Myrtle

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Video: Myrtle

Video: Myrtle
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Myrtle
Myrtle
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Myrtle (lat. Myrtus) - a genus of evergreen plants of the Myrtle family. The genus has about 40 species. The native land of the plant is considered to be North Africa, the Azores and the Mediterranean. Earlier, the branches of myrtle and a wreath of its flowers were called a symbol of peace, silence and pleasure.

Characteristics of culture

Myrtle is an evergreen tree or shrub up to 4 m high with erect stems. Leaves are oval, leathery, pointed, up to 2-4 cm long, sitting on short petioles. The leaves contain essential oils that give the plant a distinct aroma.

The flowers are single, five or six-petaled, pink, cream or white. Myrtle blooms in early summer. The fruit is an edible pear-shaped or rounded berry, most often blue with a bluish bloom.

There are many different legends associated with this plant, people argued that the infusion of myrtle leaves retained eternal beauty and youth. In southern countries, myrtle is grown outdoors, in Europe and in Russia, it is used as a houseplant.

Growing conditions

The culture is grown in areas that are lighted and protected from drafts. When growing myrtle indoors, the plants are kept on windowsills protected from direct sunlight. The optimum growth temperature in summer is 20-22C, in winter - 10C (not lower). Preferred soils are loose, without compaction, fertilized and moistened.

Reproduction and planting

Myrtle is propagated by seeds and cuttings. Seeds are sown in seedling containers filled with a substrate of sand and peat in a 1: 1 ratio. Before the emergence of seedlings, the crops are covered with glass and placed in a room with an air temperature of at least 20C. It is important to regularly water and ventilate crops. Drafts are undesirable. Seedlings appear in 1, 5-2 weeks. In the phase of two true leaves, the seedlings dive into separate pots.

Cuttings of indoor myrtle are carried out in January-February; myrtle grown outdoors in spring. Cuttings are cut from semi-freshened shoots, then they are planted in wide low containers with sod and leafy soil and coarse sand, taken in equal shares. Before rooting, the cuttings are kept in a shaded place under a film cover. To form a healthy and well-developed root system, it is necessary to systematically water and ventilate. Cuttings take root after about 30-40 days, after which they are planted in separate pots.

Growing myrtle as a houseplant has been practiced relatively recently and has not become widespread in Russia. Many people think that culture is too demanding, but this is a misconception. Most types of myrtle can easily tolerate a transplant, which experienced gardeners recommend in the spring.

Care

Caring for myrtle is simple. It is important to provide the plants with regular watering, otherwise their foliage will acquire an unhealthy yellowish color. Top dressing is carried out during the period of active growth. Indoor myrtles are fed in the spring and summer at least 1 time per month. For top dressing, both organic and mineral fertilizers are suitable. Requires myrtle and formative pruning, which is carried out in early spring or during transplantation.

Application

Myrtle is widely used not only in gardening and indoor floriculture, but also in folk medicine. It has been proven that infusions from the leaves of the plant have bacterial properties. The essential oil produced from the leaves and other aerial parts of myrtle is used in perfumery.

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