Euonymus undersized planting and care. Euonymus: planting and care, propagation methods and plant species

Euonymus (Euonymus) is a shrub belonging to the genus of low deciduous and evergreen plants, family - Euonymus. IN natural environment prefers floodplains, river valleys, mixed forest undergrowth throughout the Northern Hemisphere (Asia, Europe, America, Australia).

The name of the plant from Latin is approximately translated as "glorious tree". In our culture, there are many names of euonymus: God's eyes, night blindness, burusklen, bruslina, meresklet, vereskled, dereskled, sour, wolf berries, wolf's bast, blind spot, saklak.

The genus includes about 200 species, many of which are cultivated as ornamental plants. Euonymus bushes are good for framing fences, households. buildings. Look spectacular next to coniferous plants and trees. From some species of euonymus, gutta-percha (a substance for filling teeth) is extracted.

Botanical description

The height of the bush is 0.5-10 m, depending on the species. The stems are rounded or tetrahedral in section, sometimes cork outgrowths appear on them. The leaves are oblong with smooth or serrated edges, glossy, arranged oppositely. Leaf plates are painted in dark green color, there are varieties with spots or edging in white, cream, silver.

Leaves turn purplish red in autumn. is a nondescript yellow-green, cream, burgundy flowers, collected in racemose or corymbose inflorescences. The fruit is a dry leathery 4-5-sided box containing several seeds. The seed box, depending on the species, acquires a pink, scarlet, raspberry, burgundy, yellow, dark purple color as it ripens.

Attention: the fruits, like all parts of the plant, are poisonous.

Planting euonymus in the ground

When and where to plant

It is best to engage in a bereslet in early spring, but autumn planting is also allowed.

Choose a site in light shading, variegated varieties will need bright sunlight.

The soil needs light, fertile, water-permeable with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. The acidity of the soil before planting can be reduced by adding slaked lime. The plant does not like high-lying groundwater.

Distance between bushes

Please note that large bushes grow strongly in width and height, so you should keep an appropriate distance between other plants, retreat from buildings. There are dwarf varieties of euonymus that can be planted in a tub: decorate the garden for the summer, and bring it indoors with the onset of cold weather. IN room conditions it is necessary to provide an air temperature of no more than 5 ° C, bright lighting, moderate watering and low humidity. Transplant in the spring.

How to plant

• The planting hole should be dug 2 weeks before planting in open ground. Its volume should exceed the size of the root system of the seedling by 1.5 times.
• Place coarse sand in the bottom of the planting hole to provide drainage.
• Mix the extracted soil with compost. To reduce the acidity of the soil, add 200 g of slaked lime.
• Spread the roots of the seedling, lower it into the planting hole, fill it with a mixture (soil, compost, slaked lime if necessary), constantly press it with your palms as it is filled so that there are no air pockets.
• The root neck should be flush with the soil surface.
• To create a hedge, it is necessary to plant in a trench at a distance of 40-50 cm.
• Water well immediately and do this daily for a week after planting.
• You can mulch the surface of the soil around the plants.

Euonymus care in the garden

Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ Dwarf Burning Bush in landscape design photo

Watering

The plant does not like a lot of moisture. Do not allow waterlogging of the soil, temporary drought is better. Watering as needed. If the rainfall is regular, watering is not needed at all. At least three times per season, loosen the soil in the trunk circle 1-2 days after watering.

Apply complex mineral fertilizers twice a season (spring and autumn).

pruning

Thanks to pruning, the euonymus will actively branch. In order not to harm fruiting, carry out formative pruning in early spring or after fruit ripening. The bush is given an elliptical, conical shape, the cultivation of a stem tree is popular. During the growing season, pinch the tops, remove weak shoots, thin out the bush.

Shelter for the winter

Young plants (up to 3 years old) must be covered with spruce branches for the winter. Mature bushes and trees will not need shelter, but if a snowless winter is expected, the near-stem circle should be mulched with leaves or sawdust.

Euonymus care at home

Low-growing varieties are grown in room conditions. Thanks to regular pruning, any species can be adjusted in growth - it will become a wonderful decoration for a windowsill, desktop.

Lighting

Euonymus with green leaves feel equally good in shading and in bright sunlight. Variegated forms require sufficiently bright lighting. In any case, from the midday rays of the sun should be protected.

Temperature and humidity

It is important to keep cool. During the warm season, the air temperature is required in the range of 18-25 ° C, in winter lower it to 6-8 ° C. At higher temperatures, leaves are shed.

Humidity does not matter, as the leathery leaves are protected from excessive evaporation. Occasionally wipe with a damp sponge from dust, bathe under a warm shower.

Watering and fertilizing

• Water regularly, moderately, remove excess water from the pan.
• In the period March-September, apply complex mineral fertilizers monthly.

Pruning and transplant

Every spring spend forming. Pinch off young shoots regularly.

Repot every 2-3 years. Capacity choose a wide, medium depth, stable. Lay a drainage layer at the bottom. The soil is needed light, nutritious, approximately of the following composition: leafy, soddy soil, leafy humus, sand.

Diseases and pests

Diseases

Diseases such as stem rot and powdery mildew may occur.

Rotting is better to prevent than to cure: in spring and autumn, treat the bushes with a Bordeaux mixture or similar preparations. If rot still appears, it is necessary to remove and burn the affected areas. Apply 3-4 fungicide treatments 1 week apart. In case of powdery mildew, treat with a fungicide at the same frequency.

Pests

The main pests are mealybugs, aphids, spider mite, caterpillars.

• Spider mites and aphids settle on the reverse side of the leaf plate - light puncture points can be seen on the leaves.
• Mealybugs will give themselves away with cottony deposits and honeydew.
• Caterpillars form whole nests that you can easily notice. Interestingly, they may not be on neighboring fruit trees. The spindle tree seems to lure the caterpillars, saving your crop.

Remove the caterpillar nests by hand first. To completely get rid of any pests, it is necessary to carry out an insecticide treatment with a repetition in a week.

Growing euonymus from seeds

It is carried out by seeds and vegetatively (by cuttings, dividing the bush, layering, root shoots).

Sowing in the ground

It is better to sow freshly harvested seeds in open ground before winter. The bed is prepared in advance, leveled, let the earth settle. They make shallow grooves with a chopper or flat cutter at a distance of 20-30 cm. You need to sow less often, ideally at a distance of 8-10 cm. If this does not work out, the seedlings will have to be thinned out. Mulch crops with straw, leaves.

