How to grow a tangerine tree at home?

Most of our children, and often we ourselves, adults, began their acquaintance with botany with a mandarin duck. Orange, fragrant, with bright slices and nondescript bones, it brought us to the question: is it possible to grow such a miracle on our own? And if this question overtook us not far from a pot of earth, even if already occupied by some plant, the seeds were immediately sent to the soil. And after a while, the already forgotten experiment turned into a difficult task: how to care for and get the fruits from your own tangerine in the conditions of home cultivation? We will talk about this in the article.

Mandarin tree (Citrus reticulata)

Content:

• Tangerine from the bone - analyzing the difficulties
• What seeds to plant?
• Cooking the ground and picking up the pot
• Planting mandarin seeds
• Transplanting mandarin seedlings
• Mandarin formation
• Tangerine care at home
• First fruiting of tangerines
• How to make tangerines bloom?
• Mandarin grafting
• Tangerine care during flowering / fruiting
• Mandarin pests
• Problems when growing tangerine
• Interesting facts about tangerine

Tangerine from the bone - analyzing the difficulties

Before deciding to grow a tangerine from a bone, you need to think: how much are you willing to work hard to achieve a result, and what exactly do you want from the tree you are growing - just decorative or also fruits? Are you ready to wait? The seed tangerine grows rather slowly. Do you agree to experiments? In order for the plant to bloom, it will take more than one year, and there are often cases that the tangerine, in general, does not bloom, then you will need to help him.

In addition, if a tangerine grown from a stone produces fruits, they do not look like those from which the seed was taken (in order for the variety to repeat, it must be propagated vegetatively - by cuttings, grafts). However, what turns out, in any case, pleasantly surprises!

What seeds to plant?

For planting tangerines, it is best to take seeds from the many hybrids offered for sale today. They sprout faster, bloom earlier, in most cases, produce edible fruits and are easier to graft. It is very simple to distinguish them from real tangerines: the real ones do not have seeds in the fruits, or there are very few of them, and hybrids are always with seeds.

The selected seeds should not be thin, as if dried out, deformed or with a blackened tip. It is good that there are at least five mandarin seeds, since not all will germinate, and if the plants are planned to be grafted, then at least ten, because grafting is not always successful.

Sprouted from mandarin seeds

The next task is to prepare the substrate. There should be no peat in it, since mandarin does not like acidic soil. Therefore, the substrate is either bought in a store, marked with a pH = 6.5-7 (neutral soil), or they are made on their own by mixing two parts of well-rotted humus, two parts of forest land (from under deciduous trees) and one part of sifted river sand. If there is no humus, you can just take non-acidic soil and sand.

Now you need to pick up a container for planting. The first pots for young tangerines are quite capable of being plastic cups with a volume of 200 ml, bowls with a depth of at least 7-9 cm (always with a drainage hole) or small pots.

Planting mandarin seeds

For all citrus fruits, there is a single rule: the faster the seed from the fruit gets into the soil, the higher its germination. Therefore, after eating a tangerine, you do not need to dry its bones, you must immediately place them in the ground, digging them to a depth of 4 cm.

If, for some reason, the mandarin seeds could not be planted immediately, then, in order to slightly speed up the germination process, it is recommended to soak them for several days. In this case, the dishes in which they will lie should be flat, the cloth should be damp, but not filled with water, the place should be warm, but not in the sun. So that the cloth in which the tangerine bones are wrapped does not dry out, the saucer can be placed in a plastic bag, slightly covered, but not tied.

Hurried tangerine from seeds

From sowing to germination

It is impossible to say in advance how long it will take for the seed to germinate and sprout. In some cases, this is 15 days, but more often - about a month. In any case, before germination, it is important to monitor soil moisture and air temperature, which should not fall below + 20 ° C and exceed + 25 ° C. At the same time, it is not recommended to place the pots in a mini greenhouse, tangerines sprout so well, and plants grown in greenhouse conditions will then need to be accustomed to the conditions of the room.

