Euphorbia viguierii

Euphorbia viguierii

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Native to Madagascar. It is a very variable deciduous species with a single angular stem, usually not ramified, green, up to about 80 cm tall with a diameter up to 3 cm, on which are evident the whitish elliptic scars, trace of the fallen leaves, placed on 5-6 vertical rows, with, on the sides, robust whitish thorns, 1,5-2 cm long, flat at the base and subdivided towards the apex in several thin thorns.

Sowing instructions: The sowing medium should be light and poorer in nutrients than normal commercial plant compost. A mineral soil can also be used, such as fine to medium grade sand to which can be added a little finely sifted peat. The soil should be thoroughly wetted by standing the containers in water. Sow the seeds evenly and not too thickly on the surface of the soil, press lightly and cover with a very thin layer of soil or sand no more than twice the thickness of the seeds. The temperature at night should not go below 18 °C, although by day it can rise as high as 40 °C. 25 °C is ideal. Basically higher temperatures bring faster germination, but full sun should be avoided to prevent the young seedlings scorching.

Locality: Ex Hort. Harvest: January 2024