Parting

Why the myrtle tree does not bloom. Vriesia care at home. Trimming and pinching

An evergreen shrub, a plant of travelers and a symbol of a happy fate - myrtle - a welcome guest at their summer cottage and at home. In today's article, you will learn how to make myrtle bloom at home, the reasons why myrtle does not bloom, and how to correct care without undesirable consequences for the plant.

Why does myrtle not bloom at home?

The myrtle tree came to our homes from the southern regions, where there is no end to the abundance of sunlight, fresh air and humid climate. There are several care mistakes that prevent myrtle from blooming at home. Let's look at them in detail, then to find a solution, how to make myrtle bloom at home.

Why myrtle does not bloom - 6 possible reasons:

Problems with the lack of flowering of myrtle, as we found out, are mainly based on improper care or inappropriate growing conditions. What to do to make myrtle bloom at home? You just need to correct what is not suitable for keeping the myrtle tree and enjoy the results.

How to make myrtle bloom at home?

We return myrtle bright lighting at home and extend daylight hours. On hot summer days, we shade from direct sunlight, and the rest of the time we increase the amount of lighting.
We spend a dormant period, stopping watering and lowering the air temperature to 8-10 ° C. You need to bring the plant to room temperature 20-23 ° C during the day and 18 ° C at night.
The soil mixture for planting myrtle should consist of: peat, humus, soddy soil, sand. Feed regularly with mineral fertilizers.
Lack of phosphorus and potassium, as well as an excess of nitrogen, lead to a suspension of flowering. You need to adjust the amount of fertilizer applied.
Myrtle should be watered frequently, without over-wetting the soil mixture. Drain excess water, dry the earth in a pot at home, then repeat moistening.
Trim the myrtle for flowering and crown formation every year. You can also give a decorative shape at your discretion.

Pinching or how to make myrtle bloom at home

Shchitovka;
Spider mite;

Proper care - compliance with air humidity and temperature, regular watering, removal of old shoots, inspection- allow you to protect the plant from unexpected diseases. The ancient flower culture itself is happy to decorate the window sill at home, give the florist essential oils from the leaves, decoctions and infusions that strengthen the immune system. Myrtle is also useful indirectly - it fills the house with love and peace, and the owner with happiness and luck. Especially popular with women.

(3 rated, rating: 8,67 out of 10)

This plant is an evergreen woody flower that belongs to the Myrtle family, there are some essential oils in these flowers. In the wild, it grows in the Azores, the Mediterranean region, and also in northern Africa. Nowadays, there are more than 50 species of the myrtle plant, in natural conditions it can grow up to 3 m in height, and at home it grows up to a maximum of 1 meter. Most often, ordinary indoor myrtle is a beautiful tree, 25-60 centimeters high, with a round evergreen crown.

The Greek word "myrrh", taken as the basis for the name of this plant, means "incense or balm." The essential oil of this flower has been used since ancient times as a cult attribute in temples of various religions. Different types of myrtle differ significantly from each other in tree height, leaves, flowers, and fruit shade.

The flowers of this plant have long been used not only as a cult attribute, but also for medical and cosmetic purposes, and even in our time some medicinal preparations are made from it. For flower growers, fragrant myrtle is an object of admiration and a source of aesthetic pleasure, moreover, myrtle care at home is very simple and not complicated. With little effort, you can easily achieve the optimal shape of the crown, so the tree will become a real decoration of a house or apartment, and will delight with beautiful flowering.

What is myrtle used for?

The flower is very beautiful, so now many people want to grow and propagate it at home. Myrtle will fit into any style of the room and decorate any interior design.

In addition to decoration, this flower is planted by many because of its beneficial properties. Its essential oils contain phytoncides, which effectively purify the air in the room, kill bacteria and viruses. Thanks to this plant, a special microclimate is created in the room that helps not to get sick with colds, myrtle increases resistance to stress and human performance, and it also reduces children's allergic reactions.

Tinctures from flowers and leaves have an antibacterial effect, so cosmetic preparations have long been used to heal the skin and make it clean and well-groomed. Essential oils are used to prepare various dishes and to create homemade medicines. Dried leaves from these trees are added to food as spices.

Basic rules for caring for a flower

Caring for this plant is quite simple, but you need to follow some rules.

It must be remembered that the flower is a subtropical plant, so it needs high humidity. To create a subtropical-like climate at home, you need to spray the leaves of this flower daily. It is necessary to water the myrtle and spray it with soft water, which must first be defended for a couple of days. It is not necessary to specially soften the water for irrigation, because the presence of lime can have a detrimental effect on the plant.

It is best that the composition of the soil is as similar as possible to the soil where myrtle grows in natural conditions. The substrate or greenhouse land can be purchased at the store, or you can cook at home. You need to take about one third of the turf, one third of the peat soil, add a little river sand and a little humus to them.

It is important to always remember that even a short-term drying of the earth in a pot affects myrtle very badly, due to a lack of moisture, the plant will turn yellow and wither. If for some reason it was not possible to water the flower in time, you should immediately immerse the pot with the plant for a short time in a container of water. At the same time, stagnation of water in the tank or in the ground is not allowed.

Myrtle care also includes regular fertilizing with complex fertilizers. They can be bought at the store. It is better to use products for flowering houseplants.

The plant is not afraid of drafts, it likes to be in the fresh air for a long time, so many flower growers and housewives put it in frequently ventilated rooms, for example, on the kitchen windowsill. Thanks to the fresh air, the flower will very actively release phytoncides, which improve the atmosphere throughout the house.

Myrtle loves a lot of light, so the best place for him in the apartment will be the southern windows. In principle, the plant will feel comfortable in other parts of the house, however, it will be possible to see flowering only if the tree receives a lot of sunlight. In addition, there are some subtleties of flower care in summer and winter.

Myrtle care in summer

In summer, the plant should not be allowed to overheat, it is necessary to create the correct temperature regime, the best temperature for a tree is 22-24 degrees. It is necessary to give the plant enough light, but at the same time the flower must be provided with shading. You can save the myrtle from the summer sun by covering it with a curtain.

It is advisable, when it becomes warm outside, to transfer the tree to the gazebo or to the balcony, where there is enough fresh air. If in the summer the flower will be in the apartment, then the room must be ventilated several times a day.

Watering the tree should be regular, but not too plentiful; top dressing in the summer should be frequent, once every 7-10 days. Pruning and transplanting the plant is performed only in the spring months. Myrtle should be transplanted once every 2 years, because this plant does not like frequent changes in its place of growth.

Myrtle care in winter

In winter, this southern resident is at rest. Watering in winter should be minimal, but you can not overdry the soil. Usually myrtle is watered every 7-10 days, this is enough for him. You need to spray the leaves only when the tree is located in a warm room. The flower is fed in winter about once a month, sometimes a little less.

Myrtle should be placed in a bright but cool room. The optimum temperature in winter is +8 +10 degrees. If leaves begin to fall from the tree, this indicates a high temperature in the room. However, if a significant part of the leaves fall from the myrtle in winter, then this is not a cause for concern. In spring, the plant will regain its vitality and become lush again.

tree pruning

Myrtle tolerates pruning painlessly, so its crown can be made to the desired shape. In 1-2 years, you can achieve the desired result. It is advisable not to cut off the lateral sprouts, because the myrtle trunk is not very strong. It is better not to pinch and trim too often, because these procedures interfere with the formation of flowers on the tree.

Important! When the myrtle is cut, it is necessary to feed it with a houseplant fertilizer that does not contain chlorine.