Transplanting mandarin seedlings

If the mandarin seeds are not planted in separate pots, but all together in a bowl, when four leaves appear (it is believed that citrus fruits do not have cotyledon leaves), it is time to transplant them into separate cups. From the obtained seedlings, the most powerful are chosen, and the weak and deformed are discarded, getting stronger and more capable of growth and development of plants.

Sometimes it happens that two sprouts grow from one mandarin seed (in citrus fruits, multi-embryonic seeds are observed). In this case, you can do two things: either pin a weaker plant, or plant the shoots in different pots - usually each of them has its own root system.

The next mandarin transplant should be focused on root development: as soon as the roots take up the entire volume of the cup, the plant is transferred into a more spacious pot. But immediately planting a seedling in a large volume of land is highly discouraged, because in this case, waterlogging of the soil often occurs, which significantly inhibits the plant.

Young tangerine trees are transplanted annually. Fruiting - once every 2-3 years, increasing the diameter of the pot not by 1, but by 4-6 cm. When planting, it is important to take care not to deepen the root collar.

Old plants and large specimens of tangerine are not transplanted, but every few years the top layer of soil is carefully removed in a pot, replacing it with a new, fertile one.

Mandarin is one of those plants that often have to be shaped. The first pinching (if he did not start branching himself) is done to him when the seedling reaches a height of 30-40 cm. This technique makes the tree start up side shoots of the first order. But this is not enough for flowering, because tangerine bears fruit only on branches of the 4th-5th order. Therefore, the pinching is continued, removing the tips of all shoots after 4-5 leaves, as well as weak shoots and those that grow inside the crown. In general, it takes 3-4 years to form.

But to force the branching of the first-order branches, you can go the other way - reject the shoots with a commit. This method is more time consuming, but quite interesting. For its implementation, one end of the wire is fixed on a branch, and the other is fixed with a hairpin at the edge of the pot so that the formed mandarin shoot tilts closer to a parallel position with respect to the ground.

Mandarin tree (Citrus reticulata)

Caring for tangerine trees varies somewhat depending on their age and purpose.If the specimen is young (up to 5 years old) or is grown exclusively for the sake of green foliage, it needs regular watering (the soil must be kept moist, but not flooded), spraying (quite frequent) and a lot of light (with shading in the summer from the bright midday sun and backlit on winter days).

In warmer months, the tree can be taken out into the air (gradually accustoming it) to a place protected from the wind. It is good for a tangerine to have a warm shower once a month.

If the tangerine began to bloom, then, in addition to the usual care, it needs a period of winter dormancy, at a temperature of + 10..12 ° C with more rare watering (it is necessary to allow the earth to dry out a little), a smooth increase in temperatures in the spring and an optimal temperature regime for education buds (within + 16..18 ° C). As well as moderate heat in summer - no higher than + 25 ° C (at a higher temperature, flowers can crumble) and careful spraying (water should not get on the flowers).

Like other citrus fruits, mandarin tends to turn the leaves towards the main light source. Therefore, for a more uniform formation of the crown, it can be rotated around its axis. But this should be done no more than 10 ° at a time and no more than once every two weeks, because citrus fruits do not like permutations and can react negatively to them.

Since tangerines ripen for about 6 months, many people have a question: should the tree rest in the winter or light it up with a lamp so that the fruits ripen? Answer: arrange. Even in conditions of + 10..12 ° C, tangerines slowly ripen.

Top dressing mandarin

Small tangerines are not fed, they are simply transferred into a larger pot. But older plants need to start fertilizing from the beginning of spring growth until autumn. This should be done with a special fertilizer for citrus fruits or mullein infusion (1:10 with water) every two weeks. Chicken droppings are also suitable for feeding (dilute 1:20 tincture at the rate of 1:20 with water).

If the tree is planned for transplantation, tangerine feeding is stopped at least three days before this event. After transshipment, they return to fertilizers no earlier than 2 weeks later. In winter, tangerines are not fed.

