When and how to prune a myrtle houseplant. Myrtle flower care at home. Necessary conditions for cultivation

Today, indoor myrtle is happily grown at home in flowerpots, but few people know that this plant came to us from warm Mediterranean countries. There, it counts tree of paradise, a symbol of prosperity, love and fidelity.

Mention of myrtle can be found in many ancient books, including the Bible. The ancient Romans decorated the bride with a myrtle wreath, and the plant itself was given to the newlyweds.

It is no coincidence that this particular wreath adorned the head of the god of marriage, Hymen. In the photo below you can see what the plant looks like.

What kind of plant is this

Myrtle is valued for its beauty and nobility. In the Mediterranean, this tree or small bush reaches four meters in height, and indoor flower has much more modest dimensions (up to 1 m).

Myrtle delights people with its bright green leaves. They are small in size and lanceolate or oval in shape. The diameter of the flowers is up to 2 cm, they are pink or white with rounded petals and numerous stamens. A special feature of myrtle is its aroma emanating from both flowers and leaves.

It is important to know: This indoor plant, attracts people not only with its beautiful appearance, but also being an obedient representative of the flora, it is used for growing bonsai.

Myrtle contains phytoncides and perfectly cleanses the room from the accumulation of pathogenic microorganisms in it. .

Also, the value of myrtle lies in the extraction of essential oil from it, which has a wonderful aroma, bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory properties. Interestingly, no people have been identified who react to the smell of the plant with an allergic reaction.

Names of varieties with photos

The most common among the myrtles is the common myrtle. This is a very decorative tree, with small, glossy leaves and fragrant white flowers.

Note: Common myrtle seedlings, grown even from one mother plant, are distinguished by their variety of shapes and growth vigor.

Through selection, new varieties were obtained. They may differ from their ancestor in other sizes, different shapes and color of leaves.

The "Boethica" variety is a slow-growing plant that has large plates of bright green leaves, up to 7 cm long. During growth, the plant trunk can twist.

Variety "Boetics"

Variety "Variegata" - yellow-green color of leaves of variegated elongated shape.

Variety "Variegata"

The “Flore Pleno” variety differs from other varieties in its double flowering.

Variety "Flore Pleno"

The “Compacta” variety is a low specimen with a dense crown and fluffy white flowers.

Variety "Compact"

Variety "Tarentina" is a small plant (leaves 1-2 cm), profusely flowering.

Variety "Tarentina"

Whatever type of myrtle you prefer, it will become wonderful decoration interior, will add a touch of freshness and give an unforgettable enchanting aroma.

How to care for a flower at home

This is not to say that the myrtle flower is not whimsical; it requires a lot of attention and care from the gardener.

Necessary:

• provide correct lighting and temperature;
• water and apply fertilizer as needed.
• replant the flower as it grows;
• make formative pruning.

Plant care is divided into 2 periods: warm and cold. Each of them has its own characteristics.

This exotic, from spring warming to autumn coolness, needs optimal temperature conditions- about 23°C. Lighting should be sufficient, but direct sunlight is contraindicated. The plant is shaded from the heat using screens.

Myrtle is not at all afraid of open space, so you can safely take it out onto the veranda or balcony. At room conditions, it is recommended to regularly ventilate the room.

Since myrtle is native to the subtropics, it requires frequent watering. The crop also responds very responsively to leaf spraying.

Feeding is carried out once every 2 weeks during the warm period of the year. To do this, water with diluted universal fertilizers.

Plants whose crown is growing strongly are pruned so that its branches do not become thinner and the tree itself takes on a compact appearance. After spring formation, the myrtle becomes overgrown with young leaves and then begins to bloom.

Winter plant care is radically different from summer care. This is a dormant period for myrtle. Watering is reduced, but the soil should not be allowed to dry out. The frequency of feeding is 1 time per month.

Advice: The main task of caring for a plant is to provide the flower with coolness in winter. For the rest period, it is necessary to find a place where the temperature will be about 10°C. This could be a glazed loggia or veranda.

It doesn’t matter if the plant loses some leaves, it will restore them again in the spring.

