Myrtus

The genus Myrtus includes about 100 species of evergreen trees and small shrubs, which are highly valued for their fragrant opposite leaves on short petioles or sessile. The flowers are white or pink, fragrant, single or in racemes on thin peduncles. Fruits - juicy black berries, on which, like a crown, the calyx of the flower is kept for a long time. The fruits of many species are edible. The most popular type is common myrtle (Myrtus communis), one of the most common elements of the Mediterranean maquis. It has a short and branched trunk, covered with reddish-brown bark peeling off scales. The leaves are glossy oval-lanceolate green, with a pleasant aroma. The flowers are white, with yellow protruding stamens, and bloom from June to August. The fruits are oblong blackish-purple berries. The variety ' Tarentina '(or ' Jenny Reitenbach') is a fairly compact shrub, the berries are smaller than those of the botanical species, but there are more of them. The variety 'Variegated' has leaves with a white-cream pattern. Lush myrtle (M. apiculata) is a shrub or tree with brown bark, from under which a white-cream wood peeks out when peeling. The leaves are opaque ovate-elliptical dark green. The flowers are white solitary, bloom in July-August, and red-black edible berries are formed in their place. M. chequen is the most stable of the myrtles, a tree with glossy green leaves with a wrinkled edge. Ralph's myrtle (M. ralfii) is an erect shrub with pinkish flowers and reddish edible berries. The leaves of the Variegated variety have a white-cream edge.

The genus Myrtus includes about 100 species of evergreen trees and small shrubs, which are highly valued for their fragrant opposite leaves on short petioles or sessile. The flowers are white or pink, fragrant, single or in racemes on thin peduncles. Fruits - juicy black berries, on which, like a crown, the calyx of the flower is kept for a long time. The fruits of many species are edible.

The most popular type is common myrtle (Myrtus communis), one of the most common elements of the Mediterranean maquis. It has a short and branched trunk, covered with reddish-brown bark peeling off scales. The leaves are glossy oval-lanceolate green, with a pleasant aroma. The flowers are white, with yellow protruding stamens, and bloom from June to August. The fruits are oblong blackish-purple berries. The variety ' Tarentina '(or ' Jenny Reitenbach') is a fairly compact shrub, the berries are smaller than those of the botanical species, but there are more of them. The variety 'Variegated' has leaves with a white-cream pattern.

Lush myrtle (M. apiculata) is a shrub or tree with brown bark, from under which a white-cream wood peeks out when peeling. The leaves are opaque ovate-elliptical dark green. The flowers are white solitary, bloom in July-August, and red-black edible berries are formed in their place.

M. chequen is the most stable of the myrtles, a tree with glossy green leaves with a wrinkled edge.

Ralph's myrtle (M. ralfii) is an erect shrub with pinkish flowers and reddish edible berries. The leaves of the Variegated variety have a white-cream edge.

Cultivation

Common myrtle is grown as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens, in hedges. It can be planted in pots or even as a bonsai. In addition, the culture has long been cultivated for the sake of obtaining essential oils, which are contained in the leaves, flowers and other parts of the plant. The fruits and leaves of myrtle are a spice. They are planted in the open ground in April-May in well-drained slightly acidic soil, they also tolerate slightly alkaline ones. It is also recommended to add organic substances, preferably peat (from 70 to 150 l/m2). For growing myrtle, flower boxes or rather large pots are often used; so that the plants can be removed indoors for the winter. The mixture is made up of peat and fertile land (1:1), add 30 g per bucket of soil of mineral fertilizer of prolonged action. In summer, top dressing is carried out once a month, and a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10 g per bucket. At the beginning of spring, dry, damaged and unsightly branches are removed. Hedge plants and those that are given a special shape are pruned, if necessary, even several times a year.

Common myrtle is grown as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens, in hedges. It can be planted in pots or even as a bonsai. In addition, the culture has long been cultivated for the sake of obtaining essential oils, which are contained in the leaves, flowers and other parts of the plant. The fruits and leaves of myrtle are a spice. They are planted in the open ground in April-May in well-drained slightly acidic soil, they also tolerate slightly alkaline ones. It is also recommended to add organic substances, preferably peat (from 70 to 150 l/m2). For growing myrtle, flower boxes or rather large pots are often used; so that the plants can be removed indoors for the winter. The mixture is made up of peat and fertile land (1:1), add 30 g per bucket of soil of mineral fertilizer of prolonged action. In summer, top dressing is carried out once a month, and a complex fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10 g per bucket.

At the beginning of spring, dry, damaged and unsightly branches are removed. Hedge plants and those that are given a special shape are pruned, if necessary, even several times a year.

Location

Myrtles prefer places protected from cold winds in the open sun.

Temperature

These plants are resistant to high air temperature, but do not tolerate temperatures below 5 °C.

Watering

Adult plants are drought tolerant. Water only young plants immediately after planting and potted specimens.

Transplant

Transplanted in March-April, in more spacious than the previous containers. Then it is enough to replace the surface layer of the earth with a new one.

Reproduction

The most common method is cuttings. Semi-woody cuttings of 8-10 cm are cut from non-flowering shoots in June-July and planted in a mixture of peat and sand, kept at a temperature of approximately 16 °C. After the roots are formed, the seedlings are placed in separate pots. Plants that are intended for growing outdoors can be planted in the open ground in about a year.

The most common method is cuttings. Semi-woody cuttings of 8-10 cm are cut from non-flowering shoots in June-July and planted in a mixture of peat and sand, kept at a temperature of approximately 16 °C.

After the roots are formed, the seedlings are placed in separate pots. Plants that are intended for growing outdoors can be planted in the open ground in about a year.

Diseases

Spots on the leaves that significantly weaken the plant are the result of the vital activity of fungi of the genus Pestalotia, and rotting of shoots and roots is a consequence of infection with fungi of the genus Pellicularia. The means of controlling them include treatment with fungicides. Most often, myrtles are affected by aphids and various kinds of worms. In this case, insecticide treatment is carried out. If the pH value (acidity) completely unsuitable, then chlorosis may begin with yellowing of the apical leaves. Perform the treatment with iron chelates, but in general, this phenomenon can be prevented - pay close attention to choosing the soil for planting.

Acquisition

Myrtle can be found in large horticultural centers and specialized nurseries. Choose young, well-formed plants with beautiful foliage.