Proper reproduction of myrtle

To preserve maternal signs and characteristics, myrtle propagation must be carried out by cuttings. This procedure is carried out at a soil temperature of at least 25 degrees. You can propagate the flower both in winter and in summer.

It is necessary to cut a stalk 6-10 centimeters long from the lateral shoot of the myrtle. The stalk can also be cut shorter, 5-7 centimeters long, but then it must be taken from the main, non-flowering process. All the lower leaves must be torn off, and the cut site should be treated with Kornevin.

Next, the cutting must be planted in a substrate consisting of sand and peat, and then cover the pot with a film. Cuttings usually take root in 15-20 days with sufficient watering and a suitable temperature. When roots have appeared on young plants, they can be planted in permanent pots.

In addition, at home, myrtle is sometimes propagated by seeds. However, the big disadvantage of this method is not preserving the varietal characteristics of the flower. In addition, myrtle seeds germinate very slowly, so this method is not suitable for everyone.

It is necessary to sow the seeds at the beginning of spring in a substrate of peat and sand, and a layer of soil is poured on top, the container is covered with a film. In order for the seeds to germinate, diffused light and a temperature of 20-22 degrees are needed. After about 10-15 days, the first sprouts will hatch. When 4 leaves appear on each of them, young myrtles need to be planted in different pots. Subsequently, when growing by this method, it is necessary to form a crown. The formation process is carried out by pinching the sprout at a certain height.

Under what conditions does myrtle bloom

This plant usually blooms in summer. Flowers are ordinary or terry, arranged in brushes or singly in the axils of the leaves. Most flowers are located in the most illuminated part of the plant - on top.

In order for the myrtle to bloom, you need to follow some rules:

You can not cut the plant in the spring. It is better to prune the tree when flowering is over.
It is necessary that fresh air regularly enters the plant in sufficient quantities. If the room is rarely ventilated, then the flowers will not appear.
You need to regularly water, spray the tree and feed it.

How and when is a transplant performed?

This flower grows rather slowly, because of this, transplantation is not often performed. Despite this, the young plant needs care - an annual increase in the volume of the pot. Mature trees are usually transplanted every three to four years. It is best to transplant myrtle in winter, when the vital activity of the plant slows down.

To make it easier to remove the tree from the pot, it is necessary not to water it for a couple of days, thereby the earthen lump dries up and does not stick to the container. Very carefully, you need to pull out the myrtle along with the soil, you need to hold it by the trunk. Before planting in a new pot, you need to pour a little expanded clay for drainage, then pour in the soil, install the plant and add the substrate. Then it is necessary to water the tree abundantly and transfer to the shade.

So, caring for myrtle at home is quite simple and not burdensome. If you create a microclimate in the room as close as possible to subtropical, this flower will feel comfortable, like at home.

Plant myrtle (lat. Myrtus) belongs to the genus of evergreen woody plants of the Myrtle family, the flowers of which contain essential oil. The natural habitats of myrtle are the Mediterranean, the Azores and the north of the African continent.

It is no coincidence that the name of the plant is consonant with the Greek word "myrrh", which means "balm, liquid incense", because it is as a cult attribute that myrtle essential oil has long been used in temples of various concessions.

The legend tells that Adam, expelled from Eden, brought a myrtle flower with him to Earth as a memory of the lost paradise. Many myths, beliefs, traditions, rituals and signs are associated with this plant among different peoples. The myrtle tree has long been considered a symbol of glory, peace and hope.

Our ancestors had myrtle flowers not only for cult, but also for medical and cosmetic purposes, and some preparations from myrtle are still popular today.

But for plant lovers, blooming and fragrant myrtle is an object of admiration and a source of aesthetic pleasure, especially since home myrtle is undemanding in care, and someone who knows how to care for myrtle will easily achieve the optimal shape for a plant that will decorate your home and help preserve To your health.

Bloom: in June-July.
Lighting: bright sunlight until noon, then - bright diffused light (south, west and east windows).
Temperature: in summer - usual for residential premises, in winter - 5-10 ˚C.
Watering: in summer - frequent and plentiful, in the cool season, watering is reduced.
Air humidity: increased. Daily spraying of the leaves is recommended, especially in the heat.
top dressing: from March to August once a week with complex mineral fertilizers.
rest period: winter; in cool conditions - up to three months, in normal conditions - a month and a half.
Transfer: young plants - annually, adults as needed.
pruning: after flowering or early spring.
reproduction: cuttings, rarely seeds.
Pests: scale insects, aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, mealybugs.
Diseases: root rot.
Properties: Myrtle leaves are poisonous.

Myrtle flower - growing from seeds

How to propagate myrtle seeds at home? At the beginning of spring, myrtle seeds are sown on the surface of a substrate consisting of equal parts of sand and peat, in a container 7-10 cm deep, sprinkled on top with a layer of the same substrate 3-5 mm thick and, covered with glass, kept at a temperature of about 20 ºC, ventilating and moistening the crops, as well as removing condensation from the glass.

Seedlings appear in a week or two, and when the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves, they are dived into the same substrate in individual pots so that the root neck remains above the soil surface. A month after picking, seedlings are fed with nitrogen fertilizer of a weak consistency.

However, amateur breeders should be aware that myrtle grown from seeds:

a) will bloom not earlier than in 4-5 years;
b) is unlikely to retain varietal characteristics.

In addition, the germination of myrtle seeds sharply decreases after a year of storage, and it is problematic to obtain them, since this will require artificial pollination of the plant.

How to grow myrtle at home

Caring for myrtle at home includes watering, pruning and feeding the plant, as well as creating optimal or at least necessary conditions for it.

Houseplant myrtle prefers southern, western and eastern window sills, indulgent to drafts, temperature extremes and direct sunlight. Moreover, if there is no sun, there will be no flowering of the myrtle.

In summer, myrtle prefers outdoor life, in winter, the plant needs coolness - 5-10 degrees Celsius, and a glazed unheated balcony would be the best place for it.

water myrtle in the warm season, it is necessary abundantly and often, without waiting for the top layer to dry, but excess moisture must be drained from the pan so as not to provoke root rot. Insufficient or infrequent watering can cause the plant to shed its leaves.

With the onset of cold weather, watering is reduced, but if the plant winters in a room with working heaters, it will have to be watered as plentifully as in summer.

In addition, it will be necessary to spray the leaves of the plant with water at least once a day, since the myrtle needs high humidity, and you need to remember this in winter, if the temperature in the room with myrtle is above 15 ºC, and in summer. Water for water procedures and irrigation should be separated or passed through a filter.

Once a week or two from March to August, the myrtle needs to be fertilized with fertilizers. If you are growing bonsai from myrtle or you are not interested in its flowering, then feed the plant with a complex fertilizer for ornamental foliage plants, but if you want to see the myrtle bloom, then apply fertilizer for flowering plants.

Myrtle has a pronounced dormant period, the duration of which determines the location of the plant: if the myrtle hibernates in the cool or on the northern windowsill, then it can rest for up to three months, and if it is warm and in bright light, then only for a month and a half.

pruning myrtle

Caring for myrtle also involves giving its crown the desired shape. The formation of myrtle depends on what you grow it for. Many people like myrtle in the form of a standard tree with a neat compact crown, but there are people who do not care how the plant looks, as long as it “blooms and smells”.

In any case, one should not get too carried away with pruning the lateral shoots of young plants or pinching them excessively. On the other hand, myrtle grows fast, regenerates easily, and you always have the option to change your plans for how it looks.

The main thing is that the formation of the crown should be done in early spring or after flowering.

