Myrtle. Care of the plant at home

Myrtle (myrtle tree) is an evergreen shrub that has small shiny egg-shaped leaves, blooms with white small flowers, gives edible (tasteless) fruits - dark blue berries. His homeland is the Mediterranean. Information about the world goes back to the distant past. According to legend, the tree was brought by Adam from Paradise, which is why myrtle symbolizes purity and integrity - it is presented as a gift to the bride on the day of the wedding, wishing her a happy marriage.

In the times of Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece myrtle (from Greek "balm") symbolized youth and beauty, even then the healing properties of its essential oil were known. Ancient Greek beauties prepared infusions from myrtle leaves, which were washed face and hands, which helped them keep the skin fresh and clean. The temples of Venus - the goddess of beauty - were surrounded by dense myrtle groves, and now this tree is quite popular, it is grown both as a room culture and in private plots.

As a source of phytoncids, the myrtle destroys pathogenic microbes, which is why, for all its lack of enthusiasm, many want to grow this shrub at home. However, myrtle, care of which is rather laborious and laborious, is found, mainly, in the greenhouses of professional florists. And yet, I so want to grow myrtle, because it's a tree, already from one presence of which 80% of microbes in the room die!

Especially common in indoor floriculture is the myrtle common - an evergreen shrub or a tree growing to a height of one or more meters. His leaves are small, flowers are single (terry or simple) pinkish or white hue.

Myrtle. Home care

• First of all, taking into account the subtropical origin of the bush, the primary condition is to provide increased humidity for the plant. Excluding the winter period, it must be sprayed every day. Watered and sprinkled myrtle, the care of which is rather painstaking, but only with soft water.
• If you take into account the fact that myrtle plant is not indoor (as it was originally), then in the care of it, in the winter and summer time there are significant differences.
• In summer, the flower of myrtle, the care of which reduces, first of all, to the maintenance of the temperature regime, it is necessary to grow at a temperature not exceeding 23 degrees, but not falling below 18 degrees. This plant is photophilous and loves bright lighting, it will not harm even direct sunlight, except for finding myrtle in the sun on a summer sunny afternoon. It must be pritenyat for this time.
• It is highly desirable to keep the plant in summer on the street - it can be taken out on a balcony or in the garden - fresh air is useful for myrtle.
• Watering should be regular, but not abundant.
• Transplant and trim the myrtle care for him provides for in the spring, and transplant the adult plant a year later, and even less - once in 3-4 years, young shrubs are transplanted every year.
• In winter, the rest period, like many other plants, reduces watering, transfers the myrtle to a cool place, preferably at a temperature of about 8 ° C. Usually this temperature happens on insulated glazed loggias and balconies.
• In the case when the leaf falls in the plant in winter, it is a signal that the temperature for myrtle exceeds the comfort for this period. But do not worry too much, with the arrival of spring days, the tree will return to normal, he will have leaves.
• Myrtle, care for which provides for the plant to stand in a rest period in a cool room, faster and more abundantly blossom, unlike other plants that spent the winter in a warm room.
• In order to avoid the appearance of pests (spider mite, scab, aphid), the plant must be sprayed frequently, watered and tended in a timely manner. In the case of pests, the myrtle is sprayed with a soap-tobacco solution or a special insecticide, the leaves are washed.
• Fertilize the myrtle every week, from spring to autumn, a complex liquid fertilizer.
• In order to give a splendor to the plant, it is necessary to trim in the spring, pinch the myrtle, without regretting it, until it acquires a dense crown (at any time of the year, if necessary).

Adhering to simple rules for caring for myrtle, you will grow a wonderful tree that will cleanse your home of harmful microbes and delight with its magnificent and fragrant flowering.