In the spring, the mulch is removed as early as possible so that the plants can break through. Don't wait for warm weather, otherwise the seedlings will be trampled or you will damage them when you rake the leaves. When the plants sprout, care will consist of weeding, loosening the soil and moderate watering. The grown seedlings are planted in a permanent place after 2-3 years, they must be covered for the winter.

Growing seedlings

• For seeds, you need to hold them for a couple of days in water and stratify for 3-4 months (keep them in a bag of wet sand in the vegetable section of the refrigerator).
• Seeds should swell well in such conditions. Gently peel the seeds from the broken dense skin, hold for 15 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, rinse.
• Prepare boxes or cups with fertile garden soil and small amounts of sand, you can take ready-made soil for seedlings).
• Seeding depth - 2 cm.
• Cover the crops with film or glass.
• Expect germination in 15-20 days, then remove the shelter.
• A slight decrease in temperature to 18 ° C will be useful for plants so that they do not stretch. Provide good diffused lighting.
• Grown seedlings need to be hardened two weeks before planting in the ground. They can be planted in a training garden, and then transplanted to a permanent place when they reach a height of 25-30 cm. Be sure to cover for the winter so that they do not freeze out.

Propagation of euonymus by cuttings

Spend in June-July. From semi-lignified shoots, cut off the tops 7 cm long so that they contain 1 internode. Hold the cutting in a root solution, plant in a moist peat-sand mixture, cover with a cap, place in a bright, cool place. Rooted cuttings are planted in open ground after 1-1.5 months.

Reproduction by dividing the bush

It is most convenient to propagate dwarf species, since their root system is located close to the soil surface. Cut off part of the rhizome, along with above-ground shoots, from the mother plant. Cut the shoots by 2/3, plant the delenki in a permanent place.

Reproduction by layering and root offspring

Implement in the spring. Make a small groove next to the bush, bend the shoot to the ground, secure and sprinkle with soil. After rooting, cut off, plant in a place of constant growth.

Root offspring with a maximum height of 40-50 cm are suitable for reproduction. The length of the root should be 25-30 cm, and the thickness should be at least 1.5 cm. In early spring dig up the shoot, do not shake off the soil from the roots, plant it in a permanent place.

Types and varieties of euonymus with photos and names

Euonymus verrucosa

It takes the form of a bush 2 m high or a tree 5-6 m high. The shoots are bright green, strewn with black warts. Light green leaves turn pink in autumn. Seed pods are red-brown. Ripe seeds are colored in pink color. The growth rate of the bush is slow. Shade-tolerant type.

European spindle tree Euonymus europaea

Most often grows as a bush, can take the form of a tree up to 6 m tall. Young shoots are green, turning black with age. Leathery leaf plates reach a length of 11 cm, painted in dark green, turning red in autumn. The seed box is orange, ripened fruits acquire a dark red hue. Kind of winter-hardy. There are more than 20 decorative forms of the species, which are less winter hardy: dwarf, weeping, purple, acubolist, intermediate, silver-spotted, etc.

Winged Euonymus alata

It is a tree about 4 m high or a spreading shrub 2.5 m high. The stems or branches are tetrahedral, covered with light gray bark. The leaves are leathery, rhombic in shape, painted in dark green. Small flowers of a greenish hue are collected in inflorescences of 3 pcs. ripened seed pods become bright red.

The most popular variety of the species:

Euonymus compactus - the width and height of the bush is limited to 2 m. The shape of the bush is domed. Leaf plates are oval, light green color changes to bright red in autumn. The seed pods are orange, the fruits are red. the variety is winter-hardy, but sensitive to drought and overheating.

Fortune's Euonymus fortunei

A creeping, evergreen shrub that can grow in middle lane. The leaves are leathery, shiny, elliptical in shape, reach a length of 4 cm, have slightly curved edges. Reproduces only vegetatively.

Popular varieties:

• Gracilis - creeping shoots reach a length of 1.5 m. Yellowish leaves turn white over time at the edges, and the middle becomes reddish.
• Vegetus - shoots are thick, the leaves are rounded. The fruits are light yellow, shiny.

• Emerald Gold - an evergreen shrub capable of growing up to 1.5 wide, 0.5 m high. Leaves 5 cm long have a yellowish tint, strokes are located along the edges, dark yellow spots that turn red in autumn.

Euonymus japonica or Euonymus japonica

Grown in garden and indoor conditions. In the natural environment, the bush reaches a height of 7 m. The stems grow slightly at an angle.

Popular Shapes:

• Mediopyctus - golden leaves with a green border.
• Latifolius Albomarginatus - green leaves are framed by a wide strip of white.
• Macrophylla - leaves are large, reach a length of 7 cm.
• Aureo marginata - green leaves have a golden border.
• Pyramidata - the shape of the bush is pyramidal, the leaves are ellipsoid.
• Microphyllus is a compact shrub 0.5 m high and no more than 15 cm in diameter. The leaves are yellow-green, raised. Flowers are white.

Euonymus macropterus Euonymus macropterus

In the natural environment, it is a large deciduous tree, 9 m high. garden cultivation in the middle lane it transforms into a shrub about 3 m high. It is notable for large raspberry-colored seed pods that open when ripe: wings 1.5 cm long fold back, creating a semblance of a flower.

Euonymus nanus

The shoots are thin, often spread along the ground, reach a length of no more than 1 m. The leaves are lanceolate. Small flowers are located in the axils of the leaves, 2-3 pcs. Seed pods are orange, ripened seeds are colored brown-red.

Euonymus maackii Euonymus maackii

It is a multi-stemmed tree or spreading bush 3-10 m high. The leaves are oval. By autumn, the foliage becomes purple-pink, the shoots are densely strewn with clusters of pink seed pods.

Euonymus americanus

In the US, it is called "broken heart" or strawberry bush. hallmark is that the seed box is dense, has a rough surface, is painted in a red-burgundy hue. The deciduous shrub reaches a height of 2 m. The shoots are thin, greenish or gray-brown. The leaves are oval, serrated along the edges, painted green. In the axils of the leaves, brown-pink flowers are formed.

Wilson's Euonymus myrianthus

Rare view. Feature - seed boxes are painted in bright yellow.

Euonymus sacred Euonymus sacrosancta

Bright green diamond-shaped leaves turn burgundy in autumn.