Home myrtle - transplant

Young plants are transplanted annually, adult myrtles - as needed, which is determined in this way: if the freshly watered soil dries out within a day, then it's time to increase the amount of substrate, and, therefore, a larger pot will be needed. The pot is chosen only a couple of centimeters in diameter wider than the previous one. It is better to transplant in the spring, using the method of transferring a plant from an old container to a new one, since it does not injure the root system.

Reproduction of myrtle

If you want to propagate myrtle, cuttings are the best way to do this, because it allows you to preserve the species and varietal characteristics of the plant. In addition, this is a much more reliable method of propagation than seed, and plants from cuttings bloom faster than those from seeds - in about three years.

Therefore, if you want to grow a myrtle tree at home, you do not need to buy seeds that quickly lose their ability to germinate, just do not hesitate to ask your friends for a stalk after a formative pruning. The best result is given by semi-woody cuttings of the current year.

You can take cuttings from January to February, or in July, and it is better if they are from the lower or middle part of the crown. Remove the lower leaves from a segment of the shoot 8-10 cm long, and shorten the upper ones by a third, and the largest ones by half.

Treat the lower cut with rootstock or heteroauxin and plant for rooting in a mixture of leafy soil (one part) and coarse sand (half part), or sphagnum and sand in the same proportions. It is better to take a low and wide container for rooting, and it is advisable to cover the stalk from above with a glass jar. Rooting occurs at a temperature of 17-20 ºC in a shady place.

From time to time, the jar is removed for ventilation and so that the soil does not turn sour. Usually the roots grow within a month, and the rooted cutting is transplanted into a pot with a diameter of 7 cm in the same soil mixture. After a year, transplant it into a container with a diameter of 9 cm in the soil for an adult myrtle and take care of it like an adult plant.

Insects and diseases of myrtle

Myrtle is harmed by mealybugs, whiteflies, scale insects, aphids, thrips and spider mites, which appear as a result of a chronic violation of the rules for keeping the plant.

The first five pests are destroyed by four-time treatment of myrtle with actara or actellik within a month. Spider mites and thrips should preferably be washed off with a shower before treatment with the same actellik.

But rather than poisoning the myrtle with insecticides, it is better to prevent the invasion of insects by observing very simple rules for caring for the plant.

Myrtle withered

A frequently asked question from our readers: “What to do if the myrtle has dried up?” should sound differently: “What to do so that the myrtle does not dry out?” And the answer to this question is very simple: strictly observe the rules for keeping myrtle.

If myrtle leaves dry up, then you have not taken into account some of the recommendations of plant care experts.

Insufficient air humidity adversely affects the condition of the foliage, especially if in winter the myrtle is in a room with a temperature above 18 ºC, where heaters work, not only heating, but also drying up the air. Myrtle also dries out if you forget to water it.

Remember the rules for caring for a plant and follow them strictly, because it is much easier to prevent the death of a plant by taking preventive measures than to resuscitate it later. Water and spray the myrtle regularly with settled water, keep it on a tray with wet pebbles, but so that the bottom of the pot does not stand in the water.

Myrtle properties

The leaves, young shoots and fruits of myrtle contain essential oil and active substances that have a high antibacterial effect. Soviet scientists have developed a medicinal preparation - myrtle tincture, which is prepared from the mature leaves of the plant.

Both the experience of traditional medicine and modern scientific research confirm that the use of myrtle in the treatment of such serious diseases as diabetes mellitus, pneumonia and chronic bronchitis is highly effective.

Myrtle tincture successfully copes with antibiotic-resistant strains of tubercle bacillus and staphylococcal infection, as well as purulent otitis media and a heavy smoker's cough.

In addition, the drug from the leaves of myrtle is a natural stimulant of important life processes that increase efficiency and endurance to stress, it has no side effects and is prescribed even for children from one year of age. Doctors and botanists recommend keeping myrtle in bedrooms and nurseries because it makes the air in them cleaner and healthier. One plant is able to purify the air of bacteria in a room of 20 square meters. meters.

Myrtle - signs

Myrtle has long been considered a strong amulet. But the plant will fulfill this mission only under two conditions:

if it was planted by a woman - the mistress of the house;
if the owners of the plant are proud of their myrtle.

The signs of European peoples say: if myrtle grows in a house, there will be peace and love in it, but if the plant dies and is thrown away, happiness will leave this house along with the dead plant. Myrtle is not suitable for offices - he needs a family hearth.

But Muslims do not keep myrtle in their homes, believing that it dooms young boys and girls living in the house to loneliness.

Common myrtle (Myrtus communis)

In home floriculture, common myrtle (Myrtus communis) is most often grown with a short branched trunk covered with exfoliating scales of red-brown bark. The leaves are green, oval-lanceolate, glossy, leathery, with a pleasant aroma.

The flowers are white or pale pink with protruding stamens, the fruits are red-black berries. Blooms from June to August.

Popular cultivars: "Tarentina" - a compact bush with berries smaller than the original form, but there are much more of them than ordinary myrtle; the variegated variety has a creamy-white pattern along the green leaves.

Myrtle lush (Myrtus apiculata)

Lush myrtle (Myrtus apiculata) is also interesting - a bush or tree with peeling brown bark, under which the trunk is creamy white. The leaves are dark green, elliptical, matte. White single flowers bloom in July-August, black-red fruits are edible.

Myrtle hekven (Myrtus chequen)

- a tree with shiny green leaves with a wrinkled edge. This species is the most stable of myrtles.

Ralph's myrtle (Myrtus ralfii)

- an upright shrub with pinkish flowers and red edible berries. It has a variegated variety with a white-cream border around the edge of the leaves.

Source: https://floristics.info/ru/stati/2219-mirt-v-domashnikh-usloviyakh.html

What to do if myrtle leaves: dried up and fall off

Myrtle is a wonderful decoration for any apartment and office. In addition to decorativeness, the flower can also boast of healing properties. However, growing myrtle is not easy: flower growers call the drying and falling of its foliage the most common problem. We will find out why myrtle leaves dry, and how to deal with this problem.

Improper maintenance and care

Most often, myrtle suffers and loses its decorative effect due to improper care and maintenance. Next, consider what causes in most cases cause the foliage to dry out.

lack of moisture

The plant needs regular and fairly plentiful watering. The lack of water is not well tolerated by myrtle, and a prolonged lack of moisture can lead to sad consequences.

Usually the leaves are the first to react to a lack of water: they lose color, turn yellow, turn brown, then begin to dry, curl and eventually fall off. Thus, if measures are not taken in time, the myrtle will dry out completely.

What to do

To resuscitate the plant, dip the pot with it in a container of water for 10-15 minutes. Water through the drainage holes will penetrate immediately to the roots, so the flower can quickly recover.

After water procedures, put the pot on a tray - the water must drain. Stagnation of moisture in a pot is also undesirable: for this reason, the roots of the plant may rot.

Overwatering

Excess moisture can also negatively affect the plant. Stagnation of water in the soil leads to rotting of the root system, one of the symptoms of which is yellowing and wilting of the foliage.

What to do

In this case, the plant will have to be urgently transplanted into dry soil. Remove the myrtle from the old potted substrate and rinse its roots in water. Then you need to inspect the roots and cut off those that have already rotted. Transplant the plant into a new substrate and do not water at first.

Wrong temperature setting

Myrtle requires maintenance at an average temperature regime: + 17-24 degrees. It's summer. In winter, the plant goes into a three-month dormant period, and it is recommended to keep it at a temperature of only + 10-12 degrees.

