How to grow an ornamental tangerine tree?

Citrus lovers are happy to grow tangerines from seed, because they take root better than oranges or lemons. But the question of how to care for a tangerine tree in the future becomes quite relevant. The seedling feels great in a pot, and we will tell you about home care below.

Caring for a tangerine tree in a pot: transplanting, keeping conditions, pruning

There are many aspects to consider. This includes transplanting without the risk of injury, creating favorable conditions in terms of temperature and humidity, pruning, pest control, elimination of desiccation, etc.

How often should a tangerine tree be replanted?

1. Each tree expands its territory by increasing the roots, tangerine is no exception. It needs to be moved from a small pot to a large one. Moreover, this procedure is carried out every year.

2. If we talk about a four-year-old tangerine, it is moved directly into a wooden tub (pot). Further, within 2-3 years, the tree will successfully bear fruit and develop.

3. The most favorable time for the relocation of the mandarin is early spring. At this time, the citrus awakens. Manipulations begin with a small digging, which is done in order to check the condition of the rhizomes.

4. If the root system is tightly entangled around a lump of earth, the tangerine needs a transplant. In other cases, it is enough just to remove the upper part of the soil and cover a new layer. In this state, the tree is left for another year.

Preparing the soil for replanting mandarin

In search of an answer to the question of how to care for a tangerine tree, it is recommended that you explore options for land suitable for growing a seedling in a pot. At home, you need to do everything right.

So, citrus fruits do not tolerate the acidic environment that accumulates peat. For a tree, you need to choose a soft and nutritious soil so that it retains moisture, but at the same time has good air circulation.

To prepare the soil for the cultivation of young tangerine trees, a mixture is prepared from the following components:

• humus from cow dung;
• sod and leaf types of soil mixed in the same ratio;
• disinfected river sand (coarse).

If you wish, you can not take humus, replace it with compost.

When the tangerine tree reaches the age of 3-4 years, fatty clay is added to the base of the soil. It will prevent drying out of the tree rhizomes and retain moisture for a long time.

It is imperative to lay a drainage layer about 4-6 cm thick in a pot or tub into which the plant will be transplanted. Clay shards, expanded clay or small pebbles are perfect.

Transplanting a tangerine tree without risk of injury

Since not everyone knows how to care for a tangerine tree in a pot, pay attention in a timely manner to the need for a transplant. At home, it must be carried out carefully, follow the instructions.

1. Water the soil along the sides of the pot with settled (filtered, rainwater) water so that it has less adhesion to the sides of the pot.

2. Take a spatula or any other object. Tap the pot gently from all sides. The same actions can be carried out with the palm of your hand, lightly tapping on the tub. You will make it easier to separate the roots and soil from the walls of a clay or wooden pot.

3. Take the tree by the trunk closer to the base, carefully remove its root system along with the rest of the earth. There is no need to remove any remaining soil, otherwise you may damage the plant.

4. Take care of a new pot with a drainage system in advance, it is necessary to cover it with a layer of earth. Install the dug tree inside, sprinkle with soil.

5. Only lightly tamp the soil, but do not press too hard. Water the citrus tree, set the pot in a sunny location.

Important!

When transplanting, you do not need to completely sprinkle the root collar of the tree with earth, otherwise it will take root for a long time. The top section of the neck must remain on the surface.

The root collar is understood as the line that separates the roots and the trunk. There is a small seal in this area, it must be partially covered with earth.

Conditions for keeping a tangerine tree at home

It is important for happy citrus owners to know how to care for a tangerine tree in accordance with all conditions. This is the only way to provide a tangerine in a pot with a long life at home.

# 1. Lighting

1. All citrus fruits love sunlight, so this must be taken care of in advance. Create a spot for the tree. A tub with a young seedling is placed on the northern window sill. Older trees are planted on the east and west side.

2. Mandarin grows well and bears fleshy fruit when placed on the south side. The main thing is that the windows have blinds or tulle to diffuse light.

3. It should be understood that severe UV rays negatively affect the tangerine crown, burning it. Direct sunlight also dries up the soil, so don't keep the tree under the scorching rays.

4. In the summertime, the citrus tree is transferred to the garden or balcony. It is advisable that the tub is located under spreading trees or be covered with something else. Such a move will scatter the light and smooth out the "blow" on the tree.

5. If the plant is installed in an apartment on a window, at the very rush hour (noon) it must be transferred to the shade or curtains. Towards evening (4 pm-6pm) the windows open.

6. In winter, due to lack of natural light, it is necessary to warm the tree with phytolamps.

7. Since it is necessary to care for a tangerine tree with respect to daylight hours, consider this when growing in a pot at home. Daylight hours last 8-12 hours, no less. Otherwise, the plant weakens, its leaves turn yellow and fall.

Important! Special light bulbs can be bought at the “Everything for Home and Gardening” store. When using them, periodically turn the tree to the light in different directions so that it warms up evenly.

No. 2. Temperature

1. The first buds on a citrus tree can be seen in spring.It is very important at this time to maintain the temperature regime so that it does not drop below 21-25 degrees. If the temperature drops to 15-17 degrees, the tree will be covered with fragrant, but not bearing fruit, barren flowers.

