Myrtle, how to save?

Improper maintenance and care

Most often, myrtle suffers and loses its decorative properties due to improper care and maintenance. Next, we will consider what reasons in most cases cause foliage to dry out.

Lack of moisture

The plant needs regular and fairly abundant watering. Lack of water is poorly tolerated by myrtle, and prolonged lack of moisture can lead to dire 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 out, 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 will immediately penetrate through the drainage holes to the roots, so the flower can quickly recover.

After water procedures, place the pot on a tray - the water needs to drain. It is also undesirable to allow moisture to stagnate in the pot: for this reason, the roots of the plant may rot.

Excessive watering

Excess moisture can also have a negative effect on 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 flooded 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 it at first.

Incorrect temperature

Myrtle requires maintenance at an average temperature: +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 the myrtle is kept in a warm room in winter, this will most likely cause its leaves to wither and drop.

What to do

In this case, the procedure is simple: 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.

Problems with feeding

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 and leads to wilting and yellowing of the foliage.

What to do

If the problem has already occurred and too much fertilizer has been applied, there is nothing left to do except replant the myrtle in another pot with clean soil.

Before replanting, inspect the roots and cut off those that have already been damaged by burns or have turned black: thanks to this measure, it will be possible to revive the flower much faster. Then rinse the rhizomes, thereby removing any remaining fertilizer from them.

Inappropriate lighting

Excessive lighting of the plant can also cause problems with leaves. It should be remembered that myrtle does not tolerate direct sun: intense sunlight can leave burns on the leaves. However, it is not recommended to grow the world in the shade either. Ideal option - diffused lighting

What to do

Move the pot with the plant to a place where direct sunlight does not reach. Or shade the window to prevent the leaves from drying out.

Adaptation

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

What to do

To help myrtle adapt to new conditions faster, 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

Problems when growing a myrtle tree: leaves dry out and fall off, causes of drying

What qualities are not attributed to the evergreen beauty: both magical and healing. There is no doubt about the latter, because the essential oils contained in myrtle actually have bactericidal properties. Such a tree in an apartment can purify the air and protect owners from pathogenic microflora and viruses.

The undoubted advantage is beauty. To experience the awe of the lush flowering, you will need to make a lot of effort; it is not for nothing that flower growers call it “sissy”.

How to grow myrtle, care at home, leaves drying, the reasons that caused leaf fall, how to get rid of pests - these and many other issues are discussed below in the article.

Description of the myrtle flower

The tree-like flower grows very slowly, a maximum of 2 mm per year. The height it reaches at home is just over 60 cm. It prefers a substrate made of equal parts of sand, peat, humus and turf. It blooms at the age of five, usually in the first half of summer. Requires good lighting, but the scorching sun can destroy the plant, as well as lack of moisture.

Healthy myrtle

Feeding is carried out in the spring-summer season, no more than once a week. If pruning is practiced, it is done annually at the beginning of the growing season.

For your information! Young flowers are replanted every year, adults - once every 2-3 years.

Problems in growing myrtle flowers

How to propagate myrtle at home from cuttings

Even if you comply with all the necessary requirements, the bush may get sick and lose its leaves. This is the result of mistakes that can most often be corrected.

The first signs of a flower's malaise can be determined by its appearance with the naked eye. A whitish coating may appear on the leaves, which subsequently appears as spots; the leaves begin to gradually curl and then fall off. This indicates that the tree is sick. There may be several reasons why a myrtle tree crumbles:

• untimely watering and insufficient air humidity in the room;
• improper feeding;
• excessive watering;
• bad light;
• damage by insect pests.

What to do if the cause is excessive watering of the flower

Houseplant myrtle - care at home

The flower requires daily watering, and the soil should be slightly moist, otherwise drying out and curling of the leaves cannot be avoided. In the autumn-winter season, watering is slightly reduced, but humidity is maintained by systematic spraying.

Excess moisture from excessive watering has a detrimental effect on the condition of the flower: the leaves and ends of the shoots begin to turn black. Since the roots do not receive the required amount of oxygen, the process of decay begins. This is immediately reflected in the change in the general condition and color of the crown. The tree seems to wither.

You can help the flower in two ways: reducing watering with systematic light loosening (this will allow the soil to dry out) or replanting it into a soil of a different composition. To do this, carefully wash the roots with clean water and mercilessly cut off any rotten roots. After planting in a new substrate, the plant is covered with a transparent bag and left for some time without watering.

What to do when the reason lies in lighting and temperature conditions

Pachistachis: care at home and possible problems during cultivation

If, with proper care of myrtle at home, the leaves of the evergreen beauty dry out, this may indicate a lack of light, direct sunlight and unsuitable temperature conditions.

In the winter months, the plant feels better in a cool room at a temperature of 12 °C; in the summer months, it is optimal from 17 °C to 24 °C. Absolutely does not tolerate exposure to direct sunlight, preferring diffused lighting.

Knowing these subtleties, you can easily create comfortable conditions by placing him in a favorable environment.

Important! The lack of sunlight is compensated using a lamp.

Flower roots

If excessive feeding is to blame, how do you save a flower?

Excessive feeding can not only stop the growth of the plant, but also lead to its death. Frequent and incorrect application of fertilizers leads to their accumulation in the soil, which causes burns to the root system. The tree will begin to dry out and gradually shed its leaves.

An urgent transplant into fresh soil will be required. First, you need to thoroughly rinse the roots from dangerous deposits, cut off the dead ones, and only then replant. Unfortunately, if there is an excess of feeding, only this risky method will save the flower from inevitable death.

Note! Yellowing of the leaves is often observed immediately after purchasing a flower. Botanists associate such changes with a change in environment that causes stress. Adaptation to new conditions is much easier if the new “tenant” is placed in a slightly dark place for several days and periodically irrigated with a spray bottle.

Pest attack

It happens that the temperature is correct, the humidity is sufficient, even the light conditions are met, but the myrtle tree dries out, what should I do? Perhaps small pests have settled in the dense crown of the flower. It, like other houseplants, is attacked by the same types of tiny insects.