If myrtle is left in a warm room in winter, this will most likely lead to wilting of its leaves and dropping them.

What to do

In this case, they act simply: the pot of myrtle is transferred to a cooler room. If this is not possible, it is recommended to place the pot on a tray with crushed ice.

Feeding problems

More often, myrtle suffers not from a lack of nutrients, but from the fact that the owner “feeds” it. An excess of nitrogenous minerals is especially dangerous for a plant, since nitrogen in large quantities burns the roots of the plant, leads to wilting and yellowing of the foliage.

What to do

If the problem has already happened, and too much fertilizer has been applied, there is nothing left to do but transplant the myrtle into another pot with clean soil.

Before transplanting, inspect the roots and cut off those that are already touched by burns, blackened: thanks to this measure, it will be possible to reanimate the flower much faster. Then rinse the rhizomes, thereby removing fertilizer residues from them.

Inappropriate lighting

Too intense lighting of the plant can also lead to problems with the leaves. It should be remembered that the myrtle does not tolerate direct sun: intense sunlight can leave burns on the leaves. In the shade, however, it is not recommended to grow peace either. Ideal - diffused lighting

What to do

Move the pot with the plant to where direct sunlight does not fall. Or shade the window so that the leaves do not dry out.

Adaptation

Sometimes the foliage begins to crumble as soon as the plant is brought from the store to the house. The reason in this case is the stress experienced by the plant due to a change of residence. The same effect can be observed after transplanting the myrtle into a new pot.

What to do

In order for the myrtle to quickly adapt to new conditions, leave it alone for a few days. However, it is important to ensure that the flower stays in a shaded place with high humidity. In the created favorable conditions, the flower will be able to overcome its stress much faster.

Pests

Aphid

The pest has a miniature size and a color that masquerades as a shade of leaves. Sometimes black or gray aphids are also found. The pest settles on the wrong side of the leaf and slowly sucks out the juices of the plant. The insect reproduces rapidly: it can form an extensive colony in a short time. The activity of aphids leads to rapid drying, wilting of the leaves of the myrtle.

What to do

spider mite

A small pest that leaves behind white cobwebs: in fact, the insect is found along these cobwebs. The mite itself cannot be seen on the leaves without a magnifying glass.

The tick multiplies in favorable conditions very quickly, growing to huge colonies. If the colony is extensive, the tick can infect nearby plants. It is therefore necessary to start pest control as early as possible.

What to do

To eliminate the already appeared spider mite, it is necessary to use directed insecticides. Well, for the purpose of prevention, maintain high humidity in the room: it is known that the spider mite prefers dry air.

Shchitovka

This pest is of particular danger to myrtle, since it is very difficult to get rid of it: the scale insect is resistant to insecticides. The body of the insect is covered with a strong chitinous shell, which protects it from external influences: poison, including.

The harm caused by the pest to the plant is great: the scale insect is able to weaken the myrtle in a short time by sucking the juices out of it. A symptom of the lesion is a sticky coating on the foliage of the plant.

What to do

You can try spraying the plant with Actellik: the scale insect reacts quite strongly to this remedy, and the great honor of the colony may even die.

Mealybug

What to do

Pests caught in the eye can be removed mechanically, and the rest can be disposed of with Aktara.

whitefly

This pest looks like a miniature white moth, which settles in colonies on the leaves of indoor plants, feeding on their juice. It is not surprising that the myrtle dries quickly after the defeat of the whitefly. The larvae are resistant to chemicals, which makes pest control much more difficult.

What to do

Water for irrigation must be soft, settled. It is strictly forbidden to use hard water from the tap with bleach and metal salts. This can easily lead to problems, including leaf wilt.

Keep the top of the soil always slightly damp. In summer, it is recommended to moisten the soil daily, in winter, the frequency of watering can be reduced.

Keep the plant in abundant but diffused light: this option is most preferable for myrtle. It is ideal to put the pot on the windowsill on the east or west side. If the windows are only south, be sure to shade the plant, at least at noon, so that the tips of its leaves do not dry.

In summer, you can put the plant outdoors: on a balcony, terrace, even take it out into the garden. Staying in the open air will only benefit myrtle, increase its immunity, give strength, enhance decorativeness. If this is not possible, you should at least ventilate the room more often: fresh air is necessary for myrtle.

The plant does not like high temperatures. Myrtle can even completely shed all foliage if it is kept at high air temperatures for a long time.

The frequency of top dressing is once a week during the growing season. It is not necessary to fertilize in winter. It is recommended to use a mineral flower complex, which can be easily purchased at any specialized store.

And to make the plant feel better, when transplanting, choose soils intended for citrus and azaleas. The compositions of these substrates are best suited for myrtle.

We learned why myrtle leaves dry and wither, and how this problem can be eliminated. There can be several reasons for this phenomenon: from poor care to pest damage, and probably a disease. By pinpointing the cause, you can most effectively and quickly fix the problem.

Source: https://rastenia.info/dekor/mirt/zasoh.html

Myrtle tree from the Myrtle family is an evergreen woody plant, whose name is associated with a high concentration of essential oils in flowers - "myrtle" in Greek means "balm". The symbol of peace and hope also has excellent decorative qualities, which require very little time for the grower to maintain.

Myrtle tree: description, types and varieties

In the wild, the plant can grow up to 3 meters in height, while indoor representatives of the genus, numbering from 40 to 100 species, do not exceed 1 m. Glossy, oppositely arranged leaf plates are attached to the shoots with short petioles. Flowers exuding a wonderful aroma can be either single or collected in racemose inflorescences.

Among the most popular types are:

Myrtle ordinary. The most common variety in indoor floriculture, represented by plants with a branched trunk. Leathery, shiny green leaf plates exude aroma. During the flowering period, which is celebrated in the summer season, snow-white or with a pinkish tint flowers bloom, in the place of which maroon fruits ripen after a while. In flower shops, the variegated form and the compact Tarentina variety are often found.
Myrtle is magnificent. Representatives of the species grow in the form of a bush or tree, the trunk of which is covered with exfoliating bark scales. The flowering phase occurs in the second half of summer, when single pure white flowers contrast against the background of green matte leaves.
Mirt hekven. The most resistant species, characterized by wrinkled edges of glossy green leaves.
Mirt Ralph. Shrub form with erect shoots and pinkish fragrant flowers.

Features of growing at home

The elegance and symbolism of the myrtle tree makes it a desirable inhabitant of city apartments and houses.

However, when bringing a representative of the exotic flora into the home, it is necessary to take into account a number of flower requirements for growing at home:

a large amount of light with direct sunlight in the spring;
abundant watering and regular spraying;
prolonged rest phase;
systematic feeding.

myrtle tree care

In order for the plant to give aesthetic pleasure, it is necessary to follow simple rules for the maintenance and care of the culture.

Lighting and location

The flower develops well on the windowsills of the eastern and western sides of the house.

But due to the indulgence of the myrtle tree to direct sunlight, it is permissible to place the pot on the windowsills of the southern windows, where protection from the midday sun is organized only in the heat of summer, when the risk of burns is high. It is worth abandoning the windows of the northern direction, since the future flowering of the “green miracle” depends on the usefulness of the lighting.

Advice! To strengthen the immunity of the plant in the summer, myrtle should be taken out into the fresh air, especially since it quite easily tolerates small drafts.

Temperature regime

In spring and summer, the flower feels great at normal room temperatures, which range from 20 to 25 ° C.

But in winter, in order to get many beautiful flowers next year, it is necessary to ensure that the myrtle tree stays in a cool, bright room at temperatures ranging from 5 to 10 ° C.

