Euphorbia ingens - about caring for cactus spurge

Euphorbia ingens - about caring for cactus spurge

How often should Euphorbia ingens be watered?

Euphorbia ingens, which comes from southern Africa, copes well with “lean periods”. You should therefore only water the milkweed cactus vigorously every one to two weeks, then remove excess water from the saucer and let the soil dry until the next watering. During hibernation, this type of plant should only be watered once a month.

also read

  • Euphorbia ingens - exotic, beautiful and poisonous
  • Care tips for the genus Euphorbia
  • What to do with the Euphorbia in winter frost?

What should be considered when repotting the cactus milkweed?

Do not use ordinary potting soil as a substrate when repotting, as it often contains high levels of peat and too many nutrients. With special cactus soil, on the other hand, you create the basis for healthy growth to a limited extent.

When and how can a cactus milkweed be cut?

In general, most milkweed species are not necessarily very easy on cutting. With a Euphorbia ingens, however, the pruning may become absolutely necessary over time, as older specimens can show growth of up to 1 m per year under favorable conditions. In this case, it is essential to wear protective gloves so as not to come into contact with the toxic milky sap when cutting. Large interfaces also require generous room ventilation.

Which pests can become a problem when caring for Euphorbia ingens?

The following pests are sometimes found on a milkweed cactus and can weaken the plant:

  • Whitefly larvae
  • Spider mites
  • Larvae of fungus gnats
  • Vine weevil

Changes in site conditions, such as higher air humidity, often help as a prevention against pest infestation. If chemical aids from specialist retailers are to be avoided, many pests can also be brushed off with a soft soap solution.

Which clinical pictures are common in cactus milkweed?

It is not uncommon for waterlogging and over-fertilization to lead to rot due to fungal diseases. In such a case, some milkweed cactus can still be saved if it is cut off in time and re-rooted like an offshoot.

How is the milkweed cactus optimally fertilized?

So that this type of milkweed does not grow over your head, little or no fertilization should be used. If at all, weakly dosed fertilizers should be applied during the summer open-air season and not during the cooler winter rest.

How do you get the cactus milkweed through the winter?

Since Euphorbia ingens, like many other spurge species, is not hardy either, after a summer outdoors it should be brought to a room at least 15 degrees Celsius with plenty of daylight and kept relatively dry there.

Tips

Due to the sometimes enormous growth, caring for Euphorbia ingens on a windowsill doesn't really make sense. So that the plant does not generally grow too big too quickly, a moderate supply of nutrients should be ensured from the start.