Reproduction

This tree can be propagated by two methods:

1. Sowing seeds.
2. By cuttings.

Each of them has its own disadvantages and advantages. To preserve the maternal properties of the plant, propagation must be carried out using cuttings, and if you need a large number of myrtle specimens, it is better to sow seeds.

Let's consider each of the reproduction methods in more detail:

• Sowing seeds. sow them into the soil in early spring. To do this, prepare a sand-peat mixture. After sowing, the seeds are covered and watered. Then glass is placed on the container or covered with film to maintain high humidity. The lighting should be diffused and the temperature should be about 21°C. After a few weeks you can see the first shoots. After the appearance of 4 or more leaves, the myrtle is dived. Pinching is done at the required height to form the crown of the plant.
• Cuttings. The material is cut from side shoots about 9 cm high. The cut is treated with a root former, and the lower leaves are removed. The substrate consists of sand and peat. After planting the cuttings, the soil is moistened and covered with film. The temperature is kept at 25°C. Provide systematic watering, and after about a month the cuttings should have a root system.

Material for cuttings is cut in mid-summer or winter.

Transfer

When transplanting, prepare a pot with a hole for draining excess moisture. Each transplant must be carried out in a container bigger size.

The drainage ball is created with a height of 5 cm or higher. The composition of the substrate is prepared from turf soil, sand, humus and peat in equal parts . When planting, the trunk of the plant should not be deepened.

Later, when transplanting, the plant is simply transferred to a larger pot. Thus, it is completely preserved root system, and the plant does not experience stress.

Diseases and pests (treatment and prevention)

If abundant yellow, then the reason may lie in rotting of the root system. This comes from the overflow of myrtle. But don’t worry, the flower can be restored to its former healthy appearance.

To do this, examine the roots and remove the affected ones. The cut sites are treated with crushed activated carbon, then Kornevin. The crown of the plant should also be cleared of unhealthy leaves and pruned.

Leave only living parts of the plant. The soil should be at room temperature when transplanting. Watering is carried out light solution Kornevin.

Take note: after applying all the procedures, there is great hope that the flowerpot will be restored, but it is better to never bring it to this state.

When leaves fall and dry, it is necessary to carefully examine the plant through a magnifying glass. It is quite possible that you will see aphids or scale insects on it.

A sign of this is the yellowing of some leaves. In such a situation, it is necessary to purchase the appropriate products and treat the flowerpot.

Myrtle lives where it is loved. Don’t forget to give the plant your care and warmth, and it will thank you with its luxurious appearance.

How to properly prune myrtle and how it reproduces, see the following video:

Like common myrtle, it is not found very often in apartments. But this plant looks harmonious in any interior. It looks very attractive and unusual, as you can see if you look at its photo. However, lovers of home floriculture may encounter some difficulties when growing myrtle, since it needs to create certain growing conditions and provide proper care.

Description of the plant

Exist different varieties and varieties of this plant, but in indoor floriculture The most famous and popular is the common myrtle. At home, it can grow up to 0.6 m, maximum – up to 1 m.

Can be grown as a compact tree or decorative bush. Its leaves are small, leathery, shiny and as if polished. Single type inflorescences. The color of the flowers can be white, cream, or pinkish. They have a very pleasant and quite strong aroma. During flowering, many stamens are formed. They give appearance myrtle tenderness and airiness. If pollination has occurred, fruits then appear.

Features of growing myrtle

The plant's homeland is subtropics with a humid climate. Similar conditions need to be created for indoor myrtle and at home. It grows well on southern windows in an apartment, feels good on western and eastern windows, and in winter it can be kept on the north side.

Myrtle needs to create a humid and warm microclimate

Loves warmth and high humidity. In addition to abundant watering, the plant should be sprayed with settled water at least once a day, or more often - up to 2-3 times. To create increased humidity, the flower pot itself is placed in a tray with wet gravel poured into it. You can also place containers of water next to it.

Attention! Myrtle also reacts negatively to short-term drying of the soil. When it dries out, it drops its leaves and may even die.

