Among decorative plants, succulents have been gaining great popularity in recent times. This is due to its exotic appearance and above all its extremely easy maintenance. We constantly see these types of plants decorating balconies and gardens or all kinds of indoor spaces. Today we want to talk about the care of euphorbia, one of the most varied and popular varieties of succulents.
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Euphorbia: Description, cultivation and care
The genus Euphorbia belongs to the family euphorbiaceae, and is native to certain regions of Africa and America. Mainly from tropical areas, although to a lesser extent they can also be found in subtropical or temperate areas. We can't specify a specific shape or size, as it has an infinite number of varieties, ranging from the spiny cactus that we all know to fleshy stem and leaf configurations.
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There are approximately 5000 known and described species within the genus, although the scientific community has accepted only about 2000 of them.
Due to its enormous variety, we will draw up a small list with 6 of the most outstanding and common in decoration:
- Acrurensis: similar in structure to the cactus that we all visualize and have seen countless times in western movies.
- Crown of Christ: with a thorny stem from which curious flowers with rounded petals emerge.
- Trigona: A mix between cactus and common plant that replaces the thorns with green, fleshy leaves.
- Dairy: it can remind us of a coral or some kind of underwater plant, as it has many branches that mix with each other.
- Lactea Cristata: a single stem that opens at the top, giving rise to unexpected shapes with pink tones at the edges.
- Pulcherrima: the one that looks less like a succulent, with thin green leaves on its lower part, crowned by spectacular flowers of intense red color.
And now, let's look at the best way to take care of them so that they maintain a robust and healthy appearance. Succulents are ideal plants for those who don't have much of a knack with gardening or simply don't have much time to devote to them. With this basic care, they will always be spectacularly beautiful:
How to grow euphorbia Euphorbia
, a kind of hybrid between a plant and a cactus, is often considered. In reality, cacti are plants, which due to the extreme heat and dryness of the desert regions from which they come, had to adapt and evolve. In a way, the succulent species, they'd be somewhere in between where they're really neither a plant nor a 100% cactus. For this reason, they have their own characteristics in terms of their cultivation and care.
- Location
Due to the extreme conditions in which it lives in its natural habitat, the euhorbia has an extraordinary capacity for adaptation and resistance that make it practically indestructible: you can place it in dry or humid places, outdoors and indoors, illuminated or shady. It resists everything... or almost everything!
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- Soil
In this aspect, it does not need great requirements either. A good soil mixed with sand or some other draining element will be enough for its growth. Ideally, a mineral substrate with hardly any organic matter is ideal. A ratio of one part sand to three parts dirt will suffice.
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- Light
Accustomed to living in areas of sun and heat, it needs a lot of light for its proper development. Although it resists the direct incidence of the sun's rays, it is preferable to avoid it whenever possible, as this can cause burns or stains on its surface. Ideally, you should find a well-lit room or a partially shaded corner in the garden.
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- Temperature
Euphorbia needs warm environments. Between 20 and 30 degrees is ideal. Avoid sudden changes in temperature and cold environments at all costs. Temperatures below 10-12 degrees will be lethal for her.
The
soil should be kept with a certain humidity, but never waterlogged. In summer, weekly watering will suffice. In rainy seasons, rehydration should only be done when strictly necessary. In any case, water must be added whenever we observe that the soil is dry. It is also highly recommended to incorporate a drainage system, in order to avoid waterlogging. If the roots suffer from a lot of humidity, hogos could appear, which would have disastrous consequences for the survival of the plant.
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- Fertilizers and fertilizers
When it comes to fertilizer, a liquid fertilizer specifically for succulents will work wonders for them. Apply every 3 weeks or every month during the spring and summer months (when they are in development). This will be enough for them to get all the nutrients they need.
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- When
roots start to flee the pot and stick out all over the place, you'll have a good indication that it's time to transplant. Place it in a larger pot, preferably during the spring. Otherwise, the cold will cause it to suffer and make it difficult for it to adapt to the ground.
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- Pests
These types of plants are very resistant and are not usually attacked by parasites. Its biggest problem is the appearance of fungi, which can appear if waterlogging occurs under its roots. Whiteflies can also cause damage, but it's not difficult to kill them with chemicals.
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- There
is no common guideline for pruning euphorbia, since, given the great variety of this genus, there are species that have strong leaves and others that are made up only of the stem and some branches. In any case, if pruning is carried out, employ tools designed specifically for succulents and allow the milky wounds to dry. This will ensure good results.
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- Some
species, such as the Trigona, store latex inside. It is a rather irritating milky substance that can cause damage if it comes into contact with the skin. For this reason, the use of gloves is recommended for handling.
And now it's your turn! With this information, you will be able to select your favorite euphorbia strains and fill your home with exoticism and originality. You have plenty to choose from!