• Aphid. Entire colonies of this parasite settle on the underside of leaves and feed on their sap, causing them to begin to curl, dry out, and then fall off. To get rid of it, first the tree (crown down) is thoroughly washed under running water, allowed to dry and sprayed with any insecticidal preparation. An actor is more suitable.
• Shield. It is capable, like aphids, of feeding on plant sap. The presence of a parasite can be determined by a characteristic sticky coating on both leaves and shoots. First, you need to remove it with a cotton swab or a piece of sponge soaked in a soap solution (use laundry soap), and then treat it with Actellik, which is good for helping against scale insects.

Insect attack

• Mealybug. It is very noticeable on plants: a whitish fluffy coating covers both the branches and the crown. Before spraying with actara or other insecticide, pests are first removed.
• Spider mite. Both the crown and shoots are enveloped in cobwebs. First you need to spray the flower with an infusion of tobacco dust and wipe each leaf and twig, then treat it with Actellik.
• Whitefly. In appearance it resembles a tiny moth. Like aphids and scale insects, they settle in colonies, taking a liking to the inside of the foliage. It is difficult to get rid of this parasite in one go, since the pest larvae are covered with a thick film that makes it difficult for chemicals to penetrate. Therefore, you will have to resort to processing several times. Each time, large individuals are first removed by hand and the plant is washed with a soap solution, after which it is treated with Actellik.
• Thrips. They are identified by the presence of light spots on the upper part of the leaves and blackish dots on the back side. They are dangerous because they harm not only the greenery, but also the buds. You can treat the tree with an infusion of tobacco dust and garlic; if that doesn’t help, resort to Actellik.

Important! When using insecticidal preparations, you must follow the instructions. These are toxic substances, their dose and concentration must be taken into account when preparing solutions.

Myrtle dries and drops leaves: what to do

When the reasons are insufficient watering, dry air and exposure to sunlight, the leaves first begin to turn yellow and then fall off.

If measures are not taken in time, then in the near future you can see a depressing picture: bare branches that once delighted with an abundance of greenery.

This indicates that the myrtle is drying up, but what to do in this case? Urgent rescue! Remove from the sun (or from the radiator), create comfortable conditions (cool, air humidity). The following procedures will help in the initial stages:

The flower dies before your eyes

• The pot with the flower is immersed in a container of water and wait 10-15 minutes. During this time, water will penetrate through the drainage holes and completely saturate the ground. After a certain period of time, the pot is removed and placed on a tray to drain the water. Water from the pan must be constantly drained to avoid stagnation;
• water generously, spray with a spray bottle and cover with a plastic bag, not forgetting to drain excess liquid from the pan. Place a small bowl of water nearby. The technique has a greater effect if carried out for at least three days in a row.

Important! You should carefully ensure that the liquid in the pan does not stagnate. It is necessary to drain after each watering.

If myrtle has dried up, how to revive the plant

Often the measures taken do not give the desired effect, and the plant continues to dry out. Of course, this situation does not make anyone happy. And yet, if all the myrtle leaves have dried up, what should you do? Even in this case, there is no need to despair and give up. You can try to revive your green pet.

To do this, you should carefully examine the branches, check how easily they bend, and whether deformation occurs. Good flexibility indicates sufficient elasticity, which means that all is not lost. You need to additionally check the roots by digging up the ground a little. If they have not had time to dry completely, then there is hope for salvation.

For your information! Reanimation is not a complicated, but very effective way to revive a plant. First, the flower must be watered abundantly, and then the whole thing must be placed in a large plastic bag. At the same time, leave a hole that will provide air access.

Another way: make a mini-greenhouse. For small myrtle sizes, an empty plastic bottle of 5 to 10 liters is perfect. It is cut in the middle, a pot with a flower is placed inside and the top is covered. The neck serves as a ventilation hole to prevent the rotting process from starting.

This procedure must be carried out daily for three weeks. In this case, it will not be superfluous to spray with settled water purified from chlorine. As an additional prevention, spray with a solution of the drug Epin (6-8 drops per 1 liter) once a week. It will help awaken the tree’s reserve forces and stimulate the growth of new cells.

Important! The solution must be prepared immediately before use!

With diligence and patience, after 3-4 weeks (sometimes it takes a little longer), young leaves can be seen growing on the branches.

When this does not happen, it is worth making a small longitudinal cut in the bark of the tree, slightly separating the top layer and looking at the color under the cut.

A green tint indicates continued vital activity and gives hope for recovery. The trunk may turn brown if the myrtle has dried out, so what should you do? You'll have to come to terms with the loss.

A beautiful and healthy flower that requires close attention

In order to never see a myrtle flower dry up again or face resuscitation problems, you should take more careful care of the plant. Beginning flower growers should study all the intricacies of care and possible diseases before purchasing this species. Only then will the shrub delight its owners with the luxurious appearance and fragrance of fluffy flowers.

Source: https://greensotka.ru/dekorativno-listvennye/mirt-zasoh-kak-reanimirovat.html

How to revive Myrtle if it has dried up

A well-groomed, beautiful plant is appropriate in any interior of any room. Myrtle is that very beautiful decoration for any apartment or office.

This tree traces its ancestry back to Ancient Greece. Interestingly, myrtle means “balm” in Greek. Most likely, the name is associated with its beneficial properties.

Myrtle is an ornamental tree that is an evergreen plant, has a pleasant aroma and shiny dense leaves.

It begins to bloom at about five years of age. It bears fruit - black berries that can be eaten.

But, unfortunately, it happens that the myrtle dries out. Then a completely logical question arises: how to revive it? You will find the answer in this article.

Reanimation

In order to understand how to revive myrtle, you should take into account the possible reasons that it has dried out. Most often, the reason is improper care and maintenance of the plant.

· Improper watering

The plant really needs moisture, so the tree should be watered regularly and abundantly.

Lack of water will have a bad effect on myrtle, and prolonged lack of water will destroy the plant. The first symptoms that myrtle lacks moisture are loss of leaf color and yellowing.