In order for this plant to feel comfortable, it is provided, in addition to high air humidity, with the following conditions:

• good lighting - in poor light, the myrtle begins to wither and does not bloom, but from direct sun on the south side it is better to shade it to avoid darkening and burns of the leaves;
• fresh air - the plant needs ventilation, it is not afraid even of drafts. And in the summer, the flower can be placed on the balcony or planted along with a pot in a suburban area;
• dormant period - in winter, myrtle should rest, it should be placed in a cool place with a temperature of about 10 degrees. Water and spray it less often at this time, but without completely drying the soil. In a cool place, the dormant period lasts about 3 months, but in a warm place it is shorter and is half this period.

Caring for myrtle

A plant, like any other home flower, need attention. Caring for myrtle, in general, cannot be called too difficult. It consists of:

• watering;
• foliage spraying;
• fertilizing;
• forming trimmings.

Myrtle tolerates formative pruning well

Watering during the warm period is carried out several times a week. It should be abundant, but without flooding the flower. Excess water remove immediately so that the roots do not rot. In winter, water less often if the flower is kept cool. But when the plant is in warm room, watering mode is normal.

Often, lovers of home gardening do not prune plants, but myrtle needs it. Without this procedure, its crown takes on an unattractive appearance over time. It is better to prune early in the spring or after flowering has ended.

Advice. After spring pruning the myrtle may not bloom at all this year. Therefore, for those who expect lush flowering from the plant, it is better to postpone this procedure until the autumn.

Myrtle responds well to fertilizing. During the warm period it is fed about 2-4 times a month. In winter, myrtle also needs feeding at least once a month. In spring and summer, fertilizers intended for flowering plants are more often used, and in cold period- for decorative deciduous trees.

Flower transplant

It is better to replant young plants annually. It is not recommended to immediately plant myrtle in big pot with a reserve, it is better to increase its size gradually. To prepare the soil, take 30% turf and peat soil, 20% humus and sand. You can use purchased soil for planting plants.

Be sure to use drainage. And for better survival, the roots of the flower can be treated with a stimulant. After replanting, water thoroughly until water begins to seep out of the pot. It is then removed from the pallet. Adult flowers no longer need annual replanting. They can grow in the same substrate for up to 3-4 years.

Advice. In order not to unnecessarily injure the myrtle roots during transplantation, it is better to use the method of transferring the plant along with an old lump of earth into a prepared larger pot.

Plant propagation

Many people prefer to reproduce on their own. indoor flowers. To propagate myrtle, you can use one of two methods:

• seeds;
• cuttings.

Myrtle cuttings

Cuttings are a popular and easy way to get a new plant. It can be carried out in winter time, early spring or mid-summer. Take a cutting 6-8 cm in size, but not with flowering branch, process the cut in a stimulator, then plant it in the ground, covering it with glass or transparent film. Rooting will take about 2-3 weeks, after which the plants can be planted individually.

The seed method is also used, but it takes much longer. Just keep in mind that the germination of myrtle seeds lasts only about a year. In addition, the characteristics of the variety may be lost with this method, and myrtle will begin to bloom much later than with cuttings.

Common myrtle is a beautiful and fragrant plant that creates a special microclimate indoors. Of course, there are some nuances in its cultivation that may scare off beginners in home floriculture. But caring for myrtle is not as difficult as it seems at first glance to give up such an amazing flower.

Myrtle is a quite popular flower in indoor gardening. It is valued for its beautiful spreading crown, unpretentiousness and the ability to grow myrtle tree.

Description and types

Popular in parks and gardens on the Black Sea coast decorative variety evergreen shrub myrtus communis. Small-leaved myrtle (myrtus microphylla) is more often grown in homes. In indoor conditions, this tree grows up to 1 m high; in greenhouses there are specimens up to 2.5 m tall.

Myrtle leaves are small, shiny, ovoid, with a sharp tip. They are located oppositely, the stalk is missing. The leaves contain high content essential oils, which is why when rubbed a pleasant aroma appears.

In mid-summer, the myrtle is completely covered with numerous small white flowers. They are located in the leaf axils, on long stalks. They have a cup-shaped shape, with many stamens. In autumn, juicy dark blue fruits appear from them. To get berries indoor myrtle, its flowers should be artificially pollinated using a brush. Seeds of ripened fruits can be used for propagation.