Tangerine grown from seed begins to bear fruit in the 5th-6th year. Its fruits do not exactly repeat the taste of the mother variety and may differ from it in size, sweetness, aroma, but not only in the direction of deterioration of these qualities (as is commonly believed), but also in the direction of improvement (here - whoever is lucky).

At the same time, the first fruiting does not yet fully reveal all the characteristics of the plant obtained from the seed. Therefore, if a tangerine has bloomed and set fruits, it must be provided with the most attractive conditions so that the tree can show itself during repeated fruiting.

How to make tangerines bloom?

It's good if the tangerine blooms on its own. And if not? If so, he can be encouraged to do so. It is necessary to take a copper wire and tightly wrap it around the base of the mandarin trunk so that it is pressed into the bark. This will disrupt the process of sap flow and make the plant “think” about the offspring - to bloom. After six months, the wire must be removed, and the wounded place must be treated with garden varnish - it will recover quickly enough.

However, the method will not work if the mandarin has not formed a crown and has not had a dormant period. Therefore, before starting the experiment, it is necessary to help the tree grow branches of the 4th and 5th order and go through a cold winter.

Mandarin grafting

Another way to get fruit from a mandarin seedling is to plant it. To do this, it is necessary to grow a stock (tangerine from a bone) to the thickness of a trunk with a diameter of a simple pencil (about 6 mm) and find a scion - a small segment of a shoot taken from a varietal mandarin, or rather, a bud (eye) with a leaf petiole.

At a height of 7 cm from the soil on the bark of the stock with a very sharp, preferably a special budding knife, make an incision in the shape of the letter “T” so as not to cut through the wood. The length of the incision should be about 2.5 cm, the upper jumper (cap of the letter "T") about 1 cm. Insert the cut mandarin bud (with the leaf petiole) into the bent ends of the bark (gently push them aside with a knife) and press the bark back. Treat everything with garden pitch and wrap tightly with blue electrical tape, leaving the petiole outside. Place the grafted plant in the greenhouse from the bag.

If the mandarin vaccination is successful, the kidney will take root within three weeks, the leaf petiole will turn yellow and easily fall off. If the vaccination is unsuccessful, the petiole will turn black.

If successful, they begin to ventilate the greenhouse little by little, gradually increasing the session time. A month after the emergence of a shoot from a new bud, the stem of the mandarin stock is cut with pruning shears at a height of at least 5 mm from the inoculation site, obliquely. The bandage is removed. The cut is treated with garden pitch.

In the phase of flowering and fruiting, the tangerine needs more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers than nitrogen. Watering should be regular, but not excessive. When the plant blooms, it must continue to be sprayed, but in such a way that water does not fall on the flowers.

In most cases, the mandarin sheds excess flowers and ovary, independently regulating the load. If this does not happen, he needs to be helped by removing excess flowers and tangerines, leaving one fruit on the plant for every 15-20 leaves.

If the tangerines burst when ripening, it means that the plant is irregularly watered, or is experiencing an excess of nitrogen. In order for the mandarin to lay flower buds, it definitely needs winter rest.

Mandarin pests

It has been noticed that, grown from the bone, mandarin is much more resistant to environmental influences and pests than those that can be bought in the store. But, unfortunately, he also has malicious enemies. Most of them are afraid of ultraviolet radiation and high humidity, so maintaining good conditions for keeping plants is also a prevention against them. Who is this? Spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs, and also aphids.

Mandarin tree (Citrus reticulata)

Spider mite

Measuring only 0.3-0.6 mm, it is practically invisible to the human eye. But you can calculate it by the presence of small light dots on the underside of the leaves of the plant and the presence of the thinnest cobweb. If a tick is found, the fight against it should be immediate.

The first thing to start with is to thoroughly wash the plant with warm running water and laundry soap. Then it is necessary to spray the mandarin with Fitoverm, Intavir, Aktelik or other insecticide several times at intervals (7-10 days).

