In every modern apartment and house there are indoor flowers. Their presence in the room not only creates a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere, but also contributes to good health. This is due to the properties of plants, the main of which is the release of oxygen. The range and choice of indoor plants today is quite wide and varied. On the modern market there is a huge number of both familiar to us and exotic plants. A very popular flower, evergreen, which today is preferred by many flower growers, is myrtle.
How to Grow: Secrets
Myrtle is a unique plant that not only strikes the imagination with its beauty, but can also be used as a medicinal plant. It belongs to the evergreen and is a member of the myrtle family. In its natural habitat, myrtle can reach 3 meters in height, but in rare cases, a room specimen can grow up to 1 meter. All gardeners know that myrtle can be propagated at home, both with the help of cuttings and from seeds. Propagation by cuttings is more often used, as it is easier, faster and you do not have to wait long for the flower to give the first color.
Growing myrtle from seeds is a true art. This is a rather painstaking and time-consuming process, but it will provide an opportunity to understand the plant, to study its habits. Having decided to plant the seeds of this plant, you need to understand that such a flower will not bloom soon, it may take 5 years before the first bud appears.
Planting myrtle seeds occurs in spring or summer. Let's take a closer look at the instructions.
- Of course, the first thing to do is to choose and purchase quality seeds. Be sure to pay attention to their shape and integrity. It is desirable if the date is indicated on the package: you need to be sure that the seeds are not old. If you come across old seeds, you need to perform pre-sowing preparation. We will talk about how exactly the pre-sowing preparation of old seeds should take place later in the article.
- Be sure to prepare the soil for planting. The mixture in which you will plant the seeds can be prepared independently. To do this, mix equal amounts of earth, humus and sand. If there is no opportunity or desire to cook it, you can buy ready-made seed soil in a specialized store.
- Next, you need to prepare the container. You can use a special container, the depth of which will be at least 10 cm. You can also plant seeds in plastic cups, provided there is no other container.
- The container is filled with pre-prepared primer, then the seeds are planted to a depth of no more than 5 cm. When they are immersed in the ground, they must be covered from above with a ball of a special substrate. Further, experts recommend covering the container with the planted seeds. You can use glass, plastic or film. Until the seeds germinate, the covered container must be placed in a room where the air temperature must be at least +20ºС.
If the planting technology has been followed, then after 2 weeks the seeds will germinate, and you will be able to observe the first shoots.
Performing a pick
So, two weeks have passed, the seeds have sprouted, and the first two leaves are already clearly visible. This means it's time for a pick. The picking process is the transplantation of a plant into another, more suitable container for its further development. The plant is transplanted into a pot, which should be quite roomy so that the myrtle develops well and the root system can form. In most cases, after a transplant, the flower may stop growing, but this is normal: it gets used to the new environment.
If the care of the myrtle is correct, then soon its growth will resume, and by the first year of life it will grow to 15 centimeters.
young plant care
Since we are talking about the need for proper care, let's get acquainted with the following key points, which have a strong effect on the plant:
- myrtle must be constantly sprayed, he loves moisture;
- you can start feeding the flower after picking; for starters, the most common fertilizer for flowers is suitable;
- the flower constantly needs fresh air, so try, if possible, to ventilate the room in which the flower stands;
- avoid drafts and direct sunlight on the flower;
- myrtle is a heat-loving plant, but the air temperature should not exceed + 20ºС.
You should also pay attention to the following useful tips, which will help in the cultivation and propagation of myrtle:
- so that the seeds germinate faster and better, vermiculite can be added to the sowing soil; this component will also help keep humidity under control;
- after planting the seeds, arrange air baths for them - open the container at least once every 2 days so that the soil and seeds breathe; as well as airing will reduce the likelihood of mold;
- after you have completed the pick, carefully monitor the plant, because experts say that the flower is prone to stress in this period, which may affect its condition;
- pay special attention to watering a young plant, do it exclusively with settled water, to which you can first add lemon juice.
Pre-sowing preparation of old seeds
Earlier we talked about the need to prepare seeds for sowing. Let's take a look at what this preparation is.
- Calibration in progress. This process makes it possible to assess the condition of the seed. To do this, place the seeds in a container of water, stirring and standing for 5 minutes. After that, the seeds that have floated to the top can be thrown away - they are no longer suitable for sowing. And those that were at the bottom drowned, you need to rinse and dry.
- Seeds need to be defatted. After calibration, seeds that have passed the test are degreased. To perform this procedure, you need to dilute 5 grams of potassium permanganate in 1 liter of water and soak the seeds in this solution for 20 minutes.
Important! Seeds of ordinary myrtle after all treatments should be planted immediately, not postponed.
You will learn how to care for myrtle in the video below.