Then the plant dries out. If you do not revive the myrtle in time, it will dry out completely.

Therefore, dip the container with the plant in water for a quarter of an hour. The liquid will reach the roots through the drainage layers, and thus the myrtle will recover faster.

After this, place the pot with the plant on some tray so that all the water drains out.

An important point, make sure that there is no excess moisture. It, like a deficiency, has a bad effect on the plant.

Incorrect temperature for growing

In summer, myrtle should be kept at a temperature of 17 to 24 degrees Celsius. In winter it should be between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius.

If this is not so, then the plant will begin to wither and dry out.

In order to put the plant in order, it should be moved to a place with a more suitable temperature regime.

· Inappropriate lighting

Incorrect lighting can lead to drying problems.

It is important to know that myrtle cannot tolerate direct sunlight, as burns on the leaves are possible.

There is no need to grow it in the shade either. Ideal for myrtle, grow it in diffused light.

· Pests

Most often, the problem lies precisely in them. The plant may dry out due to damage by insects such as aphids, spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs, and whiteflies.

Solution to the problem: treatment with special means - insecticides.

In the future, it is necessary to be more attentive to the plant and eliminate pests at an early stage, before the tree dries out.

By following these simple tips, you will quickly revive myrtle, and it will continue to delight your eye with its wonderful appearance.

When and how does it bloom

Myrtle will bloom in June and July: from the very first days of summer to its middle. Fragrant flowers bloom from the buds.

Types of flowers

There are two types of flowers:

• simple;
• terry.

They consist of 4–6 petals, which can be round or pointed.

Flower shapes

There are two main forms of myrtle flowers. They can be collected in racemes and inflorescences. In other varieties, each flower is individually attached to the leaf axil.

Most flowers bloom in the upper part of the crown, where more light reaches. Flowering lasts approximately 1.5 months. Then the berries are tied.

Changes in care during the flowering period

Blooming myrtle needs ventilation, so it should be placed on a balcony or other open area. Pruning of shoots should be done after flowering has completed, but not in early spring.

Myrtle propagation methods

Growing from seeds

A mixture of peat with sand or any other disintegrants is used as a planting substrate for seed propagation. Before sowing, it is watered with water and then additionally moistened with a fungicide solution. Myrtle seeds are sown superficially. You can only lightly sprinkle them with a thin layer of the same soil. The crops are covered with film and placed in moderate heat (about 19 degrees). They need to be ventilated regularly.

The first shoots should appear within two weeks. After the formation of the first full-fledged leaves, they are picked into their own pots. In this case, a mixture of peat, turf and humus with sand is used as soil. Such picking may slightly slow down the growth rate of seedlings, but then they will begin to actively gain green mass.

As soon as the young bushes outgrow their pots, they are transferred to larger containers. From this period, myrtle seedlings are cared for as full-fledged adult bushes. Such plants begin to bloom only in the 5th year of life. However, they may not retain the varietal characteristics of the mother bush.

Cuttings

Myrtle can be propagated by cuttings twice a year: in July and also in January. Usually, slightly woody cuttings from 5 to 8 cm long are chosen for this. They should be taken from the lower or central part of the bush. Most of the foliage is removed from the cuttings, and the remaining blades are shortened. This method allows you to reduce the level of moisture evaporation.

Before planting, cuttings can be additionally treated with a growth stimulator. The prepared material is planted in a shallow container filled with a mixture of sand and leaf soil. After this, the seedlings are covered with film or a transparent jar and placed in a shady place where the temperature is about 20 degrees. Rooting of such cuttings takes from 3 weeks to a month. After roots form on the seedlings, they can be transplanted into pots with a diameter of about 7 cm. They are filled with a substrate including turf, sand, humus and peat. When the seedlings outgrow these containers, they are moved to slightly larger ones.

Myrtle obtained from cuttings begins to bloom in the 3rd or 4th year of life. To stimulate it, the plant must receive enough water. Proper, timely pinching will also help.

The easiest and most reliable way to propagate MYRTLE.

Watch this video on YouTube

How to care for myrtle

The myrtle tree is quite picky in its content. Therefore, for successful growth, he is provided with proper care at home.

The plant prefers soil with high acidity. The mixture consists of the following components:

• turf land;
• compost soil or manure humus;
• peat;
• coarse sand.

All parts are taken in equal quantities.

This substrate is suitable for both adult plants and young seedlings.

• Water the plantings in a timely manner - even short-term drying out of the soil can trigger the shedding of leaves. If this happens, do not worry too much - the tree will grow again.
• Adding hydrogel to the soil will allow the soil to better retain moisture.
• It is useful to alternate watering with regular soft water and water acidified with lemon juice. To prepare the solution, add 2-3 drops of lemon juice to 1 liter of water.
• The home bush responds gratefully to spraying and cool showers.

• The culture feels most comfortable in bright light, at moderate temperatures, about 18 - 23 C. The plant is covered from the scorching sun to prevent overheating. In summer it is taken out into the open air.
• The ideal option for keeping an indoor tree is a warm loggia or a bright, unheated room.
• Sometimes when Myrtus dries out, it is enough to take it into a cooler room to make it feel better.
• In winter, it is provided with a temperature of about 10 - 12 C. Watering for this period is limited, but without drying out the earthen coma.

Lack or excess moisture

Myrtle loves moisture very much, so watering should be regular and plentiful. Even a short drought is difficult for the tree to tolerate. The soil moisture in the pot is checked by touch with your finger.

If myrtle does not have enough water, its leaves begin to turn yellow, curl, and then fall off. This will quickly destroy the exotic tree. Fortunately, he can be revived. If the myrtle leaves have dried out, what to do in such a situation must always be remembered - the owner should normalize watering.

If, due to poor drainage or excessive watering, water stagnates in the pot, then the roots of the plant rot. This inevitably affects the condition of the foliage: it turns yellow and falls off. Myrtle needs an urgent transplant into fresh, dry soil.

How to save a plant

Reanimation of the plant will help save myrtle. There are effective treatment methods for each case.

