Euphorbia martinii

Denno666 · January 2016

Hello fellow gardeners!

I have a small Euphorbia martinii in a pot that I bought around December last year and has since been sitting quietly in my mum's conservatory waiting for me to decide where to plant it. Today I went to check on it and found some dastardly (presumably sap sucking) insects had set up camp. It wasn't exactly root bound but I could see quite a few roots underneath so I potted it up and then went onto cut the afflicted stems down by about a third to get rid of them, and have left it outside in the cold frame with the top propped open (not sure how long it will stay propped open with the wind mind). The babies were white and the adults a bit yellow but didn't fly around - I'm thinking maybe mealybug?

Does it sound like I did the right thing getting rid of the affected areas and leaving the plant outside? I was a bit worried because a lot of milky sap came out after I'd made the cut and I'm just hoping I haven't left it open to getting a disease.

Fairygirl · January 2016

Euphorbias do exude a sap Denno, so don't worry. It would have been best to have left it outside from the start as they're hardy plants, but it'll be fine. Just keep it sheltered from the worst of the weather- plenty of air round it during the day as you've done - until it's hardened off properly and a bit bigger. Come spring it'll grow away and you'll be able to pot it on again or plant it out depending on size.

Dovefromabove · January 2016

Absolutely agree with Fairygirl (I usually do) e

It would've been fine outside, but as it's been indoors it'll be better off in the cold-frame to harden off, as long as it gets plenty of air, and plant it out in the spring.

Be careful not to get that sap get on your skin as it can make your skin photosensitive and on a sunny day can cause nasty burns.

I like E. martinii - I've also got one in a pot outside waiting for me to find it a permanent spot in the garden.

Denno666 · January 2016

Thanks Fairygirl & Dovefromabove, I have just dragged the Christmas tree away from the cold frame, in case we get another windy night and it topples over (has happened before). As for the sap....before I realised what it was, I did see a single milky droplet of 'something' on the inside of my finger which I wiped off with a tissue....I washed my hands thoroughly and am really hoping that I get away with it - it should teach me to be more careful and wear gloves in future

nutcutlet · January 2016

Damage from euphorbia sap isn't inevitable. I've often had it on my skin and only been damaged once.

Fairygirl · January 2016

The sap doesn't affect me at all but it can irritate some people, so better safe than sorry

Denno666 · January 2016

Lol, I'm sure the neighbours must have thought I was mad - I was in my dressing gown and slippers outside and talking to my Euphorbia - 'Now I know your not going to like this, but I'm afraid it has to be done - aha, another little blighter!'

Dovefromabove · January 2016

Yes, I think it's only when you get strong sunlight on it - I got it on my legs on a very hot sunny day when I was a child - not nice but not something to worry about this weather I think

nutcutlet · January 2016

I think that's it Dove, as with a lot of other plants (and drugs)

Denno, talking to plants is perfectly normal behaviour

Fairygirl · January 2016

It's only a problem when they answer you....

Euphorbia martinii

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