Myrtle (Myrtle) Reproduction and care. Myrtle tree: how to grow a harmonious culture

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

The 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 young.

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 is this plant

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

Myrtle pleases people with its bright green leaves. They are small size, and their shape is lanceolate or oval. Flowers up to 2 cm in diameter, they are pink or white color with rounded petals and numerous stamens. A feature of the myrtle is its fragrance, which comes from both flowers and leaves.

It's 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 cleans 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, broncho-dilating 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 a photo

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

Note: seedlings of common myrtle, grown even from one mother plant, are distinguished by a variety of forms and growth vigor.

With the help of selection, new varieties were obtained. They may differ from their ancestor in other sizes, a different shape and color of the leaves.

Variety "Boethica" - a slowly growing plant that has large plates of bright green leaves, up to 7 cm long. During growth, the stem of the plant can twist.

Variety "Boethics"

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

Variety "Variegata"

Variety "Flore Pleno" - differs from other varieties in terry flowering.

Variety "Flore Pleno"

Variety "Compact" - a low specimen with a dense crown and fluffy white flowers.

Variety "Compact"

Variety "Tarentina" - a plant of small size (leaves 1-2 cm), abundantly flowering.

Variety "Tarentina"

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

How to care for a flower at home

It cannot be said that the myrtle flower is not whimsical, it requires a lot of attention and care from the grower.

Necessary:

provide proper lighting and temperature;
irrigate and fertilize as needed.
transplant a flower as it grows;
make a shaping cut.

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 an optimal temperature regime - about 23 ° C. Lighting should be sufficient, but direct Sun rays contraindicated. The plant is shaded from the heat with the help of screens.

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

Since myrtle is native to the subtropics, it needs frequent watering. The culture also reacts very responsive to leaf spraying.

Top dressing is carried out once every 2 weeks during the warm season. To do this, watering is done with diluted universal fertilizers.

Plants are cut off, the crown of which grows strongly, so that its branches do not become thinner, and the tree itself takes on a compact appearance. After spring molding, the myrtle overgrows with young leaves, and then begins to bloom.

Winter plant care is fundamentally different from summer. This is a dormant period for myrtle. Watering is reduced, but the soil cannot be overdried. The frequency of feeding is 1 time per month.

Advice: the main task of caring for a plant is the ability to provide the flower with coolness in winter. It is necessary for the dormant period to find him a place where the temperature will be about 10 ° C. It could be glazed loggia or veranda.

It does not matter if the plant loses some leaves, in the spring it will restore them again.

reproduction

This tree can be propagated in two ways:

Sowing seeds.
cuttings.

Each of them has its own disadvantages and advantages. To preserve the maternal properties of the plant, it is necessary to propagate by cuttings, and if you need a large number of myrtle specimens, then it is better to sow the seeds.

Consider each of the methods of reproduction in more detail:

Sowing seeds. plant them in the soil in early spring. To do this, prepare a sand-peat mixture. Seeds after sowing are covered and watered. Then glass is placed on the container or covered with a film to maintain high humidity. The lighting should be diffused and the temperature around 21°C. After a few weeks, you can see the first sprouts. After the appearance of 4 or more leaves, the myrtle dives. Pinching is done at the right 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 lower leaves are removed. The substrate consists of sand and peat. After planting the cuttings, the soil is moistened and covered with a film. The temperature is kept at 25°C. Provide systematic watering, and after about a month, the stalk should have a root system.

Cutting material is cut in mid-summer or winter.

Transfer

When transplanting, prepare a pot with a hole to drain excess moisture. Each transplant should be carried out in a larger container.

A drainage ball is created with a height of 5 cm and above. The composition of the substrate is prepared from soddy soil, sand, humus and peat in equal parts . When planting, the stem of the plant cannot be deepened.

In the future, when transplanting, the plant is simply transferred to a larger pot. Thus, it is completely preserved root system and the plant is not stressed.

