Citrus fruits are famous not only for their benefits, but also for their amazing taste and aroma, they are consumed in their pure form and very often they become the stars of culinary masterpieces. When buying another tangerine, think about it, maybe it is worth growing such a tree at home? After all, this is possible, and does not require any complex or incomprehensible manipulations. A dwarf tree dotted with fragrant flowers or fruits is a real luxury. No artificial topiary can replace the beauty and joy that a blossoming and fruiting tree in the house can bring.
How to grow a tangerine tree from a seed
Mandarin seeds differ from many other plants in good germination rates, but only if the fruit from which they were removed is ripe. Grow up so interesting plant home is not too difficult. To plant a bone, you should follow the following algorithm of actions:
- The first step after removing the seeds is to decontaminate them before planting. This is necessary to avoid the appearance of mold on them. The procedure is carried out by soaking for several hours planting material v warm water with the addition of a few drops of Epin;
- further, a grain can be planted into the prepared soil in a small container to a depth of no more than a centimeter;
- with proper care, the first shoots should appear in a couple of weeks.
It is not worth moving or twisting the pot - the tangerine tree does not really like changes in place, so you should decide on the location right away.
What soil does a houseplant like?
After several leaves appear on the sprout of the tree, you can transplant the plant. In terms of soil, the tangerine tree is unpretentious. The easiest way is to purchase a special primer from a specialized store for citrus plants, but you can prepare a quality substrate yourself. The basic rule is not to use peat and clay mixtures... An excellent soil will be one that consists of leafy, soddy soil, humus and compost. When planting, be sure to drain expanded clay.
Where to put a tangerine tree in a pot
The location of the plant plays a very important role, since the growth activity and the period of flowering will depend on the conditions created for it. Indoor plant, as well as what is grown on open ground, you need good, bright lighting with a metered amount of direct sunlight.
If there is not enough light, then the plant will be small and unlikely to bloom, and it will not please the eye because of its soreness. That is why it is best to place the pot on the eastern or southeastern window sills. South side also a good option, but here you will have to create shading from too active midday rays. But in winter, direct rays are not dangerous, and in addition to this, additional illumination will also be required. When shortening daylight hours, you need to gradually add artificial light from a phyto-bulb to the life of a tangerine. There is no need to make a sharp transition in the length of the day, because of this, the tree may shed its leaves.
A beautiful and actively growing plant is the result of correct and systematic care. Let's find out what conditions will be most comfortable for a decorative tangerine tree.
Watering features
Mandarin tolerates dry conditions quite well, and in difficult situation can shed leaves to reduce the amount of moisture evaporated from the surface. However, this should not be allowed from an aesthetic point of view, because in those places where the foliage was dropped, it will no longer grow, and a long "bald" leg may form. Most often, the owners of such indoor citrus make a mistake that is more dangerous for the plant - they overfill it, which greatly increases the risk of fungal diseases.
So, the amount of liquid for a tree is determined by several of its parameters: the size of the pot itself, the size of the plant, the temperature and the intensity of lighting. The more leaves a tangerine has, the faster the moisture evaporates, which means that watering should be more frequent, the same dependence can be carried out with the duration of daylight hours. Watering is best done in the morning, and it should not be too abundant. When temperatures are low (12-15 degrees), humidification is performed every few days.
Dry air does not work well for the mini tangerine, as it loves to spray on the leaves. This can be done every day, and the main thing in this matter is regularity. However, during flowering, the procedure should be carried out extremely carefully - water should not fall on the flowers.
Temperature regime
Considering that the tangerine tree is an exotic plant, a special temperature regime is of great importance for it. V summer time a houseplant needs a temperature in the range of 20 to 25 degrees, and during flowering it is worth keeping it in conditions of 18-20 degrees. The winter season is considered a period of relative rest for the tangerine tree, during which it can rest and gain strength for the next flowering, so that the temperature is lowered to 5-10 degrees.
How to fertilize and feed the tree
Fertilize the plant only in spring and summer, twice a month. The procedure should be performed the next day after the next watering, when the soil in the pot is still wet. They use both special commercial formulations for citrus fruits and homemade recipes. So, feeding with fish ear for an adult plant once a month helps to give it more fruits.