An unheated loggia will be a great solution for this period.

Watering and humidity

In the spring and summer, the flower should be watered regularly and plentifully so that the earthen lump is constantly in a slightly moistened state. In winter, when myrtle is kept cool, the volume and frequency of watering is reduced, but the substrate should not be allowed to dry out.

In the phase of active vegetation, the plant must be systematically sprayed.

Important! All water procedures should be carried out with warm, softened water.

Top dressing and fertilizer

From the beginning of spring to the end of summer, the plant is provided with additional nutrition 2-3 times a month.

When top dressing, various fertilizers are used, depending on the goal that the grower seeks to achieve:

If bonsai is grown from myrtle, then nitrogen-containing complexes are introduced into the soil.
If the goal of cultivation is to obtain a lush flowering plant, then preference should be given to fertilizers for flowering plants with a high concentration of phosphorus and potassium.

Pruning and crown shaping

The crown is formed by pruning in the spring after the myrtle reaches the age of three.

Pinching is carried out at any time of the year, except for winter. However, do not overdo it with this procedure: systematic pinching can lead to a decrease in the number of flowers.

Depending on the desired shape, various shoots are cut:

To form a bush, the top is cut off, which stimulates branching.
To create a standard tree, side shoots are removed.

Transplant at home

Young plants are subjected to the procedure annually. And the signal for transplanting an adult specimen is the drying of an earthen coma within a day after heavy watering.

When transplanting, which is carried out in the spring:

A pot is selected with a diameter of 2 - 3 cm larger than the previous one.
Drainage material is placed at the bottom to prevent stagnation of water in the roots.
A soil mixture is prepared from soddy, humus, peat soil and sand in equal parts.
The flower is transferred to a new container.
The empty space is filled with the prepared substrate.

flowering period

The flowering phase of the plant is observed in the summer season.

To make it regular and lush, you need:

provide a long stage of rest;
follow all care rules, including free access to fresh air.

The myrtle tree has a pronounced stagnation stage, the duration of which depends on the lighting:

When wintering on the northern windowsill, the state of rest can last up to 3 months.
If the flower hibernates in bright light, then the phase will be reduced to 1 - 1.5 months.

At this time, watering is reduced, spraying and top dressing are not carried out.

Attention! A long dormant stage is necessary for abundant flowering.

Diseases, pests and methods of dealing with them

A myrtle tree, in violation of the rules for care, can be inhabited by thrips, scale insects, mealybugs, spider mites, whiteflies and aphids. If, during examination, harmful insects were noted on the plant, then it is worth treating the culture with an insecticidal solution.

In the case of systematic overflows, the development of gray rot may be noted, which can be cured by transplanting the specimen into a new substrate and normalizing the irrigation regime.

Myrtle tree: reproduction

An exotic flower reproduces both by seed and vegetative methods. Among the latter, the cutting method is the most popular.

Growing a myrtle tree from seeds is carried out according to the following scheme:

The seedling box is filled with a mixture of leafy soil and sand.
Seeds are distributed over the surface of the substrate and sprinkled with sand.
The container is covered with a film, which is periodically removed for airing and moistening the soil.
After germination, the film is removed.
Seedlings dive into separate pots after the formation of 2 true leaves.

Usually the procedure is carried out in the spring or after flowering:

Cuttings 8 cm long are cut from the shoots of the lower tier.
The cut sites are treated with a growth stimulator.
The cuttings are buried in a mixture of leafy soil with sand and covered with banks, which are systematically removed for ventilation.
Rooting takes place in a dark place for a month.
Rooted plants are planted in separate containers with a diameter of 7 cm.

Why does the myrtle tree dry up?

In order not to witness the drying of the plant and its further death, it is necessary to determine the main reasons why the tree dries.

Among the key factors leading to the drying of myrtle are:

Insufficient air humidity. It is necessary to monitor this indicator especially carefully in winter, when the plant hibernates in a living room near heating appliances.
Soil moisture deficiency. It is necessary to water an exotic flower regularly and plentifully in order to prevent the earthen coma and the root system of the plant from drying out.

If the grower is faced with a situation where the leaves have dried up, and the trunk is still green. you can try to reanimate the plant:

A mini-greenhouse is being built over a dried tree.
Branches and soil are systematically sprayed with a solution of a growth stimulator.
Periodically, the greenhouse is ventilated, and the substrate is slightly moistened.
If the roots are alive, then new shoots will begin to appear.
At the beginning of the active growing season, bare branches are cut off.

In different nations, myrtle is endowed with different qualities:

Europeans believe that myrtle brings peace and harmony to the hearth. But if the plant dies, then happiness will leave this house.
Muslims, on the contrary, refrain from growing a myrtle tree in their homes, since in their culture the plant is considered a "muzhegon".

The myrtle tree is a unique plant.

It is valued not only for its decorative qualities and aroma during the flowering period, but also for the high concentration of essential oils that can protect the room from the development of various viruses.

Myrtle (Myrtus) belongs to the genus of evergreen shrubs and trees of the myrtle family. It grows in North Africa, Western Asia, the Caribbean, Florida, the Azores, Europe. Myrtle in Greek means "balm".

Myrtle is an evergreen woody shrub with straight, profusely branching stems. The leaves are dark green, leathery and dense, fastened on short petioles, oblong and pointed to the edge.

Myrtle leaves have numerous small glands that can be seen in the light, it is they who secrete aromatic substances and essential oils. The flowers are white or pink, fragrant, arranged singly or in racemes on thin peduncles.

The fruits are edible black berries, on which the flower calyx is attached.

What to do after buying myrtle?

When buying myrtle, you need to understand that the plant has a pronounced dormant period. This means that myrtle needs to be cared for differently in summer and winter.

Because of this feature, myrtle can be in different places depending on the temperature in the house and the time of year. The most favorable time for the plant is summer.

Myrtle loves fresh air very much, so you can even dig the plant along with the pot into the ground, for example, in the garden. Before you dig in, you need to think and decide on the place where the myrtle will grow.

Myrtle is in great demand among flower lovers. But quite often, when growing myrtle at home, various problems occur. For example, myrtle sheds leaves. This may be due to improper content of myrtle. Something similar can be observed when growing such well-known plants as azalea or pomegranate. Caring for myrtle is quite simple, but still has its own nuances.

Location and lighting

Myrtle loves bright diffused light and easily tolerates direct sunlight. But it is worth considering that the plant should be shaded from direct sunlight in the hot season. If you want to get flowers from a plant, then you need to consider that the myrtle should be in a well-lit place. In summer, myrtle can be taken out into the open air.

If the myrtle grows in a room on the windowsill, then the best option would be the western and eastern windows. If the myrtle is located in the south, then it can get sunburn. In the north, the most unfavorable place for flowering: the flowers will be faded and quickly fall off. It can also be noted that the light acts on the myrtle as a wake-up call.

In winter, you need to give the plant as much light as possible. If the myrtle stands in the south, then the dormant period will last only a month, if in the north, then all three. If you had to change a permanent place, then you need to do it gradually. After all, in another place the level of light will be different.

Myrtle can lose light or, on the contrary, receive an excess of it, so you need to approach the rearrangement of the tree carefully and gradually. The plant does not like a sharp change of residence.

It is worth starting with the fact that little by little the myrtle can be placed a little further from the window, so it will quickly get used to the new conditions of detention.

Temperature

In the summer, room temperature is quite suitable for myrtle. In general, the plant likes cool or moderate temperatures. The most favorable air temperature is 18-20 degrees.