Step-by-step instructions for lack of fluid:

1. Fill a bath or deep basin with water.
2. Place the pot with the plant there for 10–15 minutes.
3. Then transfer it to the pallet.

Water seeps through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot, flows directly to the myrtle roots and moisturizes them. This same hole does not allow water to remain inside the soil for a long time.

Withered tree

Inappropriate feeding

Imagine: you water the plant correctly, the temperatures are within normal limits, but the myrtle leaves still dry out. What to do in this case? The reason for the wilting of foliage may lie in incorrectly selected fertilizers. Fact: much more often myrtle suffers from an excess of minerals than from a lack of them, because owners (especially people who have not kept myrtle before) fertilize too often.

Imagine: you water the plant correctly, the temperatures are within normal limits, but the myrtle leaves still dry out. What to do in this case? The reason for the wilting of foliage may lie in incorrectly selected fertilizers. Fact: much more often myrtle suffers from an excess of minerals than from a lack of them, because owners (especially people who have not kept myrtle before) fertilize too often.

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Imagine: you water the plant correctly, the temperatures are within normal limits, but the myrtle leaves still dry out. What to do in this case? The reason for the wilting of foliage may lie in incorrectly selected fertilizers. Fact: much more often myrtle suffers from an excess of minerals than from a lack of them, because owners (especially people who have not kept myrtle before) fertilize too often.

The situation is especially dangerous when nitrogenous minerals accumulate in the soil. In small quantities they will benefit the plant, but if you apply nitrogen fertilizers in excessively large quantities, they will simply burn the roots of the plant. This, in turn, affects the color and density of the foliage.

What does myrtle look like, what family does it belong to?

The genus Myrtle includes several dozen different species. They grow in tropical and subtropical climates. The homeland of this plant is the Mediterranean. There, myrtle is grown in open ground. It is used in single plantings and landscape compositions are made with it. Some myrtle species can be used to grow hedges.

Symbol of pure love and prosperity

In colder climates, myrtle is kept indoors or in a greenhouse. Only one species of this plant is suitable for growing at home - common myrtle (Myrtus communis). It is an evergreen shrub from the Myrtaceae family. It is widespread not only in the wild, but also in the group of horticultural crops.

Attention! Myrtle communis (common) also goes by the names Myrtus italica and Myrtus mucronata. The marsh myrtle (hamedafne, cassandra), which belongs to a different family, should not be confused with this flower.

African myrtle is often called the myrsine Africana tree. Outwardly, it is very similar to Myrtus communis, but these are two completely different plants.

The common myrtle should also not be confused with the Chilean myrtle (Luma apiculata) - pointed luma. This plant also belongs to the Myrtaceae family, but has no relation to the indoor Myrtus communis.

Boethics

The description and characteristics of this plant contain many details. It is a low tree. Indoor myrtle is a bonsai, that is, a miniature copy of a tall tropical plant. In the natural environment, the height of trees reaches 3 - 5 meters. At home, the bush grows up to 60–100 cm, occasionally up to 2 meters.

On a thin trunk there is a spreading crown of small shiny emerald green leaves. Each leaf is oval in shape and slightly pointed at the end. Myrtle leaves contain aromatic essential oils from which incense is made.

The crown of myrtle is covered with small flowers, the diameter of which is about 2 cm. Each flower consists of 5 white rounded petals. Sometimes you can see light myrtle flowers with a cream, pink or reddish tint. The flowers have a fluffy appearance thanks to long fibers growing from their core.

After the end of the flowering period, the tree bears fruits the size of a pea. Ripe berries have a dark blue or dark green color. They contain seeds with which the tree can be propagated.

Traditions associated with wood

The myrtle tree symbolizes spiritual purity, eternal love, and fidelity. Many wedding rituals are associated with it. Brides wove myrtle flowers into their hair, attached them to their dresses and veils, and collected bouquets from them.

For reference! Blooming myrtle was an excellent wedding gift: it was given to the bride and groom with wishes of love, harmony, and prosperity.

In Antiquity, myrtle was an attribute of the goddess of love Aphrodite (Venus). Catholics consider this flower a symbol of the Virgin Mary. In Victorian England, myrtle wreaths and bouquets were used at the weddings of members of the royal family. Many peoples had the custom of planting myrtle after the birth of a daughter and growing it until her wedding. This plant is kept at home as a talisman.

Formation of myrtle

Without trimming, the crown grows loose and sparse. And regular pruning makes indoor myrtle even more attractive. Dwarf forms make beautiful bonsai.

It must be borne in mind that buds appear on young shoots. Therefore, in order for myrtus to bloom, you should not cut off the branches of the current year. The haircut is carried out at the end of flowering.

There are several ways to form a crown.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with Hangars types

Standard

When the trunk reaches the desired height, the lower branches are removed. The upper branches are carefully trimmed to achieve the desired shape.

Round

This option is convenient if the seedling for some reason has lost the crown and has 2 central branches. The branches are directed along a round support in different directions and secured with twine. The side branches are shortened, which promotes branching.

The formation of a myrtle tree occurs constantly. Trimming the ends of shoots can be carried out several times during the spring-summer season. You can grow the myrtle tree in a completely free style, as a shaggy bush. You can form a standard or another style. But first you need to imagine the image you want to strive for.

The myrtle tree blooming with pink buds (on the right in the photo, Pavel Karpenkov) is so beautiful not because it is extremely unpretentious, but because it is grown in ideal conditions for it: it stands in an area where the illumination is close to solar, humidity is under 90% and the temperature is 24 °C. Watered once every 2-3 days (does not dry out or flood).

Important: when wintering in cool and, even more so, cold conditions, spraying is not required, and watering is scanty.

Using wire, you can pull the branches in the desired direction; they are quite flexible even in adulthood. But old branches covered with brown bark can be bent gradually, smoothly, over several months.

Please note that while the myrtle tree is gaining trunk thickness, it does not need to be planted in a bonsai pot; the space of the pot is needed so that the plant can disperse the trunk.

