Euphorbia stygiana ssp. santamariae
10th August 2013
Euphorbia stygiana is a large growing leafy species that is fairly widespread in the Azores
and has adapted reasonably well to cultivation in the UK though it is not entirely hardy.
The subspecies E.s.santamariae grows only on the island of Santa Maria and the population
is believed to consist of only 50 or 60 individuals. It has come into cultivation recently, grown from seed, and I was very
fortunate to be able to obtain one. I am uncertain how best to grow it. I was told that it grew on exposed slopes
(I have one of those) and the flora say it grows in Picconia forest (don't have any of that).
In the event it spent last winter in the Hedychium house and then in summer I planted it in the Agave house
where it will get some warmth in summer and some protection in winter. I worry about it getting too dry
and suffering from red spider but so far things are going well. If it comes through the winter safely
I will try to root a cutting and see how it does outside. I should probably try to root one now, but I haven't got
the nerve to cut anything off it just yet.
4th May 2017
Plans to grow it outside took a major leap forward when it outgrew the headroom available. Amazingly it forgave
me digging it up and moving it.
27th March 2020