In winter, it is better to move the myrtle tree to a cool room with an air temperature of 6-8 degrees Celsius. Under such conditions, the myrtle will bloom profusely in summer.

You can, of course, arrange myrtle wintering at room temperature, but in this case, you will need abundant watering and constant spraying.

With warm and dry air in winter, myrtle leaves often fall off, although you should not despair. If you continue to moderately water the tree, in the spring it will turn green again, but the myrtle, which has endured a warm winter, most likely will not bloom.

Air humidity

Myrtle loves moist air, so it needs regular spraying. Usually, in winter, with a cool content, myrtle is not sprayed, but in summer or in the warm season, the plant must be constantly sprayed. This is especially true in autumn and spring, when the plant is just in the active growth phase.

Watering

In the spring-summer period, myrtle is watered regularly and plentifully, as soon as the topsoil dries up. In winter, of course, the myrtle should be watered less frequently, but still, the soil should not be allowed to dry out, otherwise the plant will die.

Water the myrtle should be warm and, if possible, soft water. It is important to ensure that the soil in the pot never dries out. Regardless of the time of year, the pot should always have moist soil.

At the same time, care must be taken that the water does not stagnate in the pot.

The soil

The optimal composition of the soil for growing myrtle: turf, humus, peat soil and sand in equal proportions or clay, turf, peat and humus soil with the addition of sand in a ratio of 1: 1: 1: 0.5.

Top dressings and fertilizers

From spring to autumn, myrtle should be fed every week. Depending on what kind of tree you want, you want to get and choose a top dressing for myrtle.

If you want the plant to please with its flowering, you need to use a fertilizer with a high level of phosphorus. If you like a miniature tree, then it is better to use nitrogen fertilizers.

In general, conventional liquid compound fertilizers for ornamental foliage plants can be used.

Transfer

It is best to transplant an adult myrtle once every 3-4 years, and young plants are transplanted annually in the spring before flowering. When transplanting myrtle, it is impossible to deepen the root neck of the plant, this can lead to various diseases or rot damage.

A good layer of drainage must be laid out at the bottom of the pot. The myrtle pot should not be too large, just enough to fit the root system. For transplanting and transshipment, you need to choose a pot that is two times smaller in volume than the volume of the crown of the plant.

Trimming and pinching

For myrtle, pruning is an opportunity to radically change the shape of the plant and is best done in spring. If you pinch young branches in time, you can increase the density of the crown, you can pinch as needed at any time of the year.

Pruning and pinching myrtle should be given special attention and more time. After buying a myrtle, you should decide which tree you want to see at home. For example, if nothing is done, the myrtle tree may eventually take on a pyramidal shape.

If you cut off the top of the tree, then it will take on the appearance of a shrub. If you cut the sides, you will end up with a lush tree. In any case, no matter how you cut the myrtle, it will still bloom and delight its owner.

But it is important to remember one thing: if the myrtle is often pinched, then the flowers will eventually become much smaller than before.

In general, if you look at it this way, the myrtle tree is one of the plants that serve their defragmentation. It can always be cut in different ways and thereby give it a unique look. But no need to overdo it.

When the plant is small, you need to take into account that the trunk is still young and will not be able to hold a proudly lush bush like that with a run.

You just need to wait a little and the myrtle will get stronger and in three years it will show itself as a beautiful bush.

One note when transplanting myrtle, you need to ensure that the trunk remains on the surface of the earth, and so the whole transplant algorithm is suitable, as well as for other plants living in the rooms of the house. Planting immediately in a large pot is a mistake. For a tree that is only three years old, the pot should be at least 12 centimeters in diameter. Land for myrtle is bought at the store.

Reproduction of myrtle

Myrtle is propagated by cuttings and seeds. For beginners, it is recommended to propagate the plant by cuttings.

Reproduction by cuttings

Propagation by cuttings should be carried out no more than twice a year. The first time should be done in winter (January-February), and the second time to focus on spring or mid-summer (July).

Cuttings should be taken from the bottom or middle part of the tree. The length of the handle should be 5-8 centimeters. To prevent evaporation of moisture, leaves can be removed from the handle, the remaining ones can simply be shortened.

To make rooting fast, you can use stimulants.

The most suitable mixture for rooting is a mixture of sand and moss. If there is none, then you can use ordinary leafy soil, in which there is coarse sand. The temperature at which the rooting procedure will take place should be between 16-20 degrees.

The best time for rooting is winter. Light at this time is absolutely not needed by the handle - on the contrary, this place needs to be shaded.

Dishes for rooting should not be strictly deep, after rooting, you need to cover the stalk with a cap. Sometimes the plant needs to be ventilated so that it does not fester at its early age.

It usually takes about a month to root. After that, it can be safely planted in a small pot with a diameter of about 7 centimeters.

When propagated by cuttings, flowering occurs for 3 or 4 years.

Reproduction by seeds

Seeds are evenly distributed over the surface of the soil and sprinkled on top with a thin layer of the substrate. The seed container is covered with a film or glass to create greenhouse conditions. The temperature must be maintained within 18-20 degrees. The seed container must be ventilated periodically. The soil is kept moist at all times.

Seedlings usually germinate in 1-2 weeks. When the seedlings have two full leaves, they can be transplanted into separate small pots. Transplantation is carried out by the method of transshipment. In the future, care for young plants is the same as for adult myrtle. Transplantation is carried out when the roots completely fill the pot.

When myrtle is propagated by seeds, flowering occurs after about 5 years.

Diseases and pests

Myrtle can be affected by aphids and scale insects, and in dry air and insufficient moisture by spider mites.

The scale insect is almost invisible at an early stage, but it multiplies rapidly, covering the stems and leaves of the plant with dark spots. The shield is removed with a damp swab, but it is still necessary to treat the entire plant with an insecticide or soapy water.

Aphids often settle on the underside of the leaf and feed on the sap of the plant, which leads to drying and curling of the leaves. Aphids are destroyed by insecticidal agents.

The spider mite appears on the underside of the leaves and envelops them with thin white cobwebs. It is destroyed by spraying and washing the leaves, especially from the underside, with water or a weak tobacco infusion. Myrtle can also be treated with ready-made universal insecticides.

Difficulties in growing

The stems are stretched, the leaves become smaller and turn pale - lack of lighting.
The leaves fade, turn yellow, the edges curl - an excess of lighting.
Leaves fall - insufficient lighting in winter or warm wintering.

The healing properties of myrtle

In conclusion, we can say that myrtle is an amazing plant. Apart from the fact that the myrtle blooms, and the flowers are beautifully fragrant, it also has medicinal properties. Even the smallest tree can protect against diseases and viruses in the house. As you know, myrtle oil is very much appreciated by the people and has many indications for use.

Myrtle tree tincture gives energy to a person and cheerfulness, the effect is almost like coffee. Myrtle leaves are boiled and used to treat gastrointestinal diseases. Even in cooking, myrtle has found its use.

Very often, the leaves or even the shoots of myrtle themselves are used in the preparation of fish or poultry dishes. If you throw a sprig of myrtle on the coals, then the kebab will turn out just great: the aroma will simply be incomparable to anything else.

Even the bay leaf will not be so popular in this area.

In several nations, myrtle is considered almost a cult tree. Wreaths and bouquets are made from it. A gift from myrtle is given to brides, so the plant was given the name - "Bride Tree". The myrtle tree is also called the “Tree of family well-being and happiness”, which personifies a friendly and strong family.

Myrtle home care pruning transplant and reproduction

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. In addition, research has shown 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

Myrtle ordinary(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 many varieties.

