Image - Wikimedia / Frank Vincentz
El Finger tree, known by the scientific name of Euphorbia Tiruculli.It is a very peculiar plant, since it has almost no leaves, which is why its stems turned green in order to carry out photosynthesis.
Although it is often found for sale in small pots, don't be fooled by its size: can grow up to fifteen meters tall. But if it seems like a lot, don't worry: you can prune it during the warm months. Let's know more about him.
Origin and characteristics of the finger tree
Image - Wikimedia / Frank Vincentz
La Euphorbia Tiruculli., sometimes called as Rubber Bush, Milk Bush, Abá, or Palitroque, in addition to as Tree of the fingers, is a type of euphorbia endemic from Africa to India, where it lives in dry regions with a tropical climate. It is characterized by having cylindrical and fleshy branches of green color. It is a plant that branches a lot from a young age, but as the trunk grows it is almost without branches, as can be seen in the image above.
As we said at the beginning, although its growth is rather slow, increasing its size by about 20 centimeters / year, it can reach up to 15 meters in height. For this reason, you have to think carefully about where you are going to have it so that in the future we do not have problems. In this sense, it must also be taken into account that it is a toxic plant, so it must be kept away from children as well as pets.
Its sap causes skin sores and eye damageTherefore, when handling it, you should always wear glasses and gloves.
Caring for the Euphorbia Tiruculli.
Despite the danger, if we work well, that is, protecting our hands and eyes, we can have a beautiful plant in the yard or in the garden. For it to grow properly you need the following:
Location
If the climate is mild, with frosts down to -2ºC, you can have it all year round outside in full sun; otherwise, it has to be put in a room with a lot of light. This is very important, because it would not survive in the shade.
It is a plant that needs space, so if it is planted in the garden, it must be at least three or four meters away from other large plants, such as trees or palm trees.
Irrigation
The finger tree withstands drought without problems, but waterlogging can kill it. For this reason, it will be watered occasionally. As usual, It will be done about 2 times a week in the warmer months, and every 10 days the rest of the year.
You do not have to wet the plant. When it is watered, it is necessary to pour the water on the ground; this way, it will get to the roots faster.
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Image - Wikimedia / David J. Stang
Besides water, it is necessary that we remember to pay it from time to time throughout the spring and summer. For this, it is recommended to pay with Organic fertilizers, like guano (for sale here), following the manufacturer's recommendations.
If it is grown in a pot, it is better to use liquid fertilizers, since the roots will absorb it better and faster, and the substrate will remain the same. On the other hand, if we have it on the ground, we can opt for powdered or granulated fertilizers.
Soil or substrate
La Euphorbia Tiruculli. it is a bit demanding, in the sense that it prefers those that have good drainage. Being very sensitive to overwatering and waterlogging, it is recommended that the following be taken into account:
- Garden: the land has to be sandy, and filter the water quickly. If it were not this way, then it would be necessary to make a large hole, approximately 1 x 1 meter, and cover its sides -except for the base- with shading mesh so that it does not come into contact with the garden soil. Then it would be simply filled with pumice (for sale here), gravel (construction sand widely used in ponds for example, 1-3mm thick), mixed with 40% universal substrate (for sale here).
- Flower pot: the container must have holes in its base. In addition, it must be filled with a mixture of universal substrate with 50% perlite.
How to reproduce Euphorbia Tiruculli.?
Can be reproduced by branch cuttings in spring or summer, planting them in pots with very porous substrates, such as black peat mixed with perlite in equal parts. Of course, we will always use gloves, and better if they are made of rubber, so that the sap does not come into contact with the skin, since if it did it would harm us.
Pruning
The finger tree does not need pruning. What can be done once a year is cleaning, removing the stems or parts of the stems that are dry, with the help of anvil scissors (for sale here) for instance.
Transplant
It should be planted in the garden as soon as spring sets in And the cold is left behind If it is grown in a pot, it will be changed to a larger one every 3 years. Thus, we will ensure that it continues to grow normally.
Rusticity
La Euphorbia Tiruculli. withstands cold and weak frosts, but the intense ones hurt him.
Image - Wikimedia / DC Gardens
What did you think of the Tree of the fingers?
I LOVE THE ARTICLE THANK YOU
We're glad you liked it, Libertad.
I have a bush of these and it is turning light green, why is it?
Hi Claudia.
We need some more information to help you. For example, do you have it in the sun or in the shade? When it comes to watering, do you let the soil dry out completely between waterings?
It is a plant that wants sun, and it must be watered only when the earth is dry, since it is very sensitive to puddles.
You tell us. Greetings.