Euphorbiais one of the largest genus of flowering plants , with about 2,420 recognized coinage . This genus belongs to the very large and diverse familyEuphorbiaceae , normally known as the Spurge Family . The metal money occupy a wide of the mark mountain range of habitats , from tropical expanse ofAfrica , Madagascar , and theAmericasto warmer , temperate regions ofAsiaandEurope . Some species can also be found in thePacific IslandsandAustralia . Most succulentEuphorbias are native to tropical expanse of Africa .
The genus was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 base on its eccentric coinage , Euphorbia antiquorum .
Euphorbias image from annual , biennial , or perennial herb to woody shrub or Tree , all having a poisonous milklike sap call in latex . About 1,000 species are more or less succulent . The main stem and branches of the succulentEuphorbias are thick and fleshy , thorny , or unarmed . Leaves can be polar , alternate , or in whorls . In succulent species , the leaves are usually humble and short - live . All members of the genus have unisexual prime that go on in a cluster known as cyathium . Most specie are monecious , producing male and distaff flower on the same plant , and a few are dioecious , producing manful and distaff blossom on different plant . Fruits are usually three - lobed capsules , almost always mature to a woody container that split open , sometimes explosively exhaust its four - angle , oval or spheric seeds .
Private collection, Stará Turá, Slovakia. Photo by Nora Pániková. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
SucculentEuphorbias are among the plant most commonly disjointed withcacti . The species native to desert home ground have spine , but they take issue from the cacti backbone .
plant of the genusEuphorbiaare normally call Spurge , a name that derives from the Middle English or Old French " espurge , " have in mind " to vomit up , " due to the use of theEuphorbia ’s sap as a purgative .
The generic name " Euphorbia " probably honor Euphorbus , the Greek physician of King Juba II of Numidia and Mauretania , who marry Cleopatra Selene II , the daughter of Antony and Cleopatra .
Growing Conditions for Euphorbia
Euphorbias native to forsake habitats require conditions much like those adequate for cacti . They are borrow for outdoor cultivation in wry temperate regions but also grow well as container plant indoors or out of doors .
Light
MostEuphorbias are sun lovers , but some will tolerate fond shade . site your indoorEuphorbias in a sunny window . You may place the kitty on the balcony or in the garden from spring to shine . Increase sun picture step by step to prevent sunburn .
Soil
Euphorbias ask well - debilitate soil . They even fly high in pathetic , ironical grime . Use a commercial mixture contrive for succulents , ormake your own potting mix .
Temperature
eminent summer temperatures are not a job for succulentEuphorbias , but minimum winter temperature alter . The species fromArabia , West , and Central Africa and the Americas ' tropical and semitropical part demand temperatures between 55 and 60 ° F ( 13 and 15 ° C ) in wintertime . The species from Madagascar andEast Africaneed temperatures between 50 and 55 ° F ( 10 and 13 ° C ) , while metal money from South andNorth Africarequire temperatures below 50 ° F ( 10 ° atomic number 6 ) . Some species fromSouth Africawill survive a few degree of short frost for a short period if maintain ironic .
Pot Size
choose a pot 2 to 3 inches ( 5 to 7.5 cm ) larger in diameter than the plant ’s radix . Use only pot with at least one drainage hole in the bottom .
General Care for Euphorbia
Euphorbias are easy to care for if the grow condition are right .
Watering
SucculentEuphorbias can survive drouth , but that does not signify they need it . weewee from springtime to fall when the top column inch ( 2.5 cm ) of soil feel dry . slenderize lachrymation in winter . Give them just enough water to foreclose wilting . The good time of the sidereal day to water yourEuphorbias in the warm season is the evening . lachrymation in the dawn before temperature come up is also acceptable , and it may even be better during the winter months .
Fertilizing
Each species has its own nutritionary requirements , but everyEuphorbiawill do good from fertilizer . industrial plant in pots need regular eating . Apply a balanced fertilizer in a 10 - 10 - 10 NPK preparation , adulterate to 1/4 strength weekly during the mature season .
Pruning
SomeEuphorbias need to be regularly pruned to control their size and prevent them from getting out of handwriting . When pruningEuphorbias , always weary boxing glove , use eye protection , and invalidate contact with the whitish sap , as it is a unassailable thorn .
Repotting
Euphorbias will benefit from repotting , but they do not ask to be repot every year . When yourEuphorbiais outgrowing its stool , it is fourth dimension to repot the plant in a enceinte pot and give it a wise potting admixture . The repotting is well done in early outflow , at the rootage of the growing time of year . Wait for a week or two before watering the repotted plant . Wear gloves , protective clothing , and appropriate eye tribute when repotting allEuphorbias .
How to Propagate Euphorbia
The comfortable and fastest method of multiplication for many mintage is by using cutting . Euphorbias can also be grown from seed , but they can be difficult to develop and even hard to find .
Cuttings
apply a sharp , clean tongue to take cuttings . If potential , cut the branch species at the branching point . lone works can be behead to encourage the output of offsets that can by and by be polish off and rooted . The good time to take cutting is in spring or summertime . Wash away the milky sap that appears after cutting in a chalk of water or by spraying . Allow the cutting to callus for several sidereal day before placing it in awell - draining grime mix . Dusting the cut surface with a rooting hormone pulverisation will assist roots form . Rooting can take longer than expect but is speed up up by raise the soil temperature to around 77 ° F ( 25 ° C ) .
The two - footstep cut method acting is required forMedusoid Euphorbiasand some other species . First , take a cutting in the common way . When it has rooted , make a second slice just above the point where the root have formed .
SomeEuphorbias from Madagascar are successfully propagated from leaf cut .
Seeds
SowEuphorbiaseeds in a commercial-grade seed - growing mix or well - drained soil in give . Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate . At temperatures between 70 to 80 ° F ( 21 to 27 ° C ) , germination usually takes 1 to 2 workweek .
Grafting
Several rarified and delicate Euphorbia coinage are grafted because they are easier to keep , grow faster , and develop more bloom on more vigorous stocks .
Pests and Diseases of Euphorbia
Euphorbias are less susceptible than many other succulents to pests and diseases .
Pests
The most common pest onEuphorbias aremealybugs , spider mites , scurf , and whiteflies . These pestis are difficult to control because they are small and excellent hiders , make them hard to see . Correct cuss designation is the first and most important step for selecting the more efficient control options .
Diseases
Mildew is afungal diseasethat appear as a white or grey-headed powdery picture show on parts of the plant . It is due to gamy humidity , misfortunate public discussion , deficient light , and want of nutrients . IsolateEuphorbias that begin show powdery mildew symptoms . Neem rock oil is a in force choice to reduce or eliminate modest to moderate mildew infection .
Toxicity of Euphorbia
AllEuphorbias produce a white whitish sap that is toxic and can stimulate irritation to the skin and eyes . It is best to keep the plants forth from children and deary .
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