How to pinch and prune a plant
At home, tangerines are usually undersized, and when correct formation crown they turn into a real decoration of the room, reminiscent of a bonsai tree. Accuracy can be achieved by controlling the growth of the top and shoots, which must be periodically pinched, that is, removed. To achieve good education branches for fruiting must be closely monitored developing plant... When each new sprout appears, you need to pinch its top while forming 5-6 leaves. The so-called tops - strong shoots that grow rapidly from the very root - also delay the appearance of flowers. They take away a lot from the plant vitality so they are usually disposed of as well. To make the tree look neat and well-groomed, the twigs growing inward are usually also partially removed, as well as the shoots that are lowered down.
Young plants are often stripped of flowers, so that the still unstable plant does not lose too much strength and is not depleted by just a few fruits. For every two dozen leaves, only one fruit ovary is left. When the branches bear fruit, it is better to tie them to a support, otherwise they may break under the weight.
Propagation by seeds and layering
The specific breeding method depends on the plant variety. So, only mature trees with well-formed and developed branches can be propagated by air layers. Using seeds is one of the easiest ways, it requires seeds from well-ripened mandarin fruits, but in this situation, the fruit will have to wait the longest. Layers are well-formed branches of a plant. If necessary, they are trimmed and placed in water until the roots form.
How to plant a tangerine tree
In order to achieve fruiting and good harvest from a tree, you need to graft it. Such a procedure should be implemented in the spring, between April-May, since it is at this time that the plant begins to grow actively. To implement the event, you will need the following elements:
- stock, that is, the tangerine tree itself, which will be grafted. He must have already fairly well ripened wood;
- a graft from a healthy and already fruitful plant;
- special knife;
- garden var.
The procedure is as follows. To begin with, at a height of about 6-7 centimeters from the ground level, the stem is well cleaned of dust and sharp knife make a T-shaped shallow incision. The bark in this place is pressed with a knife, and a "peephole" is inserted into the opened hole. The vaccination site is treated with garden varnish and left alone under conditions home greenhouse- the pot is simply covered with polyethylene, which is periodically opened for ventilation. After a month, the grafted part should begin to germinate.
How to transplant a tree
Usually, the plant needs replanting when the pot gets cramped. For young trees, this procedure is performed once a year, and for specimens over 7 years old, changing the pot every two years will be enough. The pot for transplanting is selected 6-7 centimeters in diameter larger than the previous one, but immediately plant a small plant in big pot it is impossible - this will lead to decay of the roots, and it will not look very attractive. The transplant should not be carried out during flowering, it is best to do it in early spring. In a few days, you need to stop any feeding of the plant.
The tree needs to be watered abundantly so that the soil settles down, and you can carefully remove it from the old pot. The excess kidney is carefully crushed and transferred to a new pot with drainage and special soil. After the soil is filled up, it needs to be slightly moistened - if it shrinks too much, after half an hour you can add a little more substrate.
Soil drainage
Considering that excessive moisture is extremely destructive for a given plant, hotel attention should be paid to the drainage of the container in which it will grow. For this purpose, you can lay out small pebbles, crushed stone, expanded clay and even fragments of ceramic dishes on the bottom if none of the above is available. It is worth considering that before planting the plant and laying the soil, the drainage must be well rinsed with water. It is thanks to drainage that excess liquid from the soil will go out into the sump and will be produced effective prevention root rot and fluid stagnation.
Plant diseases and problems associated with its cultivation
Diseases in the tangerine tree occur when the basic rules of caring for it are not followed - the soil may lack useful components, watering is frequent or, on the contrary, too rare, insufficient amount of light, etc.
What to do if leaves turn yellow and fall
The yellowing of the leaves of a tree can be a signal that it lacks minerals. So, with a nitrogen deficiency, yellowing begins from the lower leaves and gradually rises up. Also, a plant can similarly react to a lack of light and lack of the right amount moisture.
Shedding foliage does not always indicate a disease, as this also occurs during a period of relative dormancy in the cold season. But yellowing combined with dropping is, most likely, dry air and a lack of watering. In such a situation, the tree tries to reduce the foliage area in order to somehow preserve the moisture present in it. To avoid this, you should not place the pot over working batteries, but simply water it in sufficient quantity and spray it daily.
How to save a tree if it is withered
It so happens that for one reason or another the tree dries up and the question arises of how exactly to revive it. It all depends on how badly the plant has suffered - if it has dried up completely, that is, it has died, then it is unlikely that it will be possible to change anything. But if there are even small living green areas left, then it is worth making an effort to save it with your own hands. So, first you need to compare the size of the pot - if it is too large, then it is worth transplanting the plant into one that is fully consistent with the size of the root system. When transplanting, be sure to carefully consider the root system and remove any dry or decayed areas. You can add growth stimulants when planting.