Euonymus hedge Aureovariegatus Euonymus japonicus ‘Aureovariegatus’ photo

Euonymus Emerald ‘n Gold Wintercreeper in garden design photo

Almost 200 shrubs and small trees with an evergreen or falling crown belong to the genus Euonymus. Their homeland is China, Korea and Japan. Now euonymus is very common in tropical, subtropical and temperate zones of all earthly continents.

On the territory of our country, scientists count up to 20 species of this plant. It is especially common on the Black Sea coast, where it is called pseudolaurus for its resemblance to a spicy shrub.

Description

Into the wild In nature, this shrub can grow up to 4 m, indoor species do not exceed 1-1.5 m. A dense crown is formed from small (6-8 cm), smooth, oblong leaves with small notches along the edges. The shade can be different: light green, white, yellow. Deciduous species change the color of foliage depending on the time of year: in spring they will be leaves of a juicy green color, which will become a little darker in summer, but in autumn they will decorate them with more varied colors ─ from bright yellow to purple.

Euonymus blooms in autumn with inconspicuous inflorescences of 10-30 flowers each. After that, boxes of variegated colors are formed, in which the fruits are located. In the wild, they are a real delicacy for birds. It is they who carry the seeds of the shrub along the banks of rivers and forests.

Many euonymus are gutta-perchenos. Most of this substance is found in the bark of this plant. Gutta is an indispensable substance for the manufacture of high-quality insulating materials. Cinnamon oil is extracted from the seeds, and the wood of the shrub is often used in the manufacture of shoes.

Important! Euonymus is considered a poisonous plant species.

Types of euonymus

For the most part, spindle trees are cultivated in open areas. At proper care from this unpretentious plant can form exquisite .

Indoor euonymus plants are usually evergreen, deciduous species have not really taken root among gardeners. An exception can be considered lovers of bonsai trees.

Interesting! In eastern countries, spindle trees are very popular; they are grown as miniature living compositions with a colorful crown.

On the windowsills there are two types of this evergreen shrub:

• japanese euonymus;
• rooting euonymus.

They are considered to be the most unpretentious and stable.

Euonymus japonicus (Japanese spindle tree), cultivar Goldbolwi Exstase

Japanese euonymus among flower growers he won the title of the most picky of his kind. Most of the photos in this article are exactly the Japanese euonymus.

This evergreen shrub forms a crown of shoots with glossy leathery leaves of rich green color. Their shape is oval, slightly oblong, with characteristic teeth along the edge. The flowers are small, collected in umbrellas, have a weak color. The fruit pods are a bright pink and orange color that pleases the eye in winter.

Species with brightly colored leaves are especially popular.

Euonymus japonicus, cultivar Paloma blanca

Euonymus japonicus ‘Assorti’

In its native environment, it can reach a height of 3 meters, in pots - up to a maximum of a meter.

The natural range of the Japanese euonymus is China, Japan, Central Asia and the Eastern Himalayas.

Flower rooting euonymus also called Fortune. This is a persistent, unpretentious, creeping plant with shiny green leaves of an elongated shape. Often an ampelous shrub is formed from it.

Among flower growers and design masters, species with variegated foliage are especially popular.

Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety'

In addition, deciduous species are used in winter gardens. Among them, special decoration in the autumn period stands out European look. The Italians call this hardy shrub"priest's hat" for the shape and color of the seed pod. A characteristic feature of it are also oval leaves with teeth along the edges.

The special ribbing of the bark gave the name to another representative of the euonymus, which is often used by designers for decorating terraces. Euonymus winged belong to the deciduous species, has lanceolate green leaves that turn red by autumn. Seed boxes are purple in color.

Winged compact euonymus (Euonymus alatus ‘COMPACTUS’)

broad-leaved euonymus also liked by our flower growers. Despite the fact that it belongs to the deciduous species, its wide, egg-shaped leaves will delight you with juicy greens in summer, and will warm the eye with a variegated color until early winter. Pink seed pods also look spectacular.

reproduction

At home, there are two types of reproduction:

• seeds;
• cuttings.

When growing shrubs from seeds, they must first be properly harvested. Usually they are removed along with the seed pods in late autumn or early winter.

After ripening, the boxes burst and the seeds themselves spill out. Then they need to be examined: only high-quality grains can germinate and give a healthy plant. After drying, the seeds should be hardened for 3-4 months in the refrigerator at a temperature close to zero. Before that, it is desirable to place them in moistened sand.

After the peel bursts on the seeds, they must be kept for a day in a weak solution of potassium permanganate and only then they are sown in a previously prepared soil mixture. Its composition is simple:

• 2 parts of humus;
• 1 piece of turf;
• 4 pieces of leaf land;
• 1 part sand.

Mix all components well. Sow seeds to a depth of no more than 2 cm, cover with a layer of prepared soil. Moisten with a spray bottle and close the container with foil.

When aging temperature regime 22-25 degrees of heat sprouts will appear in two months.

After another 4-6 weeks, the seedlings dive and grow in individual pots.

Important! This method of reproduction is quite laborious and does not always give a positive result.

Cuttings allow you to achieve better results. Cuttings are cut from the top of the plant. in August-September and rooted in a mixture of sand and peat in equal amounts at moderate temperatures.

By spring, the cuttings will have their strong root and will painlessly transfer the transplant to a separate container.

Euonymus japonicus 'Silver King'

Planting and caring for euonymus

Before planting for the spindle tree, you should prepare a high-quality soil mixture where the plant will feel most comfortable.

For all types of these indoor shrubs, a slightly alkaline soil with a good nutrient base is required. At the same time, it should be sufficiently loose. A mixture of turf, humus and sand is ideal.

Cunning! For bonsai, it is worth adding loam, it will provide better adhesion of the roots to the earthy clod.

After that, care is:

• regular watering;
• complex top dressing a couple of times a month, except for the winter period;
• wetting the crown, especially during hot periods;
• pruning diseased and weak branches;
• pinching excess shoots;
• regular transplant.

Important! Choose a place for the euonymus by the western or eastern window. Keep it away from direct sunlight.

Use in design

Indoor species of evergreen euonymus are often used in the design of living rooms, hallways, bedrooms. Effectively, this plant looks in the photo in the winter garden, both in composition and in a single version.

Japanese euonymus Paloma blanca as a border.

Variegated Euonymus looks great next to the stones.