From personal experience, Borya: My myrtle grows on a north-west window, but it will not be possible to form a spherical crown without additional lighting. I use this technique: as the branches lengthen, I tilt the largest of them to the sides almost to a horizontal position and secure them with wire. Then, along the entire length of the branch, new shoots begin to appear from the dormant buds (before that they were in the shade), and the entire branch becomes densely leafy.

The size of the pot should correspond to the size of the root system and increase as the earthen ball becomes entwined. It all depends on how many myrtle roots there are. In my opinion, it is better to take a cramped container than a spacious one, since in the second case, part of the soil may sour and become unusable even before the roots have time to penetrate into it.

I prefer to plant myrtles in a mixture of some peat soil with coarse sand, in a 1:1 ratio. Of the purchased ones, in my opinion, you can use the 'Cactus' mixture, as it is the most porous and suitable for most plants.

From personal experience, Borya: You need to choose the largest, central, and, most importantly, branch of the bush that appeals to you and cut off all the rest. This can be done conveniently using small nail scissors. It is necessary to remove leaves and side shoots from below to the height of the intended trunk. This will result in an even trunk that will slowly grow thicker.

Since when growing in a 'bush' the branches touch and, as it were, slightly 'prop up' each other, then, 'left alone', this branch may for some reason become bent (from accidentally touching, or as a result of tilting towards the light, for example ). Therefore, it is desirable for it to have support in the form of a peg stuck nearby.

As a result, shoots begin to grow on the upper leafy part. Those shoots that appear not on the “crown”, but on the stem, must be removed (otherwise you will again end up with a bush). Once the stem reaches a thickness of about 0.5 cm, the support can be removed.

Bamboo skewers (3-4 mm thick and about 30 cm long) are very suitable for the role of sticks for supports. The peg should be located, in relation to the plant, on the side of the room or to the side so as not to obscure it.

Pests and how to deal with them

It happens that despite the excellent care of myrtle at home, the leaves dry out and the flowers and branches fall off. This is often associated with the appearance of insect pests.

Aphid

The small insect sticks to the back of the leaf and drinks the juices from the plant. This pest can also be seen on petioles and large branches. Aphids are able to mimic and take on the color of the plant on which they live. Most often, aphids are green, gray or black. It multiplies at incredible speed and quickly destroys the tree.

Spider mite

Leaves covered with small sticky cobwebs are affected by the pest. Spider mites are too small to be seen with the naked eye, but the effects of their activities are very noticeable. It multiplies quickly and can infect neighboring plants.

Shchitovka

The greatest threat to the health of myrtle is the scale insect. This parasite is dangerous because it is difficult to get rid of. He will quickly take away all the nutritious juices of the myrtle. If a white or colorless sticky coating appears on the leaves, then this is a sign of scale infestation.

Shchitovka

Mealybug

A whitish coating on leaves, petioles, and shoots is a characteristic sign of the appearance of a mealybug. The plant becomes dull, turns pale and dries out. First it sheds its leaves, and then dies entirely.

Whitefly

A pest such as whitefly actively drinks tree sap. It looks like a very small white moth and is capable of multiplying rapidly. Getting rid of the pest is not easy; you will have to do 4 insecticide treatments.

Why are pests and parasites dangerous?

All pests suck the juices from the plant. Because of this, the myrtle withers and dries up.

Attention! Parasites, as a rule, multiply very quickly and form huge colonies that can spread to neighboring flowers and trees

How to deal with them

Saving a plant from pests is quite difficult. First, you need to rinse the myrtle in the shower so that the stream of water washes away the insects. The largest ones can be removed by hand. The myrtle is then treated with insecticides. The drug "Aktara" helps against aphids and mealybugs.

Most insecticides do not affect scale insects and whiteflies, so pests must be removed manually. Then the myrtle is washed with soapy water and then treated with Actellik.

Mealybug

Maintaining good maintenance conditions will protect the tree from pests. Spider mites do not tolerate moist air, so myrtle is regularly sprayed with water and a cup of liquid is placed next to it. Water the tree only with settled water.

If the myrtle dries out and drops its leaves, every gardener should know what to do in this case. If there is not enough information, you can always read specialized literature on this topic or ask more experienced experts. Even if the myrtle has dried up, it can be revived, and then it will delight the owner for a long time with its flowering and beneficial properties.

Pests and how to deal with them

It happens that due to the activity of harmful organisms, the myrtle has dried out. How to revive a plant? Study the table below. It contains information about what enemies the bush has, how they manifest themselves and what to do to get rid of them.

The pest control tips above will help if your myrtle is dry. How to revive a plant as soon as possible if it has been attacked by insects? It will not be possible to do this quickly, because it is necessary to process the bush several times with breaks between procedures. Be patient and you will be able to restore the beauty of myrtle.

Pests

It happens that the care is correct, the temperature and humidity are normal, but the plant suffers. What to do if the myrtle has dried up or dropped all its leaves? in the dense crown of a home plant .

Myrtle of any kind, both Communis and Myrtle vulgaris, are affected by the same insect pests that harm other indoor plants. These are aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, thrips, whiteflies and spider mites.

Aphids settle in colonies on the undersides of leaves and feed on their sap, causing the leaves to curl and dry out. You can get rid of aphids by spraying the plants with a special insecticide (for example, Aktara). Before spraying, remove insects from the leaves by washing the flower in the shower with the crown down.

Scale insects, like aphids, suck sap from plants. Characteristic signs of scale insect infection are the appearance of a sticky coating on the leaves and shoots. If you find scale insects on a flower, you need to remove them with a cloth or soft toothbrush dipped in a soap solution, and then treat the plant with an insecticide (Actellik is recommended).

The mealybug is clearly visible on plants; it can be identified by the white fluffy coating on the leaves and branches. Detected pests must be removed, and the plant itself must be watered with Aktara.

Thrips are a small insect, the presence of which can be determined by light spots on the upper side of the leaves and dark spots on the back. Thrips harm not only the leaves, but also the buds, so if you want myrtle to delight you with abundant flowering, you need to get rid of thrips as soon as possible. The popular method is to water the plant with an infusion of garlic or tobacco dust, but a more effective method is to treat it with Actellik.