Myrtle got its name from the Greek language, and it translates as - liquid incense. At home, myrtle breeds like most southern evergreens. Planted in a pot, it develops quite quickly, and after a few years it can bloom and bear fruit. Light flowers, from which golden stamens are clearly visible, appear in spring, and by autumn, dark blue berries ripen instead.
The myrtle tree has long been attracted to itself by the high content of essential oil in the leaves, which is widely used in medicine to this day.
The necessary conditions
In nature, myrtle grows up to five meters in height. If you grow myrtle at home, its height will be about 60-70 centimeters. This is due to the fact that when caring for it, constant pruning of young shoots is done, which does not allow the tree to grow.
Due to the constant pruning of young shoots, the tree grows up to 1 m in height
Of the many existing varieties (more than a hundred), the most common is used in home breeding - ordinary myrtle.
Being a thermophilic plant, for keeping myrtle in a flower pot, it is necessary to choose a place with good lighting, but without direct sunlight, as this will lead to yellowing of the leaves and twisting them into a tube. With a lack of lighting, the leaves turn pale, and the stems begin to actively stretch in search of the most illuminated places, which leads to a weakening of the entire tree.
A comfortable temperature for finding a myrtle tree at home is a thermometer reading of 23-24 degrees, with average humidity and sufficient lighting. In a room arrangement, it is preferable to place the plant on the western or eastern side, where there is no direct sun and at the same time, general lighting is sufficient throughout the daylight hours.
In winter, a state of rest sets in and a temperature of up to 10 degrees is sufficient to maintain weakly expressed life processes. It should be borne in mind that at a higher (hot) temperature in the room, the tree can shed its leaves, so insulation (holding at a distance) of heating devices and devices that intensively give heat is necessary.
Watering, spraying and fertilizing
Wood does not require much moisture
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At room content, myrtle constantly requires watering and spraying for spring, summer and autumn. in winter the need for moisture in the tree is significantly reduced. But in any case, the soil must be sufficiently moistened, its drying out is completely unacceptable. Spraying in the winter is not carried out.
For irrigation, soft settled or filtered water is used.
When the myrtle is actively growing, it must be fed. As a rule, this is done immediately after watering with fertilizers that are highly soluble in water. Foliar top dressing is possible during spraying, when solutions of necessary microelements are added to the water.
The frequency of feeding depends on the stage of development and the general condition of the myrtle tree.
Transplant and reproduction
You need to transplant a tree into a shallow pot
As the tree grows, its root system develops, so it is recommended that small young trees be transplanted annually into new pots of a slightly larger volume compared to previous containers. An adult tree must be transplanted once every three years. When transplanting, it is required to clearly monitor the depth of immersion in the soil of the trunk. It should be the same as before.
Transplantation is done in the spring, at the moment when the myrtle is preparing to come out of dormancy after wintering.
Reproduction of the myrtle tree is carried out by sowing seeds and cuttings.
Grow myrtle from seed
Growing myrtle from seeds at home is quite simple. To do this, fresh seeds are taken, washed in a weak solution of manganese and, after drying, planted in prepared soil in a small pot or any other temporary container (a plastic cup is also suitable), to a depth of no more than a centimeter. After watering, cover with a transparent plastic bag to maintain the greenhouse effect. The place for germinating seeds in a pot should be well lit, and the ambient temperature should not be below 22 degrees. When the first leaves appear, regular airing begins with an increase in the time the sprout is in the open air. With successful adaptation, shelter is abandoned, and when the main stem reaches 20 centimeters in height, the myrtle is transplanted into the main permanent pot.
An easier method of propagation is cuttings. From the top of an adult tree, at the beginning of summer, young shoots are cut, on which there are at least 3-4 leaves. After treatment with a phytohormone solution, the cuttings are planted for rooting in plastic cups with sandy-peat soil.
Creation of greenhouse conditions is also necessary. This is achieved by covering the glass with a sprout with a glass jar or a transparent plastic bag.
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Video: Growing and caring - a tree of happiness
On the windowsills of apartments and offices, you can often see a compact tree, pleasing with fragrant flowers. This is a myrtle grown since ancient times. The plant got its name from the fragrance of the flowers. "Myrtle" in Greek means "incense". In this article we will talk about caring for myrtle at home.
According to legend, myrtle grows in the Gardens of Eden. Adam managed to carry away a branch of the tree of paradise when he was cast out for sins, as a memory of life in paradise. The branch took root in the warm and humid climate of the Mediterranean, spreading around the world. Greek legends claim that the goddess Aphrodite wore a wreath of myrtle twigs. For delicate fragrant flowers, the plant has become a symbol of love, fidelity. Until now, in some countries, flowers or a sprig of myrtle, which personifies fidelity in marriage, are added to the bridal bouquet.
Under natural conditions, the flower grows in Mediterranean countries with a subtropical climate. It is an evergreen shrub or tree growing up to two to three meters. In nature, there are many varieties growing in America, Australia, and Asian countries.