Myrtle Tarentina- a compact shrub with many fruits, smaller in size than that of the mother.

Myrtle Alhambra- has white fruits-berries and dense foliage.

Myrtle Variegata(Variegata) stands out among others with variegated foliage.

Myrtle "La Clape"- has purple berries.

There is also a dwarf form among them - myrtle "Microphylla".

Myrtle Bonsai- this is a miniature copy of a tree, a very popular plant, is 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.

Myrtle Lush- 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.

Mirt Hekven(Myrtus chequen) - a tree with glossy leaves and slightly wrinkled edges.

Myrtle Ralph(Myrtus ralfii) - This bush is distinguished by pink flowers and red edible berries. The leaves have a white or cream border.

Myrtle Boethica(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.

Mirt Hamedafna (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).

lemon myrtle 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, 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.

Myrtle propagation by 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.

Myrtle, which is easy to care for at home, is an evergreen. In the Mediterranean countries, it is grown as a shrub or small tree, and in cold climates it has become a houseplant. Myrtle is often seen as a gift for the bride, which heralds a successful marriage.

Types and varieties of flower

Several types of myrtle are grown at home.

The most popular are:

Common myrtle or indoor myrtle is the most common species. The trunk of the plant is not long, well developed. The bark is exfoliating. Its color is red-brown. Small leathery leaves have a rich green hue with a very pleasant aroma.
Tarentina is a compact shrub.
Alhambra - forms fruit-berries and is distinguished by very dense green foliage;
Variegata - the plant stands out among others with its very variegated foliage.

If desired, more exotic forms of myrtle can be found on sale, but the most common ones are very beautiful when grown properly.

Myrtle - growing features

Myrtle at home is grown in two ways - from seeds or apical cuttings. Those plants that are commercially available are most often obtained by cuttings. At home, if you want to grow myrtle yourself, you can use both methods.

With the help of seeds

Reproduction of myrtle by seeds is not the most effective, but it is still used by amateur flower growers. Seeds are planted in early spring in a pre-prepared light substrate, which is made up of peat and sand, taken in equal quantities. Soil is poured into the planting box with a layer of 10 cm.

Next, seeds are sown on it and covered with soil 4 cm thick from above. After that, the soil is qualitatively moistened and the box is covered with glass. The temperature of seed germination should not be lower than +20 degrees. To ventilate the glass, it is necessary to raise it once a day for 4-5 minutes. Seeds germinate in about 2 weeks.

If the seedlings are excessively thick, they are thinned out.

Plants dive when 3 leaves appear on them.

30 days after germination, the first fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizer is carried out in a low concentration. Subsequent top dressing is carried out once a month, while complex mineral top dressing and organic fertilizer alternate.

cuttings

Cuttings allow you to get a new plant that will fully retain its parental properties. Cuttings can only be cut from a healthy myrtle. You should not take too young shoots for them. For cuttings, only semi-lignified shoots are used.

The cut, which is made at an angle of 45 degrees, is processed with root to stimulate the formation of roots. After the cutting is placed in the ground, which must always be moist. When everything goes right, the cutting takes root and a new plant begins to develop.

If you miss a moment, and the soil in the pot dries out, then the stalk will not be able to release the roots, even after the restoration of soil moisture. After rooting, care will be the same as for an adult plant.

Temperature and humidity

The optimum temperature for the plant is considered to be + 22 + 24 degrees. In summer, myrtle feels especially good if it is taken out into the fresh air, but not left under the scorching sun. In winter, it is desirable to reduce the temperature to +10 degrees. In this case, it is necessary to regularly ventilate the room where the indoor flower stands.

Humidity does not play a big role, but still, it is worth considering that myrtle grows better if it is less in winter than in summer. To do this, in the summer months, in order to increase the humidity of the air, it is recommended to put the plant on a saucer with expanded clay, into which a little water is poured. Evaporating, it will humidify the air around the plant. In the cold season, the saucer is not placed.

Watering and feeding

Watering should be regular and at the same time moderate. With excessive moisture, the myrtle can begin to rot. Also, the plant is sprayed daily with water. Without this, the aerial part will begin to dry out and turn yellow.

Use for irrigation and spraying should only settled water at room temperature. In winter, myrtle is watered once a week and not sprayed.

Moisturizing the crown in the cold season is carried out only if the room is hot.

Feed myrtle with complex fertilizers for flowering houseplants. In summer, top dressing is carried out once a week, and in winter once a month. It is important to carefully monitor the reaction of the plant to fertilizer. If it overdoes the top dressing, then this means that either the drug is diluted with insufficient quality, or another remedy must be used.

flower pruning

Myrtle pruning is needed in order to form its crown. It should be done in the spring 1 time in 2 years. It is important to be in time before the moment when active vegetation begins. In the summer months, only pinching of emerging shoots is allowed.

After pruning or pinching, the plant must be additionally fed with a fertilizer that does not contain chlorine. A very active haircut of the plant is not desirable, as it will cause poor-quality formation of flower buds. However, myrtle lends itself easily to crown formation.

You can create pyramids, balls and other shapes.

Bloom

The flowering of the plant occurs in early or mid-summer. Flowers, depending on the variety, are simple or double, single or collected in a brush. The main flower mass is located in the upper part of the plant, which is maximally illuminated. After pruning, there will be no flowering, and therefore, during the formation of the crown, the myrtle blooms only once a year.

Winter Care

In winter, the tree is dormant. If it is not moved to a cool place, it begins to shed its leaves and lose its attractive appearance. There is no danger from this, and in the spring the green mass will be restored. Until the resumption of active growth of the culture, the frequency of watering and the amount of top dressing are reduced.

Myrtle: breeding

Plant propagation occurs by cuttings or seeds, as described above.

Common plant diseases

In general, myrtle is a fairly strong plant that practically does not suffer from diseases. If it is poured, then rotting and damage to the flower by putrefactive bacteria and fungi begins. To solve the problem, the plant begins to be watered moderately.

Pests affect mainly old myrtle. The main pests are aphids and scale insects. If they are found on the plant, it is required to immediately treat it with a special preparation from pests.

Myrtle is a very attractive indoor flower that, with proper care, will grow for many years.

Myrtle is one of the florist's most favorite houseplants. This is not surprising, because the myrtle tree is incredibly beautiful and useful. In addition, it has a rich history of origin and very beautiful symbolism. There are many legends and beliefs associated with this leafy beauty.

Myrtle is a plant from the genus of evergreen shrubs and trees. It belongs to the myrtle family and originates in ancient Greece. For many centuries, this tree has been considered a symbol of beauty and youth, and it also symbolizes happiness and prosperity in the family. The myrtle plant has been forming as an ornamental flower for 400 years. In room conditions, the flower can reach 1 m in height, in natural conditions it grows up to 3-4 m.

Leaves of a woody shrub

The woody shrub has straight stems that branch quite densely. The leaves of this handsome man are dark green, dense, leathery. The shape of the myrtle leaf is oblong, slightly sharpened towards the edge. On the stems, the leaves grow very abundantly and are held on small petioles. The length of one leaf reaches from 2 to 5 cm. The leaves can have various shapes depending on the type of plant, for example, myrtle hekven has wrinkled edges on the foliage.