General Tips

Once myrtle has died, it can be difficult to revive. Therefore, we will give general recommendations for caring for the plant. If you follow them, you can avoid drying of the leaves.

Firstly, settled water should be used for irrigation. It has a gentle effect on the root system and does not harm it. But tap water should not be used under any circumstances, as the substances it contains can spoil the bush. The top of the soil should be slightly damp at all times. Therefore, in summer, myrtle is watered daily, and in winter - several times a week. In dry weather, it is recommended to spray the plant. But this can only be done in spring, summer and autumn.

The shrub should be kept in diffused light, but it should be plentiful. It is best to place the pot on a windowsill on the west or east side. If the windows face south, then the myrtle needs to be shaded.

For growing this crop, soil intended for azaleas and citrus fruits is suitable. But even when keeping myrtle in the best substrate, you need to fertilize regularly. Feeding during the growing season is carried out once a week. In winter, the plant does not need this procedure.

Features of caring for myrtle at home

Myrtle is a houseplant, caring for which is not too difficult, but will require attention and a responsible attitude. It is necessary to create suitable conditions of detention. A florist must know how to care for myrtle, how often to water, feed, prune, and replant.

Bonsai

Temperature

It is necessary to firmly know in what climate the myrtle grows: care at home consists of maintaining a favorable temperature regime. In summer, the plant feels great at +23 °C.

In winter, the temperature in the room should not fall below +10 °C.

Lighting

The light-loving myrtle needs abundant diffused lighting, so you need to choose a sunny, but slightly shaded place for it. Direct sunlight can burn its crown and petals.

Ideal for growing indoors

A tree in a tub can be placed on a terrace, balcony, veranda. It is advisable to choose windows facing east or west.

• The south window must be covered with curtains or blinds; this is not the best place for indoor flowers.
• On the north window, the flower will be saved from the summer heat, but in winter it will not have enough light.
• If during the autumn and winter months the myrtle suffers from a lack of light, a lamp should be placed next to it.

Advice! For winter, myrtle can be placed in the kitchen: the temperature and humidity there are higher than in other rooms.

Watering

The tropical flower does not tolerate drought, so it must be watered regularly and abundantly. The soil should not be allowed to dry out. But it’s also worth overwatering the plant, because its roots can rot.

In summer, myrtle is watered daily, and in winter - 1-2 times a week. The water must be left to stand for 24 hours.

Spraying

Myrtle is a plant accustomed to a humid subtropical climate. Therefore, it needs to be sprayed with settled water from a spray bottle every day.

In extreme heat, the plant is sprayed 2-3 times a day. In winter, this needs to be done much less often.

Humidity

There are several ways to help increase air humidity for myrtle. You need to place several bowls of water next to it. You can also place a pot of myrtle on a tray containing wet expanded clay or gravel.

When forming a bush, the crown can be given any shape

Priming

To grow myrtle, you need good soil. It is prepared from several components:

• humus - 20%;
• peat - 30%;
• turf - 30%;
• sand - 20%.

All components are mixed and poured with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Greenhouse soil may also be suitable for cultivation. Drainage must be placed at the bottom of the pot - perlite, expanded clay, vermiculite.

Feeding

During the period from March to October, you need to feed myrtle once every 1–2 weeks. In winter, fertilizing is carried out once a month. For this purpose, both organic and complex mineral fertilizers are used.

Potassium-phosphorus preparations stimulate the flowering of the tree, and nitrogen preparations maintain the small size of the plant.

The tree can be propagated by cuttings or seeds

Care instructions

If you decide to place this amazing creation of nature at home, thoroughly study all the intricacies of growing and caring for it, so as not to be completely disappointed from wasted efforts. Indoor myrtle is very sensitive to conditions and reacts immediately to careless handling. Remember that when growing myrtle, it is much easier to strictly follow all the care steps (and they are not that difficult) than to deal with the restoration of a diseased plant.

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Systematically carefully inspect the tree, observe the condition of its leaves, and monitor the atmosphere in the room. The optimal humidity for myrtle is about 70%. At home, you can prevent the air from drying out during the heating season by placing containers of water on the heating radiators, or by using a special device for humidifying the air. The room temperature must be maintained within 18–22 degrees above zero. Myrtle loves bright, diffused light without direct sunlight, but there are periods when cloudy weather sets in for a long time and a series of prolonged rains sets in.

To prevent insufficient illumination and its consequences, hang a regular household fluorescent lamp (20 W or higher) low above the flower.

This capricious flower is demanding of watering and dries out very quickly - just one drying out of the earthen clod is enough, so the soil should always be moist, but not waterlogged. You need to water and spray the flower every day only with settled water. In winter, when the activity of metabolic processes in the plant decreases and a dormant period begins, the flower should be placed in a cool place (about 8–10 degrees), reduce watering and stop feeding.

If pests are detected, immediately begin complex treatment with insecticides in strict accordance with the recommendations. By following these simple rules, you will avoid many problems with growing an indoor myrtle tree.

Beneficial features

The myrtle plant is a rich storehouse of medicinal properties. It is able to purify the air, increase immunity, improve mood, and soften cough. Its antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties are widely known and are actively used in medicine. Its components are used to make tinctures used in the treatment of many diseases (including some heart, liver and kidney diseases, diabetes, sinusitis and even some types of cancer).

Myrtle sheds its leaves. What to do?

Myrtle trees are found in the wild in the Mediterranean, on the Florida Peninsula, with a dry and seasonally humid subtropical climate typical for these regions. The summer months are warm and dry, with occasional thunderstorms, but winter accounts for almost all of the year's precipitation. Temperatures in the winter months rarely drop below zero, and winters are mild and humid.

If your evergreen plant suddenly begins to lose leaves, you need to understand the reason for what is happening.

In an apartment it is very difficult to recreate the natural conditions for the normal development of myrtle. The plant needs a sufficient amount of sunlight, because there is a lot of sun in the Mediterranean regions. At the same time, myrtle bushes grow under the canopy of evergreen trees, where sunlight is scattered by their foliage. Homemade myrtle will grow best on eastern and western windows; at midday, the pots with the plant should be shaded from direct sunlight.

