Many flower lovers can often see plants resembling cacti in appearance , but unlike prickly counterparts from South America, such plants produce white juice that looks like milk. Due to this property they were called euphorbia.
Euphorbia or Euphorbia - very common in subtropical, tropical and temperate areas. With its Latin name Euphorbia, the euphorbia is indebted to the ancient Roman doctor Dioscarides, who named the plant in honor of Euphorb, a colleague who knew the secrets of preparing various medicinal potions from this plant.
This group of plants, united in a family of euphorbiaceae, is found in the form of thorny shrubs, stunted trees, annual and perennial grasses, stem succulents. In places where milkweed grows, residents use them as a hedge, planting along houses. With room breeding, milkweed does not reach such an impressive size that it does not prevent them from decorating window sills and winter gardens.
All species of this plant contain milky juice, which contains rubber, essential oils, amino acids and resins containing poisonous euphorbin. This substance can cause inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, burns. Thus, euphorbia is added to the known poisonous plants , the care of which, especially when planting and propagating, requires caution. Not for nothing that the Bushmen smeared the arrowheads with the juice of these plants, and the Indians used the roots of milkweed with pepper, thus neutralizing the poison from snakebites - a wedge.
Euphorbia, care for which does not require compliance with special conditions, the plant is unpretentious. In winter, he needs moderate coolness, and in summer - warm. It is also advisable to provide the euphorbia with artificial illumination in the winter months, since the plant loves light very much. For soil, components of leafy soil, humus, turf and sand are desirable, where euphorbia is planted. Watering care should be moderate in summer and sharply limited in winter. It is also not recommended to spray milkweed with water, after which a calcareous, ugly coating appears.
Euphorbia Milya, an ornamental-flowering shrub up to one and a half meters high, belongs to this species. The homeland of this milkweed is the island of Madagascar. Because of its rounded branches, densely covered with thorns, Euphorbia Mil is called the "crown of thorns." The invisible flowers are gathered in an umbrella, but the red or orange bracts stand out well, making the Milkweed attractive. Proper care allows the plant to bloom throughout the year. The exception is the winter months, when the euphorbia Mily drops the leaves.
Another representative of this group is comb euphorbia, care for which is not as complicated as for other plants of this species. The combed or ribbed euphorbia looks like a palm tree: leaves are collected only at the top of the five-rib trunk. As the milkweed grows, the leaves fall off, forming scars on the stem. The combed or ribbed euphorbia loves light, is resistant to dry air. It is advisable to water abundantly in summer, in winter - in moderation, but the earthen lump should not be completely overdried.
As noted, many species belong to plants of the euphorbia group. Care for them is almost the same: a sufficient amount of light in winter, warm content in summer in the open air or balcony, and in winter at room temperature. Moderate watering in winter and more intense in summer. When yellow leaves appear, attention should be paid to observing water and temperature conditions. Euphorbia can also be grown hydroponically. Top dressing is needed from spring to autumn once a month. You can use top dressing for cacti.