2. In the winter season, the tangerine must be moved to a cool room so that the plant is not exposed to strong influence of heating radiators. The room temperature must be lowered very slowly, otherwise the tree may lose some of its leaves. First, keep the indicators at +18, then reduce to +16, then +14. Some amateur gardeners even lower the mark to 10 degrees.

Important! Mandarin is prepared for hibernation after picking the fruit. In winter, the citrus tree is kept cool to increase its energy reserves. In such conditions, the tangerine rests, and after waking up, it gives even more buds. Its fruits take on juiciness, sweetness and look very bright.

3. Before caring for a tangerine tree according to all the rules, learn some more subtleties when growing in a pot. At home, around 10-20 January, you can gradually increase the temperature in the room. The tree should wake up from hibernation and prepare for flowering.

No. 3. Humidity

1. Mandarin loves not only warmth and light, but also moderate humidity. In hot weather, spray the plant 2-4 times a day with standing water from a spray bottle.

2. In summer, take care of normal air humidity, place a container of water next to the pot or purchase a compact humidifier for your apartment.

3. In winter, buy an ionizer and, again, a humidifier. If you have installed a pot with a tree near the heaters, cover the radiator with a wet sheet or towel.

4. Do not forget to ventilate the room in which the citrus pot is installed in a timely manner. However, with such manipulations, it is necessary to remove the tangerine tub to the side, because the citrus will not tolerate drafts and temperature surges.

Tangerine tree watering rules

1. If the soil in a tub with a plant dries up, the risk of spider mites is significantly increased. Always make sure that the soil contains a little moisture, it should not be wet.

2. In summer, watering is carried out every day, in winter, the procedure is reduced to 2-3 procedures per week. Therefore, it is important to know how to care for a tangerine tree in a pot. Feel the ground with your finger: if dry, pour in a small amount of water.

3. Always pay attention to the pallet before watering the tree. If there is a lot of water, the plant simply does not have time to absorb liquid. At home, watering should be stopped. Wait for the water in the pan to dry.

4. If you don't do the right thing, the root system starts to rot. Fungus may also develop. Use settled (rain, filtered) water.

5. The amount of water injected varies depending on the temperature in the room and the size of the plant. If the room is hot enough, a small tree needs up to 1 liter. water. For large, the indicator should be increased by 4 times.

6. Be sure to warm up the water to 39-41 degrees, then water the plant. It is enough to immerse your hand in liquid to roughly estimate the temperature. If you are comfortable, this water is what you need.

7. Pour the liquid exclusively into the rhizomes. Foliage with a trunk does not tolerate excess moisture. It is allowed to separately moisten the crown with a spray bottle. Distribute water evenly. When the tangerine is in bloom, the liquid should not get on the buds. Water the plant in the morning.

Tangerine tree pruning rules

1. In order not to start the plant, it is important to know how to prune the tangerine tree. Simple manipulations at home will speed up fruiting.

2. Regularly prune the grown shoots that make their way to the top of the plant.As a result, the tree will branch more.

Tangerine pest and disease control

1. If the plant develops slowly or poorly, grows, the reason for this may be diseases or the appearance of pests in the form of whiteflies, aphids, scale insects, spider mites.

2. In order to prevent this, you should know how to care for a tangerine tree in a pot. Bath the plant at home twice a month.

3. Rinse the foliage with a warm shower. In addition, once every 28-30 days, it is necessary to wipe the leaves with a manganese liquid.

Why is the tangerine tree drying up?

1. The first thing to pay attention to is the low air humidity in the room. The leaves of the plant will dry and then fall off.

2. To save the tree, regularly spray it with water from a spray bottle. Perform this procedure daily. Then it will be possible to save the remaining leaves.

Why do mandarin leaves turn yellow?

1. The leaves on the tree begin to turn yellow if the plant was transplanted without following the proper rules. The root collar can be deepened by the ear.

2. Also, a large pot can cause a similar problem. Fix everything, the plant will recover.

3. If the tangerine tree felt fine for a long time and suddenly began to throw off the leaves, do not panic.

4. The dormant plant may shed yellowed leaves. Most often, this process occurs in the off-season. You should also reduce watering.

Fertilizers for tangerine tree

1. When thinking about how to care for a tangerine tree, do not forget about the use of various fertilizers in the pot. In winter, the tree does not require additional feeding at home.

2. A suitable time for fertilization is considered to be the period from April to October. The tangerine should be fed at the moments of blooming and ripening of fruits. Fertilization is carried out once every 15 days. Such a complex should contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

3. A suitable fertilizer can be purchased at any horticultural / flower stand. It is recommended to choose "Uniflor-Bud", the composition is designed for use at the time of flowering. Kemira-Lux is considered a universal drug. When the fruit ripens, it is recommended to fertilize the tree with Uniflor-growth.

4. Be sure to alternate organic and mineral preparations. Prepare poultry manure or humus based nutritional formulas regularly. Take 1 part dry matter and 10 parts water. Insist fertilization for up to 4 days. Add the composition in small portions.

5. Make it a habit to slightly moisten the soil, only then introduce fertilizers. If you are using purchased products, strictly follow the instructions. It is allowed to wipe the leaves with a weak solution. Do not allow mineral fertilizers to come into contact with the fruits.