Myrtle trees do not tolerate heat well; they will grow better in a cool room; in summer the temperature should not exceed 17-20 * C, in the winter months - no higher than 10 * C. This is most often the main difficulty when growing myrtle. In summer, our apartments are usually hot (unless, of course, there is air conditioning), and even more so in winter, hot radiators do not allow the temperature to drop below 20*C.

One of the reasons for leaf fall may be precisely the unsuitable temperature, especially in the winter months. If your apartment has a cool windowsill, place the myrtle tree there.

Dry air can harm myrtle. In summer, the plant responds very well to spraying; you can place the pot on a wide tray with pebbles, pour in a little water, but so that the bottom of the pot does not touch it. This will slightly increase the humidity around the plant. In winter, myrtle does not need to be sprayed.

The myrtle root system cannot withstand even short-term drying out of the soil, so it is important to regulate proper watering. The substrate in the pot should always be slightly damp

If the plant is watered abundantly and often, the roots may rot, which can also cause leaf loss. Therefore, watering is carried out after the top layer of soil has dried a couple of centimeters. At the bottom of the pot there must be a layer of drainage made of expanded clay, broken bricks or shards. After watering, excess water must be drained from the pan.

What to do when leaves fall

First of all, check the plant for pests. Myrtle is very problematic in this regard; all imaginable and inconceivable “animals” love it. It can lose foliage when attacked by spider mites, thrips, mealybugs, and scale insects.

Healthy myrtle roots are usually white, but if there was a lot of peat in the soil, they may turn a little yellow. There should be no soft, brown rotten roots. They need to be trimmed back to healthy tissue. It is advisable to rinse the plant in the shower and dip the roots in a weak pink solution of potassium permanganate for half an hour. Then powder all the cuts with crushed coal.

Replant only in fresh soil; the pot must match the size of the root system; do not take a large one, so that the soil does not turn sour when watering. You can take a universal soil mixture; a substrate for palm trees or ficuses is also suitable; the alkaline reaction should be neutral or slightly acidic (pH 5.0 - 6.0).

Myrtle sheds its leaves when there is a sharp change in temperature or when there is a draft.

Transplanting into a pot

The plant is considered quite capricious, intolerant of stress, moving, and temperature changes. To prevent the tree from dying when living conditions change, you must follow four rules for caring for myrtle:

1. Do not replant immediately after purchase. It is necessary to wait until the plant adapts. Rapid replanting often causes the leaves to begin to fall and the myrtle to die;
2. Increase humidity. If the tree looks weak, the leaves are limp, some of the stems are bare, you can cover it with a transparent plastic bag, creating a greenhouse effect. The bag is removed for a short period of time every day. In greenhouse conditions, myrtle can be stored for up to 1 month;
3. Keep in partial shade. During the adaptation period, myrtle is placed in partial shade, protected from direct sunlight;
4. Avoid drafts. Even an adult healthy bush reacts negatively to drafts; in the case of a newly acquired young plant, this is unacceptable.

Important! It is better not to touch the myrtle for two weeks after purchase. Indications for replanting: a small vessel, poor condition of the tree or poor soil composition

In other cases, it is better to postpone transplantation until spring.

Until the age of three, myrtle is replanted annually, each time slightly increasing the volume of the flower container. Adults require only one transplant every 3-4 years.

Peculiarities:

1. The soil should be loose, light, moderately nutritious. A universal flower soil mixture with the addition of chopped peat and coarse sand is suitable;
2. The size of the pot is chosen to be slightly larger than the root system, the shape is similar to the previous container in terms of the ratio of width and height. Check that there are visible drainage holes at the bottom;
3. For drainage, it is necessary to prepare small pebbles, brick or ceramic chips.

Optimal place

During the post-transplantation period, myrtle should be placed in a relatively shaded and cool place. However, when the plant has already adapted, it can be moved to a permanent location, the choice of which should be approached taking into account the following recommendations:

1. The myrtle tree loves well-lit surfaces, but does not tolerate heat well, so it is desirable that diffused sunlight falls on it.
2. The plant does not like sudden changes in habitat; it needs to be moved gradually.
3. The southwestern and southeastern sides of a house or apartment are optimal places for a tree to live, since in the north the resting period of the plant lengthens, its growth is inhibited, and flowering may not occur.

Boarding procedure

The step-by-step procedure for planting myrtle includes the following steps:

Prepare everything you need: soil, pot, drainage, after sterilizing them; Let the soil dry out. Before transplanting, the plant should be slightly dehydrated. This way you can easily remove it from its previous container; Create a drainage layer in the new pot, it should be a third of the volume, fill half of the pot with soil; Cleansing an earthen clod with roots

It is convenient to carefully straighten the roots with a wooden stick. Cleaning is carried out only around the edges;

Transplanting myrtle

Root treatment

If there are dry or rotten roots, they are removed by treating the cuts with coal dust and “Kornevin”; Carefully place the bush in the middle of the pot with soil, sprinkle the roots, gently pressing with your fingers

Important! The trunk should not be covered with soil - this can lead to rotting. Tags: home, myrtle, reproduction, condition

Tags: home, myrtle, reproduction, condition

Myrtle flower - home care

It is important to know how to care for myrtle so that it pleases with its flowering and does not react to bad conditions by dropping its leaves. He loves climates with high humidity, but is not afraid of drafts. When caring for exotic myrtle at home, it is necessary to ensure that some important maintenance conditions are met. Among them are maintaining the desired temperature level and correct placement:

1. The bush loves diffused bright light and plenty of fresh air.
2. In summer, it is recommended to keep the flower at a temperature of +22-24°C, take the container to the balcony and ventilate it. In winter, the temperature is allowed to be reduced - at + 15-18 ° C the plant successfully overwinters.
3. It is recommended to place myrtle on southern windowsills, shading it from direct sunlight - there it will bloom more profusely.

How to water myrtle?