The variegated foliage of some species is especially pleasing to the eye in late autumn, when the deciduous trees have already shed their crowns, and the evergreens are a little fed up. The bright color of the seed pods is also attractive in winter.

In addition, the euonymus purifies and revitalizes indoor air.

More on video

Detailed material about indoor euonymus - in the video blog "Visiting Elena"

Euonymus is a low graceful tree widely used in landscape design. It owes its popularity with gardeners to its amazing variety of bright colors. Growing most varieties of euonymus at home does not allow dimensions modern apartments, but some varieties are an exception, quite suitable for indoor floriculture, moreover, planting and care is quite within the power of an amateur. Based on them, compact breeding hybrids were developed.

Appearance and other characteristic features of euonymus

Euonymus (Euonymus), also known as "pseudolaurus" is a genus of low, evergreen and deciduous trees belonging to the Euonymus (Celastraceae) family. At the moment, about 220 of its representatives are known, found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The first scientifically described euonymus was discovered in Spain. Separate varieties grow in Australia and South America.

The official name of the plant is translated from Greek approximately as "a tree with a glorious (or good) name." "Euonymus" is one of the many nicknames by which it is known in Slavic languages. Some of them are rather unsympathetic - "witch's earrings", "wolf's bast", "privet", "blindskin". This is probably due to the fact that the sap and seeds of the euonymus are poisonous. The use of the latter in food may well cause death. The substances contained in them negatively affect the performance of the heart.

A beautiful legend is told about the origin of the euonymus. According to her, the tree created evil witch who wanted to punish people who, in her opinion, deserved it. At the last moment, the sorceress relented, leaving the opportunity to use the plant as a medicinal one. And she herself became a robin, which eating the fruits of the euonymus does not do any harm. Since then, this bird has been spreading the euonymus around the world, dropping its seeds to the ground.

In nature, the euonymus grows up to 3–10 m in height. At home, mostly evergreen varieties are cultivated, not exceeding 1–1.5 m. Creeping and creeping species are also very popular. Any euonymus lives for about 60 years, so it will please the grower for a long time.

The euonymus blooms and bears fruit "in captivity" extremely rarely. Besides, it's not the most attractive sight. In natural varieties, small greenish-yellow or whitish flowers are collected in inflorescences in the form of a brush or umbrella, 10–15 pieces each. They are almost invisible on the tree. The flowers of breeding hybrids - snow-white, pinkish, purple - are more noticeable. In nature, flowering occurs in the summer, at home it can begin even in early spring.

Euonymus fruits look very decorative. Often they are even mistaken for flowers. These four-leaf leathery "boxes" with spikes or wings, when fully ripe, change color to bright scarlet, crimson or purple.

The main decorative value of the plant lies in the leaves about 7 cm long. They are smooth, rather dense, ovoid in shape. The color is very beautiful - pale salad, there are species with yellowish, cream or almost white patches. The edge is cut with small teeth. The leaves are arranged oppositely on smooth or tetrahedral shoots covered with small growths.

Varieties grown at home

Of the "natural" euonymus, the following have most successfully adapted to home conditions:

• Japanese (japonica). A small intensively branching shrub, no more than 0.5–0.7 m high, densely dotted with leaves. They are narrower than most euonymus, in shape they resemble a lancet or an elongated oval. The color of the leaf plate is rich green, sometimes with a lighter border or area along the central vein. The flowers are small, no more than 1 cm in diameter. The fruits are pinkish or pale orange boxes. Demanding on the nutritional value of the soil, regular top dressing is needed. Moderate watering is important. The tree is sensitive to sudden changes in temperature and is difficult to move away from pest attacks. Drops leaves in extreme heat.
• Rooting (radicans) or Fortune (fortunei). Low (1–1.2 m) creeping evergreen plant with long shoots. It branches rather weakly, but the existing shoots are densely covered with leaves. They are small (4–5 cm long), smooth and shiny. The general background is yellow or yellow-white, with a green undertone. Houses can be grown in hanging planters. The fruits are bright pink, the seeds are dark orange.
• Dwarf (compactus). Height - no more than 1 m. The leaves are small, up to 4 cm long, leathery. The tip of the sheet is sharply pointed, the edges are slightly bent down. The color of the leaf plate is light green, with a slight yellowish undertone. Leaves are bluish-green or olive below. The trunk is practically absent, the shoots are thin. Suitable for forming bonsai. Unlike other varieties, it is more shade-loving and demanding on watering, more often suffers from pests. Does not tolerate heat well.
• Winged (alatus). Deciduous shrub about 1.5–2 m high. Grows rather slowly. The ribs on the shoots look like wings, hence the name. Dark green leaves turn to bright scarlet and crimson in autumn. The fruits are deep purple. The plant is photophilous. It will survive in the shade, but will lose the saturation of colors.

Photo gallery: euonymus found in nature

The Japanese euonymus is very sensitive to too high temperature The rooting euonymus is the basis for most breeders' experiments The dwarf euonymus for some reason is especially distinguished by pests The winged euonymus is rare at home due to its size, but its growth can be controlled by regular pruning

Video: Japanese euonymus

Breeding hybrids are mainly bred on the basis of Fortune's euonymus. Their leaves are usually variegated.

• Evergreen creeping shrub. It grows rather slowly. Height - about 0.5 m, width - 0.8–1 m. Leaves turn red in autumn.
• Ground cover plant. In the absence of pruning, it is more suitable for greenhouses and conservatories than for home conditions. Height - 0.5 m, width - 1.5 m. Leaves about 5 cm long. In autumn, a reddish or chocolate undertone appears.
• Low (0.6–0.8 m) shrub. In the center of the dark green leaf is a large sunny yellow spot. Very picky about the presence of natural color. In the shade, the variegated coloring of the leaves quickly disappears.
• Intensely branching shrub about 0.8 m high. In winter, a slight pink hue may appear.
• Variegatus (Gracilis). Creeping shrub no more than 30 cm high, intensively growing in width up to 0.8–1 m.
• An evergreen shrub growing rapidly to the sides, no more than 15–20 cm high. It suffers little from cold weather. The plant is very shade tolerant.
• A compact bush about 30–40 cm high and wide. It suffers greatly from cold and sudden changes in temperature.
• The smallest hybrid. The leaf length is not more than 1 cm. The plant itself is not more than 5–10 cm high.