It is decorated with small bright green leaves, located on the branches opposite each other. Small leaves on short cuttings are pointed towards the ends. Flowers of white, pink color grow in groups in brushes or singly. There are types of myrtle with simple or double flowers, with a different number of petals. After flowering, fruits appear on the plant - berries of the drupe species.
Myrtle among flower growers is valued not only for the appearance and aroma of flowers. Its main advantage is the presence of phytoncides and essential oils in leaves, flowers and fruits. They purify the air in the premises, which leads to a decrease in colds and an increase in efficiency, stress relief. Therefore, the myrtle tree can be found in office premises.
An infusion made from leaves and flowers is used to cleanse the face. In some countries, the leaves and fruits of myrtle are used as a seasoning for dishes.
Types and varieties of myrtle with a photo
The houseplant has the form of a small tree that does not grow more than 60 cm, which allows it to be grown among other indoor flowers.
swamp myrtle
swamp myrtle is one of the low temperature resistant. It grows no higher than one meter, has the shape of a shrub with straight branches. It differs in that it tolerates the snowy winters of Russia. The leaves fall for the winter, and in the spring the plant blooms again. Found in sphagnum bogs, lives up to fifty years. It is distinguished by the presence of poison in the plant, so it should not be allowed to get into the food of animals.
Myrtle Variegant
Myrtle variegated characterized by bright variegated leaves with amber-colored dots and stripes along the edges. Snow-white flowers with a beige tint and golden stamens have an exquisite aroma. In addition, the plant cleans the air by reducing the content of carbon dioxide. To obtain beautiful leaf color, it is necessary to provide bright light for the plant. Grown at room conditions in loose soil, using dressings.
Mirt Hymen (Happiness of the Bride)
One of the varieties of common myrtle is called Hymen. Under natural conditions, the shrub grows up to 3-5 meters. Indoors, its height does not exceed one meter. This variety is called "the happiness of the bride", its flowering twig is used in wedding bouquets. Flowers and fruits have a strong aroma.
Myrtle large-leaved
Myrtle large-leaved also a variety of common myrtle. It has large leaves up to five centimeters long, grows up to four meters. Like other types of myrtle, it has a healing effect, kills bacteria. It is used to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, sinusitis.
Myrtle Tarentina
Differs in dwarf sizes myrtle tarentina. Its elongated leaves do not exceed one and a half centimeters. Differs in abundant flowering, miniature flowers are collected in groups. Differs in rapid growth, but in the conditions of an apartment does not grow above one meter. It develops well subject to the basic requirements for care:
- regular watering;
- spraying;
- enough sunlight.
Mirt Komunnis
Mirt Communis It has the shape of a tree, which in its habitats is also called a dead tree. At home, it grows up to five meters, it is distinguished by elongated leaves and abundant flowering.
lemon myrtle
lemon myrtle got its name from the lemon flavor. The habitat is the Australian tropics. It is used to obtain essential oil, the manufacture of seasonings and spices.
Myrtle ordinary
In indoor floriculture, the most widespread common myrtle. In nature, it grows as a shrub up to four meters high. At home, it grows in the form of a small tree. It differs from other species in oval leaves and fragrant, small flowers. This type of plant is ideal for growing bonsai.
Content at home
A native of the subtropics prefers summer temperatures in the range of 22 to 24 degrees Celsius. In summer, the best place for myrtle will be a balcony with shade on hot days. Although the flower loves bright sunlight, it is still desirable to protect it during hot hours with a light curtain or screen. To achieve flowering, it is advisable to place the pot with the plant on the south side. Although it will grow on windowsills located on the east or west side.
If it is not possible to take the myrtle to the balcony or garden, then it is better to place it in the summer by an open window. It belongs to those few plants that are not afraid of drafts, but love fresh air. Therefore, the room where the pot with the plant stands should be ventilated often.
For the winter, it is desirable for the plant to provide a cool temperature, but not lower than ten degrees. If it is not possible to take it to a cool room, then the watering and spraying schedule should be adjusted. In winter, it is recommended to water once a week. In the conditions of an apartment, the pot is placed close to the window glass, it can be fenced off with additional glass or film to protect it from the flow of warm air. If possible, you can try to take the myrtle to the cellar. Some flower growers thus provide the plant with a cold wintering.
If the plant remains in the apartment, then during the short winter day it needs additional illumination with special fitolamps or fluorescent lamps.
