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Offered is one well-sized plant, about 16 inches tall from bottom of pot to leaf tip, shown on the last 2 photos.

The blooms of "King Diamond" variety feature elaborate, ball-like clusters of thick, multi-colored bracts that provide extended visual enjoyment. Initially, the blooms open in a delicate cream hue with subtle green undertones, maturing into a stunning palette of rich cream, pink, and red. This cultivar is particularly notable for its diverse range of color tones, making it a striking addition to your Crown of Thorns collection.

At Julia's Euphorbia Milii Garden, I am proud to offer high-quality stocks that have successfully undergone the rigorous inspection process by the USDA. My plants are sourced from a reputable controlled plant exporter, recognized as one of the leading Euphorbia Milii growers in Thailand. This ensures that they are free from pests and diseases, providing you with healthy and vibrant specimens for your collection.

I am passionate about photography and enjoy capturing the vibrant colors of my flowers as they adapt to various weather conditions. Each season brings unique changes in their appearance, showcasing a remarkable array of hues and textures. Through my photography, I aim to share not only the beauty of these blossoms but also insights into their growth patterns and adaptations. I hope you find my images both informative and visually captivating

Over the years, I have developed my own unique plant breeds, including "Angelique," "Angelona," "Olivia," the nearly thornless "Moon Shadow," the super giant "Obei-Obei," and "Texas Goddess," among many others. The beautiful, unretouched photos of each cultivar that you see in my online stores serve as proof that I grew these delightful plants myself, nurturing them from their baby stage to maturity. As a result, I am very familiar with the specific characteristics of each cultivar.

And as a friendly reminder, before you click the BUY button, please take time to read my return policy and disclaimer at the bottom of this page. Thank you!

**SHIPPING POLICY**

Thank you for your order! Your plant will be shipped bare root (without a pot), with minimal soil remnants attached to the roots. To ensure that your plant arrives in the best possible condition, I take great care in processing and packaging your order with the highest level of professionalism.

**Packaging Process: **

The roots will be securely wrapped in tin foil to protect them during transit.

Thorns will either be trimmed, or tissue paper will be inserted between the leaves and thorns to prevent punctures. This precaution ensures that the plant will arrive to you in pristine condition.

The entire plant will be paper wrapped, which will include a name tag for easy identification.

Ultimately, bubble wrap is added to cushion and stabilize the plant within a sturdy, crush-proof shipping box, ensuring it remains securely fastened during transport.

I am constantly exploring new methods to improve the shipping experience, so if you have any suggestions, please feel free to reach out. I genuinely value your feedback, and if your suggestion is implemented, I would be delighted to offer you a free plant as a token of appreciation.

**Shipping Days:**

I ship orders on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Your items will be dispatched within 48 hours of receiving your payment. Orders placed on the weekend will be shipped on the next business day.

**International Shipping:**

For international buyers, please contact me for the correct shipping fee applicable to your specific country before completing your purchase. Any taxes, customs fees, or duties are not included in the shipping fee and are the responsibility of the buyer.

**Note for Non-U.S. Buyers:**

For residents of Hawaii, Guam, Alaska, and Puerto Rico, your plant will also be shipped bare root, with all leaves and flower buds removed. This practice is designed to minimize stress during international shipping. By removing leaves and buds, the plant conserves energy and avoids yellowing due to lack of light, effectively entering a brief period of dormancy. This approach ensures that your plant arrives live, healthy, and ready to thrive upon unpacking.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

I do local sales, and I also operate other online stores. I reserve the right to take off any of my listings without prior notice.

All plants, including Crown of Thorns tend to develop yellow leaves (and eventually fall off) when under stress, like shipping impact, change of climate or location, transplant shock, etc.

If you?re only looking for the giant-blooming cultivars, I suggest you read the description fully well, or better yet, inquire first before making a purchase.

I make great effort uploading the most recent pictures of actual plants being offered so you know exactly what you will be receiving. These pictures are not ?photo shopped?, altered, nor enhanced in any way whatsoever. Photos of blooms taken from mother plants may vary slightly due to light conditions and/or your computer settings.

Most of what I offer are small starters, some blooming, some with flower buds and a few times, rooted cuttings that have no leaves, buds nor flowers. Please read the description carefully before buying.

As with most cultivars, the size and quantity of blooms develop in conjunction with the plant age, thus starter or young plants have starter-sized blooms and fewer in number as well.

I ship plants as you see them in the pictures, with all the leaves, buds, and blooms (if any) intact. Thorns are protected with tissue papers or trimmed off to avoid punctures to the leaves; that way, you?ll receive your plant as fresh as possible.

Many cultivars change flower color depending on the weather. A white variety in summer can be pink during winter or a pink bloomer in winter can be orange in summer. Others would exhibit multiple color changes from the newly opened bud to maturity.