Myrtle is an indoor plant that responds gratefully to proper pruning. The ability to form a crown of any configuration makes the myrtle tree popular in the art of growing bonsai. The slow-growing variety of myrtle Boethica is most often used for this purpose. Its leaves are pointed, elongated, larger compared to the small-leaved species. The trunk of the tree has a beautiful cinnamon color and is prone to curling. Thanks to this quality, various intricate twisted figures can be formed during the growth process. Increased decorativeness is also ensured by the fact that the flowers of this variety are larger.

Beneficial features

In addition to decorative properties, myrtle also has beneficial properties: contained in the leaves essential oils capable of secreting phytoncides that cleanse room air from bacteria and viruses. It has been noticed that a room with this plant creates a microclimate favorable for humans, staying in which protects the body from seasonal colds, increases concentration and performance. In addition, resistance to nervous shock and stress increases. Myrtle growing in the bedroom promotes restful sleep and good rest.

Essential myrtle oil is actively used in cosmetology and medicine. Since ancient times, the tincture of the leaves of this plant has been used to cleanse and treat facial skin, including those with signs of allergic manifestations. And from the decoctions they made gargles for sore throats, lotions for various skin lesions and wounds, and prepared potions for the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system. The glory of myrtle wine tincture has survived to this day - a famous tonic, a real elixir of health and vigor. You can wipe your face with refreshing water infused with flowers on a hot day.

Myrtle has also gained recognition in cooking: dried fruits and leaves of this plant are added to various dishes to give a spicy taste. The most famous herb related to myrtle is cloves. Very often, the stems and leaves of myrtle are used in preparing fish or poultry dishes. And if you throw a few myrtle branches into the grill while grilling meat over an open fire, the kebab will turn out especially aromatic.

Caring for myrtle at home

This is enough unpretentious plant, but to grow a myrtle tree at home, you should know some rules.

The first requirement relates to the composition of the soil: a suitable substrate for the plant is a mixture of turf soil, humus, peat and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1:1. The easiest way is to buy ready-made balanced soil for flowers in a specialized store. Since young myrtle grows quite quickly, it requires replanting annually. new pot slightly larger than the previous one. In the future, the adult tree can be moved to a new container after 2-3 years, as needed. To do this, it is best to use the transfer method - when the plant, together with a lump of earth, is placed in a new pot, and in free space fresh soil is added. In this case, you need to ensure that the root neck of the tree is not buried in the soil. Optimal time Early spring is the time to carry out this procedure.

The basic knowledge of how to care for myrtle at home is to water regularly, but not excessively. This is a moisture-loving flower, native to the subtropics. Therefore, the soil in his pot should always be moist. IN warm time year, the leathery leaves of myrtle require frequent spraying. With the onset of cold weather, the frequency of watering is reduced, but care must be taken to ensure that the earthen ball does not dry out. If this does happen, the myrtle may lose all its leaves. But don't despair: proper care at home will lead to the sprouting of new shoots and leaves from the remaining roots.

Another thing is overflow. Excessive soil moisture can lead to rotting of the root system and death of the plant. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to provide the flower with good drainage and not allow water to stagnate in the pot and tray.

Myrtle in bloom

For abundant flowering myrtle needs to create moderate temperature conditions V winter period(up to +10°С). To do this, keep the pot with the plant in a bright, cool room, occasionally watering and lightly wetting the leaves.

Since myrtle loves bright light and tolerates direct sunlight well, in summer it should be placed on a balcony or terrace. It is not afraid of drafts, so a pot with this tree can be safely placed next to open window. Constantly keeping it in the shade will not give the plant the strength to bloom. Rest in winter, regular feeding with complex vitamin fertilizers (once every 2 weeks), placement in a well-lit place - these are 3 conditions, the observance of which will be an excellent incentive for the appearance of buds.

How to grow a beautiful myrtle tree

To form a beautiful crown, the plant requires correct pruning and pinching young branches. These manipulations help increase the density of the tree. It is best to carry them out in early spring.

Myrtle lends itself well to shaping: from this plant you can make a standard or spherical tree, a spreading bush. Pruning should be done before active growth branches. Long Escape at the top of the plant you can leave it to form a trunk. In this case, it needs to be pinched 2 cm to stimulate branching. You can form a ball from several branches at the top of the head by regularly pinching off a little from the newly emerging shoots. At the same time, young lower branches should not be removed: their turn will come in 1-2 years, when the main trunk of the tree becomes thicker. To form a bush, you can evenly trim the top to a few centimeters.

