cuttings should be dried for a few days during the day, to allow the lactiferous juice to drain before being dropped into the soil mixture. You can also use a mixture of sand and decomposed peat in equal proportions. It is recommended to add a little bit of charcoal there. In order to stop the milky juice, the cuttings are dipped into warm water or dipped in coal powder. Bushy species, for example Mil's Milk, are easily multiplied by the division of bushes.
Precautionary measures. Euphorbia contains milky juice, which, if ingested, causes inflammation and irritation, so you should always wear gloves. Avoid getting the juice of the milkweed in the eyes. Attention, Milk Milk pollen causes serious allergic reactions.
Difficulties in growing. The dropping of the leaves of the milkweed can be caused by a lack or excess of moisture, as well as too cold conditions of placement. Excess moisture in the substrate can lead to decay of the roots. Sharp changes in the illumination of the milkweed can lead to loss of foliage in some species.
Pests are rare.