It is not difficult to learn how to care for a tangerine tree in a pot. Follow simple guidelines and take the necessary steps at home. Fertilize the tree in time and remember to prune it.

Among the representatives of the Rutov family, tangerine is one of the most popular fruits. In Latin, the name of this evergreen plant sounds like Citrus reticulate. Mandarin belongs to the citrus group, which also includes such well-known fruits as orange, lemon, grapefruit, etc. During its development, the plant can take on various forms - a shrub or a tree with a height of 5 m.

Indoor tangerine

In recent years, the cultivation of mandarin in artificial conditions has become widespread, for which devices such as greenhouses, greenhouses and conservatories... If you wish, you can grow this evergreen plant at home on the balcony or windowsill.Today, a large number of varieties of dwarf and low-growing tangerines have been created, which are ideal for these purposes, because when they reach the full phase of vegetative development, they have a height of no more than 0.6-1.1 m. he needs to prune and form a bush.

A tangerine grown in a pot can delight any owner. Moreover, this is manifested not only in the formation of bright, mouth-watering orange fruits, which can remain on the plant for several months. Many owners celebrate the beautiful flowering of the tangerine, because when the branches of the plant are covered with white flowers, they begin to emanate amazing scent... There are some varieties of tangerines, which begin to bloom from spring to late autumn. A true masterpiece is the tangerine grown according to the bonsai technique.

One of the advantages of indoor tangerine is that artificial pollination is not required to form its fruits. The moment of their ripening occurs, as a rule, at the end of the year. If you don't want to wait that long, then you can purchase an already mature potted plant with fruits. Although they look quite appetizing, it is not recommended to use them for food. Nevertheless, such tangerines are more decorative, because for their cultivation, large quantities of fertilizer are applied to the soil. Additional attractiveness to the plant is given leathery and corrugated leaves.

Varieties for growing at home

Before growing a tangerine at home, you must first decide on the right variety.

• Unshiu. This variety, which came from Japan, is very unpretentious. The plant enters the fruiting phase already in the 3-4th year. When grown at home, the plant reaches a height of no more than 0.8-1.5 m. During the growth process, a large number of branches are formed. With the onset of spring, the active phase of flowering begins, the formation of fruits occurs at the end of October-November. They are pear-shaped and contain no seeds.
• Forged-Vasa, Miha-Vasa, Miyagawa-Vasa. These plants represent the Vasya group of dwarf varieties. They can be grown on a windowsill. In the process of growth, the tangerine reaches a height of 40-80 cm. The ripening phases of the fruits reach the second year, acquiring an orange-yellow color. In the spring, the active flowering phase begins. A feature of these plants, which is typical for all other dwarf varieties, is that it does not require crown pruning.
• Shiva Mikan. Standing out for its small size, this plant is one of the early varieties and shows active growth. At the stage of ripening, small fruits weighing no more than 30 g are formed.
• Murcott. This plant is notable for its low height and forms very sweet fruits during the ripening process. This explains exactly why the name of this variety in translation sounds like "honey".
• Clementine. The plant appeared as a result of crossing a mandarin and an orange. When grown indoors, it begins to bear fruit in the second year. One mandarin plant is capable of producing up to 50 orange-red flattened fruits annually. Sometimes plants form fruits containing a large number of seeds, which are commonly called montreal.

Mandarin: home care

In order for a tangerine grown at home to be able to endow you with delicious and beautiful fruits, you need to correctly find a place for him and take care of creating optimal lighting.

Lighting

Good lighting is one of the defining conditions that must be met regardless of the growing conditions of the mandarin. Mandarin grows best when it is exposed to a small amount of direct sunlight.If the plant lacks lighting, this will affect its growth, the number of flowers formed will be small, and in some cases the plant will not be able to enter the flowering phase at all.

Also, the lack of lighting affects the leaves, which acquire a faded appearance, the emerging shoots begin to thin out, acquiring painful condition... For this reason, it is advisable to choose windows facing east, southeast or south as a place for growing mandarin. At the same time, he needs to provide artificial shade from the midday sun. With the onset of summer, a decorative tangerine can be placed on the balcony for a while, helping it to adapt to natural conditions.

The tangerine tree is looked after in a slightly different way in winter, when the length of daylight hours is reduced. For plants, it is necessary to choose the most illuminated area, on which direct sunlight falls. However, this does not always provide sufficient lighting. In this case, you have to use artificial lighting. You can fill the lighting deficit with an ordinary phyto-light bulb, which is connected to a chandelier or table lamp. You should start to light up the plants little by little. If the duration of daylight hours is immediately increased sharply, then this can lead to the shedding of leaves by plants.

Content temperature

For normal growth, ornamental tangerine must be provided with a summer temperature in the range plus 20-25 degrees Celsius... When the mandarin enters the flowering phase, it is desirable to maintain the temperature at a level of up to 20 degrees in order to avoid falling flowers. In winter, plants need to create conditions for less active growth, so a temperature in the range of 5-10 degrees will be optimal for it. Such a regime allows the plant to accumulate enough strength over the winter to actively enter the flowering and fruiting phase with the onset of spring.

How to water and spray tangerines at home?