Diseases and pests (treatment and prevention)

If on the leaves of the crown appeared plentiful yellow, then the reason may be hiding in the decay of the root system. It comes from the overflow of myrtle. But do not worry, the flower can be returned to its former healthy appearance.

To do this, examine the roots and remove the victims. Places of cuts are treated with crushed activated carbon, then Kornevin. The crown of the plant should also be cleaned of unhealthy leaves, pruned.

Leave only the living parts of the plant. Land for transplantation should be room temperature. Watering is carried out with a light solution of Kornevin.

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

With falling and dried leaves, 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 the event of such a situation, it is necessary to purchase the appropriate funds and carry out the processing of the flowerpot.

Mirt lives where he is loved. Do not 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 breeds, see the following video:

Common myrtle is an evergreen shrub with fragrant leaves. Under natural conditions, this culture grows throughout the Mediterranean, where it reaches a height of about 5 meters. The leaves of the myrtle are shiny and leathery, have a pleasant aroma.

Exist garden molds this culture, which mainly differ in color and shape of the leaves. But they are all quite thermophilic, so grow them in conditions open ground possible only in regions with a warm climate. As a houseplant, only ordinary myrtle is used.

This plant is characterized by small, shiny leathery leaves, which, when rubbed in the hand, smell pleasant. In room conditions, you can carry out their artificial pollination. As a result, fruits with seeds will be tied, which can be used for reproduction.

Optimal conditions for growing indoors

Myrtle is a rather demanding plant. Growing it indoors is quite difficult, as it requires high humidity. To help the plant cope with this problem, you can use the following methods:

Spray the air around the plant with a fine spray bottle.
Put wet moss in the tray with the flowerpot.
Place a container of water next to the pot.
Also, during the period of intensive growth from March to September, the plant must be regularly and plentifully watered.

Temperature

Myrtle is a plant for cool rooms. The temperature of its content in winter should be only + 5-6 ° С. At higher rates, it is quite difficult to keep the plant until spring. Very often from warm and dry room air its leaves are starting to fall off. This process does not always lead to the death of the plant, but you can not expect flowers from such a myrtle.

Growing myrtle ordinary (video)

Lighting

Throughout the year, myrtle requires a large amount of bright sunlight. AT summer period it can even be taken out into the open air or a balcony, but there it should be shaded at noon. With a constant content of myrtle in low light conditions, it does not have a flowering period, even if the optimal temperature regime in winter.

Common myrtle: popular indoor flower varieties

AT indoor floriculture The following varieties of common myrtle are most widely used:

Name	Plant height, cm	Leaf color and size	Flower shape	fruit coloring
Alhambra		small, green
Flore Pleno		small, green	Terry
Variegata		Small, colorful
		small, green		purple
La Claype blanc		small, green
Microfill		Very small, green
Tarentina		small, green
Tarentina Variegata		Small, colorful
		large, green

All varieties of myrtle presented in the table can be quite successfully grown in the house.

How to propagate a houseplant

Myrtle can be propagated in two main ways: seed and vegetative. When sowing seeds, the varietal characteristics of the plant are only partially preserved, so if you want to propagate a variegated variety or a variety with double flowers, it is better to use cuttings.

To propagate myrtle using cuttings, you must follow next order actions:

Cut off the cutting from the side blooming shoot. Its length should be no more than 10 cm.
Remove the lower leaves from the cutting.
Treat the cut with a root formation stimulator.
Plant the resulting cuttings in a moist loose substrate and cover with a plastic bag.

Under all conditions, after 1 month, the cuttings should take root. After the root system develops well enough, they are transplanted into separate containers. Further care behind them is carried out in the same way as for adult plants.

When breeding myrtle seed way the following procedure must be observed:

Prepare a container for sowing with a loose and fertile substrate.
Moisten the substrate evenly with a spray bottle.
Spread the seeds over the surface of the soil and sprinkle lightly.
Cover the seed container with plastic wrap.