Shield

It is a convex oval plate with a size of only 4 mm. The main sign of its presence is a sticky syrupy coating that appears on the leaves of the plant. If the pest is not destroyed, the tree is quickly depleted and dries up.

You can try to cope with the shield by treating the tangerine with soapy water with the addition of kerosene: for 1 liter of water, 5 g of soap and 10 g of kerosene. Spray up to twice a week.

But more effective treatments (from 3 to 5 times with an interval of 15 days) with insecticides Aktara, Fitoverm or others that can always be found on sale. However, after such treatment, the fruits from the tree cannot be eaten and it is necessary to change the top layer of earth in the pot.

Mealybug

It is quite simple to detect it: the pest resembles a white fluffy bloom, scattered over the plant in the form of small dots with a diameter of 3 to 6 mm. You can fight the worm manually, painstakingly collecting individuals, using insecticides - Karbofos, Decis, Intavir, or infusion of soap and garlic (2 cloves of garlic per 0.5 liters of boiling water, insist 4 hours).

Aphid

Almost everyone is familiar with this pest: from 1 to 3 mm long, light green in color, multiplies quickly, lives in colonies. The harmfulness of aphids lies in the fact that they suck the juices from young shoots and mandarin leaves, deforming them and depleting the plant.

In the fight against it, repeated (with an interval of 5-7 days) washing the plant with a solution of laundry soap, spraying with an infusion of garlic (1 head of finely chopped garlic in a glass of water, leave for 2 days), infusion of tobacco (40 g per 1 l of water) is used.

Problems when growing tangerine

Yellowing and falling foliage

This problem can have different causes. It is important not to rush, to carefully analyze the condition of the plant and make the correct diagnosis. In adult tangerines, the leaves may turn yellow and fall off due to their old age. But at the same time, the tree itself looks healthy and develops normally.

General lighting of foliage may indicate insufficient lighting of plants. In this case, you need to take care to rearrange the tangerine closer to the light, or arrange artificial lighting for it.

The shedding of mandarin leaves can begin due to too dry air (in the absence of regular spraying, especially during the heating season), improper transplantation (when the root collar is deepened, choosing too large a pot volume), drafts. If one of these reasons is found, they simply need to be eliminated.

Drying and falling off of the lower leaves of a mandarin, despite the fact that the leaf begins to dry from the tip, is associated with regular waterlogging of the soil. This phenomenon occurs either as a result of over-grooming, or due to too large a pot in relation to the seedling. In any case, the plant must be transplanted into an appropriate pot with fresh, loose (breathable) soil, after removing the rotten roots.

If the yellowing began from the bottom of the crown and spreads to the top, this indicates a lack of nitrogen. In this case, the tangerine must be fed with nitrogen fertilizers.

The light yellow color of young tangerine leaves, which gradually passes over to old leaves, indicates chlorosis (lack of iron). Treatment with iron chelate will help here.

Mandarin leaves fall off for no apparent reason - perhaps the plant lacks potassium. In this case, it must be fed with potassium nitrate.

Blooming tangerine tree

It is important to know that young tangerines often produce rather long thorns - you don't need to do anything with them!

In winter, citrus fruits, growing foliage, often form larger leaf plates than in spring and summer.

In order to distinguish a tangerine sapling from a lemon sapling, you need to smell their leaves - in lemon they smell of citrus, in tangerine - a light aroma of fresh greens. Older plants can be easily distinguished by their leaf stalks - the lemon has a simple stalk, and the mandarin has a narrow long lionfish.

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 whether it will bear fruit, many do not dare to have an exotic pet on their window.

Indoor mandarin

Growing it from a seed is as easy as shelling pears, but in order 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.

Fruiting aside, for the sake of an evergreen 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 into 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 disembarkation. 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 pests have started, 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.

Mandarin, like the lemon tree, is quite common and popular. An indoor plant is grown directly indoors. Botanists suggest that it was first grown in China or Japan.

Where did the plant get its name from? In the past, it was grown in mandarin orchards, which were wealthy dignitaries at the time. In the early 19th century, mandarins began to appear in Europe. They were transported to Italy in 1840. After that, the whole Mediterranean learned about this fruit.