From the elongated side shoots you can get stems 5-7 cm long for propagating myrtle. For their rooting, a moistened sand-peat substrate and the creation of a mini-greenhouse are required: the cuttings should be placed under glass jar for 2-3 weeks. The leaves are removed to prevent moisture evaporation.

From one plant, in just a few years, you can grow an entire myrtle garden at home, which will bring not only joy, but also benefits from the phytoncides released into the air, which is especially important if there are small children in the family.

One of the indoor plants, the origin of which is closely intertwined with mythology, is the myrtle tree, which can boast not only beauty, but also useful properties. In many legends, you can find myrtle - in Greek mythology it is considered the tree of the goddess of love Aphrodite; in biblical legends, Adam carried a sprig of this particular plant from paradise as a memory of lost happiness. IN modern world, this plant is considered a symbol of purity and peace. Its beneficial properties are revered. Therefore, it is often decorated with branches wedding bouquets, by the way, this tradition came to us from the shores Baltic Sea, where brides grew their own myrtle tree to ensure a happy marriage. The myrtle tree is not demanding - caring for it at home consists of loosening and watering, spraying the foliage. We will tell you further about how to grow a myrtle tree at home.

Today let's learn in more detail about what this plant is, how to care for it at home, and also look at it in the photo.

The basin is considered the birthplace of the myrtle tree Mediterranean Sea, where it grows to 3 meters in size. In room conditions it can reach 60 cm, and with proper and careful care 1 meter. In the photo below you can see beautiful trees that have taken root well at home.

The flowers of the myrtle tree are somewhat reminiscent of apple blossoms. They are usually pink or white in color and are quite fluffy due to the long golden stamens. The inflorescence can reach 3 cm in diameter; it is located on a thin peduncle and usually one at a time. Myrtle flowers are very fragrant due to the content they contain. large quantity essential oils.

Myrtle leaves are quite fleshy and have a leathery surface. dark green. Upon careful examination, you can notice small dark specks in which the content of essential oils is concentrated. On the shoots, the leaves are arranged oppositely, as shown in the photo below. They also have a very pleasant, but less pronounced aroma, which is why they are often used as spices in some countries.

When the myrtle flowers, it produces a fruit that may be dark green or dark blue in color. It can also be used as a spice. In fact, the well-known “spicy clove” is the fruit of the myrtle tree. Due to the content of a large number of beneficial essential oils, they are quite useful and popular in the culinary world. A myrtle fruit can contain no more than 7 seeds, which are used to grow the tree at home and in open ground.

There are more than 100 species of myrtle tree, but only one is cultivated at home - it is called the common myrtle, it does not grow more than 60-70 cm in height and is considered quite compact and useful. This and other types of this plant can be seen in the photo below.

Useful properties of myrtle tree

It's no secret that the myrtle tree is both at home and in natural environment It is considered a plant with a number of beneficial properties. For example, the evaporation of its essential oils kills harmful microbes in your surroundings, making the air cleaner. Some housewives start such a plant in their home, because according to some folk signs It is believed that myrtle can bring happiness and peace to households. But, as you know, there is some common sense in this. The evaporation of essential oils has a rather beneficial effect on nervous system and in folk medicine Often these substances are used as an excellent sedative. Beneficial features the myrtle tree doesn't stop there.

Among other things, the myrtle tree at home helps to treat diseases respiratory tract and colds. Many owners of myrtle observe that if you get such a plant, your immunity will increase, and the functions of the reproductive system will improve, it’s not for nothing that it is called sacred tree goddess of love.

Essential oils of the myrtle tree not only act as a sedative, it is often used for healing varicose veins veins and in dermatology. This even applies to official medicine.

It is also worth saying that a myrtle tree at home can reflect the condition and health of its owner. At the same time, with the help of such a plant you can safely cure depression and get rid of melancholy and sadness once and for all.