Photo gallery: breeding hybrids

The Emerald Gaiety hybrid has round, bright green leaves with a white border. The Emerald Gold euonymus is variegated leaves, green with bright yellow stripes and spots along the edges A bright yellow spot in the center of the leaf and gave the hybrid the name Sunspot (sunny bunny) In young plants of the Silver Queen variety, the leaves are pale yellow, then they change color to silver-light green Leaves of the euonymus Variegatus are bright green, with a yellowish-white or creamy center The Vegetus hybrid has dark green leaves with white veins The Sheridan Gold euonymus has yellow leaves that are lemon yellow then turn lime hue The Minimus cultivar in a pot forms what looks like “pillows” or a solid carpet

The optimal microclimate for the plant

Euonymus is relatively unpretentious. He will survive in different conditions. But to make the plant look the best way, it is advisable to listen to its "requirements" and create a microclimate that is close to optimal.

Table: how to create an euonymus suitable conditions

Factor	Recommendations
Location	Window sill facing southeast or southwest. The room must be regularly ventilated, while protecting the plant from drafts. For the summer, it is useful to send the pot to the balcony (indoor or outdoor), terrace, veranda, garden.
Lighting	Most species of euonymus prefer bright light, without suffering even from direct sunlight. Variegated hybrids are more photophilous, but under direct rays they quickly “fade”, so it is advisable to shade them.
Temperature	The optimum temperature in summer is 22–25ºС, in winter 12–15ºС. In winter, hybrids will also tolerate lower (3–5ºС), but not negative temperatures. "Natural" spindle trees are not afraid of frosts down to -20ºС. If the room is too warm in winter (20ºС or more), even an evergreen euonymus is likely to lose most of its leaves.
Air humidity	Euonymus grows better at high humidity (60-70%), but does not suffer much from dry air. In extreme heat, you can spray the flower or periodically give it a warm shower. The latter procedure is also useful for cleaning the flower from dust (once a week is enough).

Euonymus is mostly shade-tolerant, but not shade-loving. A compact, even crown of a bush is formed only in bright light or at least in light partial shade.

How to transplant euonymus correctly?

Young spindle trees are transplanted annually, adults - once every 2-3 years or even less often. It depends on the rate of growth and how old the potting soil is. The procedure is carried out in early spring. In large specimens grown in tubs, which cannot be transplanted purely physically, the top 5–7 cm of soil is removed and replaced with a fresh substrate.

The size of the pot is selected so that it is 3–5 cm larger than the previous one in diameter. For slow-growing varieties, the old pot is suitable if it is sterilized and the soil is completely changed. To limit the growth of the euonymus, especially in height, a container is suitable, almost the same diameter as the previous one, rather flat than deep.

The euonymus needs slightly alkaline soil, therefore, dolomite flour or crushed chalk (5 g per 10 l) is added to the finished store soil for decorative leafy indoor plants or to the substrate mixed independently.

Dolomite flour - a useful additive to neutralize excessive soil acidity

The soil should be light, nutritious, air and water permeable:

Euonymus transplant:

1. At the bottom of the pot, pour expanded clay or other drainage material with a layer of about 1–1.5 cm.
2. Fill about a third of the container with fresh substrate. Water the soil generously. When the water is absorbed, make a depression in it.
3. Remove the plant from the pot, keeping the earth ball intact if possible. You can facilitate the process by watering the plant well about half an hour before.
4. Transfer the flower to a new pot. Fill the voids around the edges with soil. Gently compact the soil, water the flower well again.

Since the euonymus is quite unpretentious, it does not need special care after transplantation. The flower can be immediately returned to its original place. A plant purchased in a store is transplanted as quickly as possible - a heavy universal substrate does not pass water well, provoking the development of rot.

Video: how to transplant euonymus

Important nuances of plant care

Caring for euonymus is easy. Even a novice florist will cope with it.

Watering

Euonymus is not a very moisture-loving plant, moderate watering is sufficient. Naturally, in the heat, the flower should be watered more often than in cloudy weather. Do not let the soil dry out completely. You can check this with a wooden stick stuck into the ground. It is usually enough to water the plant a little once every 3-4 days.

The flower, like almost all houseplants, responds gratefully to spraying. A weekly warm shower is also helpful. In addition to the fact that it washes away dust, it is an effective prevention against many pests.

Spray the flower only with soft clean water. Otherwise, ugly whitish spots will appear on the leaves. The same water, heated to room temperature, is desirable to use for irrigation.

The euonymus tolerates drought much better than waterlogging the soil. Regular abundant watering is one of the few reliable ways to ruin a plant.

Fertilization

The plant does not need abundant feeding. If the soil is chosen correctly, it is quite enough to water it once a month from March to October with a solution of complex mineral fertilizer for decorative leafy indoor plants.

You can feed the euonymus with both complex mineral and organic fertilizers.

Organic fertilizers can also be applied. An infusion of fresh cow dung or bird droppings, nettle greens, dandelion leaves. Rest period

The most important thing is to provide the euonymus from mid-autumn to the end of winter with a cool enough content so that it does not lose its foliage. Put the flower on a glazed loggia, in an unheated greenhouse. At this time, the plant is watered more moderately than usual (once every 6–8 days), top dressing is completely stopped. Light requirements remain unchanged. Since the sun is less active in winter, you can rearrange the pot closer to the south-facing windows.

pruning

Initially, the euonymus is a shrub or even a small tree. Therefore, it needs at least regular sanitary pruning. All weak, dried up shoots affected by diseases and pests are removed from the plant. This stimulates the formation of new branches and more intensive branching.

Decorative pruning is also possible. The crown of the euonymus can be shaped into a ball, pyramid, cone, or even create something more original, reminiscent of garden sculptures. For greater splendor and "bushiness" it is enough just to pinch the shoots in the spring for 2-3 upper buds each.

Since the euonymus sap is poisonous, any pruning is carried out only with rubber gloves. To minimize damage to the plant, use only sharp, disinfected tools.

Video: how to care for a plant

How does a flower react to grower's mistakes?

The main decorative value of the euonymus is its leaves. They are a reliable "indicator" of the state of the plant. The plant reacts to any mistakes in care with a deterioration in appearance.