If you have any questions or suggestions, or simply want more information regarding Euphorbia milii cultivation, please let me know, and I will get back to you ASAP.

CARE and MAINTENANCE of Crown of Thorns

Planting Your Crown of Thorns

Pot Size: Use a small pot, 3-inch diameter for starter plants and 4-inch diameter for bigger plants, and stake if necessary.

Watering: Water your plant when the surface is dry to the touch. Keep the soil constantly moist but not soggy.

Sunlight: Place your plant where it receives good sunlight, at least 4 hours daily.

Repotting Your Crown of Thorns plant

Timing: After a month or two, when your plant is well established, repot it in a decorative flowerpot of your choice.

Potting Mix: Use a good potting mix. Do not add fertilizer when using a commercial potting mix as these mixes already contain enough fertilizers. Only replenish fertilizer after 4 or 6 months (please refer to the information on the fertilizer bag).

Fertilizing Your Crown of Thorns

Frequency: Fertilize sparingly. A pinch of smart-release balanced fertilizer can be incorporated into the potting mix during repotting.

Type: Use a liquid balanced fertilizer at half strength every 10 days during the warmest months and/or during copious blooming.

Winter Care: Suspend fertilizing during the winter when natural light levels are low and temperatures dip below 35°F.

Maintaining Blooms

Water Control: Keep your plant away from garden sprinklers.

Shade: Move your plant into a shadier area during the long, hot days of summer.

DISCLAIMER and RETURN POLICY

Various factors, such as plant age, nutritional status, light intensity, soil pH, and climatic conditions, can influence the size, quantity, and color intensity of the bracts.

The actual color of blooms and the colors shown in photographs may differ due to camera pixelation and variations in monitor settings.

While every effort is made to package your plants with great care, there is no guarantee that delicate leaves, buds, and blooms will stay intact during shipping.

If you decide to return your live plant within the 14-day window, please note that a total of 45% consisting of the listing fee, shrinkage fee, and restocking fee will be deducted from the initial price of the purchased items.

Thank you for your understanding. I greatly value your order and appreciate your support.

BRIEF HISTORY OF CROWN OF THORNS

Euphorbia milii, with the common names Crown of Thorns, Christ Plant or Christ Thorns hails from Madagascar, a large island situated in the western Indian Ocean, about 225 miles off the east coast of South Africa.

The Latin name, Euphorbia, was coined by King Juba II of Numidia (present-day Algeria) after he was treated with a certain potent medicinal plant. He named this plant after his Greek doctor Euphorbus, who obtained the plant from Morocco in the Atlas Mountains. King Juba II reigned from 29 BC-27 BC till his death in 23 AD. However, it was only in 1753 when Euphorbia was officially established as the botanical name for this genus of plants in the Euphorbiaceae family.

The label Milii on the other hand, came from the family name of Baron Milius, who was then the governor of Reunion, a tropical island located in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. He was instrumental in bringing the species to France in 1821; thus, Milii was named in his honor.

Interestingly, Crown of Thorns, as commonly called in English-speaking countries, was the plant (branches of this plant) that was braided by the Roman soldiers and placed it on Jesus' head during His crucifixion - so the legend goes. The original Crown of Thorns is long, malleable, and easily woven to create a hoop. According to Dr. T. Ombrello (UCC Biology Dept.), there exists ample proof of the species' existence in the Middle East even before the time of Christ.

Common names of plants are derived from the plant's usage in the past, so I have read from botanical books. Sometimes, though, as is the case in some countries, a plant can acquire its name through superstitions, legends, and folklore. In Thailand, where the plant is extremely popular (thanks to the Chinese who brought the plant to the Island), its name is Poysean, meaning eight saints: Poy being eight and sean being saints. The old E. Milii typically has eight flowers per cluster, hence the name, which refers to the eight saints in Chinese mythology. The legend goes to tell that the eight saints sacrificed all their gold, intelligence, and spirit to advocate righteousness and justice. By honoring the saints, one will receive good luck according to the specific mythical power of each of the saints: health, bravery, wealth, beauty, artistry, cleverness, poetry, and victory over evil spirits.

The Thais highly regard the plant as a lucky charm, a good-luck plant, and a symbol of good fortune. They put their potted plants in strategic positions around their houses to invite these positive forces. They believe that the more blooms their Poysean produces, the more luck the household will receive.

References: Crown of Thorns Hybrids by Stephen Jankalski; TropicaNursery.com; www.uaex.edu.,Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service; Crown-of-Thorns by John McLaughlin and Joe Garofalo; L&P Farm, Thailand; Poysean Hybrids by the Agricultural Extension of the Kasetstart University Faculty of Agriculture, Thailand; WanaplukGardens.com; ViaLibri rare books; Mabberly, D.J. 1993. The Plant Book; PanpitGardenCenter.