The tangerine tree grown on the windowsill has the ability, borrowed from its wild ancestors, to withstand long periods of drought... If the plant does not receive moisture for too long, it will lead to shedding of the leaves, which will reduce the volume of evaporated liquid. Great difficulties for owners who decide to grow indoor tangerines arise with watering. It is necessary to correctly select the rate of water consumption, since with high humidity there is a risk of developing fungal diseases.

To correctly calculate the volume of water for irrigating a tangerine tree, the following factors must be taken into account:

• plant size;
• the volume of the container used for growing tangerines;
• ambient temperature;
• the length of daylight hours and the intensity of illumination.

As the surface of the leaves increases, the indoor plant begins to increase the amount of moisture evaporated, therefore, such plants must be provided with moisture in a larger volume. In addition, the rate of evaporation depends on the ambient temperature: as the temperature rises, the plants begin to release more moisture. Also, the volume of the evaporated liquid depends on the length of daylight hours. Throughout the day, the mandarin tree has open stomata, which are formations located below the ground part, which are necessary for gas exchange.

The most suitable time for watering indoor plants is the first half of the day, since it is at this time of the day that the peak of plant activity occurs. Particular attention should be paid to the ambient temperature: as it decreases, the frequency of watering is reduced. In some cases, it is enough to water the tangerine every few days if the temperature is kept within + 12 ... +15 degrees Celsius... In such conditions, a small amount of moisture is sufficient for plants to maintain their vital activity.

One of the recommended procedures that positively affects the development of the tangerine tree is spraying the leaves. In conditions of low air humidity, the mandarin begins to feel uncomfortable, as a result of which there may be a danger of infection of the plant with a spider mite. Therefore, during flowering, moisture must be avoided on the flowers.

How to feed tangerine at home?

In order for the tangerine tree not only to grow well, but also to bear fruit, it needs care, which includes the introduction of mineral and organic dressings. Since a container with soil is used for cultivation, which contains an extremely small amount of useful elements, all these elements are washed out during watering. A good feeding for tangerines can be soluble or dry fertilizers.

You can start feeding indoor plants already in the first days of spring, when the length of daylight hours begins to increase. Moreover, the first portions should be small, which must be increased over time. This point must be given special attention, since it is in early spring that the active development of vegetative and generative buds occurs.

For their normal formation, the mandarin tree needs to provide additional amounts of nutrients. When growing plants in indoor conditions, fertilization is carried out according to the same scheme as for other indoor plants. Tangerine should be fed in the morning. The recommended ambient temperature for this procedure is not higher than + 18 ... +19 degrees.

• Typically, the mandarin tree is fed with soluble fertilizers. They can be introduced through watering or by spraying the leaves, using a weakly concentrated composition for this.
• Plants grown at home can be fed with any complex mineral fertilizers rich in phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. It is these elements that plants need in the first place.
• To prepare the mixture, use soft or settled water at room temperature. It is very important to maintain the optimal dose. To do this, you need to follow the instructions for the drug exactly: usually 1 cap is enough for 1 liter of water. It is a misconception that increasing the dose to two caps will be of great benefit to the plant. Such a violation will only harm the tangerine tree, since it can lead to chemical burns or toxic poisoning.

Conclusion

Mandarin is an exotic plant for our country, but many owners have long learned to grow it at home. Many people are attracted by these evergreens not only with orange-red fruits, but also fragrant aromathat comes from flowers. Growing a decorative mandarin indoors is not such a difficult task as it might seem at first glance. The main thing that needs to be taken care of is to create optimal conditions for normal growth and development. With proper care, very soon the mandarin will delight you with bright and beautiful fruits.

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For many people, the word "tangerine" is probably associated with the anticipation and feeling of celebration. However, this is not only one of the most festive fruits. Of all tropical fruits, mandarin is second only to lemon in popularity, and the limited area of ​​natural cultivation (the Transcaucasia, the Black Sea coast, Abkhazia and the Sochi region are considered the most northern regions for the spread of this culture) makes it one of the most desirable citrus fruits in any home.With all this, mandarin is used in cooking, in the food industry, and in medicine.

It is not surprising that with such a demand, many people tend to grow it at home. And I must say that they have all the possibilities for this: there are special varieties of mandarin that lend themselves to cultivation in conservatories, greenhouses, greenhouses or in an ordinary room. Depending on the growing conditions, they can reach a height of one and a half or two to three meters. Such a tangerine is called "decorative" or home, indoor.

Ornamental mandarin varieties

Due to the appearance of its fruits, dense dark green leaves and the aroma of flowering, indoor tangerine is recognized as a very effective plant, and if it is also grown in the form of a bonsai, then it can be called a work of art without exaggeration. The most popular are the following varieties and groups:

1. Unshiu. It is considered the most unpretentious, early-growing, fast-growing and productive variety of all available. It branches well, has a spreading crown, thornless branches and wide leathery leaves. In indoor conditions, it grows to a maximum of one and a half meters, bears fruit already in the third or fourth year. Flowering time - spring, beginning of fruiting - end of October / November. Fruits are small, yellowish-orange in color, thin-crusty, pear-shaped, without seeds.
2. Vasya is a group of low-growing low varieties, in which there are three varieties: Kovano, Miha, Miyagawa. Next to these names, the general name of the whole group is usually indicated with a hyphen, so they look like this: Kovano-Vasya, Miha-Vasya, Miyagawa-Vasya. They reach a height of 40-80 cm, so it is very convenient to grow them on a regular windowsill. Abundant flowering, fruiting begins in the second year of cultivation, the fruits have a rich orange-yellow color.
3. Shiva Mikan. An early compact, fast-growing small-fruited variety weighing no more than 30 grams. and with large fleshy dark green foliage.
4. Murcott. A rare compact variety whose fruits are remarkable for their extraordinary sweetness. Ripening time is summer.