When caring for myrtle, it is important to provide it with regular watering, because the plant comes from the tropics and prefers high humidity. In addition, the flower needs regular spraying. Moisten and irrigate the bush with soft, settled water. When asked how often to water myrtle, experienced gardeners advise doing it twice a week generously in the summer, and reducing watering to once in the winter.

In this case, you don’t have to wait for the top layer of soil in the vessel to dry out; the main thing is to drain the excess water from the pan half an hour after the procedure. The soil should not be allowed to dry out too much, otherwise the plant will begin to lose leaves and may die - there should always be moist soil in the pot. When cleaning, it is very important to ensure that the water in the vessel does not stagnate.

Pruning myrtle

If myrtle grows in your home, caring for it at home involves pruning. They make it possible to radically transform the outline of a plant; it is better to carry them out in the spring no more often than once every 2 years. You can pinch young branches all year round - this way you can increase the density of the bush. But with frequent pinching, the crop begins to bloom less, this must also be taken into account. Myrtle tolerates pruning well; you can shape its crown at your discretion. The main condition is not to expose the trunk too much. Myrtle - possible pruning and crown formation:

1. If myrtle is not pruned, it will eventually take on a pyramidal shape.
2. If you trim the top of the tree, you will end up with a squat, thick cushion.
3. If you cut off the sides of a bush, it will acquire a high crown on the trunk.

Transplanting myrtle after purchase

A couple of weeks after the tree appears in the house, it is better to replant it. It is better to do this from January to early November - this period is the most painless for myrtle. When replanting, it is better to treat the roots of the tree with some kind of biostimulator of growth - this will improve their survival rate. First, it is better to move the bush into a pot of the same diameter in which it was purchased, filled with fertile substrate. This will make it easier for the plant to fill the fresh soil with the root ball. After relocation, the flower must be watered well until water flows out of the drainage holes.

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With further care, transplanting myrtle at home is required when it becomes crowded in the vessel and the roots are visible through the lower holes. Often, young trees are replanted in the spring every year before flowering, adults - once every 3-4 years. During the procedure, it is better to use the transshipment method - it least traumatizes the underground part of the crop. It is important to ensure that the root collar on the trunk remains on the surface of the ground. Its deepening can lead to various diseases and rot damage to the roots.

Myrtle - what kind of pot do you need?

It is important to know that myrtle does not like large pots - the main thing is that its root system fits into the container exactly. Planting it directly into a large container would be a mistake. The size of the container is calculated as follows: its volume should be half the volume of the plant crown. For example, if the tree is 3 years old, then a pot for such a myrtle measuring 12 cm in diameter will be just right. Later, when replanting, choose a container a couple of centimeters wider than the previous one.

Soil for myrtle

The soil for myrtle should be close to natural. The culture is not capricious, so any well-drained substrate will suit it. It can be prepared from turf, peat soil, humus and sand (river or sifted), taken in equal parts. It is allowed to use ready-made store-bought mixtures or greenhouse soil. It is useful to add charcoal and organic compost to the soil. A good layer of drainage must be placed at the bottom of the vessel.

Why doesn't myrtle bloom?

Exotic myrtle, which is cared for at home according to the rules, blooms beautifully - the entire tree is abundantly covered with small white flowers. But such a sight is not always pleasing to the eye, and there are several reasons for this. Why myrtle does not bloom - what to do:

1. Myrtle loves bright light. Placed on a south-facing window sill and shaded by a curtain, it delights with wonderful flowers. If you place it on any other side, the bush may not bloom at all.
2. The flower needs fresh air. In the warm season, for it to bloom, it is better to keep it on the balcony, open veranda, or in the garden.
3. Exotics need a humid microclimate to bloom. It is provided by systematic watering and spraying with soft water. It is important to create good drainage in the pot and ensure that water does not accumulate in the tray, otherwise root rot may occur.
4. If you want to admire the blooming myrtle, then it is better to postpone its pruning to the month of August.
5. Flowering directly depends on feeding - fertilizers should contain a high concentration of phosphorus and a minimum of nitrogen.

How to feed myrtle at home?

From March to August, the flower is fertilized every week. Depending on what kind of tree you want to get, fertilizing for myrtle is also selected. If you like a green miniature plant, then the bush is fertilized with a nitrogen preparation. Complex liquid formulations for decorative foliage crops are suitable for this purpose. If you want to see the plant bloom, then you need fertilizing in the form of a composition for flowering specimens with a high level of phosphorus.

Types and varieties of myrtle with photos and names

Common myrtle (Myrtus communis)

This species is most often grown as an indoor plant. It has a small branching trunk. Its bark is covered with layered reddish-brown scales. The oval-lanceolate foliage is colored green. It has a glossy sheen and a leathery surface. The foliage exudes a pleasant scent.

The flowers of this species have prominent stamens and are white or light pink in color. Later, dark red berries form in their place. The flowering period lasts almost the entire summer. The Tarentina variety is popular. This is a more compact plant that produces more berries than the original variety. At the same time, their size is smaller. There is also a variegated form, the leaves of which have a light border along the edges.

Lush myrtle (Myrtus apiculata)

This species may appear as a tree or shrub with flaky brown bark. The trunk under the bark scales is painted in light colors. The foliage has a rich green color and a matte surface. Single flowers are painted white. They appear in the second half of summer. The dark berries that form in their place are considered edible.

Myrtus chequen

It is a tree with shiny green foliage. The edges of each plate are slightly wrinkled. This species is considered the most persistent of all.

Ralph's myrtle (Myrtus ralfii)

The species forms a bush with a straight trunk. It has pinkish flowers that turn into red berries. They can be eaten. There is a variegated form of this species. Its foliage has a cream border around the edges.

Myrtle tree: propagation

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

Seed method

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

1. The seedling box is filled with a mixture of leaf soil and sand.
2. Seeds are distributed over the surface of the substrate and sprinkled with sand.
3. The container is covered with a film, which is periodically removed to ventilate and moisten the soil.
4. After emergence of shoots, the film is removed.
5. Seedlings are planted in separate pots after the formation of 2 true leaves.

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