Euphorbia milii is a member of the Euphorbia ceae family. It comes from the highlands of Madagascar, where it grows as a shrub up to two meters high. Its shoots are thick, bent and densely covered with thorns, which is why Madagascar people treat it as a hedge plant (it is easy to guess that such a hedge is impossible to cross). The spotted euphorbia is also called the crown of thorns (German Christusdorn, English Christ Torn, Spanish Corona de Christo), although in the time of Christ this plant was not yet known in the Mediterranean region, and the biblical crown of thorns was probably made of Paliurus spina-christi, a shrub belonging to the buckthorn family.
The spotted euphoria was introduced to cultivation in 1821. Its main decoration is flowering on quite long stalks (8 cm), which turn red in the species and most of its varieties (thanks to the efforts of breeders, we can also find pink, yellow, orange and white). The following varieties are very popular: 'Marathon' - with large white flowers, 'Vulcanus' - with large dark red flowers and 'Mini' - a low variety with variable colors (from pink, orange to red). It is worth noting that florists and garden centers offer beautifully blooming spurge specimens all year round. Commercially available plants are mainly imported from the Netherlands and Denmark and are 15-20 cm high and wide.
Position and temperature. The euphorbia moth is perfect for decorating well-lit and dry rooms. It can be displayed on the windowsill on the south side, it is suitable for room temperature (also in winter).If it starts to fall off its leaves in winter, it is a sign that it has been placed in a place that is too cool or that it is being watered too much (or both have occurred at the same time). Spurgeons (especially larger specimens) can be exposed in summer to balconies, terraces or even in the garden, but you should always find them a quiet place and remember that too low air temperature and high cloudiness may inhibit flowering.
Watering and fertilizing. Euphorbia moth should be watered with moderately settled water. Excess water in the substrate causes the leaves to blacken and fall, while the occasional drying of the soil will not hurt the plants. From spring to autumn, spurgeons are fertilized every two weeks with a multi-component liquid fertilizer for flowering plants, and a nutrient solution for cacti is also good.
Transplanting and trimming. Young plants are transplanted every two years, and the older ones every few years to a sandy-humus substrate or a special substrate for cacti, to which a little clay should be added.In order for the plant to have a nice shape, it can be pruned regardless of the season. Note that the milk juice that is released when the spurgeon is cut or damaged is poisonous, therefore all maintenance work must be carried out carefully.
Propagation
The Lupine Moth can be easily reproduced at home. The 5 cm apex of the shoot is best suited for this purpose. To accelerate the leakage of the milk juice, the lower end is dipped in warm water. The seedlings can be left to dry for a day and then placed in a small pot filled with a mixture of sand and peat (or in a peat substrate). After 3-4 weeks, the cuttings should take root.