Perhaps the phrase “will bring happiness to the house” is confirmed Scientific research, but many of its owners say that this tree is truly unique and mystical. So, some girls, after having found this living decoration, quickly found their happiness in their personal lives and gained peace of mind. Such a tree is also perfect for a family; if there is discord in it, it will bring peace and tranquility to all members of the house and will help all household members become friends.

Growing a myrtle tree at home

There are two ways to grow a myrtle tree at home - cuttings or seeds. Both of these methods are quite effective, but in the first case the myrtle will bloom in the second year, and in the second in the third. In order to grow a tree from seeds, they must be collected from soft fruits, when they are full and become lilac color. The berry sits directly in the ground and is watered. After 1-2 weeks, green shoots form from the seeds. Growing is a long process; you can buy ready-made cuttings.

As for propagation using cuttings, growing a myrtle tree at home will not be difficult. To do this, take a woody cutting, soak it in any root-forming solution and plant it in citrus soil. After this, the future plant is covered with transparent glass or cling film to create a greenhouse effect.

In order to grow a healthy myrtle tree, you need to feed it. To do this, use them once or twice a month complex fertilizers, as well as every week in spring and summer (during the active growing season).

In addition, to form a beautiful and neat shape, the tree must be shaped. This is done periodically - new shoots are removed. This is the only way to get a tree, otherwise it will be a shrub that is found in its natural habitat.

Crown formation is also beneficial for plant growth. With its help you can grow a beautiful, neat tree with lush flowering. Flowers and leaves will form on new shoots, thereby creating a rather impressive crown.

The enemies of the myrtle tree, even at home, are aphids, spider mite and scale insects. Special insecticides are used against them, one of which can be a soap solution. Chemicals use is strictly prohibited.

Caring for myrtle at home and replanting it

At home, myrtle should be cared for and cherished beautiful tree even in winter. This plant definitely deserves a very responsible owner who is able to create all the necessary conditions for it. So that our readers can become such, let's learn the basic rules for caring for myrtle trees at home, and also look at the photos beautiful plants, which you can easily grow for yourself.

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

Myrtle is an evergreen woody shrub with straight, abundantly branching stems. The leaves are dark green, leathery and dense, attached to short petioles, oblong and pointed towards the edge. Myrtle leaves have numerous small glands that can be seen in the light; they secrete aromatic substances and essential oils. The flowers are white or pink, fragrant, arranged singly or in racemes on thin stalks. The fruits are edible black berries on which the calyx of the flower is attached.

When buying myrtle, you need to understand that the plant has a pronounced dormant period. This means that you need to care for myrtle 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 it is summer. Myrtle loves fresh air very much, so the plant can even be buried together with the pot in the ground, for example, in the garden. Before digging in, you need to think and decide on the place where the myrtle will grow.

Myrtle enjoys in great demand for flower lovers. But quite often, various problems occur when growing myrtle at home. For example, myrtle sheds its leaves. This may be due to improper maintenance of myrtle. Something similar can be observed when growing such famous plants, like or . 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 sun rays in the hot season. If you want to get flowers from the plant, then you need to take into account that the myrtle should be in a well-lit place. In summer, myrtle can be taken out into the open air.

If myrtle grows in a room on the windowsill, then the most best option There will be western and eastern windows. If you place myrtle in the south, it can get sunburn. The north is the most unfavorable place for flowering: the flowers will be faded and quickly fall off. It can also be noted that light acts on myrtle as a signal for awakening.

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 permanent place, then this needs to be done gradually. After all, in another place the level of light will be different. The myrtle may lose light or, on the contrary, receive too much of it, so you need to approach rearranging the tree carefully and gradually. The plant does not like a sudden change of place of residence. It’s 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 summer time 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 the summer. You can, of course, winterize myrtle even when room temperature, but in this case you will need abundant watering and constant spraying.

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

Air humidity

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

Watering

In the spring-summer period, myrtle is watered regularly and abundantly as soon as it dries out. upper layer soil. In winter, of course, myrtle needs to be watered less often, but still the soil should not be allowed to dry out, otherwise the plant will die. Myrtle should be watered with 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 wet soil. At the same time, you need to make sure that the water does not stagnate in the pot.

The soil

The optimal soil composition 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.

