Myrtle - such an ornamental and surprisingly domestic plant that it is very difficult to imagine it in tropical or subtropical forests.
But myrtle lemon comes from there, in natural conditions, he grows in Australia, America, on the Black Sea coast.
It has long been a tree grown as a houseplant.
Wonderful flowers, the scent of leaves, the ability to easily carry haircuts, the formation of a crown made him a favorite of gardeners: many legends, will accept and beliefs associated with ancient myrtle.
general description
Myrtle lemon called Backhousia citriodora F.Muell, Lemon myrtle. Evergreen tree with fragrant shiny leaves 10 cm long and up to 5 cm wide.
It blooms with white, cream or slightly yellow flowers that bloom at the tips of the branches.
Flowering can not stop all summer. The fruits of the pollinated plant are bright juicy blue berries, which are sometimes used as a spice. If they ripen, they can produce seeds.
How to care at home?
Lemon myrtle does not require special care at home, but there are a number of conditions that must be observed. You need to replant the plant in a tank with a good layer of drainage, filled with a substrate of hardwood humus, sand and peat.
IMPORTANT! Do not damage the tree, root system gently position it in a pot, sprinkle with peat. From spring to autumn, the plant should be maintained with fertilizers, but in winter it should not be done, the myrtle almost does not grow at this time.
Lighting
Lemon myrtle loves the sun, perfectly tolerates direct sunlight therefore, it is recommended to grow it on windows from the south, east, west side. With good lighting, a 3-5 year old plant begins to bloom.
Temperature
In summer, the plant needs temperature. not below 18 degrees. But the myrtle loves coolness, so 20-25 degrees is enough for him.
In winter, it is possible to reduce the temperature even to 10 degrees Celsius, the myrtle normally tolerates such depressions and drafts.
Batteries can damage it. heating or frosty air.
Air humidity
Active growth requires very high moisture, which must be maintained by spraying the leaves.
Watering
Myrtle needs watering almost all year round, in no case Do not allow the soil to dry out. Even during the rest period, which lasts from 1 to 3 months, it is necessary to moisten the soil and leaves periodically.
Bloom
The myrtle blossoms in small flowers collected in inflorescences, which are located in the axils of the leaves.
If the plant does not receive enough light, then flowering you can not wait.
When flowering, even a small draft carries the fragrance around the house, for which the myrtle got its name.
But highlighted in colors phytoncides also destroy germs and pathogens.
Fertilizers
Mirth responds well to almost all dressings, only lime doesn’t like. So you need to fertilize it at least 1 time a week, the best of the options - after 2 irrigation 3.
Growing up
REFERENCE! If your young myrtle has gained strength, you can not worry - they grow remarkably. Fluffy trees can pinch without touching the side layers. Before you start cutting, decide what shape you want to give the tree.
Myrth is very fond of those who grow bonsai, because the myrtle helps to realize any fantasy. So form a low lush pillow or a round air crown, for the year you will achieve a result, the next one will allow you to fix it.
To your attention the lemon myrtle in the photo:
Transfer
Replant the tree as needed. Young trees are best once a year, and adults - once a few years, when the pot becomes small for the roots.
Your attention is a useful video about the transplantation of myrtle including lemon:
Breeding
Myrtle breeds and seeds and cuttings. However, the seeds do not guarantee the preservation of the properties of the variety, so it is best to try to grow myrtle from the cutting.
Cuttings
IMPORTANT! The stalk must be taken from a strong and well-growing plant. Half-refreshed otvodok, preferably grown in the last year, process root and heteroauxin and place in a container filled with your favorite a mixture of myrtle: humus foliage, sod and sand.
The stalk is rooted at an inclination of 45 degrees, covering the ground for three buds. Left to place capacity in a dark place and water myrtle, not allowing the soil to dry out. Myrtle rooted in a month. Then the plant can be transplanted to a permanent place.
Seed breeding
This method is not all successful. Still, you should try it:
- The seeds of lemon myrtle are sown in a peat - sand mixture, cover the seedling with glass and periodically water and air;
- hatch for a very long time - 2 - 3 months. And if they gave sprouts, you did it all;
- seedlings grow together and quickly;
- when they have 2 leaves each, they can be seated.
Diseases and pests
Whitefly, thrips, mites and many other pests of myrtle can, if not destroy, then great harm to your myrtle.
Shchitovka, worm, thrips and aphid You will defeat Aktar, sprinkling once a week for a month.
You can try Actellic, which destroys pests when in contact with him.
Pests can be destroyed by carefully wiping the plant to the last leaf cotton swab or brush dipped in alcohol tincture, tincture of calendula.
Spraying on sunny days will help to easily destroy the spider mite, you only need to carry out this procedure in time, preventing the spread of the tick and the death of foliage.
Leaf fall
In winter, the leaves of the plant may begin to dry out, and then completely fall away. So myrtle was too hot. Do not panic, the plant is not dead. Put it in a bright, but cool place, maintain high humidity, water.
And in the spring the myrtle will come to life, delighting you with young shoots and beautiful foliage.
The leaves turn yellow, withering from the fact that the water stagnated in the ground. Perhaps the roots began to die off. Replant the plant and do not allow waterlogging, drainage can help the plant.
Conclusion
If the above difficulties do not frighten, be sure to find a place for lemon myrtle on your sunny windowsills. You can read about the diversity of myrtle species and varieties here.
And the myrtle, about which many legends and legends are composed, will not only delight you with its beautiful leaves, unique crown and magnificent flowering, but also will help in the fight against colds, stress.