Myrtle care at home
A native of the subtropics needs a lot of light and abundant watering. But at the same time, stagnation of water in the pot should not be allowed, otherwise rotting of the roots cannot be avoided. In the winter dormant period, watering is reduced, especially if wintering takes place in cool conditions. For irrigation, settled water at room temperature is used. In summer, in addition to spraying, myrtle likes to take water treatments in the shower.
top dressing
From spring to autumn, myrtle needs regular fertilizing with mineral fertilizers. The choice depends on how you want to see the plant. If you want to get a lush green tree, then you need to use nitrogen fertilizers. If you want to achieve abundant flowering, then pay attention to complex fertilizers for flowering plants with phosphorus additives. Apply weekly throughout the summer. In winter, the number of dressings is reduced to one and a half months.
Bloom
As already mentioned, for flowering myrtle should be located on the southern windowsill. If the regime of watering and lighting is observed, but the plant does not bloom, it is necessary to look for flaws in the care.
Here are the possible reasons:
- Too much light change. If you have to move the myrtle from a place with low light to bright light, then this should be done gradually.
- Lack of fresh air.
- Lack of moisture, spraying.
- If the crown was cut in the spring, then the growth of branches will increase. But the plant will not bloom this year. In order for the myrtle to bloom the next year, crown formation should be carried out in summer, after flowering has ended, or in winter.
- For flowering, it is necessary to feed the plant with fertilizers, which contain much more phosphorus than nitrogen.
- If a plant is struck by pests or diseases, then flowering should hardly be expected from it, because all its forces are spent on survival.
To obtain seeds, pollination of flowers is necessary. In the garden, this procedure can be carried out by insects, and indoors it is necessary to pollinate it yourself - with a soft brush. Ripe seeds are dark blue in color. They can be used to grow new plants.
Planting and transplanting myrtle
A transplant of a houseplant myrtle is performed in several cases:
- after the purchase;
- annual transplant for young plants;
- transplantation of adult plants in three to four years.
After acquiring a new plant, it is recommended to transplant into a new soil. In this case, it is necessary to check the condition of the roots and trim them if necessary. The main thing is not to overdo it, so as not to harm the plant. Consider a phased transplant:
- To remove the root system from the pot without damage, it is recommended not to water the soil for several days.
- The next step is to take up the base of the plant and, turning the pot over, remove the lump with the roots.
- You need to take a sharp wooden stick and carefully remove the earth between the roots, holding the plant with the roots down.
- The roots are treated with a Kornevin-type stimulant so that the plant takes root better.
- A new pot must be selected according to the following rule: it must be 2 times smaller in diameter than the crown of the tree. A layer of drainage (expanded clay) is poured at the bottom of the pot. Soil for myrtle can be prepared independently or purchased at flower shops.
- A small layer of soil mixture is poured over the drainage.
- The plant is carefully installed in a pot and covered with soil. It is necessary to control that the neck of the plant is not sprinkled.
- At the last stage, the earth mixture is carefully watered, then the pot is transferred to a shaded place.
The ground mixture is prepared from the following ingredients:
- peat land (30%);
- sod land (30%);
- humus (20%);
- river sand (20%).
Before use, it is desirable to neutralize the earthen substrate from possible pests.
crown formation
The formation of the crown of myrtle is divided into two types: pinching and pruning. Pinching young shoots can be done at any time. This will increase the density of the crown, but the number of flowers on the tree will decrease.
Trimming the shoots allows you to give the plant the desired shape. If you do not carry out the formation of the crown, then the crown will eventually acquire a pyramidal shape. When cutting off the top, the plant turns into a shrub. A very small plant must be given time to strengthen before shaping the crown by cutting.
Circumcision can be done in the spring, but then you are unlikely to wait for flowering this year. It is better to cut the shoots after flowering, in autumn or winter. Usually cut branches to 1/3 of the length.
Bonsai
Myrtle is well suited for growing bonsai. The bends of the trunk and branches are formed using thin rigid wire, stretch marks, and the crown is formed by cutting and removing leaves from the lower part of the branches.
Methods for propagating myrtle at home
Myrtle can be propagated in classical ways: from cuttings or seeds.
How to grow myrtle from cuttings
This procedure is best done in winter or summer. You can use branches obtained by cutting the crown. The cuttings are cut from the lower or middle branches so that their length is about 5-8 centimeters. The lower leaves should be removed, the oblique cut is treated with a stimulant for root growth.
The cutting is planted in a mixture consisting of sand and sphagnum moss. If it is not possible to purchase moss, then coarse sand is mixed with leafy soil. The container with the cuttings is covered with a film, placed in a slightly shaded place at room temperature. Periodically, the film must be removed and the cuttings aired. Germination occurs within about a month. After the appearance of new leaves, which indicates successful rooting, you can plant the cuttings in separate pots. New plants begin to bloom in the third or fourth year.
Reproduction by seeds
Growing myrtle from seeds at home takes more time to get a flowering plant, but lovers of experimentation can try.
In the prepared moistened mixture of peat and sand, the seeds are laid out at a shallow depth, sprinkled with a thin layer and covered with a film or glass.
myrtle seeds sprouted
Important! Seedlings need to be ventilated periodically.