Feeding and fertilizers

From spring to autumn, myrtle needs to be fed every week. Depending on what kind of tree you want, you choose the fertilizer for myrtle. If you want the plant to delight you with its flowering, you need to use fertilizer with high level phosphorus. If you like a miniature tree, then it is better to use nitrogen fertilizers. In general, you can use conventional liquid complex fertilizers for decorative foliage plants.

Transfer

It is best to replant an adult myrtle once every 3-4 years, and young plants are replanted annually in the spring before flowering. When transplanting myrtle, you should not bury the root collar of the plant, this can lead to various diseases or to damage by rot. Be sure to place a good layer of drainage at the bottom of the pot. The myrtle pot should not be too large, just enough to accommodate the root system. For transplanting and transshipment, you need to choose a pot that is half as large in volume as the volume of the plant’s crown.

Trimming and pinching

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

When pruning and pinching myrtle, care must be taken Special attention and spend more time on it. After purchasing myrtle, you should decide what kind of tree you want to have in your home. For example, if nothing is done, a myrtle tree may end up taking on a pyramidal shape. If you cut off the top of the tree, it will take on the appearance of a bush. If you trim the sides, you will end up with a lush tree. In any case, no matter how you prune the myrtle, it will still bloom and delight its owner. But it is important to remember one thing: if you pinch myrtle back often, you will end up with much fewer flowers than before.

In general, if you look at it this way, the myrtle tree is one of the plants that is susceptible to defragmentation. It can always be cut in different ways and thereby give it a unique look. But don't 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. You just need to wait a little and the myrtle will get stronger and within three years it will show itself as a beautiful bush.

One note when replanting myrtle, you need to ensure that the trunk remains on the surface of the earth, and so the whole transplantation algorithm is suitable, as for other plants living in the rooms of the house. Planting directly into a large pot is a mistake. For a tree that is only three years old, the pot should have a diameter of at least 12 centimeters. The soil for myrtle is bought at the store.

Myrtle propagation

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

Propagation 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 should be aimed at spring or mid-summer (July). Cuttings should be taken from the lower or middle part of the tree. The length of the cutting should be 5-8 centimeters. To prevent moisture evaporation, you can remove the leaves from the cuttings; the remaining ones can simply be shortened. To ensure quick rooting, you can use stimulants.

The most suitable mixture for rooting is a mixture of sand and moss. If you don’t have one, you can use a regular one. leaf soil, in which there is coarse sand. The temperature at which the rooting procedure will take place should be within 16-20 degrees.

The most best time for rooting - winter. The cuttings do not need light at all at this time - on the contrary, this place needs to be shaded. The container for rooting should be strictly not deep; after rooting, you need to cover the cutting with a cap. Sometimes the plant needs to be ventilated so that it does not fester at an early age. Rooting usually takes about a month. After this, you can safely plant it in a small pot with a diameter of approximately 7 centimeters.

When propagated by cuttings, flowering occurs in the 3rd or 4th year.

The seeds are evenly distributed over the surface of the soil and sprinkled on top thin layer substrate. The container with seeds is covered with film or glass to create greenhouse conditions. The temperature must be maintained within 18-20 degrees. The container with seeds 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-fledged leaves, they can be transplanted into separate small pots. Transplantation is carried out using the transshipment method. IN further 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 approximately 5 years.

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

The scale insect is practically invisible at an early stage, but multiplies quickly, covering the stems and leaves of the plant with dark spots. The scale is removed with a damp swab, but it is still necessary to treat the entire plant with an insecticide or soap solution.

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

Spider mites appear on the undersides of leaves and envelop them in thin white webs. Destroyed by spraying and washing leaves, especially with bottom side, water or 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 become dull, turn yellow, the edges curl - excess lighting.
• Leaves fall - insufficient lighting in winter or warm wintering.

In conclusion, we can say that myrtle is amazing plant. Apart from the fact that myrtle is blooming 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 highly valued among the people and has many indications for use.

Tincture from the myrtle tree gives a person energy and vigor, 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, the kebab will turn out simply magnificent: the aroma will simply be incomparable to anything else. Even Bay leaf will not be so popular in this area.

Among several peoples, 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 “Tree family well-being and happiness”, which personifies a friendly and strong family.

Rules for growing and caring for myrtle (video)