During germination, the temperature should be maintained at a level of 18-20 ° C, it is also necessary to monitor the humidity of the substrate and, if necessary, carefully water it. Seed germination time is usually from one week to 10 days.

After the seedlings develop a second pair of true leaves, you can start picking them into separate containers. Further care is regular watering, loosening and top dressing.

How common myrtle breeds (video)

Caring for ordinary myrtle in the house

Caring for myrtle is not particularly difficult, and its compact size allows you to place a flowerpot with a plant in any convenient place.

Requirements for soil and flowerpot

The soil for growing myrtle can be made independently from equal parts of soddy land, sand and humus. If this is not possible, you can use the usual universal substrate for growing indoor plants, the main thing is that it has a slightly acidic reaction.

When choosing a flowerpot for growing myrtle, remember that its size should be over size horse system. Otherwise, the soil that has not been mastered by the roots can turn sour and cause the death of the plant.

Watering and feeding

For watering myrtle, you need to use only settled water at room temperature. The use of cold or hard water is unacceptable. Also in winter, the frequency and intensity of watering should be reduced. But in no case should the substrate be completely dried in a pot, otherwise the plant will completely shed its leaves or even die.

For home myrtle, the bay is very harmful. Excess moisture will very quickly lead to the emergence of various rot and fungal diseases. To prevent this from happening, excess water from the pan must be drained, and drainage must be provided at the bottom of the pot.

In order for the myrtle to develop well during the period of intensive growth, it must be fed. For this you can use any universal fertilizer for decorative foliage indoor flowers. Bred it according to the attached instructions.

In winter, the myrtle has a pronounced dormant period., so there is no need to feed him at this time.

crown formation

In order for the myrtle to have a beautiful and well-groomed crown, it must be formed in a timely manner. To do this, you can use spring pruning, which allows you to save the plant from elongated and weak shoots or pinching the apical points of growth.

Pinching can be carried out throughout the entire period of intensive growth. It allows the plant to form a dense and well-leafed crown.

Transplant rules and terms

It is necessary to transplant young specimens of myrtle annually, adults are enough once every 2-3 years. All transplant work is best planned for the spring.

Potential Growing Problems

Myrtle, like any other indoor crop, if the growing conditions are not observed, can be affected by pests. Most often on it you can find the following types:

Aphid. Small insects that, depending on the species, may be green or gray in color. It feeds on the juice of the plant, which leads to damage to the leaves and their drying. Fighting aphids is pretty easy. To destroy it, you can use a solution of laundry soap or any insecticidal preparation. In most cases, a single treatment is sufficient to completely destroy aphids.
Shchitovka- a pest that feeds on plant sap. If the pest is too large on the leaves of the plant, you can see its clusters in the form of black spots. Systemic insecticides are used for destruction.
. Most often appears when growing myrtle in conditions of high temperature and low humidity. To combat it, you need to use special acaricidal preparations that have a long period of protective action. For example, you can use Actellik or Fitoverm.

How to form a crown at an ordinary myrtle (video)

Growing myrtle on your own at room conditions is not so difficult as it seems at first glance. You just need to observe agricultural technology and take care of the plant in a timely manner.

Luxurious evergreen shrub myrtle, which is a recognized symbol family well-being, harmony and love, today is rarely found in the collections of Russian flower growers, although it has long been bred into culture. A native of the mysterious Mediterranean, it is common in wild nature in the Azores, northern Africa and the south of the Euro-Asian continent. Covered in legends and revered by various religious concessions, myrtle, unfortunately, is not in the habit of decorating the gardens of temperate latitudes, not enduring the harshness of the climate, but has perfectly adapted to life at home.

This exotic handsome man is effective and decorative, besides, he is one of the ten plants that purify the surrounding air space. The features of its cultivation, care and agricultural practices will be discussed in the article.