After two weeks, sprouts appear.
After the appearance of two leaves, the seedlings are transplanted into separate pots by transshipment. Further transplantation is carried out when the roots fill the pot. Plants from seeds begin to bloom at the age of five.
care mistakes
When growing myrtle, various problems arise, often associated with improper maintenance of the plant.
- The leaves turn black. Usually associated with excessive watering. It is necessary to reduce watering and loosen the soil. You can replace the soil.
- Yellow leaves indicate a lack of moisture in the soil and air.
- Shedding of leaves can mean poor water quality or too hot a place, overdrying of the soil.
- If myrtle leaves fall off after a change of scenery, then this is an indicator of stress or insufficient watering.
- Myrtle leaves dry and curl. This indicates violations in the care, movement or insufficient watering. Sometimes myrtle sheds its leaves in winter when the air is dry. Do not despair, in the spring the plant may put up new leaves.
- The leaves have become sticky. This is a sign of damage to the shield. See next section for treatment options.
Pests
Myrtle becomes vulnerable to pests when conditions are violated. In the table we give a list of the main pests and diseases, measures to combat them.
| signs | Cause | Treatment |
| Dark spots on the leaves, sticky coating. | Shield defeat | Removal of scale insects with a swab moistened with soapy water. Then treat with insecticide. |
| On the myrtle leaves dry and curl | Insecticide treatment. | |
| The appearance of a whitish web on the underside. | spider mite | Washing with soapy or tobacco solution, insecticide treatment. |
| White coating in the form of fluff on leaves and twigs. | Mechanically remove pests, then treat with Aktara according to the instructions. | |
| They form light spots on the upper side of the sheet and dark spots on the underside. | thrips | Process with Actellik. |
| Myrtle dries up, develops poorly | root rot | Inspect the root system, remove diseased roots. Repot in new soil. |
Although myrtle cultivation requires almost daily attention, especially in summer, the result will please you not only with the appearance, but also with the creation of a family-friendly atmosphere.
myrtle tree simply the most unique home plant. Myrtle very decorative and cultivation no special work. At proper care myrtle tree will not only please your eye, but will also bring many benefits ...
Unlike others indoor plants Myrtle differs not only in its decorative effect, but also invaluable benefits for humans. Myrtle in your house will help you maintain your health and overcome various viral diseases. Planting myrtle in a flowerpot for your home, you will always breathe clean, fresh air, because there is no better air purifier in your home than myrtle.
The myrtle tree will become for you not only a home decoration, but also a whole home first-aid kit, as well as a real talisman of your home, which will bring prosperity and harmony in relationships to your home. You can also read about all of these on our website by clicking on the link.
Botanical description of the myrtle tree
The myrtle tree belongs to the evergreens. In the wild, it grows as a tree or shrub. It belongs to the myrtle family.
In the wild, you can find myrtle on the shores of the Sea of Azov, North Africa, Western Asia, Florida, and the Caribbean.
In the wild, the height of a myrtle tree can reach 5 meters, but this is of course about a wild plant. At home, the trees are much smaller, the maximum height of an indoor myrtle tree reaches a maximum of 1 meter, and that is extremely rare, mostly it grows in a flowerpot up to 60 centimeters.
Myrtle leaves very abundantly stick around the branches. The color of the foliage is dark green, the leaves contain a lot of essential oil and exude a very pleasant aroma. They contain a lot of phytoncides, which are responsible for air purification. The leaves look polished. Leaves are flat and oblong.
Myrtle blooms in small flowers, they can be either single or collected in small short brushes, it depends on its type. Flowers are axillary. The colors of the flowers are not rich; they are only white and pink.
After flowering, the myrtle bears fruit. The fruits are round or ovoid. Each fruit can form up to 15 seeds. The fruits are quite edible, but they are not tasty. The taste of the fruit is quite specific, but they have found application. Myrtle fruits are dried, crushed and used as a seasoning for meat dishes and sauces for them. The fruits may be blue-black or white.
The tree is very branched and forms a fairly dense crown. The bark is smooth without spines.
Myrtle Planting Methods
Myrtle can appear in your house very simply and you can do it in three ways - buying, planting with seeds and planting with a cutting.
Buying myrtle
Of course, the easiest way to plant myrtle in your home is, of course, just to buy it. Myrtle tree plant can immediately tell you not cheap. To compare and understand its price category, I’ll tell you that it stands on the same shelf with orchids, and this is even if the plant is not at all large. Therefore, in order not to throw money away, treat the purchase responsibly and carefully, buy it only in a well-trusted store. And if you buy it from a supplier who sells at home, and you can always save money because it’s always cheaper at home and the Internet is full of such sellers, then be sure to check this seller. It is best to choose a seller who has already been verified by your friends and has positive feedback from them.