After removing all dried out areas, it is important to provide the plant with proper care - good temperature, illumination and correct watering. Please note that in the absence of leaves, the evaporation area is several times smaller, which means that very little water will be required.
How to deal with aphids
Citrus fruits are highly susceptible to pests, as they have a very attractive aroma that cannot leave insects indifferent. If the tree was attacked by aphids, then you can use the following methods:
- if there are few insects, then you can simply wash the leaves and stem with a solution of laundry soap;
- damaged leaves can be treated with a decoction of nettle or wormwood;
- garlic water fights well against the spread of aphids (a chopped head of garlic is poured with a glass of boiling water and left to infuse for 2 days).
Spider mites
To combat the disease on open soils, special pesticides are used, however, to process tangerine growing at home, it is better to use folk methods treatment of wood, among which it is necessary to highlight such tools as: garlic, tobacco dust, laundry soap. In order to create a mixture for spraying on their basis, you need to pour a tablespoon of tobacco dust with a glass of boiling water and insist the product for 6 days, then add 10 grams of grated soap to the solution and start spraying. Healing procedures tedious to carry out three times with an interval of 6 days. Garlic is brewed in the same way for processing tangerine.
Types of tangerine tree
The most unpretentious for home growing are considered tangerine trees Japanese varieties like Unshiu. This variety begins to bear fruit after 3 years, and grows up to one and a half meters under indoor conditions. There are other fruit-bearing varieties interesting for growing in the house:
- Shiva Mikan is a compact and fast growing plant. Produces small fruits, weighing only up to 30 grams;
- Clementine is a hybrid tree that can bring its first harvest in the second year. Adult plant is capable of giving about 50 fruits in one year with an attractive shiny skin and a pleasant aroma;
- Murcott is a compact variety producing very sweet fruits that ripen in summer;
- dwarf tangerines of the Vasya group grow up to 80 centimeters, and the first fruits ripen in the second year of cultivation.
Today, many people are engaged in the cultivation of exotic plants. On the Internet, there are many videos that explain how to grow this or that exotic plant... That is why it is not so difficult to start growing tangerines at home as it might seem at first glance. Of course, in order for the tree to give a fertile harvest, you need to make a lot of effort. Before you start growing and caring for tangerines, you need to figure out what this fruit is.
Mandarin is evergreen families are rutic. Refers to the genus Citrus, like orange and lemon. It is noteworthy that a tangerine can be both a tree and a shrub. It can be grown at home, like other fruits of the Citrus order. It should be noted that indoor tangerine is very cute pot plant... In addition to the fact that this tree gives tasty and fragrant fruits, it also decorates the room and creates coziness in the room. Indoor tangerine in the form of a bonsai gives an exclusive and unique beauty to the room.
You can either grow a tangerine yourself or buy a ready-made tree in a pot. It is best to purchase these varieties of indoor tangerine:
- Unshiu. This Japanese mandarin variety is completely unpretentious, grows quickly and produces delicious fruits.
- Shiva Mikan. This type of mandarin grows very rapidly, but gives small fruits.
- Forged-Vasya. This is a variety of dwarf tangerines that are suitable for growing on a windowsill. In the second year of cultivation, the tree already yields tasty and juicy fruits.
- Clementine. It is a cross between tangerine and orange. Its fruits are very fragrant and tender.
Caring for indoor tangerine at home
Like any other plant, tangerine needs proper care. If you have acquired this fruit, you should be aware that it will need your attention, care and careful care.
- Illumination. For the safe cultivation of a tangerine, you must first choose a place for it, as well as organize the correct lighting. Mandarin needs high-quality lighting and direct sunlight. If the plant does not have enough light, it slows down growth and sheds some flowers. It is best to grow mandarin in the east and southeast windows. In the summer, the plant must be taken out to the balcony so that it becomes accustomed to daylight... In winter, it also needs good light, therefore, it must be placed on the windowsill so that the sun's rays fall on it. It happens that the winter sun is not enough for the plant and there is a need for additional lighting. For such cases, an ordinary phyto-bulb is suitable. Tangerine must be taught to artificial lighting gradually. Do not immediately place it under a lamp with a bright light, as this can lead to the discarding of leaves.