Description

The myrtle tree, or rather a tree-like shrub, is an evergreen, ornamental, deciduous plant, reaching in nature 2-4 meters in height. Indoor representatives of this species rarely cross the meter line, although in greenhouses and winter gardens providing the necessary conditions, there are instances with the parameters of free brothers.

A multi-stemmed shrub with medium-sized, slightly elongated, dense, oppositely arranged leaves with pointed tips, common myrtle (the most common species in culture) is compact and decorative. He is able to decorate any room - from a strict office to an elegant living room. The plant has pronounced periods of activity: with the onset of cold weather, the myrtle stops in development, awakens in the spring.

By the beginning of summer, the culture blooms, covered with single or numerous white inflorescences in short racemes on long pedicels located in the leaf axils and emitting a pleasant delicate fragrance. Flowers pollinated with a brush with the onset of autumn turn into dark purple, almost black spicy berries that can be used in cooking, medicinal tinctures. Ripe fruits produce seeds suitable for subsequent propagation.

All aerial parts of the plant contain essential oils, the use of which was found not only by perfumers and pharmacists, but also by culinary specialists. This wonderful shrub is not only pleasing to the eye, but also brings very noticeable benefits.

Maintenance and care requirements

Although myrtle is not the most picky representative of the domestic plant kingdom, you still have to follow some rules to ensure comfortable conditions for it.

Watering and spraying

One of the main requirements is high humidity. During periods of activation, the plant needs generous watering: the substrate should not dry out. In addition, myrtle is not indifferent to daily spraying and such a hygienic procedure as a shower. Soft, settled water is used for watering and moistening the foliage. Water myrtle and calm winter periods. This is especially true if the plant hibernates in a warm room: the culture will respond to a lack of water by dropping foliage.

Excessive watering is harmful, since stagnation leads to rotting of the roots due to the activation of pathogenic microflora. Therefore, the water that has accumulated in the pan must be removed after standing for half an hour after watering.

Temperature and illumination

Myrtle prefers moderate (20-23˚С) air temperature and good lighting. In summer, he is taken out to the balcony or to the garden, where he feels very comfortable. He is not afraid of bright light, successfully endures the sun's rays. Apparently, the southern origin of culture affects. However, myrtle, home care for which makes it much more tender than wild counterparts, is not always able to withstand the midday heat. Therefore, the plant should be protected from the aggressive sun by constructing a canopy or a small screen.

Important! Myrtle needs sunlight. Its lack, even with high-quality agricultural technology, will not allow the culture to lay flower buds.

For the winter, it is advisable to move the culture to a cool place with a temperature of 7-10 ° C. This exposure stimulates abundant summer bloom. The plant can winter in a warmer room, but in this case, watering and spraying should also be carried out with the same regularity as in summer. And you should be prepared for the fact that after a warm winter, the myrtle will refuse to bloom.

top dressing

Active growth and qualitative development of culture are impossible without top dressing. In spring and summer, myrtle should be fed once every 10 days, using liquid solutions. complex fertilizers for indoor flowers, for example, "Ideal". To improve the quality of the substrate will help the application of fertilizers from the group of peat-humic ("Flora"). They are dissolved in accordance with the instructions and made every 2 months.

Cultures placed in a cool room for the winter do not need to be fed, and wintering under normal conditions of our dwellings should be fed once a month.

Reproduction and transplant

Myrtle is a slow-growing culture, however, young plants are transplanted annually, each time increasing the diameter of the pot by 2-3 cm. Adult specimens normally develop in one container for 3-4 years.

Important! Transplanting should be done during the dormant period before the onset of spring.

The optimal soil is a mixture that contains turf, peat, humus and pure river sand(2*1*1*1). For aeration of the roots, expanded clay is used, which is laid on the bottom of a new container. Drainage occupies no more than a quarter of the volume of the pot, then the prepared substrate is added. The plant extracted from the previous container is inspected, damaged or rotten roots are removed, powdered with crushed charcoal and placed in a pot, gently straightening the roots. Then the tree is generously watered, covered with soil and carefully compacted. For several days, the planted plant is left in a shaded place, minimizing stress.

