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African Milk Tree cactus(Euphorbia trigona ) is a grandiloquent , broken , promiscuous - care plant with irritant .
The African Milk River tree diagram ( Euphorbia trigona ) is native to Central Africa . It is often grow as a hedge due to its speedy and enthusiastic growth .
African Milk Tree – potted in rustic containers | via theBorrowed Nursery
It should come as no surprise that many people believe of it as an African cactus .
Quick African Milk Tree Care Guide
This thorny succulent hail from West Africa , growing wild in obtuse , thorny thickets .
In its natural habitat , the African Cactus Milk Tree ( aka Abyssinian Euphorbia ) has a multifariousness of landscaping and horticulture US .
In the United States and other areas , it isgrown as an indoor plantand used as an attractive addition to cactus and succulent gardens in warm areas .
African Milk Tree – potted in rustic containers | via theBorrowed Nursery
While the lush African milk Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree may be grown successfully in USDA hardiness zone 8 and 9 with winter protective covering , it flourishes best in USDA hardiness zone 10 through 12 .
In this article , we will talk about the characteristics , care , and uses of this interesting plant . understand on to discover more .
Why Isn’t Euphorbia Trigona A Cactus?
The African Milk Tree is considered a lush plant even though they have leaves . Cacti ( with the exception ofChristmas and Easter Cactus ) do not grow leave-taking .
The leaves of the African Milk cactus are minuscule and short - lived .
They grow along the ridge that make up the corner of the plant ’s rectangular stems . Thorns also emerge from these rooftree .
The thorns grow in lot of two , and single leaves emerge from between them .
When grown outdoors , the flora may grow little livid or yellow bloom . Indoors , it is unconvincing to bloom .
Why Is The Trigona Called A “Milk Tree”?
The African Milk Tree works is amember of the genus Euphorbia , part of the kinsperson Euphorbaceae . All of these plants ooze out a poisonous white sap when cut or dampen .
For this reason , it ’s a good mind to keep them out of the reach of tyke and pets and to keep your skin and eyes well - protected when pruning , repotting , or otherwise treat the euphorbia cactus .
The tomfool can cause serious pelt and heart botheration on contact , as well as severe stomachic distraint if ingested . [ source ]
This plant caution also hold up true for the red variety Euphorbia Trigona Rubra or “ Royal Red . ”
Is The African Milk Tree Really A Tree?
Thesebig succulents out of doors are tree - like . They can rise as gamy as 9 feet and grow in a characteristic “ candelabra ” form , giving them the appearance of a tree .
It may also explain some of the plant‘s rough-cut names :
you’re able to verify the plant ’s growth fairly by cutting or breaking off stems , which you’re able to plant in their own wad , using a Light Within , sandlike dirt to mature more “ tree diagram ” to partake with friends .
How To Propagate Euphorbia Trigona
Propagation of this intrepid succulent could n’t be easier . Visually go over your Euphorbia trigona before you set out and decide which new root or sections you require to reduce .
Be certain to put on rubber baseball mitt and protect your eyes with goggles , then break or edit section of the parent plant . section used for rooting should be about three or four inches in length .
Don’t Try This At Home!
In this video , an intrepid gardener demo a very venturous way to take cuttings !
Although he experience no bad luck , you may see that he puts himself in corking risk of take in sap trickle from a very grandiloquent and vigorous plant onto his bare cutis and into his eyes !
Making Euphorbia Candelabra Cactus Cuttings
fortuitously , this operation turned out alright , but it ’s light to see that these industrial plant produce copious measure of potentially grave sap .
When you take press clipping , be sure to have a dampish cloth on hand to wipe up weeping sap . wear out baseball glove , goggles , and foresighted sleeves , and be careful not to let the sap come in contact with your skin or oculus .
Related : Read our clause onCactus Propagation here .
Once you ’ve taken cuttings , lay them on composition towels , newsprint , or some other disposable , absorbent material material .
Allow the sections to dry out out and indurate off for a week in a coolheaded , juiceless place , out of direct sunlight . After your cuttings have harden off , plant them in an airy , sandlike , well - draining potting territory that is not too fertile .
You need n’t worry much about pH point as Euphorbia trigona farm in acid , electroneutral , or alkaline soil .
This drouth - tolerant plant life enjoys a juiceless or desiccate climate and can stand firm clean hot temperature .
If your growing surround experiences red-hot summers , turn up the plant in a spot with collateral sunshine or fond shade to avoid overheating .
This works does n’t need spare humidity , and growing it in a humid climate may have strain , head to fungus or pest infestation .
Water when you plant the cuttings , and keep the ground lightly moist until signs of rooting and growth appear . At this point , you may reduce tearing and begin treating the cutting as an adult works .
Euphorbia Trigona Care
Once make , Euphorbia trigonais an easy - caution industrial plant . It ’s best to leave draw of sunlight and/or hokey light . If you ’ve grown Euphorbia milli ( Crown of Thorns ) , you ’ll do fine .
These works can do very well , likeEuphorbia milli Crown of ThornsandEuphorbia tithymaloides “ Devil ’s backbone,”as houseplants class - round in medium low-cal configurations and normal household temperatures .
By gradually transitioning Euphorbia trigona to more Dominicus , you’re able to love the African Milk River George Walker Bush in the large open air during the spring and summer .
Transition the works step by step so it acclimates to more sun , air movement , and temperature variation . prefer a sheltered orbit that gets filtered sunshine or partial sunshine for potted and container plants .
An field that receives full sun is worthy as long as the summers are not systematically hot . In this instance , redundant watering may be necessitate to cancel the blistering , bright sunshine .