Table: how errors appear in the care of euonymus

What does the plant look like?	What is the reason?
The leaves fade, the variegated color disappears, the tips dry.	The room is too dry or watering is insufficient. Other possible reason- prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
The plant sheds leaves.	If this occurs during the period of active vegetation, it is associated with an almost complete cessation of growth and affects only lower leaves, the flower is watered too often and / or abundantly. IN winter time"blame" too high temperature and low humidity.
Brown spots blur on the leaves, the bases of the petioles and shoots turn black.	Rot develops due to regular waterlogging of the soil, the situation is aggravated by low room temperature.
The leaves turn yellow, gradually dry and fall off.	The plant lacks nutrients. Or the fertilizer used is not suitable for him.

Common diseases and pests

Euonymus is quite resistant to most fungal, bacterial and viral diseases. The exception is rot. But it is often attacked by sucking insects, which are attracted by dense succulent leaves. But there are easy preventive measures, observance of which minimizes the risk of infection:

• Quarantine newly purchased houseplants for at least 10-12 days.
• Avoid crowding flowers on the windowsill and place bouquets (especially roses and chrysanthemums as far away from them as possible).
• Regular inspection (preferably with a magnifying glass) for the presence of characteristic features and damage.
• Immediate isolation of flowers at the slightest suspicion of infection, disinfection of the corresponding area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe window sill.
• Minimization of damage during pruning, transplanting, immediate processing of all cuts
• Use only clean sharpened tools, sterile soil and pots.
• Maintaining air humidity at a level comfortable for the flower, regular ventilation of the room.
• Weekly warm shower.
• Proper care, especially watering.

Table: what diseases or pests does the euonymus suffer from

Disease or pest	External manifestations	Control measures
Gray rot	Grey-brown spots on shoots and leaves, covered with a layer of ashy "pile" with small black patches.	Pruning of all at least minimally affected parts of the plant and immediate transplanting into a new pot and soil; soil treatment before planting with Trichodermin, Glyokladin or the introduction of Barrier, Barrier granules; weekly watering with a 1% solution of any fungicide; spraying and watering with Fundazol, Topsin-M, Alirin-B, Baikal-EM.
spider mite	Thin cobwebs on the bases of shoots and petioles; leaves covered with black dots and yellowish-white thin stripes.	Applying a soap-alcohol solution to the leaves and showering after 40–45 minutes; abundant watering and placing the plant in a tightly tied plastic bag for 2-3 days; spraying and watering with a solution of acaricides - Vermitek, Neoron, Apollo, Marshal, Agravertin, Floromite, Oberon (2-3 treatments with different preparations in 7-12 days).
Mealybug	Small lumps, like dirty cotton wool, at the petioles and shoot bases; soil extending from the edges of the pot and a border of a whitish waxy substance under it.	Destruction of visible traces with a cotton pad soaked in alcohol or any alcohol tincture and shower after 15–20 minutes; applying onion, garlic gruel, essential oil of any citrus fruits to the places of accumulation of the pest; treatment with Tanrek, Confidor, Biotlin, Aktara, Actellik, Mospilan, Rogor, Phosphamide.
Aphid	Tops of shoots and young leaves covered with small yellow-green or brown-black insects; multiple small beige dots on them.	Pruning the most severely affected parts of the plant; spraying 2-3 times a day with infusions of any sharp-smelling herbs, needles, orange peel, tobacco chips; spraying with green potash soap foam; application of Actara, Mospilan, Inta-Vir, Calypso, Confidor, Fitoverm, Fury.
Oval dull brown or gray-brown growths on the leaves; yellow-red tissues around them; almost black substrate in a pot.	Destruction of visible individuals (with a cotton swab, apply alcohol, kerosene, vinegar, turpentine to the shell, wait 2-3 hours); washing the leaves with a soap-alcohol solution; the use of Actellik, Phosbecid, Metaphos, Aktara.

What diseases and pests will a flower grower who grows euonymus have to deal with - photo

Aphids - one of the most common pests of indoor plants, will not bypass the attention of the euonymus. The strong shell of the scale insect protects it from most folk remedies

Euonymus breeding methods

Rooting cuttings

Rooting cuttings is the most common method of vegetative propagation of the euonymus. You can also divide a large bush into 2-3 smaller ones during the transplantation process or transplant into separate containers the “offspring” that appeared at the roots. Best time for rooting cuttings - late spring or early summer.

1. Cut a few healthy young, non-lignified shoots from the plant. Cut them into cuttings 5–8 cm long so that each has at least one internode. Make all cuts with a sharp clean knife and sprinkle with crushed chalk, activated carbon, colloidal sulfur, or at least cinnamon.
2. Fill small cups with fertile soil, pouring a layer of coarse sand 5-7 cm thick on top.
3. Plant the cuttings in the ground, sprinkling the lower cut with any powdered root stimulator.
4. Place the containers in transparent plastic bags, tie. Or cover with glass jars.
5. Provide bright light, a temperature of about 22ºС, moderate watering as the soil dries. If you alternate water and a biostimulant solution and connect the bottom heating, the rooting process will go faster. In less comfortable conditions roots will appear in 1.5–2 months.
6. Wait the same amount, transplant the cuttings into the soil for adult plants. After 2-3 months, pinch the plants to make the bushes more lush.

Video: propagating indoor plants with apical cuttings

seed germination

Growing euonymus from seeds is a rather laborious and time-consuming procedure. It is not recommended to propagate breeding hybrids in this way - the seedlings rarely retain the variegated coloring of the leaves.

Before planting, the seeds of the euonymus must be subjected to stratification.

Boarding process:

1. Clean the seeds from seedlings and dip them in a solution of potassium permanganate (5 g per liter of water) for 2-3 hours.
2. Mix the dried seeds with coarse river sand or peat chips, calcined in the oven. The substrate is taken about twice as much as the seeds.
3. Keep them for 3–4 months at a temperature of 10–12ºС in a bright place with 50–60% humidity and good ventilation. When most of the seeds crack the shell, remove them for 4-5 months in the refrigerator or other place where a constant temperature of 1-3ºС is maintained.
4. After the specified time, let the seeds warm up to room temperature, covering the container with glass so that moisture does not evaporate. It is advisable to choose a brightly lit place for them.
5. Mix the soil suitable for adult plants, fill it with shallow flat containers. Spread the seeds over the surface, sprinkle with a thin layer of sand. Humidify well with a spray bottle.
6. Cover the containers with glass or film, or put them in a mini-greenhouse. Provide bright light, temperature 24-27ºС, bottom heating. Once every 3-4 days, ventilate the "greenhouse" and moisten the soil. Separate shoots appear after 6-8 weeks, mass - after 3-4 months.
7. After the appearance of the first true leaf, plant the seedlings in separate containers, care as usual.