Sowing seeds

Myrtle - indoor plant, successfully propagated traditional ways: seeds and stem cuttings.

Sowing material is exclusively fresh seeds. They are kept in a slightly pink solution of manganese for 2 hours, dried, sown in a light breathable peat-sand substrate, moistened with a spray bottle and covered with a film. Containers with crops are left in a warm and bright place. As soon as shoots appear (after 1.5-2 months), the shelter is removed.

The grown seedlings are planted in separate pots, and when they reach a height of 20 cm, pinch the tops of the shoots, enhancing the growth of lateral branches to form a future crown. Myrtle grown from seeds usually blooms in the 5th year. The duration of the process is a disadvantage of this method.

cuttings

The priority of flower growers is propagation by cuttings. The advantages of this method are unconditional: flowers bloom already in the 2-3rd year.

Cuttings 7-9 cm long are cut from non-flowering apical shoots in early summer. Sections are treated with Kornevin's solution. Planted cuttings in the soil, consisting of a mixture of peat and sand. To ensure the necessary microclimate, the containers are covered with a film and left in a warm place.

Advice! For the fastest rooting of cuttings, the soil is heated to 24-26˚С.

After 2-4 weeks, the cuttings take root. This can be seen in the formation of new leaves. The accustomed cuttings are transplanted into separate containers and provide the necessary care.

crown formation

The myrtle tree tolerates pruning well. Using different techniques, the crown can be given the most bizarre shapes - from a sprawling tree to an imitation of the legendary bonsai style.

Important! Myrtle pruning should not be done often - this weakens the culture. It will take two to four years to give the plant the desired shape.

To make the tree more luxurious and thicker, pinch the tips of the branches. This noticeably stimulates the branching of the shoots.

Constant care of the plant brings a reward - the myrtle blooms. This is an amazingly beautiful sight, the peak of which falls on June-July. Access is required at this time. fresh air and maximum illumination. Another condition for high-quality flowering is pruning at the right time.

Important! Formative pruning of the bush cannot be carried out in the spring, since flower buds are laid on the tops of the shoots, and an ignorant grower will simply cut them off. It is more expedient to wait until the end of flowering, and then start forming the crown.

Diseases and pests

Myrtle is a plant resistant to serious diseases. Various ailments occur in him usually due to errors in care. For example, drying out of the soil and insufficient lighting can cause foliage to fall off, and excessive watering can damage the root system. The attention of the grower and proper care will help to fix the problems that have arisen.

The tree responds to the care shown, with a magnificent state of shiny foliage and the aroma of excellent delicate flowers. The photos of myrtle presented in the article clearly demonstrate the beauty and decorativeness of this symbol of world harmony.

Myrtle is an evergreen woody plant that belongs to the Myrtaceae family. In nature, these are trees or shrubs that can reach a height of three meters. A houseplant myrtle at home is a bush with a round crown no more than one meter high. The plant has long been considered a symbol of hope, peace and glory. Myrtle flowers were used by our ancestors for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Popular drugs from them today. Houseplant lovers willingly grow a beautiful tree in their homes. Knowing how to properly care for myrtle, you can get an optimally shaped plant that will decorate the house with its leathery small leaves and simple or double fragrant flowers.

Myrtle plant - description, photo

A tree at home grows from 30 to 60 cm in height. It has elongated, small, leathery leaves that seem polished. The leaves have a pointed top and grow on short petioles. In summer, in the axils of the leaves, brushes of single or double flowers, or single flowers are formed. After flowering, fruits ripen on the plant, which are a berry or a nut.

In indoor floriculture, common myrtle (communis) is most often grown, the care of which we will describe in detail in our article.