The tangerine tree is distinguished by the fact that it ripens quickly and bears a large harvest. He also has pretty sweet fruits that do not have seeds. When did Ukraine see this beautiful tree? At the beginning of the 20th century, where the Black Sea is. It is in this place that the tangerine at home is most common.

The fruit tree can be called weak. Its height reaches 3 meters. It has beautiful, eye-catching leaves. Their color is dark green, and in structure they are quite dense and have small wings in the area of ​​the petioles. The flowers have a wonderful aroma and white color - they are beautifully arranged in the clusters. The fruits of the tree are spherical, flattened and have a diameter of up to 6 cm.Their weight is about 100 g.

The fruit has a thin orange peel that is easy to separate from the pulp. There are “plump” tangerines, the peel of which practically does not come into contact with the pulp, but has an air gap. The sweet yellow-orange pulp is easy to cut into slices.

The fruit of the tree is rich in sugar, organic acids, vitamins. It is rare to find seeds in the fruit. If you decide to plant a tangerine at home, then it requires a limited amount of light and fresh air. Not every variety of tangerine can grow in the house, so it is necessary to distinguish between these types. So, you can get early ripe tangerine trees, which are of Japanese origin. They are weak and unpretentious.

Among the most common varieties, the Unshiu variety can be distinguished, which means seedless. He has a short height - up to 1.5 meters. It has a spreading crown, and the branches do not have thorns. The leaves are wide, leathery and dark green in color. The tree blooms profusely once a year. Tangerine from the stone at home has small white flowers with a pleasant aroma. When the tree is 3 years old, it begins to bear fruit. If an adult tree is well looked after, then up to 50 fruits can be obtained during the year.

The content of the article:

• Features of dwarf tangerines
• Planting and transplanting basics
• Plant breeding basics
• Temperature and watering of the plant
• Spraying and fertilizing
• We fight pests

Features of dwarf tangerines

This is an ornamental type of plants characterized by low growth. They are indoor tangerines. Mature trees are usually no higher than 80 cm. This has made them popular with plants that are kept on the windowsill.

For indoor tangerine trees, there is no need to form a crown.However, from time to time it is necessary to remove twigs that have dried up or have grown incorrectly. A feature of the dwarf tangerine is that it begins to bear fruit after two years of life. However, the size and taste of the fruit is the same as that of normal fruit trees.

Planting and transplanting basics

In order to plant a plant, you need to take a suitable pot. Its material doesn't matter. But there is an important condition that the upper part of the diameter does not exceed 15 cm, and it should be the same in height. The bottom of the container should have one or more small holes so that excess water could drain from it during irrigation.

The pot can be in the form of a plastic bucket, wooden, ceramic or glass container. At its bottom, it is necessary to place drainage, which can be expanded clay or sand. Practice shows that charcoal after a fire is the best for drainage. Do not drain more than 5 cm in height.

After selecting the drainage, you need to take some soil to sprinkle it. Any soil will not work in this case. There are specially prepared soil types, for example "Mandarin". They can be purchased at specialized stores.

In some cases, soil preparation can be done by yourself. Where old deciduous trees grow in the forest, take some soil. However, avoid areas where oak, poplar, or chestnut grows. The soil is most fertile in the upper layers, the thickness of which is 10 cm. In addition to this, it is necessary to add sand, river, ash, humus, if any, are suitable. Dilute a glass of earth with a glass of sand, three tablespoons of humus and a tablespoon of ash, and a little water. You should have a thick, sour cream-like mass. This will help avoid air voids near the root of the tree.

When six months have passed, you need to take a container that would be 5 cm larger and transplant small tangerines there. When you have planted a tree, it is necessary to spray it from time to time and water it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Prepare a place for the plant in advance. For this, a window sill is suitable, which is directed towards the light so that enough sunlight falls on the leaves.

