[Arid_gardener] RE: Crown of Thorns

[Christine M. Bahto]

ORIGINAL QUESTION:
    From: bverno5813 at msn.com
    To: Arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu
    Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2007 15:08:07 -0700
    CC:
    Subject: [Arid_gardener] Crown of Thorns


    I just planted 2 of these plants in full sun because the nursery said
they would take full sun, and now the leaves are turning brown and dying.
Should I cover them with sun screen?  What else can I do for them?

ANSWER:
Here's one more comment about Euphorbia milii, otherwise known as Crown of
Thorns. I have 3 of them that grow outside year round in low bowl plnaters
that can be moved around according to the weather. They are planted in
cactus soil and get watered twice a week during the hottest part of the
summer.

In the summer they are moved under the dappled shade of a Desert Bird of
Paradise where they still get a lot of sun from morning until around 4 in
the afternoon. In the winter they get pulled out into full sun and are
protected on the coldest nights by an old sheet, getting watered only once
every 2 weeks. They have been full of bright green leaves and flowers for
the entire summer.

For the ones that you have planted in the ground, I would immediately cover
with shade cloth for another month (mid-October) and then expose them to
full sun again. Remember to protect from frost on cold nights. Next summer
you will probably have to cover them again with shade cloth, as they cannot
handle full sun here in Phoenix. The ones you purchased might have come from
California which is why they are suffering now that they are in Arizona sun.

You can also try digging them up and moving them to another area where they
get will get shade from the afternoon sun in the summer. With alittle shade
and a little more water yours will most likely recover. Just keep in mind
that the weatherman has threatened us with cooler temps this week!!! So
water accordingly, once a week should be enough unless the heat comes back!

Hope this helps,
Christine Bahto
Master Gardener, Maricopa County, U of A Cooperative Extension