Planting myrtle from seeds
Myrtle can be planted with seeds that a tree will produce from fruits. Seeds can also be purchased at any specialty store, or you can take seeds from a tree you know.
Seeds are planted immediately in the ground without germination.
Pour the soil into the planting container, pour the soil well with water. Sprinkle the seeds on the ground, when planting, keep a distance of at least 3 centimeters between the seeds, so it will be easier to transplant them later. Cover the top of the seeds with soil, but do not pour a lot. Also pour water on top, cover the container with a film to create a greenhouse effect. Place the container in a room with a temperature of 18-20°C, do not place it in direct sunlight, the light should be diffused. Periodically open the film for an hour, make sure that the soil is constantly wet.
As soon as 2 leaves appear, remove the film. Shoots usually appear in 7-12 days. A week after removing the film, plant the sprouts in different small containers, small shipping pots with a maximum capacity of 200 ml are perfect. Transplantation is carried out by the method of transshipment with a clod of earth, so as not to damage the roots. Plants remain in them until the entire container is filled with roots.
Caring for seedlings is no different from caring for an adult plant.
Planting myrtle cuttings
To plant myrtle through cuttings, you will of course need an adult tree in order to take planting material from it. It can be your tree or the tree of your friends who will share a couple of branches with you.
Cut branches are placed in water, for reliability, you can add a root system stimulator to the water " Kornevin" according to instructions. Wait for the cuttings to put up good roots of at least 2 centimeters. After the cutting has taken root and is ready for planting, plant it in a container with a volume of no more than 250 ml. Then take care of it as usual. Transplantation is carried out by transshipment, when the roots fill the entire container.
Caring for a myrtle tree at home
Myrtle plant is a little whimsical, no, do not think that if you break the rules a little, then it will immediately disappear, not at all. However, with improper care, you will not get active growth, dense and lush foliage and crown, and you will not see flowering. Let's learn how to take care of him together.
Choosing a place for a myrtle tree
Myrtle will not grow well anywhere, he needs to choose the right place that suits him. Myrtle loves well-lit places, it can grow in diffused light or bask in the sun, but this does not apply to hot times when the rays are burning.
In summer, the myrtle loves to be taken out into the open air, as if to a summer resort.
If you have an irresistible desire to put your myrtle on the windowsill and show your beauty to everyone, then you need to put it exclusively on windows facing west or east. In the south it will be too hot, and in the north, on the contrary, it will be very cold. In the south, even in winter, a tree can get burns, to which it is highly susceptible. But being in the north can lead to a lack of flowering.
Also, north and south have a very strong influence on the period of such necessary rest. This period is very important for flowering and growth. If you send myrtle south to him, then he will not have enough time for a period of rest, therefore he will not be able to fully rest. But in the north, this period will be very long and this may slow down growth too much.
If you have an urgent need to change the place for the myrtle from one side to the other, never do it very abruptly. Myrtle may simply not survive a sudden change in its habitat. Therefore, if it is so strongly necessary to change sides, it must be done gradually. Move it away from the window little by little, adaptation should last at least 10 days. If you hurry, you risk! Myrtle will at least shed its foliage or at most you will lose the plant.
Air temperature for myrtle growth
The myrtle tree loves moderate heat and does not tolerate heat well. In summer, he prefers a temperature of 18-20°C, maximum 24°C.
For winter, a room with an air temperature of 6-8 ° C is ideal for him. Under such wintering conditions, it will give abundant spring flowering and an active growth spurt.
Of course, we cannot give him a temperature lower than the weather gives us in the summer, in the absence of a cooling system in the house. And the same thing in winter, because you will not freeze to give the right temperature to the flower. Here the output will be abundant spraying and watering.
But if your house is very hot and it so happens that too much heat has led to a drop in foliage. Do not despair! In the spring it will turn green again, but unfortunately there will be no flowering at all.
Air humidity for myrtle tree growth
Myrtle does not tolerate dry warm air, it needs constant moisture. Therefore, it must be sprayed regularly. Particular attention to spraying should be paid in spring and autumn, because this is the period of active growth for myrtle.
If you were able to give the myrtle the correct wintering, and it is cool, then it does not need spraying at all.
Watering myrtle tree
The myrtle tree is very fond of moisture. In the spring and especially summer, it is necessary to carefully monitor its watering. During this period, in no case is it allowed to dry out the soil and even dry it out, the soil in the pot must be constantly wet.
In autumn, watering is slightly reduced and watering is carried out as soon as the surface of the soil dries out a little. In winter, watering becomes even less plentiful, but in no case should the soil completely dry out, otherwise it will wither.
It is also impossible to allow stagnation of water in the flowerpot, the roots can very quickly begin to rot from an excess of moisture. The soil should be moist, but not wet.