The following varieties of decorative mandarin are also known: Tangier, Robinson, Tardivo di Ciaculli.

There are also hybrids of mandarin and some other citrus fruits. For example, Clementine is a very popular hybrid of mandarin and orange. At home, it begins to bear fruit, depending on the height he has reached. Abundant fruiting: one adult tree can produce up to fifty medium orange-red, slightly flattened fruits with a good aroma and a shiny skin. In addition to this hybrid, elendale, tangoras, minneola, tangelo, santin and agli are also known.

In many varieties, fruiting directly depends on the height of the plant. The dependence is as follows:

1. With a growth of 20 cm, the tangerine begins to bear fruit after 60 months.
2. At 21 - 30 cm - in four years.
3. At 31 - 40 cm - after three years.
4. At 41 - 50 cm - in two years.
5. At 51 - 75 cm - after a year and a half.
6. From 76 cm to 1 meter - in the second year after the start of cultivation.

General principles of growing ornamental mandarin

It is not difficult to buy any kind of decorative tangerine: it can be done both on the Internet and in specialized stores. However, you should not buy a plant with existing fruits: no matter how appetizing they look, they should not be eaten because of too much fertilizer that such a plant receives. The best way to get a delicious and edible decorative mandarin is to grow it yourself.

The key to the successful cultivation of this plant is the right choice of place - well-lit, with a small amount of direct sunlight. Insufficient lighting leads to a slowdown in plant growth, the formation of a small number of flowers, or to a complete cessation of flowering; a strong lack of light causes faded leaves, thinning and stretching of new shoots and their painful appearance. Therefore, the best place for a decorative mandarin is recognized by the southern, southeastern and eastern windows, shaded from the sun by a regular gauze curtain attached to the frame. If the windows are not shaded, the leaves can get burned, the crown and roots can overheat, and as a result, the plant can get chlorosis.

In summer, decorative mandarin can be displayed on a balcony, veranda or garden, but it should be protected from the wind. In winter, it should be placed in the most illuminated place (if it is a window, then it should be well insulated beforehand) with direct rays of the sun and artificial illumination, for which an ordinary phyto-bulb or special fluorescent lamps are used. The tangerine should be transferred to supplementary lighting gradually, otherwise, with a sharp change in the duration of daylight hours, it may shed its leaves.

The next factor affecting the growth of ornamental mandarin is temperature. In summer, it should reach + 20-25, but during budding and flowering (in some varieties it can last almost all year round) it is better to keep it at + 16-18 so that the color does not fall off. In winter, he, like other indoor plants, needs a dormant temperature - that is, approximately + 5-10. Under such conditions, it will rest over the winter and will bloom and bear fruit better.

The problem of watering should be dealt with very carefully and carefully. In terms of its unpretentiousness and its ability to tolerate drought, the decorative mandarin does not differ from its relatives growing in nature, therefore it should be watered sparingly, depending on the drying of the topsoil, so as not to cause the development of fungal diseases and at the same time to prevent the complete drying out of the earthen coma. Watering frequency depends on:

1. The size of the plant, especially its leaves (the larger their surface, the more moisture evaporates and the more the plant needs watering).
2. The size of the container in which it grows.
3. Room temperatures.
4. Duration of daylight hours and light intensity.

It is not difficult to determine the frequency of watering: you just need to take a pinch of soil in the container and squeeze it. If it sticks together, then watering is not necessary, but if it crumbles, then watering is necessary. It is advisable to check the ground in this way every day, especially in the summer, so that the earth lump does not dry out. Water for irrigation should be chosen carefully - for example, it is not recommended to use rainwater, as it contains too many impurities harmful to citrus fruits. Before using water, it should be defended by leaving it in an open container at room temperature for at least one day, and only then water the tree with it.

The plant is usually watered until noon, when it "wakes up" and its life processes are activated. With a decrease in temperature, the frequency of watering should also be reduced until it stops for several days, if the temperature drops to + 12-15. In this case, it should be watered only to such an extent as to maintain vital activity. Some experts advise at this time to warm up the water intended for irrigation to a temperature of + 30-35. In the summer, it is not worth heating the water, it is enough just to leave it for a while on the windowsill bathed in the sun.

In addition to watering, you should also spray the leaves from a sprayer. This procedure is especially important in the summer. It kills several birds with one stone: it prevents the tangerine from becoming infected with a spider mite, creates the moisture it needs and washes away household dust from the branches and leaves. In general, the moisture level should be controlled in the same way as watering, and for better provision with it, you can place dishes with water next to the plant. The frequency of spraying is at least once a day, but if it is carried out during flowering, you need to make sure that water does not get on the flowers. About once a month, it is advisable to treat the mandarin crown with cotton wool and soapy foam to prevent the appearance of pests. It is best to do this in the bathroom, covering the substrate with plastic wrap and tying the stem of the plant at the bottom so that soapy water does not get into the substrate and is absorbed into the fabric.