Plant breeding basics

Reproduction occurs when the seedlings are grafted from other citrus fruits such as orange and lemon. Air layering is also used by this method. If you want to cut plants using amateur conditions, then you will not succeed.

You should pay great attention to lighting. The window on which you will hold the plant should be on the southern, sunny side. When summer comes, take it outside for some fresh air. This can be a veranda, garden or balcony. However, it is important that the area is protected from the wind.

It is good if the plant grows on the south side, but it is important not to forget to protect it from direct sunlight in the summer. This can damage the roots and crowns, as well as burns on the tangerine itself from the bone at home. How can you avoid this? Make a gauze curtain and place it on the window where the tree is. When planning to leave the house, make it a rule to cover the glass with a curtain, especially when sunny days are transmitted.

Temperature and watering of the plant

Have you put the tangerine on the windowsill? Then in winter you should take care of it by properly insulating the window. They also insulate the pot with the tree itself. In order for the tangerine to throw out the buds and bloom, it is important to maintain the temperature up to 18 degrees. There should also be a suitable humidity - 60%. At the same time, you should not be afraid of high temperatures, because the plant has the ability to withstand up to 40 degrees of heat.

Now let's move on to the basics of watering. As the topsoil dries up, it is necessary to water the plant. In no case should a clod of earth dry out in a pot.Determine how wet the soil is each day by checking the surface of the soil with your fingers. If during the check you noticed that the earth sticks together, then it does not need watering, but if it begins to crumble, then watering is required.

Especially in the summer, it is important to monitor the state of the soil. Indeed, due to the fact that the tree is affected by high temperature and bright sun, the earth often dries up. It is also worth remembering that not all water is suitable for irrigation.

If you have a city apartment, then the water from it is not suitable for watering the tangerine. This is due to the fact that it contains alkaline earth metals, as well as chlorine. Such substances will only harm the plant. As a result, its leaves will suffer from chlorosis, and metabolic processes will be disrupted in the soil.

It is good to boil water every time, but you hardly need such trouble. Another good option is to use hot tap water, which contains less chlorine and is also soft. Before watering the tree, leave the water in an open container for a day - then chlorine will be completely removed from it. After all, this substance is destructive for any citrus

If you own a private home, well water is fine. However, the water that is in the lake or stream is even better. Allow it to warm slightly at room temperature before watering. Rainwater is not suitable for irrigation, because it contains harmful impurities. What's the best way to care for tangerines in winter? Preheat the water to keep it up to 35 degrees Celsius. Then the tree will grow and bear fruit better. In the summer, this issue is easier to deal with by simply putting water on a window where there is more sun.

Spraying and fertilizing

For a tangerine tree, watering alone is not enough. Every day, once it must be sprayed with clean water. This should be especially taken care of in the summer. Use a spray bottle or other product to spray to create moisture. Thanks to this, there will be no dust on the leaves and they will be able to breathe. Also, once a month, it is necessary to carry out the following procedure: put the plant in the bathroom, cover the soil with a plastic wrap, while treating the whole plant with a cotton swab with soapy foam. This will allow you to forget about tough pest control. However, remember that you need to take gauze or bandage to bandage the trunk of the tree. This will prevent soapy water from entering the soil.

What about fertilization? In winter, there is no need to feed the tangerine. But in the summer and spring, this is done every two weeks. There are features that show how to properly feed. Do not start doing this before watering the plant, otherwise you will burn the roots. Wet ground is suitable for feeding.

How abundantly is it necessary to fertilize the tree? Make sure there is enough of it and that it flows directly out of the drain hole. In specialized stores, you will find a large selection of fertilizers. You can also use regular fish soup, which is suitable for a plant that is taller than one meter. Thanks to this top dressing, it will begin to bear fruit better. But at the same time, do not neglect special fertilizers, such as "Mandarin".

We fight pests

Mandarin can be damaged by sucking and gnawing pests, as well as fungi and viruses. You can often encounter spider mites and scale insects. To combat them, chemical and biological preparations are used. However, this is the case if you plant the plant outdoors. It is better not to use toxic chemicals within the apartment.