Ground for myrtle tree
The myrtle tree should never be grown in plain soil from your garden or kitchen garden, it likes light, loose soil. For cultivation, turf, humus, peat and sand are usually taken. All this is combined in equal proportions, it is exclusively in equal. You can also purchase special soil for myrtle in the store. Myrtle can also be grown safely in soil designed for growing begonias.
Fertilizer and top dressing of a deciduous tree
The myrtle tree definitely needs to be fed. It is fed from April to October once a week. For top dressing, a liquid fertilizer for ornamental deciduous plants is selected. Also, if you want abundant flowering, then in March you need to start feeding with a high phosphorus content.
Myrtle tree transplant
The first 4 years, the myrtle tree must be replanted every year until flowering occurs. The myrtle tree usually blooms after 3 years maximum, after 5 in the case of planting seeds.
Further, after the myrtle has begun its flowering, it is transplanted 1 time in 3-4 years no more often. It is transplanted exclusively by transshipment. When transplanting, it is necessary to be very careful with the root system, it is fragile and if the root is damaged, the plant can get sick. Drainage is always laid out at the bottom.
How to choose the size of a new flowerpot? This question is asked by all owners of myrtle. The wrong pot can stunt the growth of the plant you have worked so hard to achieve. The size of the pot should be only slightly larger than the volume of the root system.
And here a new question arises - how to find out the size of the root system before you dump it out of the previous flowerpot? Everything here turns out to be quite simple! Look at the size of the crown of your tree and buy a flowerpot half the diameter of the crown, this will be the volume of the root system and the required size of the flowerpot.
For ease of choice, we will give you one example: a tree 3 years old needs a pot with a diameter of 12 centimeters.
pruning myrtle tree
A myrtle tree is just a gift for lovers of creating ornamental trees and shrubs. You can not cut it at all, then it will grow like a beautiful pyramidal plant and will have its natural appearance.
If you start cutting off the top part, then you will get the most beautiful shrub. But if you start pruning from the sides and from the lower branches, you can form an incredibly beautiful round tree.
They begin to trim from the age of 3-4 years, not earlier. It lends itself perfectly to crown formation and quickly acquires the desired decorative look. However, with frequent pruning and pinching, you can lose the abundance of its flowering or flowering at all. But here everyone chooses his own: either abundant flowering, or a beautifully shaped crown.
Problems that may arise when growing myrtle
Myrtle rarely brings difficulties, but they may well arise.
- If suddenly your beautiful myrtle began to shed its leaves, there may be two reasons: the first is that it has little light, the second is a very warm and dry wintering.
- If you see that your myrtle literally began to fade: its leaves brightened, began to turn yellow, and the edges of the leaves began to gradually curl. This means that he has too much lighting. This often happens if you put the myrtle on the south side.
- If suddenly your myrtle leaves begin to thin out and become lighter, and the leaves become smaller, and the branches stretch in length. This means that your myrtle has very little light, which is not uncommon when it is on the north side.
Well, here, perhaps, is all the basic knowledge that you will need to grow a myrtle tree at home. And do not forget that myrtle is a special plant with magical powers. In order for the tree to please you, treat it with love, take care of it only in a good mood and thank it for growing in your house.
Happy growing!
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Myrtle is an evergreen plant grown as a shrub and as a small tree. The myrtle tree is very popular as a gift for the bride, symbolizing a successful marriage. This plant is not so easy to care for, but it is worth it.
General information
Myrtle has long been valued for its medicinal properties - flowers and foliage contain essential oils, and if the leaves and fruits are dried, they can be used as spices (spices). For example, cloves are a product obtained from one of the types of myrtle.
In the season of colds, for prevention, essential oils are used, spreading their smell around the room or simply putting the plant on the windowsill, for example, in the children's room. The study also showed that myrtle can reduce allergic reactions in children.
Myrtle plants also include such valuable plants, according to their characteristics, as tea tree, eucalyptus and clove tree.
Species and varieties
(Myrtus communis) or it is also called " communis " (aka " indoor ”) is the most common type in home gardening. This species is characterized by a short, well-branched trunk, which is covered with exfoliating reddish-brown bark.
The leaves are green, oval, shiny and have a pleasant aroma. The flowers are white (sometimes a faint pink shade is observed) with protruding stamens. Blooms in the summer season. The fruits are black berries with a reddish tint.
This type of myrtle has developed many varieties:
- - a compact shrub with many fruits, smaller in size than the mother.
- Myrtle variety Alhambra - has white fruits-berries and dense foliage.
- (Variegata) stands out among others with variegated foliage.
- Myrtle "La Clape" - has purple berries.
- There is also a dwarf form among them - myrtle "Microphylla" .
This is a miniature copy of a tree, a very popular plant, of great value to flower growers, its leaves contain essential oils used in medicine and cosmetology. The price of such a tree is not small.