- Temperature conditions. In summer, the optimal temperature regime for indoor tangerine is + 20-25 degrees. During the budding period, it is desirable that the temperature be below 20 degrees. In winter, the plant must be kept at + 5-10. The tree should not be allowed to be at sub-zero temperatures, as it can freeze.
- Watering. Mandarin can easily endure dry periods, but this does not mean that it does not need to be watered at all. Inexperienced gardeners often overdo it with watering the tangerine tree, resulting in the development of fungal diseases... It should be watered a little and best of all in the morning. It is also important to spray the leaves. This procedure must be performed regularly. If this is not done, the plant can infect a spider mite.
- Top dressing. Mandarin needs periodic feeding. As a rule, this plant is fed with soluble and dry fertilizers. In the spring, you need to feed more often. Fertilizers are usually watered on the plant or sprayed on its leaves. It is necessary to dissolve fertilizers in exclusively settled water. During the period of special plant growth, it is advisable to feed it at least twice a week.
- Transfer. Correct care for indoor tangerine provides for a transplant. This is usually done when the plant does not have enough space in the pot. Young plants need an annual transplant. This requires a special soil mixture. You can buy it in a store, or you can cook it yourself from turf and leafy soil, sand and humus. As for the pot for transplanting, a pot with a diameter of 5-8 cm is best suited. Transplanting a plant into a pot that is too large can lead to root rot. Drainage from expanded clay or small stones is placed on the bottom of the tank. The transplant should be carried out during the flowering period of the indoor tangerine.
- Reproduction. Mandarin is propagated in two ways: vegetative and generative. Both methods are very laborious, so gardeners rarely breed by purchasing ready-made grafted indoor plants in the store.
Mandarin came to Europe only 170 years ago thanks to the Italian Michel Tecor. The fruit owes its name to the Chinese. They could be eaten only by the rich dignitaries of China - tangerines.
For indoor plants, tangerines of dwarf species and undersized varieties are suitable. Consider the types, varieties of tangerines, their varieties and define the main characteristics and features.
Variety Ivolistny
A short tree with a rounded crown without thorns. It can be grown both outdoors and as a houseplant. In a pot it grows up to 2 m tall and has dark green dense oblong leaves. The plant blooms in spring with white fragrant flowers, slightly smaller than that of a lemon. No pollination is required to obtain fruit. Fruits grow up to 70 g in weight, almost without seeds. Harvesting is carried out in November. The tree bears fruit from the age of three.
Important! When growing a tangerine at home, you need to constantly monitor the humidity of the air. For this, dishes with water are placed next to the plant, and the crown is sprayed daily. Great importance has sufficient lighting for normal growth. Therefore, in autumn and winter, trees need artificial lighting... In summer, the plant thrives outdoors.
Wase group of varieties
This group includes the varieties Miho-Vase, Miagava-Vase, Okottsu-Vase, Novano-Vase, Kovano-Vase.
The variety is considered the ancestor of Japanese dwarf varieties tangerines. It was brought from Japan in 1930. This is an evergreen low-growing tree that grows no more than 40-50 cm under indoor conditions. It has a compact crown with abundant thornless foliage that does not need to be formed. The bark is rough, brown in color. The shoots are light green at first, and then acquire a brown tint. Leaves are green, broadly lanceolate. The flowers are white, have five petals and can be singly or in small inflorescences. They are large in size, up to 4.3 cm in diameter. The pistil looks out from the stamens accreted at the base. The pollen is sterile. 
The fruits are bright orange rounded-flattened forms ripen in early October and have a sweet and sour taste. The pulp is divided into 9-13 slices, contains 30.3 mg of vitamin C per 100 g of product and does not contain seeds. The peel is smooth, brittle, 0.3 cm thick, it separates well from the pulp. The tree bears fruit in the first or second year of life and is different high yield... The frost resistance of the variety is high. The plant propagates by grafting and air layering.
The variety was bred in 1923 by Dr. Chuzeburu Tanaka. The tree is the tallest of all Wase varieties in height and has a high productivity. It is the most widespread and well-known of the Wase varieties. Mandarin fruits are relatively large, pitted, and have a thin, smooth skin. The pulp is juicy, of excellent quality. The ripening variety belongs to the early ones. Fruit ripening occurs at the end of September. The fruits keep well.