Myrtle leaves are shiny and have a pleasant smell. The thing is that the leaves contain small glands that can be seen close up in good light. It is thanks to these glands that the leaf of the plant releases essential oils and aromatic substances. Myrtle essential oil helps to relieve fatigue, calms well and treats insomnia. However, one should be careful with the aroma of myrtle, as excessive amounts of it can cause nausea and dizziness.

indoor plant flowering

Myrtle flowers grow singly in the axils of the leaves, or flowering is collected in whole brushes. Flowering is mostly white, sometimes there are pink shades of flowers. The flowers themselves are small, very fragrant and fragrant. The flowering of indoor myrtle is pollinated with a brush. The tree blooms in early summer and bears fruit in autumn. The fruits of this plant contain spice, they are edible and juicy, dark blue or deep red in appearance.

Popular types of myrtle

To date, there are about a hundred different types of myrtle. This fragrant leafy beauty is represented by a wealth of species throughout the world, but the most common is the common myrtle or, as it is also called, communis. And this is not surprising, because flower growers consider the common myrtle plant the most unpretentious flower from the myrtle family. The characteristic features of this tree are five-petalled flowers with golden stamens in the center, as well as a strongly branched trunk, rather short.

Such species as small-leaved myrtle, lush myrtle, Ralph myrtle, hekven myrtle are very popular. Also included in the description of the myrtle plant is a species such as Tarentina Granada, a dwarf flower that gives its owners a beautiful lush flowering. All these species have differences in the shape of leaves and branches, as well as in the color of the fruits, but they are all incredibly beautiful and unique.

Medicinal and beneficial qualities of the myrtle plant

It is not in vain that the characteristic of myrtle has such an interesting point: the word “myrtle” is translated from Greek as “balm”.

You can list for a very long time what myrtle is useful for and how it is valued in medicine. This southern plant has a huge storehouse of medicinal properties. Today, everyone who cares about their health is interested in the topic - the myrtle plant: its properties and uses, because this small indoor dweller is very rich in useful qualities.

The flower is able to purify the air in the apartment, protect the inhabitants of the house from bacteria and annoying viruses, for example, from SARS, from tuberculosis and diphtheria bacilli. The antibacterial properties of myrtle plants are widely known, as well as the fact that the flower contributes to the anti-inflammatory processes of the body.

Various tinctures are made from the tree, which help with intestinal diseases, assist in the fight against cancerous tumors, help to cope with heart diseases, and have healing effects in sinusitis, diabetes, liver and kidney diseases. Interestingly, myrtle is also used for various allergic symptoms.

The essential oil, which is found in the foliage, bark and flowers of the tree, perfectly tones and soothes. This oil is widely used for cosmetic purposes, because it heals the skin from acne, gives it freshness, strengthens the hair. And myrtle oil invigorates and improves mood. And the beneficial properties of the myrtle plant do not end there. This evergreen flower softens the cough of a heavy smoker, improves immunity.

Proper care of myrtle at home

Many amateur flower growers are wondering how to care for myrtle so that it grows healthy and strong. Any indoor flower needs reverent and attentive care, because it needs to feel cared for. If the care of the myrtle plant at home was complete, then this indoor handsome man will certainly please the grower with his magnificent growth. To do this, you need to follow a few simple tips.

Place and lighting for a flower

Myrtle loves sunlight, but sunlight should be in moderation, especially on hot summer days. You should not keep a flowerpot with a myrtle tree in the heat. It is best to place the flower in a well-lit area, or on a windowsill. It will be great if the tree is on the west or east side. In summer, caring for a myrtle plant requires less effort, just take it out into the fresh air, for example, onto a balcony. In winter, you need to provide the flower with good lighting.

Temperature and humidity

A favorable atmosphere for a myrtle flower: how to care, what temperature to observe, how to refresh it and not overdry it? All this is quite simple. The myrtle tree grows well in moderate air temperatures, in winter it will feel good at temperatures up to eight degrees below zero. If you provide myrtle with coolness in winter, then in summer this handsome man will bloom thickly and profusely. In the summer season, the flower should simply be kept outdoors, but protected from the sultry heat.

Humidity This evergreen tree requires high humidity and copes very poorly with dry indoor air. The plant needs constant spraying in summer, as well as in spring and warm autumn, when it grows intensively and grows stronger. When cold weather sets in, you can not spray it.

Soil, fertilizer, and watering

The soil in the pot with the myrtle plant should remain fairly moist. The flowerpot is recommended to contain sand, humus, peat soil and turf soil in equal amounts. You can also make the soil from clay, humus, peat and sod land in equal amounts and add sand. The indoor tree should be watered regularly, but in moderation, do not overfill the flowerpot. Warm water is used for irrigation.

How much fertilizer does a houseplant myrtle require: cultivation and care during feeding, are there any features? The fact is that top dressing depends on what result is expected by the grower. If you want to achieve good flowering, you can, for example, use fertilizer with phosphorus, and fertilizing with nitrogen is suitable for growing a small ornamental tree. Whatever the choice of grower, the main thing is not to forget to feed the myrtle flower once a week.

Transplanting a woody shrub

Replant woody shrubs should be as necessary, this should be done carefully and carefully.

With this crucial procedure, it is necessary to ensure that the trunk does not sink into the ground along with the roots, it is recommended to leave it on the surface of the flowerpot. While the leafy handsome man is young, you can replant it once a year, but try not to overdo it, because very large flowerpots will not benefit the tree. Also, it must be remembered that the flower is transplanted in the spring before it begins to bloom.

Trimming and pinching

Myrtle needs pruning in order to get a beautiful shape. This leafy flower will be pleasing to the eye in any occasion, but if given the desired look with pruning, it will look unique. If you cut the top of the flower, it will decorate the interior of the room in the form of a shrub, but if you trim the side parts, the myrtle will stretch up like a slender tree. Here it is recommended to remember the following: the woody plant is cut when the trunk is already strong, and this procedure is necessarily carried out in the spring.

You can pinch a leafy handsome man as needed in order to increase the density of the crowns. Myrtle will become fuller and healthier after pinching, but it is not recommended to do this too often, as the tree may lose its flowering density. Experienced flower growers know that procedures of this kind should be carried out moderately, taking into account all the subtleties of the common myrtle issue: home care, because each plant loves an individual approach.

Propagation of the myrtle tree

In nature, there are two ways to propagate myrtle: from seeds and using cuttings. Both methods require a lot of attention and care. The flower grower propagates by cuttings 2 times a year, for this it is necessary to remove them from the myrtle and plant them for rooting in peat with sand. The cuttings are covered with a bag to preserve moisture, and after a month, when the roots grow, they can be planted in a small flowerpot. Such a myrtle blooms already in the third year of its growth.

For seeds, it is necessary to prepare the soil from peat and sand, distribute them evenly on the surface, sprinkle on top with a thin layer of earth and cover with a film. This soil is recommended to be placed in a well-lit place and watered regularly. After about 2 weeks, when the seedlings have two leaves, you can transplant them into small flowerpots. This myrtle will begin to bloom in the fifth year of life.

What threatens myrtle?

Is myrtle healthy: diseases and treatment, what should be feared and how to properly protect a woody plant? Flower growers definitely need to know what myrtle diseases are in order to prevent their occurrence. The most common misfortune is aphids, a very unpleasant spider mite, as well as a scale insect. These, as well as similar myrtle pests, can manifest themselves if the flower is not provided with good lighting and proper watering. The treatment is carried out with insecticides, it is also recommended to spray the handsome myrtle with water, paying special attention to the underside of the foliage.

Every florist who boasts a chic myrtle plant in his collection is incredibly proud of it, because this flower carries many useful nuances. We can talk forever about the symbolism, history and beauty of this leafy pet, but it's better to just enjoy the view in your home! Lots of useful information in this article: