Myrtle tree

Myrtle tree is a house plant, possessing gentle dark leaves with a specific smell and small fragrant white flowers. The plant has a very long history, and today there are 16 of its species. One species can be found in the Azores, North Africa, Europe, Asia, the rest - in Florida and the West Indies. In some countries of Europe the myrtle is grown in open soil, in countries located in northern and temperate latitudes - as a greenhouse or houseplant.

The history of the myrtle tree is very interesting and full of secrets. The plant was known even in ancient Egypt. He also dealt with Jews, Romans and Greeks. There are many legends about myrtle: it was believed that he gave the travelers strength and vigor, so people who went on a long journey, took with them a myrtle branch in order to facilitate the journey. In Ancient Greece myrtle is a symbol of honor and power, and in Rome - a tribute to the goddess of beauty, which grows in all her temples. Until recently, in the Baltic countries, every girl grew a myrtle tree at home and on the day of marriage she put a myrtle wreath on her head, using flowers of a plant in a wedding bouquet.

It is interesting that the myrtle tree has a number of healing properties. Its leaves and fruits contain essential oil, which has a harmful effect on the microbes that cause disease and infection. The aroma of flowers of myrtle lifts the mood, improves the air in the house. Decoctions of leaves have antibacterial effect, and therefore are used to treat diseases of the stomach, liver, lungs. Essential oil is also widely used in perfumery and culinary business.

Myrtle tree: caring for the plant

Since myrtle - a plant very photophilous, it should be kept in a bright place. In this case, the "gratitude" of the plant for this will be abundant flowering. Nevertheless, in the summer you need to shade the tree a little, keeping it not in full, but in a partial shadow to preserve the dark green of the leaves.

In winter, the myrrh tree should be kept at a temperature of 8 to 10 degrees Celsius. If the temperature is higher, the plant may lose its foliage. It's not scary, because in the spring it again turns green. In order for your tree to be strong and bushy, it is better to keep it in the open air in the summer, in a place protected from rain and wind.

Watering should be carried out regularly. Do not allow liquid to accumulate in the pan, so make sure that watering is not too abundant. In winter, you need to water the plant more carefully, in order to protect the earth from drying out. Sprinkle myrtle tree followed by soft standing water.

As for the humidity of the air, in the spring and summer the myrtle must be constantly sprayed, while avoiding drops on the flowers. Again, the water must be filtered or suspended, otherwise the appearance of white spots on the sheets can not be avoided. To increase the humidity around the myrtle, you can put the pot on a pallet with a moist gravel.

During the active growth of the tree, top dressing is carried out with complex mineral and organic fertilizers once every ten days. As a rule, this is done from April to September. In winter myrtle tree does not need fertilizing.

Since the age of five, the tree needs to be transplanted annually. Myrtle is also very well pruned and pruned. So, you can give the plant the shape of a ball, a pyramid or a cylinder.

Propagated by seeds or apical cuttings in summer and spring.

Very often the problem for owners of myrtle pests are the spider mites and scutes. The reason for their appearance and reproduction is dry air and high air temperature. In such cases, the decorative qualities of the myrtle deteriorate sharply. It is important to regularly check the plant for pests. From the found pests can be got rid by processing the plants with solutions of "Actellika", "Carbophos", "Decis".