The world is ordinary - care at home

Myrtle communis (common) is a small tree with a short branched trunk. Him red-brown bark, leathery, glossy, oval-lanceolate green leaves and white or pale pink flowers. Stamens protrude from the middle of the flower. The leaves of the plant have a pleasant aroma. It blooms throughout the summer, after which red-black berries form on the tree.

Myrtle is recommended to be grown on windows on the west and east sides. On the southern windowsills in the summer it will need to be shaded, for which you can use a tulle curtain. When grown on northern window sills, flowering will be poor.

Air temperature. Indoor myrtle does not like heat and grows well at air temperatures in the range of + 18 ... + 20 degrees. It is recommended to ventilate the room regularly. In winter, the plant needs to provide cool conditions with an air temperature of +5 to +10 degrees. With more high temperature in winter time year, the flower may shed its leaves.

Air humidity. Myrtle needs high humidity air, therefore, in spring and summer, its leaves must be regularly sprayed with settled water at room temperature. In winter, at low temperatures in the room, spraying is not needed. But, if it is not possible to provide the plant with cool conditions, spraying should be carried out several times a day. From working heating radiators at home, the air becomes dry, which is why leaves fall from the tree. To avoid this, around the plant you need to increase the humidity. For this you can use special humidifiers or put a flower pot on a pallet with wet expanded clay or moss.

Watering myrtle. Water the tree in spring and summer abundantly, as soon as the topsoil dries out. In winter, in a cool room, the frequency and abundance of watering decreases. In no case should the earthen clod be allowed to dry out! Otherwise, the leaves may fly around from the houseplant, dry into the twigs. If the soil is still dry, place the pot for a few minutes in a container of water. Also, do not allow the soil to be wet all the time. Constant waterlogging of the soil can lead to root rot. Water for irrigation is used separated during the day.

Top dressing myrtle. From March to August, once a week or two, the flower must be fed with fertilizers for flowering plants. If the myrtle is grown as a bonsai and you are not interested in its flowering, then fertilizers are used that are intended for decorative leafy plants.

rest period. Myrtle definitely needs a period of rest, during which he gains strength for flowering and growing foliage. Therefore, in winter, the plant is grown for three months in cool rooms. You can put a flower on a closed loggia, where the air temperature does not drop below +5 degrees. At this time, watering should be scarce, and fertilizing and spraying should be stopped. In a warm room, the dormant period of myrtle lasts about one and a half months.

pruning myrtle. To give the tree the desired shape, pruning should be included in the care of the myrtle at home. It can be carried out in early spring and after flowering. To get a tree, side shoots are cut. A plant in the form of a bush will turn out by trimming the upper branches. If you do not cut the myrtle completely, then it will take on a pyramidal shape. However, it should be remembered that frequent pinching negatively affects the formation of flowers, so it is not recommended to get carried away with pruning. If flowering is not too important for you, then you can experiment and pinch the branches. Houseplant myrtle grows quickly, so it appearance can be changed every year.

Myrtle transplant

should be transplanted into new ground one to two weeks after purchase. In the future, young plants are transplanted every year, and adults - one glad in two to three years. new pot should be 2-3 cm larger than the previous one. The substrate can be bought at the store or prepared independently. The following soil mixtures are suitable:

Sand, peat, turf and humus soil. Everything is taken in equal parts and mixed.
Sand, turf, humus, clay, peat soil (1:2:2:2:2).

At the bottom of the pot, it is imperative to pour drainage, which is covered with a small layer of nutrient soil. The tree is carefully removed along with a clod of earth from the old pot and placed on a layer of soil in a new container. The roots around and above are covered with soil. The base of the trunk does not need to fall asleep. The transplanted myrtle must be watered immediately.

Pests and diseases of myrtle

Pests

At proper care and keeping the plant in favorable conditions for it, no diseases and pests will affect it.