How can you tell if a plant needs care? For example, it may become covered with white dots. You can also see a reddish tick on it, which moves quickly if you touch it. In addition, white cobwebs may appear on white leaves.

In order to fight such pests, they use tobacco dust, garlic and laundry soap. One tablespoon of tobacco dust is poured with boiling water (one glass). All this must be insisted for 6 days. Then add laundry soap to this. Spray the plant every 6 days. However, take a break for 6 days.

And how to use garlic from pests? Mash up the plant head and fill it with hot water. Wait 2 days and strain the broth. You can spray tangerine according to the same previous scheme.

What if you notice that the plant is covered with brownish-gray shiny formations? Means this defeat by a scabbard. This can be dealt with with water-oil emulsions. Stir machine oil (1 teaspoon) with warm water (1 cup). To this add laundry soap (40 g) and washing powder (2 large spoons). When treating the plant with this, be sure to use plastic wrap to cover the soil with it. Also use a bandage to tie the trunk. Thanks to this, the emulsion will not get on the ground and will not damage it. For processing, you can use a cotton or gauze swab. Treat the entire surface and leaves of the plant. Then wait 4 hours and wash everything off. This procedure also needs to be done 3 times.

With these simple tips, you will grow a beautiful plant.

In flower shops, you can often see a tangerine tree covered with fruits and shiny green leaves on sale. Such exoticism is not cheap, so not everyone can afford it. But you shouldn't be upset. The citrus tree can be grown from seed at home. To do this, you need to study the basic rules for planting it and recommendations for care. And even beginner flower growers will be able to admire an exotic pet on their windowsill.

Citrus home tree - decorative mandarin

Mandarin belongs to the Rutaceae family. The plant is distinguished by evergreen leaves that change every four years, and amazingly smelling white flowers.

Tangerines multiply vegetatively or by seed... At home, citrus fruits are most often grown from seeds. However, the result is a decorative bush that is unable to bear fruit.

In greenhouses, fruit plants are obtained by grafting. Therefore, if you want to feast on juicy fruits, then an exotic pet will need to be vaccinated. But first of all, you will need to germinate a bone, and free up space on the lightest windowsill.

How to grow a tangerine - step by step tips

Raising an exotic pet is an interesting activity. Therefore, the whole family can start growing a tangerine tree.

Preparing the soil

Citrus fruits do not like sour dry earth. The earthen mixture for them should not contain peat. Soils are sold in stores, which must include peat. therefore the mixture is best prepared by yourself... It should include:

• leaf land - 2 parts;
• humus - 2 parts;
• sand - 1 part.

The result should be a light earth that is well permeable to air and water. If there is no way to prepare such a soil, then in specialized stores you can buy a special mixture for citrus fruits or for roses.

How to germinate a mandarin seed?

In order to get a positive result when germinating planting material, it is recommended to stock up on a few bones. In this case, the probability of obtaining seedlings will be greater.

The seeds will need to be selected from ripe tangerines no rot and damage... Before planting in the ground, they need to be allowed to swell and hatch. To do this, you can choose one of the proposed options:

1. Moisten a napkin or gauze with water, and wrap the bones in it. The planting material will swell over several days. Care should be taken to keep the gauze moist all the time.
2. You can use a special hydrogel, among which permanent moisture will be provided to the bones. You can buy this gel in flower shops.

But how to plant a tangerine if there is no time or opportunity to soak the planting material? Bones can be planted in the ground without hatching. In this case, the sprouts will simply appear later.

Planting seeds in the ground

Seeds hatched first are planted in seedling boxes or separate disposable small cups. At the bottom of the container, you need to put drainage in the form of expanded clay, perlite, nuts, shards or pebbles.

In the prepared soil, seeds are sown to a depth of 4 cm, and sprinkled with earth on top. Seedling containers are covered with glass or cellophane and placed in a warm place. The result will be a greenhouse effect, and the seedlings will sprout quickly and amicably.