Euonymus is an unusual, rather unpretentious decorative leaf indoor plant. Even a novice florist will cope with its cultivation. Of course, in the open field, the shrub looks more spectacular, but even in a pot, its bright motley greens look decent, delighting the owner all year round.

Euonymus is an ornamental, deciduous or evergreen shrub belonging to the Euonymous family. About two hundred species have already been studied and described. This plant is native to America, Asia, Australia and Europe. Grows in river valleys and mixed forests. In the wild, some species of euonymus grow up to ten meters. At home, flower growers prefer the cultivation of creeping varieties, as well as shrubs that do not exceed 1.5 meters. The plant lives and pleases with its beauty for about 60 years.

What is euonymus

The Latin name of the plant sounds like Euonymus, which means " good tree" or "beautiful, glorious name." In the CIS, this plant is called differently:

• bruslin;
• sour;
• wolf's bast;
• mereskeleton;
• God's eyes;
• blind spot;
• bruhmel;
• privet.

For its incredibly beautiful appearance and spectacular fruit ripening, this plant was loved not only by gardeners, but also by landscape designers.

The most popular species growing in the Russian Federation is the European euonymus. In the wild, it can be found in the European part of Russia, in the Crimea, in the Caucasus. Euonymus has a high decorative effect and "compliant character".

Description

The plant belongs to deciduous evergreen shrubs with a beautiful openwork crown. An adult plant can grow to a height of up to 5 m (some specimens and higher). The leaves of the shrub have an elliptical shape, rich green color. Euonymus has small flowers that have greenish or brown petals. Its flowering is not too lush, but unusually beautiful. It falls at the end of May: at this time, all the leaves open, small elegant flowers become clearly visible against the background. dark leaves. With the beginning of autumn, the European spindle tree dynamically begins to change its outfit: warm shades begin to appear on a green background, and then the autumn outfit completely replaces the summer one.

At the very beginning of this amazing process, the color is a wide variety of spots - pink, orange, white, yellow, purple, red. It is amazing that one sheet can be painted in several colors at once. With the onset of October, the red color predominates in the autumn outfit of the euonymus. After the leaves fall, the fruits of the European spindle tree of extraordinary beauty, which look like small lanterns, will remain on the shrub. They will hang on the bush until the first frost.

Types of euonymus

Euonymus has many species and varieties, which even appearance can be very different from each other. Consider the main ones: Warty. European. Dwarf. Sacred. Euonymus Semyonov. Fortune. Japanese

Planting seedlings

When choosing a place for planting seedlings, it must be taken into account that the plant does not like stagnant water and does not grow well on acidic soils. For strongly growing varieties, a spacious place is needed away from plantings and buildings. Planting dwarf species in voluminous boxes or well-permeable containers will allow, with the onset of a cold snap, to bring them into a bright, cool room or winter garden with the temperature maintained within 5-10 ° C. For planting euonymus, early spring or mid-autumn is suitable.

Work sequence:

1. A hole is dug, the width and depth of which should be twice the size of the root system of the bush.
2. At the bottom of the pit, drainage is created, consisting of sand, expanded clay or broken brick, then humus or ripe compost is poured.
3. The earth and the nutrient layer are moistened, then the seedling is placed on the bottom, covered with soil with the upper layer compacted.
4. The surface of the earth is watered.

Advice. In order for moisture from the soil to evaporate more slowly, the surface should be mulched with peat; instead, crushed tree bark can also be used. From time to time, the mulch layer can be updated by adding peat. Due to this, a soil crust will not form, which contributes to increased evaporation of moisture, and it will become more difficult for weed seeds to enter and germinate.

plant care

Euonymus, like most shrubs, requires regular pruning. In the spring, dried, damaged branches are cut off, the crown of the plant is formed, in the summer, a haircut will allow you to align the border of the bushes, give it the correct geometric shape. This shrub does not require frequent watering, so in dry weather it can be watered sparingly and moderately.

For good growth, the soil around the plant is loosened several times per season, fertilization will also improve its development, ensuring sufficient nutrients supply to the roots. At a young age, the shrub needs to be covered for the winter to protect it from low temperatures; adult specimens are not afraid of frost.

Temperature:

The best for spindle trees are rooms with winter temperatures from 2 to 8 degrees for species with green leaves and from 6 to 16 degrees for variegated plants. These are cool winter gardens, insulated loggias and other premises. In summer, a moderate temperature of up to 20 degrees is desirable for the euonymus. Dry and hot conditions are dangerous, as they contribute to the spread and severe damage to the leaves by the mite.

Euonymus watering is regulated depending on the temperature, from moderate to very moderate in winter. The earth ball should not dry out too much, this can kill the plant.

Transplantation of young plants is carried out annually in early spring, from the beginning of February. Old copies of the euonymus can be transplanted less often. Transplantation should not be combined with strong anti-aging pruning. A medium-density potting mix of turf or garden soil and sand, with small additions of compost, peat moss, and leaf muck.

Mineral fertilizers

Euonymus responds positively to top dressing. In early spring, the plant should be fed with 50 g of urea, in the summer, 30-40 g of potassium sulfate and 40 g of double superphosphate are added. For digging in the fall, it is recommended to add up to 300 g of slaked lime.

pruning

The shrub tolerates pruning and shearing well. With the advent of spring, before sap flow begins, all dry, diseased, frozen, growing twigs should be removed with the help of sharp garden tools. In autumn, the crown of the European euonymus should be given the desired shape. Due to the special decorativeness of its fruits, pruning is best done at the end of fruiting. With good tillering, it is permissible to do a strong pruning. Be sure to remove branches that are too long and grown to the side, as well as any damaged ones. After shearing, the plant very quickly gives young shoots and becomes even more magnificent. In order to increase branching in young shoots, you should pinch the top of the head.

Euonymus reproduction

Most species of euonymus reproduce well vegetatively: by dividing the bush, root offspring, green cuttings. For the latter, young, but already quite elastic shoots are chosen in June-July. Of these, cuttings are cut 4-6 cm long with one internode. Planted in a greenhouse under a film in a substrate of fertile land, on top of which sand is poured with a layer of 5-7 cm. The roots develop in 1.5 months.

