Spurge Euphorbia (Euphorbia dentata michx): plant distribution, its detailed botanical description and propagation features

Euphorbiaceae - a huge family of plants, numbering from 800 to 1,600 diverse species. Among them stands out the spurge gear, which we will discuss in this article.

Toothed euphorbia is one of the quarantine objects that are absent in the territory of the Eurasian Economic Union. Distributed in North America: Mexico, USA. Toothed euphorbia is a herbaceous perennial plant with powerful branchy roots and a thick bare stalk. Euphorbia in its natural habitat can clog crops of beans and onions.

Botanical description, distribution and features

The euphorbia gear Euphorbia dentata michx, is a weed plant, is included in the new Unified list of quarantine objects of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Euphorbia contains milky white juice, which is highly toxic. It can cause irritation on the skin, mucous membranes, upset gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is necessary to handle milk with caution, it is recommended to touch it only with gloves.

Euphorbia dentate is distributed mainly in North America, but is found in the North Caucasus and Eastern Europe. This is an annual plant, usually 20 to 50 centimeters high. The roots are fibrous, with a thickness of 7 to 10 centimeters. The stems are single, branching over the base of the plant, slightly pubescent.

Leaves several centimeters long, tapering to the base, have small “teeth” at the end (from which this type of milkweed got its name). The inflorescences are small, located on the top of the stem, the flowers are cream or yellowish in color.

Caring for Euphorbia dentata michx

Temperature. The best temperature for milkweed is 22 -25 degrees Celsius in the summer months, and up to 14 degrees in winter.
Watering. Euphorbia should be watered no more than once a week, with settled and filtered water. In winter, watering can be reduced to once a month. However, the topsoil should not dry out, as this may cause the leaves and flowers of euphorbia to fall. However, excessive watering will lead to rotting of the roots, so it is important to observe the “golden mean”. Euphorbia does not like spraying.
Shine. Euphorbia loves sunlight, but excessive lighting can cause burns. The best place in the house for her would be the windowsill of the south or southeast window. In winter, when there is little light, it is recommended to use LED or fluorescent lamps.
Top dressing. During the period of active growth, once every two weeks, euphorbia should be fed with special compounds for cacti and succulents, widely presented in stores.
The concentration of fertilizer is recommended to be half as much as indicated in the instructions for use.
Pot. It is recommended to place the euphorbia in a spacious pot, on the bottom of which a drainage layer should be laid for water permeability and breathability of the soil. For drainage, it is better to use natural natural materials - pebbles, gravel, brick chips.

Breeding

Euphorbia propagates by seeds, cuttings and division of the bush.

Seeds

Seeds are planted in open ground in the fall, mulching the sowing place with sawdust or humus. Plants whose seeds have been stratified are more viable.

Stratification refers to the placement of seeds before sowing in an environment close to natural. Since most plants germinate in spring, their seeds are placed in a cool (and preferably wet) place to simulate the cold season.

An ordinary home refrigerator is suitable for stratification purposes. The period of seed germination is 10-15 days.

Step-by-step seed propagation instructions:

Soak the seeds in warm water for 2 hours.
Place the seeds one at a time in separate containers (e.g. plastic cups) for a week. Pre-moisten the soil in cups. The air temperature in the rooms where such cups stand should be at least 10 degrees Celsius.
After a week, the glasses are rearranged in a warm place (at least 20 degrees).
After seed germination - plant them in pots for "permanent residence".

The main disadvantage of this method of reproduction - euphorbia loses its breeding properties.

Cuttings

The shoots of euphorbia are cut so that their length is at least 12 centimeters, and at least 4 leaves would remain on the handle. The juice secreted by the milkweed at the cut-off point is poisonous and can cause burns to the skin and mucous membranes. Work only with gloves!

Step by step propagation by cuttings:

With a sharp knife (it is even advisable to use a surgical scalpel), separate the stalk from the plant.
Place the stalk in warm water for five minutes. This will reduce their juice production.
Sprinkle slices on the handle with ash or ground black pepper.
Plant the cuttings in the soil.

Division

Division is a very traumatic type of breeding for milkweed. The plant will need up to two years to fully recover. Division is carried out in the fall or at the beginning of spring.

Step-by-step division propagation:

Carefully remove the plant from the pot.
With a sharp knife, carefully separate the aboveground and underground parts of the milkweed.
Wash the cut points with warm water.
Seed both parts in separate pots.

Disease

Euphorbia suffers from the following diseases:

Powdery mildew. An external symptom is a plaque on the upper part of the leaves of a diseased plant, their darkening.
Fusarium and Verticillosis. In the presence of a similar disease, the rhizomes are painted in an intense brown color.
Phytophthora. Its symptoms are sweaty pigmentation in all parts of the plant, rotting of the stem.
Gray rot. Leaves and shoots are covered with a gray coating.
Euphorbia bacteriosis. The plant is inhibited, does not bloom, fades according to the development of the disease. On leaves and stalk spots of wet rot appear.

Conclusion

Euphorbia is widely used not only as a houseplant, but also is an important decorative element of rock gardens and greenhouses. In addition, euphorbia was also used in folk medicine - in Russia, she was treated with hydrophobia and cast out evil spirits. Caring for this versatile plant will help make your life more colorful and interesting.