If you survive in a semi - tropical or desert area where temperatures will be unlikely to drop below 50 ° degrees Fahrenheit and never freeze down , plant Euphorbia trigona directly in the earth .
A southern - facing window works well for indoor ontogenesis , as does an outdoor spot that receives partial sun . In this case , choose a fairly shelter placement that receives full Dominicus or part shade .
If you demand to move your Euphorbia trigona outdoors or repot as a container flora , it ’s best to do so in the spring .
Sandy grime or potting mixture formulate specifically for succulent allow for for the best water drain , specially when pumice or perlite is commix in .
Too much water can cause rot . Soggy grime needs to be avoided . If after you irrigate it , there is still piss in the pot or container after half an hour , make certain you pour the excessiveness away .
Place the commode in a fond sphere with sufficient light and a temperature between 65 and 75 F , but out of unmediated sunlight .
you could dress the parent works and take cuttings while making the transfer , just like when do by the – Euphorbia Tirucalli(firestick plant ) . retrieve to wear protective gear to forbid accidental stabbings and sap contact .
Grooming is well-off with Euphorbia trigona . Just break or cut off stems that do n’t seem to fit in . take away any branch that jut out and might break off accidentally as people walk by .
If inadvertent contact with sap does occur , be sure to wash well immediately to avoid irritation . If the sap have in the eyes , it should be flushed out with running water , and a sojourn to the hand brake room would not be overly dramatic .
Water : Because Euphorbia trigona are succulents ( not cacti ) , they do not tolerate concluded drought . But they do n’t like wet soil ! Keep the dirt very lightly moist during the growing time of year ( bound and summer ) .
So you ask – “ How often do you water succulent plants ? ” On trigona , if the top distich of in of soil feels dry , deep watering is in monastic order .
African Milk tree choose a sand - fat , well - draining stain compounding . you’re able to also add two part of pot soil , vermiculite , perlite , or good gravel , to the soil admixture , as well as one part of peat moss .
Just be sure the plant does not resist in pee , as this can lead to rotting root . Make certain your “ corpse pot ” has drain holes .
assay saving the plant by reduce off the infected base . Yellowing or browning of the succulent may also indicate root decompose from overwatering .
Fertilizer : Provide Euphorbia trigona with a light feeding of balanced , piss - solublesucculent fertilizermonthly during the spring and summer . Reduce watering and do not fertilize at all during the cooler months ( fall and winter ) .
Liquid plant food also helps you to operate the dosage of fertilizer . This prevent overfertilizing .
How To Deal With African Milk Tree Diseases and Common Pests
A healthy African Milk River tree is usually not susceptible to pests or disease . However , watch for the cotton - corresponding thread made by mealybugs .
African Milk Tree is relatively audacious and resistant to disease and pest as long as it is well care for . you may also expend a newspaper towel and rubbing alcoholic beverage to slay bugs or spray off the bugs with urine from a garden hosiery .
nullify waterlogging the filth and provide the plant with good sunlight and air circulation . This will go a long way toward preventing problems . Weakened Euphorbia trigona may be susceptible to :
Mealybugs
If you see cotton - similar threads forming on the plant , wipe them off with a paper towel soaked in rubbing intoxicant .
To remove mealybugs , apply insecticidal soap or apply fret alcohol directly to the area of the infestation using a cotton swab .
If you have a monolithic plague , wipe the mealybugs offand spray the flora with a natural insect powder , such as aNeem oil insecticide spray solution .
Plant Scale
Plant Scale bugs : These diminutive insectsare covered by a almost heavy brown shield . This makes it difficult to remove them .
Like the mealy bug , pass over them off firmly with a paper towel soaked in chafe alcohol . If this does n’t work , scrape them off mildly with a tongue leaf blade .
A Neem oil result can be used to ensure they are gone and prevent their return .
Related : More on get under one’s skin disembarrass ofscale on succulents
Fungal Infection Cork Disease
Cork disease is a fungal infection . If you see patches of cork - same material on the base , it is an indication of overwatering and/or grunge that is too fertile .
If you ’ve keep cuttings and have replacement works , it is best to dispose of the diseased industrial plant .
If you are dead arrange on saving it , dress Euphorbia trigona with a very sharp , desexualize knife or shears to completely take out the damage area and dispose of them in the trash ( not the compost heap ) .
Paint the snub areas with a plant life fungicide . Repot the plant into acactus soil mixand keep it in a systematically warm and airy locating .
Reduce lacrimation . You may not be able-bodied to save the Euphorbia cactus , but keep it warm and well - ventilated will give it the skillful chance of endurance .
Rot or Fusarium Wilt
Fusarium wilt and rot are other fungal infectionthat derive from the ground . If your works exhibit soft , cherry patches around the base of the stem , suspect fusarium moulder .
Most of the prison term , it is disastrous , and cast out of the plant , peck , and all is the best resolution . If you keep the container , be sure to sterilize it before using it again .
If you must save the plant , follow the pace outline for phellem disease . [ source ]
Hardy Euphorbia Cactus is Virtually Problem-Free
All in all , caring for African Milk River plants is amazingly easy . get down by choosing a healthy plant ( or cutting ) with no soft spot or signaling of pests .
If you acquire a potted Euphorbia trigona plant , check off to be sure the root system and root ball hold the plant in the pot unwaveringly . Make trusted the flora has not been sitting in piddle .
If you begin with a well - handle - for plant and bear on to provide it with well - draining territory that ’s not too fertile , lots of sunshine , and an airy setting , it should grow well and provide you with luck of healthy press cutting for many year .