Another element of successful plant growth is feeding it.This is all the more important at home, because the soil in the tank is quickly depleted and washed out, and recreational processes hardly occur in it. Fertilization is best done according to the following principle:

1. Use only soluble or dry fertilizers.
2. Apply top dressing only before noon at a temperature of at least + 18-19.
3. The frequency of introduction is no more than once every two weeks, and then only during growth (i.e., from March to September). The rest of the time, drugs can be added even less often.

If soluble fertilizers are used, then they must be dissolved in soft or settled water at room temperature strictly according to the instructions, in no case increasing the dosage. Top dressing is oil, which, as you know, cannot spoil the porridge: even with a small overdose, burns or poisoning of the tree are possible. Dry fertilizers should be applied even more carefully, keeping in mind one of their features. The fact is that the spring application of dry fertilizer will allow you to forget about feeding for a long time, but it is quite difficult to guess that the fertilizer was used by tangerine. Additional input will lead to its poisoning.

To what has been said, it remains only to add that the best option for a plant is a complex nitrogen-, phosphorus- and potassium-containing preparation. In low concentration, they can even be sprayed on leaves. It is also permissible to use organic matter such as diluted in a ratio of 1 to 10 infused cow dung or organic matter in combination with a mineral agent. You need to feed the plant only the next day after watering, so as not to burn the root system. It is also practiced to feed the decorative tangerine with fish soup prepared according to this recipe: 200 gr. fish waste or small unsalted fish should be boiled for half an hour in two liters of water, then diluted with cold water and strain through cheesecloth. This fish soup is used once a month together with a complex fertilizer for feeding adult plants with a height of at least one meter. According to experts, this enhances their fruiting. Ordinary drunk tea is also used as fertilizer.

Finally, another element of growing an ornamental mandarin is:

1. Pinching the tops of its branches.
2. Removal of dead leaves and elongated, improperly growing branches.
3. Removing some of the flowers on a young plant, so as not to deplete it and allow several fruits to ripen. The fewer fruits grow on it, the larger they will be, therefore the most optimal ratio of ovary to leaves is 1 ovary per 15-20 leaves.
4. Tying the fruiting branches of the plant to some kind of support so that they do not break under their weight.

What is the disease of decorative mandarin

Like many other plants, especially those growing in not very favorable climates, ornamental mandarin is susceptible to certain diseases. Most often it is struck by:

1. Shield.
2. Red spider mite.
3. Mealybug.
4. Leaf spot followed by their fall.

If the defeat of the mandarin by pests is protracted and persistent, then potent chemicals are used to cure it, however, their use within the apartment can lead to unpleasant consequences, so it is better not to bring the situation to such a measure. If the initial stage of the disease is fixed, you can do with improvised means. For example, the shield can be removed by spraying with soapy water, diluted in 3 liters. water 2 tbsp. l. liquid soap or "Fairy", before cleaning off the insects. The solution should be on the plant for about half an hour, after which it is washed off with warm water. A water-oil emulsion is also very effective: 1 tsp. machine oil is stirred in a glass of warm water, 40 gr is added to it. households soap and 2 tbsp. l. washing powder.All this should be applied with a cotton-gauze swab, left for three to four hours, and then rinsed under the shower so that the drug does not get into the ground. Before processing, the soil should be covered with a film, and the trunk should be bandaged at the bottom with a bandage - this will help prevent the used agent from getting into it. The frequency of treatment is three times with an interval of six days.

Spider mites are fought like this:

1. Collect it by hand.
2. Wipe the leaves and branches with a cotton swab dipped in cold water or alcohol.
3. Spray three times with a two-day strained infusion of crushed garlic or onions (no more than 200 grams), filled with warm boiled water, with an interval of six days. You can also use a mixture of soap and tobacco dust according to this recipe: pour 1 tbsp. l. dust with boiling water, insist for six days, add 10 gr. households soap and spray the "patient" three times with a six-day interval between treatments.

The worm can also be removed manually, and then three times (once a week) spray the plant with infusion of garlic or wipe parts of it with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol or in calendula tincture.

Well, in order to avoid leaf spotting and their dropping, you just need to follow the rules of watering, because it is their violation that causes the appearance of spots.

Transplantation and reproduction of decorative mandarin

If the plant is properly cared for, then over time it becomes cramped in the "cradle" -container, and it becomes necessary to transplant it. Young plants are transplanted annually, but if the roots have not yet braided an earthen lump, it is better to refrain from transplanting - it is enough just to change the drainage and the topsoil. If the plant turns three years old, it is transplanted once every three to four years, while a seven-year-old plant requires a transplant once every two years. Not a single transplant should be carried out during flowering, otherwise the tree will simply die. When replanting, use a ready-made soil mixture for citrus fruits or form it themselves at the rate of: 50% (3 parts) of sod land, the remaining 50% are equal parts of leafy soil, humus, river sand and a small amount of oily clay. Sometimes it is advised to add a little ash to this mixture. For young tangerines, the same soil composition is recommended, only without clay, and instead of three parts of sod land, two parts are usually taken. The resulting substrate should be light and slightly acidic.