The shape of such a tree can be varied, the trunk twists and bends in the process of growth, and due to the periodic pruning of the processes, you can form the shape of the crown as you wish.
- it happens both in the form of a bush and in the form of a tree with brown exfoliating bark. The leaves are matte, dark green, white flowers that bloom in July or August. The fruits are dark red and edible.
(Myrtus chequen) - a tree with glossy leaves and slightly wrinkled edges.
(Myrtus ralfii) - This bush is distinguished by pink flowers and red edible berries. The leaves have a white or cream border.
Myrtle Boetica (Boetica)
A large-leaved species, the leaves are larger than those of other species (6-7 cm, while the standard is 1-2 cm), with a pointed end. This myrtle grows very slowly. The trunk has an interesting feature - it twists, in the process of growth, interesting shapes are formed. The flowers are white and large, and the berries are oblong, black.
(Cassandra or marsh myrtle ) is an evergreen shrub that grows exclusively in swamps, from which it got its name. It reaches one meter in height. Young shoots and leaves contain poison, which is dangerous for animals (for goats and sheep).
If you crush the leaf of such a plant, you will feel a pronounced lemon aroma. In some countries, such leaves are used as a seasoning. Leaf sizes: length 10 cm, and width 1-4 cm. It blooms first with white flowers, and then darkens to a creamy and slightly yellow hue.
Myrtle care at home
Myrtle is a plant that needs a humid climate, so spraying is a must for healthy and lush growth. In no case do not forget about watering, but do not flood, the plant is very sensitive and can get sick. Water only with soft, settled water.
But myrtle is not afraid of drafts, so you can safely leave it on the windowsill, where a window is constantly open for ventilation. With the flow of air around the apartment, useful phytoncides will spread, destroying pathogenic microbes.
The temperature must be controlled within 18-24°C. In the summer, it is advisable to put the myrtle on the street or balcony and shade a little so that the rays of a particularly scorching sun do not fall.
pruning myrtle
As for pruning, the myrtle tolerates it well, not to mention the fact that thanks to this, it is possible to give a different desired shape to the crown, creating various compositions. Pruning and transplanting is carried out in the spring season, no more than once every two years.
Myrtle transplant
When transplanting, the transshipment method is used, while choosing a pot slightly larger than the previous one. The soil for myrtle is simple, with good drainage. The substrate is prepared from equal parts of sod land, peat and sand.
It will be useful to add some charcoal and organic compost. Any pruned varieties must be additionally fed; for this, any fertilizer for indoor plants (complex mineral), without chlorine in the composition, is suitable. A young plant begins to bloom only in the fourth or fifth year after planting.
Myrtle care in winter
In winter, the myrtle has a dormant period, while watering is reduced (the soil is only slightly moistened, preventing drying out) and the plant is moved to a cooler (8-10 ° C), but bright place.
If this is not done, then leaf drop is observed. Although this is not a big danger, as new, young leaves will begin to appear in the spring.
Reproduction of myrtle cuttings
If the main task during reproduction is the preservation of maternal (varietal) characteristics, then cuttings are considered the ideal method of reproduction.
Cuttings are cut from a healthy plant, they should not be very young, but in a semi-lignified form. For better rooting, the cut is treated with a special growth stimulator (for example, root) and stuck into the prepared soil at an angle (45-55 °). The substrate is constantly checked for moisture.
Myrtle from seeds at home
The seed method is less effective, but it is also used. At the beginning of spring, the prepared substrate (one part of peat and one part of sand) is poured into boxes (soil thickness 8-10 cm), sown with myrtle seeds, sprinkled with the same soil mixture (3-4 cm thick), moistened and covered with glass. The temperature regime is controlled in the region of 20 ° С.
Periodically, the glass is opened to ventilate and moisten the soil, if necessary. The glass can be turned over or wiped, getting rid of excess condensate.
After a couple of weeks, the first seedlings will begin to appear, when there are too many of them, thinning is carried out, and after at least three leaves appear on the seedlings, they are transplanted into separate pots with the same substrate composition. A month later, young plants are fed with low concentration nitrogen fertilizer.
Diseases and pests
If, on the contrary, constant excessive watering is observed, then in this case, rotting of the roots and damage by putrefactive bacteria and fungal infections are inevitable, and this is already serious. It is not easy to deal with such problems and most often the death of the plant is observed.
- If a leaves fade, turn yellow, and the edges curl , then this indicates an excess of illumination.
- If the stems are too long and the leaves are too small - This is a clear sign of lack of lighting.
- Myrtle does not bloom – if you cut too often or cut too much at one time, and also if the room is poorly ventilated.
- Leaves wither and fall - if this happens in winter, it means that the air is too dry and the temperature is too high (for example, when heating devices are working in the room). The plant needs a cooler room and some moisture (just a little!). Also, leaves can wither when water stagnates in the pan or from sunburn (direct sunlight).
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