Myrtle (Luma apiculata)

El myrtle It is a beautiful tree with which you can have an incredible garden. And it is that the reddish brown color of its bark stands out so much that surely your eyes will not be able to avoid stopping on it. In addition, it is very easy to care for and maintain.

So if you want how is the cultivation of the myrtle, apart from other interesting details, here is his special article.

Origin and characteristics

Our protagonist is an evergreen shrub or tree native to the temperate forests of Chile and Argentina that reaches a height of 3-5 meters (rarely 20m). Its scientific name is Luma apiculata, but it is popularly known as myrtle, red myrtle, Chilean myrtle or palo colorado. The leaves are simple, round or oval in shape, shiny on the upper side, leathery, dark green on the upper side and light on the lower side. The bark of the trunk is brown when young, and orange when adult. This is soft to the touch, since it is covered by silky hairs that come off on contact.

Blooms in summer. The flowers are hermaphroditic, appear in groups of 3 to 5, and are white or slightly pink, aromatic, and measure up to 2cm in diameter. The fruit is an edible black or purple berry known as myrtle or mitao.

What are their cares?

If you want to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:

Location

Place your myrtle abroad, in full sun or in semi-shade.

Earth

• Flower pot: universal growing medium (you can get it here).
• Garden: it is indifferent as long as it has good drainage.

Irrigation

The frequency of irrigation will vary depending on the season of the year, as well as the climate in the area. But usually, you should water it 2-3 times a week in the hottest season and every 4-5 days the rest.

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From early spring to fall it is highly advisable to pay it with Organic fertilizersand guano, compost, the mulch u others. In case of having it in a pot, liquid fertilizers must be used following the indications specified on the container.

Multiplication

The myrtle multiplies by seeds in spring. The step by step to follow is the following:

1. The first thing you should do is buy the seeds, either in a nursery or in an online store.
2. Once you receive them, keep them in a glass of water for 24 hours. The next day, discard (or sow them separately) any seeds that are floating, since they most likely will not germinate.
3. Then fill a seedling tray (you can get it here) with universal growing substrate.
4. Next, water so that the substrate is well soaked and place a maximum of 2 seeds in each socket.
5. Then cover them with a thin layer of substrate and water again, this time with a sprayer.
6. Finally, insert the seedling tray in another tray without holes, and put them outside, in semi-shade.

Watering 3-4 times a week filling the tray without holes in such a way as to prevent the substrate from drying out, the seeds will germinate in 1-2 months.

Pruning

At the end of winter, dry, diseased or weak branches should be removed.. You can also trim those that have grown too much, giving it a rounded bush or sapling appearance, depending on what it is needed for.

Plagues and diseases

It's very tough, but if the environment is very hot and dry it can be affected by mealybugs, trips o Red spider, which can be eliminated with specific insecticides. In addition, if it is watered excessively, the fungi could damage its roots, rotting them. To avoid this, you have to control the risks.

Rusticity

It is a plant capable of withstanding cold and frost of up to -7ºC.

What uses does it have?

Ornamental

The myrtle is a very decorative plant, which can be used either as an isolated specimen or in groups. In addition, it is a good option to create hedges, since as we have seen it can be pruned without problems.

Medicinal

Its most popular use is medicinal. Both the leaves and the flowers, as well as the bark, are stimulating, tonic, diuretic, anticatarrhal and astringent. This means that it is a good remedy both for losing weight or maintaining weight, for relieving cold and flu symptoms, and for providing energy.

Where can you buy?

The myrtle it can be obtained in nurseries and online stores. Its price varies depending on the size, but to give you an idea, a copy of up to 1 meter costs about 20 euros. Even so, and as we have commented, getting one per seed is not difficult, since it also has a rapid growth so if you provide it with the care that we have told you, you will surely be able to enjoy a beautiful myrtle in a few years (if all goes well. , perhaps in five years it will have reached 3-4 meters).

Did you know the myrtle?