Seed reproduction of spindle tree is somewhat more complicated. When sown without stratification and in nature, the bulk of the seeds germinate only in the second spring. Therefore, immediately after collection, the seeds of the spindle tree should be stratified, for which they are mixed with coarse-grained calcined sand or slightly decomposed moistened sphagnum peat in a ratio of 1:2. Stratification takes place in two stages. First, the seeds of the euonymus are kept at a temperature of 10-12ºС for 3-4 months. When the majority (70-80%) of the shell bursts, the temperature is reduced to 0-plus 3 and stored under such conditions for another 4-5 months. To prevent rotting before laying, the seeds should be cleaned of seeds and pickled in a 0.5% solution of potassium permanganate.

Sow on beds in shallow (about 2 cm) grooves in a substrate of leafy and soddy soil, humus and sand in a ratio of 4:1:2:1. Shoots appear in 2-3 weeks. In spring and autumn, it is recommended to mulch euonymus seedlings with peat chips with a layer of 3 cm. During the summer, the plants are watered and fed with mullein, and covered with spruce branches for the winter. In the 3rd year they are moved to a permanent place.

Diseases

The most common diseases of this crop are trunk rot, powdery mildew. Therefore, in order to prevent fungal pathology, it is necessary to treat plants with Bordeaux liquid in spring. In the event that plants have severe lesions with extensive distribution, the only thing that can be done is to dig them up and burn them. To combat powdery mildew, you should use the preparations "Fundazol", "Previkur", "Topaz" and colloidal sulfur.

Pests

There is an opinion among gardeners that the euonymus somehow lures pests from others to its crown. fruit trees. It is believed that it functions as a trap for insects. Among the most common pests of this crop, it is worth noting the scale insect, caterpillars, mealy worm, aphids, apple moths, and mites. The first signs of plant damage are the curvature of young shoots, damaged or twisted leaves. If you find these signs on the European euonymus, immediately treat the shrub with insecticides. The following drugs have good results in pest control: Aktellik, Aktara. When using Actellik, they take 2 ml of the product, dilute it in 2 liters of water and spray the plants once a week. A total of 3 sprays will be needed.

Use in the garden

Due to the fact that the plant has a dense root system, it is often used for growing on slopes to hold the soil. When planting the European euonymus in the garden, you can use it to decorate the walls of buildings and fences, use it for topiaries and create hedges. In addition, it looks great as a background plant in a mixed flower garden. It harmoniously combines with vegetation, which has yellow or green leaves in autumn. An amazing reincarnation occurs with the European euonymus with the onset of cold nights. He completely changes his outfit and, as if by magic, turns into a real work of art. Leaves acquire carmine red, pink, purple, raspberry, burgundy hue - a real firework of colors. Particularly admired are the amazing purple-colored fruits against the backdrop of white snow in late autumn and winter.

Growing euonymus from seeds

Seeds - Euonymus is difficult to propagate using seeds. In order to successfully plant seeds, you need to prepare the stratification method. To do this, mix them with calcined sand or semi-decomposed peat in a ratio of 1: 2. Stratification Keep the seeds at +10°C for three or four months. Under such conditions, the seed coat should burst. After the destruction of the shell, reduce the temperature, which should be between 0 and +3 °C. Store the seeds in these conditions for another four months. Sowing seeds After eight months of preparation, you can start sowing. To do this, pour the finished substrate into a plastic container containing leafy soil, humus, sand in a ratio of 4:2:1. Plant the seeds in the soil to a depth of two centimeters. After two weeks, the first shoots will appear. It is recommended to mulch seedlings with peat chips in a layer of up to three centimeters in spring and autumn. In the summer, water and feed seedlings with mullein. In winter, cover with spruce branches from coniferous twigs and dry foliage. When three years have passed, the grown-up euonymus bushes can be transplanted into a pot or open ground.

Euonymus care at home

Location and lighting

Most types of euonymus are unpretentious to lighting conditions. They can grow equally successfully, both in highly lit places and on the shady side. Variegated varieties are especially photophilous.

Temperature

Euonymus does not tolerate intense heat and dry summers. The most comfortable temperature for him is + 18-20 degrees. If the summer temperature is above normal at the landing site, then it is better to plant it in partial shade. Comfortable winter temperature is not lower than -6 degrees, otherwise it will drop foliage.

Air humidity

Because of its leathery leaves, the euonymus retains moisture well and can be kept in the dry climate of apartments or in latitudes with low humidity. The plant can be watered and "bathed" along with the leaves.

Watering

In the summer, the euonymus loves to drink plenty of water, you just need to make sure that the water does not stagnate at the roots and does not form puddles. In autumn, watering should be reduced, and in frosty winters it is better to avoid it altogether.

Top dressings and fertilizers

In terms of feeding, this plant will have enough complex mineral fertilizers applied once a month. It is better to feed the plant from March to September.

pruning

Like any cultivated shrub, euonymus should be pruned to maintain and regulate growth rates. The procedure is carried out in the spring, young shoots are cut off to form a lush crown. In autumn, you can prune dried branches.

By cutting the euonymus, you can form a decorative crown pattern in the form of balls, cones, or create small bonsai trees from undersized species, due to the fact that the branches and trunk are very elastic. Timely and regular "haircut" of the shrub contributes to the good formation of new useful branches in the crown.

Transfer

Young euonymus should be replanted annually. Older plants - once every three years. At the bottom of the container, in which the plant will be planted later, drainage is placed, a nutrient mixture is made from turf, earth, humus and sand at the rate of 2: 1: 1: 1 part.

Euonymus medicinal properties

Euonymus has long been used for medical purposes. This plant helps to cope with many diseases. healing properties have bark, branches, seeds and leaves. They contain many useful substances: carbohydrates, vitamin C, sucrose, higher fatty acids, alkaloids, tannins. Various decoctions and tinctures help to normalize blood pressure, normalize the functioning of the heart muscle, and cure diseases of the stomach and intestines.

Euonymus is also used to treat nervous breakdown and headaches. Recipes for tincture and decoction Decoction for migraine: take a few branches, fill them with two glasses of water and boil for five minutes, let the decoction cool. Take two tablespoons three times a day for a week, then take a month off. Tincture for hypertension: mix the bark and alcohol in a ratio of 1:10. For example, ten grams of bark and one hundred grams of alcohol. Let the medicine sit for two weeks. Take seven drops three times a day for two weeks, then take a month off.