The roller spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites) is a prostrate, succulent plant with stems up to 30 centimeters long and green-yellow flowers that can be seen in April. The plant, originally from Turkey, is often cultivated in rock gardens, but also in pots or tubs and is very easy to propagate. However, you should be very careful, especially when cutting the cuttings: the milky sap of all spurge plants and thus also the spurge is highly caustic.
The roller spurge can be propagated by cuttings, among other things
Vegetative propagation via cuttings
For propagation of Euphorbia myrsinites, you can use non-flowering shoots that are cut in spring.
- Cuttings should be about 10 inches long.
- Allow the cut shoot to bleed in a glass of water for a few minutes.
- Now carefully remove all milk juice residues under warm running water.
- This measure facilitates root formation.
- Now leave the shoot in a dark and dry place for about four to five days.
- You can also put it in a jar with charcoal.
- Then the now rather shriveled looking cuttings are planted.
- Ideally, you should use a loose soil-sand mixture for this.
- Alternatively, planting directly at the final location is also possible.
Caution: the milky sap of the milkweed is highly poisonous!
Always wear gloves, long clothing (especially long-sleeved tops) and safety goggles when handling and especially when cutting the spurge: the latex-like milky sap is highly toxic and can cause severe burns on the skin and mucous membranes.
share spurge
Furthermore, the roller spurge can be multiplied very well by division. To do this, dig up the plant carefully, if possible without damaging the roots. Either pull the rootstock apart or use a knife - make sure to wear long sleeves and gloves! - and plant the individual parts immediately in their new location.
Propagation of the spurge by sowing
The spurge is able to seed itself. However, this does not happen en masse, but only occasionally. If self-sowing is not desired: the resulting young plants can be removed very easily.
tips
Withered shoots of the spurge always die, but new ones quickly grow from the center of the plant. Also consider that the spurge, which is used to a warm Mediterranean climate, is not sufficiently frost hardy in this country and therefore needs good winter protection.