High temperatures and dry air are favorable conditions for the appearance on the leaves of the tree scale insects, thrips, spider mite, mealybug, whitefly. All of them feed on the juice of the plant, which is why they begin to dry, turn yellow and fly around the leaves. Treatment with Aktellik or Aktara will help get rid of pests. it insecticidal preparations which should be diluted and used strictly according to the instructions.

This situation can arise if the rules for caring for myrtle at home were not followed. Myrtle leaves dry for the following reasons:

Irregular watering. If you forget to water the plant, and the soil often dries up, then not only the leaves, but also the twigs will begin to dry.
Low air humidity. In winter, the air temperature for the flower should not exceed +18 degrees. In a room with working heating radiators, the air becomes dry, which is why the leaves begin to dry and fall off. Spray the foliage in a dry and warm room more often and more abundantly. Keep it on a tray with wet expanded clay, pebbles or moss, but so that the water does not reach the bottom of the pot.

Myrtle leaves are falling

This situation may arise in the following cases:

lack of light;
high air temperature;
the plant stands in a draft.

With excessive lighting (in summer on the southern windows), the leaves lose their luster, turn yellow and curl. If there is not enough light for the plant, then the stems are drawn out, and the leaves grow pale and small.

As you can see, all the problems when growing myrtle at home arise due to improper flower placement or care errors. Take care of the plant according to all the rules described above, and it will delight you with a beautiful, lush crown and flowering.

Cutting is the most reliable and The best way myrtle breeding. Its seeds quickly lose their germination, in addition, when seed propagation flowering will come only after three years.

Cuttings can be taken from friends after the formative pruning of the tree. It is best if they are from the middle or lower part of the crown. Rooting cuttings should be carried out in January, February and July. For cuttings, semi-lignified shoots of the current year are selected, 8 to 10 cm long.

Procedure for rooting cuttings:

The lower leaves are removed from the cut shoot.
Large leaves located at the top are shortened by half, and small ones by a third of the length.
The lower cut is processed with a root formation stimulator (Heterouxin or Kornevin).
A wide and low container is being prepared.
The soil for rooting should consist of sand and sphagnum (0.5:1) or sand and leafy soil (0.5:1).
The cuttings are placed in moist soil and covered with a glass jar or other transparent cap.
The containers are placed in a shady place with an air temperature in the range of + 17 ... + 20 degrees.
So that the soil does not turn sour, the shelter needs to be removed for a short time every day.

In about a month, the roots will grow, and the cuttings are planted in separate pots with a diameter of about 7 cm. The same soil mixture is used. Care for young seedlings consists in regularly moistening the soil and spraying the foliage. It is necessary to ensure that the soil does not dry out.

When the cuttings grow up, which will happen in about a year, the plants are transplanted into pots, the diameter of which should be 9 cm. Take care of rooted and grown bushes in the same way as for adult trees.

Myrtle properties

The plant has healing properties, as its fruits and young shoots contain active substances and essential oils with antibacterial action. Therefore, it is recommended to keep the tree in children's rooms and bedrooms, where it will purify the air of bacteria and germs, protect health, and help cope with influenza and acute respiratory infections.

Myrtle tinctures help treat cough, purulent otitis media, staphylococcal infections, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and diabetes mellitus.

Myrtle - signs

AT different countries cultivation of indoor myrtle is treated differently.

In Europe, it is believed that the tree brings love and peace to the house. But this is possible if the hostess planted the bush and all family members are proud of their beautiful pet. The myrtle is carefully looked after so that the flower does not die. Otherwise, along with the dead tree, luck will leave the house.

Muslims do not keep myrtle in their homes, because according to their signs, it is believed that this plant condemns young girls and boys to loneliness.

beautiful tree with healing properties it is recommended to grow at home, while observing all the rules for caring for it. Mirt needs a family hearth, so he is not suitable for offices and public institutions.

Myrtle, which is easy to care for at home, is evergreen. In the Mediterranean countries, it is grown as a shrub or small tree, and in cold climates it became 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 on top. 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 feeding is carried out nitrogen fertilizer in 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 a 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.