After the seeds hatch, it will be tedious to rearrange them in a bright place, shaded from direct sunlight. The temperature in the room where the seedlings of citrus plants grow should be at least + 20C. Do not forget to moisten the earth in time.

When the seedlings grow up and get stronger, they can be transplanted into pots, the volume of which should be about 4 liters. It is better to transplant by transferring, so as not to damage the roots. In this case, young bushes will quickly take root in a new place.

Features of caring for a citrus tree

Mandarin loves the sun, so you need to choose a bright place for it, preferably on the southern windowsill. However, you need to ensure that the midday rays do not burn the leaves of the bush.

At home, when caring for an exotic pet, you need observe the following rules:

1. Water and spray the plant regularly, since high humidity is vital for citrus fruits. You need to water it with water that has been settled for at least three days. Watering should be regular and abundant. Increased air humidity can be provided by spraying. It will also be nice to humidify the air around the plant with a pallet with wet expanded clay, peat or moss, placed near the pot with tangerine.
2. A young plant must be transplanted into larger pots every spring. This must be done without damaging the integrity of the soil around the root system. A plant that has reached the age of eight requires a transplant every two years.
3. Two weeks after the first shoots appear, they need to start feeding. Today, there are special fertilizers for citrus fruits on sale, which are recommended to be used. Top dressing should be done only after watering. It is better not to water dry soil with a solution with fertilizer, as you can burn the roots.

Protecting mandarin from pests

Citrus pets at home often get sick, and then die from pests... Exotic pets suffer the most from attacks:

• scabbards;
• citrus whitefly;
• spider mite;
• aphids.

These pests, invisible at first glance, feed on the sap of the plant. As a result, the bush is depleted, the leaves fall off, and the tree dies.

Young plants need to be inspected from time to time. And, having seen the smallest cobweb or the pests themselves, it is necessary to urgently take action:

1. You need to rinse the bush well in the shower. Spider mites are very afraid of water.
2. At home, it is better to use folk remedies in the form of an infusion of onion peel or garlic. Treatment with "green soap" also helps well.
3. A heavily infected plant requires the use of chemicals, which include Fitoverm and Aktelik.

Sometimes, flies can be seen around the pet, which live in wet ground. Their larvae could already be in the purchased soil, or appeared from constant waterlogging of the soil... When such flies appear, the soil must be loosened, dried, and sprinkled with the preparation "Thunder-2".

How to plant mandarin at home?

In order for a grown tree to bear fruit, one cannot do without vaccination. The best time for her is August, April and early May.

To vaccinate an exotic pet, you need to prepare:

1. The rootstock is a tangerine tree grown from a bone, the trunk of which must be at least 6 mm in diameter.
2. Graft - a fresh eye or stalk cut off from a fruiting citrus bush. The branch of the plant from which the scion will be taken should be no older than two years. A high-quality tangerine stalk can be purchased at a flower shop or greenhouse.
3. Grafting grafting knife.
4. Elastic band.
5. Garden var.

After everything is prepared, you can start getting vaccinated.

1. First of all, an incision is made on the stock in the form of the letter T. It should be located at a height of 10 cm, and have a vertical length of 2-4 cm, and horizontally - 1 cm.
2. Leaf blades and thorns are removed from the scion, and it is carefully inserted into the incision.
3. The joint is wrapped with tape.
4. The bush is closed on top with a plastic bag or jar.
5. About a month after the bud germinates, the plant needs to be ventilated daily.
6. The airing time is gradually increased. After another month, the stem of the stock is cut obliquely. This must be done 3 cm above the shoot. The cut is processed with garden pitch.

Now your tree is grafted, and soon, with proper care and cultivation, it will begin to bear fruit.

As you can see from the instructions, planting and growing a fruiting exotic tree in your home is not so difficult. The main thing, have patience and clearly follow all recommendations. As a result, the tangerine bush grown from the bone will add coziness, comfort and pleasant aroma to the home environment.

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