To prevent stagnation of water and the appearance of root rot, before laying the soil on the bottom of the tank, it is imperative to place a drainage of three to five centimeters thick in the form of expanded clay, small stones, pieces of foam plastic or even fragments of ceramic dishes and charcoal. The pot into which the tangerine will be transplanted should be 5-8 cm larger in diameter than the previous one. It is not recommended to immediately plant the plant in a large container: this is impractical, unaesthetic and can lead to decay of the roots. Therefore, if you want your mandarin to delight you as long as possible, you cannot do without its regular transplant.

The best time to transplant a tangerine is early spring when it comes out of its dormant state. At the same time, it is recommended to refrain from applying fertilizers, stopping feeding two to three days before transplanting and resuming them only two weeks after the plant finds a new home.

The process itself is no different from transplanting any other indoor plant, except that immediately after transplanting it should be slightly watered, after 30-40 minutes, if necessary, add the substrate and water it again. Some experts advise using a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate when watering a transplanted plant for the first time, after which the plant can be placed on a windowsill so that the surface of the leaves is directed towards the light.

You can propagate a decorative tangerine by rooting branches or growing from a stone.In the first case, the use of a rooting agent will increase the survival rate several times. They use it like this: a stalk with two or three leaves is dipped into a rooting machine and, having landed in wet soil, covered with a film or a cut plastic bottle with holes for ventilation. And although in some sources you can find the statement that decorative mandarin is practically not amenable to cuttings at home, many amateur gardeners from their own experience claim that with the use of a rooter, cuttings take root after a few months.

The second case is not suitable for every variety of decorative mandarin. For example, they cannot breed unshiu because it is a seedless variety. In addition, a plant grown in this way will need to be grafted with indoor lemon, orange or grapefruit grown from a grain, otherwise it will not bloom.

Some amateurs argue that there is also a third way to propagate this plant - by air layers.

Conclusion

The main advantage of a decorative tangerine is not only a piece of exoticism in a city apartment or in a rural outback, but also the almost year-round availability of tasty and edible fruits in your diet, which you will no longer need to buy. And the appearance of this beautiful plant will surely decorate not only your home, but also your life.

Few people think that a fruiting exotic tree can be grown from a tangerine seed. Wonderful citruses will delight you with their regular harvest, though not large. You don't have to live in the tropics to have your tangerine tree on your window... The material below will allow you to grow tangerines at home without making mistakes.

Is it possible to grow a tangerine from a bone at home

Recently, tangerines have been successfully grown in greenhouses, winter greenhouses and on windows. Amateur gardeners have learned the intricacies of growing exotic trees, now it's not a secret for anyone. Due to doubts about whether it will bear fruit, many do not dare to have an exotic pet on their window.

Indoor tangerine

Growing it from a seed is as easy as shelling pears, but to get fruit, you need to follow some recommendations. Benefits of breeding tangerines in an apartment:

• citrus plant by characteristics unpretentious and tenacious;
• neat tree in a pot is wonderful decorate the interior;
• wood will delight with abundant foliage and a pleasant aroma;
• the owners of the tree note that it helps with depression and loss of strength.
• tangerine, like indoor flowers It does not require special care;
• you can grow it from any purchased mandarin;
• from the bone it will turn out excellent decorative tree.

To germinate the seed correctly, you need to buy several mandarin fruits. Remove the largest seeds from the inside. Small and soft will not work, it is better to throw them away.

For indoor cultivation, it is better to choose low-growing species.

If you do not take into account fruiting, for the sake of an evergreen plant on the window, you can plant seeds from any purchased tangerine. For the sake of fragrant fruits - it is recommended to plant the following varieties of mandarin:

1. Unshiu early-fruiting citrus variety it is considered very productive and unpretentious. The undersized tree has a spreading crown with flexible branches. With sufficient care and additional lighting, the tangerine will continue to bear fruit.
2. Indoor variety of tangerine Murcott allows you to get sweet, like honey, fruits. The ripening season is summer.
3. Early ripe tree Shiva-Mikan takes root well in room conditions. Blooms profusely and bears fruit. Fruit weight can reach 30 grams.
4. Many people successfully grow tangerines of the Clementine variety on the window.... In order for it to bear fruit and not grow "wild", a grafting of a sprig of cultivated citrus will be required.

In principle, you can try to plant any tangerine, the question is, will there be any fruit on it? The answer to this question and many other aspects of growing will be discussed below.

Will an ornamental tree grown from a stone bear fruit?

Experts are unanimous in the opinion that the tree will not bear fruit without vaccination. Do not let this scare you, it is not difficult to acquire a cultured scion, one branch will be enough. Tangerines grown in this way, delight with orange fruits for 3-4 years.

If not vaccinated, the tangerines will be small, green and tasteless.

On a well-rooted crown, the scion will quickly take root. Such a plant will cost much less than buying citrus from a flower shop. Many hobby gardeners share twigs to breed different varieties of cultivated mandarin.

