In the world there is a huge number of plants that are grown not only in the infield, but also at home. It is very difficult for many to make a choice. Indeed, some plants are moody, and some require careful care. What is myrtle? Most novice gardeners believe that this is not an indoor plant and it will not work to grow it at home. However, this is a common misconception.
What is myrtle?
The myrtle plant is a representative of the genus of woody evergreen plants belonging to the Myrtle family. Their flowers contain a large amount of essential oil. Such a plant grows, as a rule, in the north of the African continent, as well as in the territory of the Mediterranean countries and the Azores. Moreover, the name is very consonant with the Greek word "myrrh". Translated, this means liquid incense, balm. The essential oil of this plant is used in temples of many religious denominations as a cult attribute. So what is myrtle?
Plant history
Myrtle is a home plant that has its own history. As the legend glosses, Adam, driven out of their Eden, brought this amazing flower with him to the earth. Myrtle was supposed to remind him of the paradise he had lost. It is worth noting that many peoples have their own beliefs, signs, rituals, traditions and rites, where this plant occupies a key place. This amazing tree has long been considered a symbol of hope, peace and glory.
For ancestors, this plant had not only a cult purpose, but also cosmetic and medical. It is worth noting that some drugs, which include myrtle components, are in great demand today.
Plant description
Myrtle is a plant, the photo of which is presented above, not particularly demanding in care. At the moment, there are about 100 species. The tree in its places of growth can reach a height of more than 3 meters. Of course, this is not characteristic of all varieties. Indoor myrtle, even under favorable conditions, can reach a height of no more than 1 meter. Most often, myrtle, grown at home, is a tree with a neat and round crown. Its height can be from 30 to 60 centimeters.
The leaves of this plant are small and leathery, as if polished. They are located opposite and rarely on fairly short petioles. The foliage has an elongated shape and a pointed crown. Myrtle flowers can be double or ordinary, collected in inflorescences or single. It all depends on the type of plant. Myrtle has peculiar fruits. It can be a drupe berry or a nut. The Mirtov family includes such popular and useful plants as clove and tea tree, eucalyptus.
Is it possible to grow from seeds
How to grow myrtle seeds? A houseplant, the care of which is even the most lazy, can, if necessary, be grown from seeds. First you need to prepare the substrate. For this, peat and sand should be mixed in the tank in equal proportions. A layer of substrate is poured into the pot. Its thickness should be from 7 to 10 centimeters. Seeds are sown on top of the substrate. In conclusion, you need to sprinkle everything with soil. The top layer of the substrate should have a thickness of not more than 5 centimeters.
The container with planted seeds is covered with glass and placed in a place where the air temperature is at least 20 ° C. Regularly moisten and sow the crops. Often condensation accumulates on the glass. It is recommended to remove it.
After a few weeks, the first shoots should appear. When the seedlings hatch 2 or 3 of this leaf, they must be dived into separate containers with a substrate of sand and peat. When transplanting, you should be careful. After all, the root neck should remain above the surface of the substrate. After a month, planting is recommended to feed. For this, it is worth using nitrogen fertilizers.
What to consider
Myrtle plant , which should be taken care of at home according to all the rules, if desired and patience can be grown from seeds. However, it is worth considering what a plant is:
- May not retain all varietal characters.
- It will bloom only 5 years after germination.
In addition, the seed germination of such a plant is significantly reduced after a year of storage. It is very difficult to obtain such planting material, since this requires artificial pollination of flowers.
Site selection and temperature
To care for myrtle at home is within the power of everyone. Such a procedure includes top dressing, pruning, watering, as well as creating favorable conditions for normal plant growth. Myrtle ordinary - a plant that prefers eastern, western and southern window sills. The tree is able to withstand not only drafts, but also significant temperature changes, and direct rays of the sun. It is worth noting that with a lack of light, myrtle does not bloom.
In the summer, the plant prefers fresh air. Therefore, a pot of myrtle can be taken out onto the street. In winter, the plant needs coolness. During this period, the myrtle should be placed in a place where the temperature indicator is from 5 to 10 ° C. It is best to expose the plant to an unheated, but glazed balcony.
How to water
Myrtle is a home plant, the care of which should be carried out, observing certain rules. This applies not only to accommodation, but also to watering. In the warm period, watering should be plentiful. It is not recommended to wait for the top layer of the substrate to dry out. However, do not pour a lot of water. Otherwise, the roots of the plant will begin to rot.
In winter, the plant needs less moisture. However, if the myrtle is in a heated room, then you need to water it, as in the summer. In this case, there is a need for regular spraying of foliage. This procedure is required once a day. After all, myrtle needs high humidity.
Top dressing
Around March to August, there is a need for regular plant nutrition. Fertilizing is recommended at least once every 7-14 days. The main thing is to choose the right fertilizing. If the myrtle is grown as a bonsai, and its flowering does not matter much to you, then you can use complex fertilizers designed for ornamental plants. Their selection is large enough. In other cases, it is worth using fertilizing for flowering plants.
It should be noted that myrtle has a fairly long period of rest. If the plant hibernates in a cold room, then its rest may be delayed for 3 months. If the myrtle is in bright light and warm, then the rest period is no more than 1.5 months.
Plant pruning
If desired, the crown of myrtle can be given almost any shape. Most often, the plant is made in the form of a standard tree. If there is no desire, then it is possible not to trim the myrtle at all. However, in this case, the tree may look unattractive.
In any case, experts do not recommend getting carried away by pinching the lateral young shoots. This can adversely affect the condition of the myrtle. Of course, this plant is quickly restored and grows quickly, but do not prune branches during dormancy. It is recommended to give the crown the desired shape after flowering or in early spring.
Transfer
Young seedlings are recommended to be replanted once a year. As for adult plants, this procedure is carried out as needed. To determine the time of transplant, it is worth paying attention to the soil in the pot. If the substrate dries up a day after watering, then it is worth increasing the volume of the tank. When transplanting, it is important to choose the right pot. Its diameter should be several centimeters larger than the previous one. It is recommended to conduct such an event in the spring, by transshipment of myrtle into a new container from the old one. This method eliminates trauma to the root system.
Is the plant useful?
Why is myrtle so useful? Plant properties are simply unique. Its fruits and shoots contain a large number of active components and essential oils. These substances have an antibacterial effect. In Soviet times, scientists developed the drug. The drug was made from myrtle leaves. Research, as well as many years of experience have proven the effectiveness of such tinctures for diabetes, chronic bronchitis and pneumonia.
A drug from myrtle can cope with staph infection and tubercle bacillus resistant to antibiotics. In addition, the tincture eliminates the cough of smokers and stimulates all vital processes, helps increase health and stamina.
Such a drug has no side effects and is prescribed to children from the first year of life. Experts recommend placing myrtle in the room where a small child is located, since this plant perfectly purifies the air, making it healthier.
In conclusion
Now you know what myrtle is, and how to grow it at home. This is an unpretentious plant that does not require special care. It is able to please not only with its beauty, but also to bring benefits. The properties of myrtle are unique. After all, this plant is able to purify the air in rooms with an area of up to 20 m 2 . In addition, a drug based on it allows you to get rid of many diseases of the respiratory system and not only.