Sometimes mandarin is sold with a twig that can be grafted or rooted

There are cases when mandarins are sold with sprigs. For the sake of experiment, you can try to graft it or root it.... There is no need to be afraid of difficulties, there will be no problems with the plant. The effort spent will be rewarded with a fragrant harvest.

Optimal growing conditions

An unpretentious plant requires some conditions for placement and cultivation. By observing these requirements, you can achieve fruiting throughout the year. If the tree is properly looked after, it will constantly bloom and bear fruit. Often on the windows you can find tangerines with fruits of different ripeness. Conditions to be provided:

• stable temperature regime not less +14 degrees;
• best place in the house unshaded windows from the south side;
• plant needs sufficient air humidity, you can achieve it by spraying;
• in dry season it is necessary ensure regular watering (it is recommended to put a container with water next to it);
• in autumn and winter, the frequency of watering is reduced, soil loosening is added;
• in the spring they feed universal fertilizers.

In the first year of fruiting tangerine, part of the flowers are pinched

In an adult plant, a crown is formed, extra branches are removed. With abundant flowering in the first year of fruiting, it is better to pinch some of the inflorescences... This is done in order not to overload the young tree. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the tangerine so that there are no diseases on the leaves and drying out.

A lack of moisture can destroy the plant, and an excess can cause rotting of the roots.

How to choose a seed for planting?

The stone is taken from a ripe, bright orange fruit. Yellows and greens are not suitable. To get 2-3 sprouts, you need to collect at least 10 strong seeds... Planting is best done immediately, you do not need to wait for the bones to dry out and wrinkle. It is preferable to buy tangerines during the natural fruiting season, in autumn or winter.

In the rest of the year, it is more likely to get poor-quality seedlings of hybrids. The quality of the seeds can be checked with water... Heavy seeds will sink, hollow ones will float on top. Thanks to the selection of high-quality seed, the seedlings will be strong and resilient. Weak seeds can die over time.

Landing conditions

The conditions may seem complicated, but these are just the subtleties that need to be observed. In the future, everything will be much easier, the main thing is to do everything right. Prepared bones, before they fall into the ground, must undergo some preparation..

1. Seeds must be disinfected from the effects of fungi, hydrogen peroxide solution. The ratio of peroxide and water is 1:10. It is enough to dip the seeds in the solution and remove.
2. Next, take a saucer or any other container, cover it with a soft cloth. Wrap the seeds in it... Moisten the cloth well. Keep it moist every day. It is not necessary to pour it heavily with water, the seeds will rot from an excess of moisture.
3. If the germination process seems tedious, you can immediately sow seeds into wet soil... In case the seeds do not sprout, this option will not work.

Planting depth of mandarin seeds 1–2 cm

4. In a few days the seeds will hatch... At this point, you will need to prepare the ground for their landing. It is better to give preference to light, non-acidic soil. You can buy the land structure ready-made or prepare it yourself. For 1 part of sand, take 2 parts of earth and humus. Land taken in a forest belt is well suited.
5. Pick up a small pot... Place the bones there. Planting depth 1-2 cm. Weak shoots can always be removed. Strong - transplant.
6. Some practice growing seedlings in disposable cups... This method has the right to life, but it is better to take peat or flower pots. Moisture evaporates worse in a glass.
7. Water as the soil requires, it should always be wet.
8. Loosen the soiluntil the plant takes root well, not necessary.
9. In order for tangerine seedlings to grow quickly, it is necessary provide additional lighting... This is especially true in the winter period, when natural light will not be enough.

By the number of shoots, one can judge how high-quality the seeds were. When planting 10 seeds, normal germination of 3-5 seedlings... Some of the seedlings may die as they mature. Natural selection will produce strong shoots.

How to care for a young seedling

Care consists in regular watering and spraying the leaves. To prevent the leaves from hurting, do not spray them with tap water. Let it sit for at least one night. It is good to have a special watering can, in which there will be settled water... To prevent the roots from rotting, you can add a little potassium permanganate to the water.

Sprouted Mandarin Seeds

As a prophylaxis against aphids and midges, onion peels should be placed around the plant. EIf the pests are bred, the seedling is washed with water infused with garlic, laundry soap or salt... Midges can live on the soil surface. It will need to be loosened.

Indoor plant grafting

In order for a citrus tree to bear fruit, it is necessary to inoculate the cuttings from varietal mandarin. Slices are made with a disinfected sharp instrument. At the time of vaccination, the young tree should be as thick as a pencil. There are many ways of vaccination, we choose the most convenient option:

• T-shaped scion using a shallow incision under the bark;
• acute angle inoculation, the cut is attached to the cut on the tree;
• V-shaped cut the game is done in the center, a twig is inserted inside.

Tangerine grafting into cleavage

You need to vaccinate quickly and accurately. Tightly bandage the vaccination site and cover it with garden varnish... To ensure comfortable conditions for the plant after the scion, you can cover it with a transparent bag or glass jar. You can use growth stimulants.

A rooted and grafted tree, being on the south side with sufficient watering and fertilization, will delight with an abundance of tangerines. With advice on growing, you can safely start planting... As experience shows, it turns out that everyone can grow a tangerine from a bone.