Clementine Group
The plant is a hybrid of a tangerine and a king orange from the orange subspecies. It was created in 1902 by a French priest breeder Clement Rodier (1839-1904). Mostly Clementine trees are tall, but sometimes they are used for growing at home and in indoor greenhouses. Let's consider the main varieties.
Marisol variety (C. Clementina)
An early variety that resulted from the Clementine Oroval mutation and is ideal for indoor cultivation. It is a fairly tall tree with short branches and dense foliage. Fruit ripening takes place from the end of September. Fruits are large enough, weighing 70-130 g and a diameter of 5.5-7 cm.The skin is thin, orange in color, contains a lot essential oils... The pulp is soft, very juicy, slightly sour, contains 2 seeds. When harvesting, the fruit must be cut off so that the calyx does not remain on the stem.
Nules variety (C. Clementina)
The cultivar is obtained as a result of mutations in the Fina cultivar. It is very popular in Spain. The tree is medium in size and has a spherical crown. The branches do not contain thorns. Narrow leaf blades, flowers white, small, solitary or in small inflorescences. Fruits of large sizes weighing 80-130 g. The peel is bright orange with pink tint, soft, bumpy. The pulp is very juicy, sweet, contains few seeds. To increase the yield, it is recommended to remove small ovaries, leaving no more than three in the group. Fruit ripening occurs from late November to December. The variety does not tolerate a drop in temperature, therefore it is often bred indoors. 
Rubino variety (C. Clementina)
The medium-sized tree was bred in Italy and belongs to late varieties. It has a dense spherical crown without thorns and a very high yield. Fruits are small in size, weighing up to 80 g, with a thin orange-red peel. Pulp good quality, juicy, orange. Fruit ripening occurs from January to February. Mandarins can hang from the tree until early June without losing their flavor. 
The variety belongs to the "noble" group and is often called royal. Comes from the group of Indo-Chinese or Cambodian mandarins. Some characteristics of this plant allow us to say that it belongs to the natural hybrids of mandarin and orange. The fruits have largest size of all known varieties tangerines. The peel is very thick for a tangerine, bumpy, tightly attached to the pulp, but peels well and has a yellow-orange color. 
Selected by V.M.Zorin in the 50s of the twentieth century. The trees are pyramidal with medium deciduous density. The bark is rough, brown in color, on the branches it has a brown color. Shoots are light green, ribbed with a slight presence of thorns. The leaf blade is 12-14 cm long and 5-6 cm wide, dark green in color with pointed edges. The flowers have 5 petals, they are located singly or in small inflorescences, 4 cm in diameter. In the middle of the flower there are 19-22 stamens, fused at the base, above which a light yellow pistil rises. Fruits are round-flat, weighing 60-80 g, 4.5-5.8 cm in size. 
Mandarins generally have a rounded-flat base, in some cases with a small nipple outgrowth. The rind is 0.2-0.4 cm thick, slightly rough, lags well behind the pulp. The pulp of the fruit is orange, juicy, has a sweet and sour taste. It is divided into 9-12 lobules with thick films and does not contain seeds. The vitamin C content is 29 mg per 100 g of product. Harvesting is carried out in the second half of November. The frost resistance of the variety is high.
Selected after crossing the seedlings of the tangerine Unshiu by FM Zorin in the 50s of the twentieth century at the Sochi Experimental Station. The tree has a wide-pyramidal crown with abundant foliage and few thorns. The bark is rough and brown in color. The shoots at the top are ribbed and have a light green color. Leaves are elongated-oval, large, 12 x 5 cm, corrugated and form a boat along the main vein. The flowers consist of 5 white petals with a cream shade and 19-21 fused stamens with a rounded pistil that rises above them. 
Flowers can be arranged singly or several in small inflorescences, their size is up to 3 cm in diameter. The pollen is sterile. The fruits are round-flattened or slightly pear-shaped. Their weight is about 70 g, the average size is about 6 cm in diameter and 5 cm high. The peel is orange, slightly rough, 0.2-0.5 cm thick, well separated from the pulp. The pulp is sweet and sour in taste, juicy, divided into 9-12 slices and does not contain seeds. The content of vitamin C is 29 mg per 100 g of the product. The frost resistance of the variety is high.
Abkhazian early mandarin is one of the most widespread and early varieties... Indoors, the tree grows small with large green leaves. The plant blooms in May and bears fruit in October. Fruits are medium in size, round in shape, have a thick, lumpy, dull yellow-orange peel. The pulp is juicy, sweet with a slight sourness, contains a large number of seeds. The fruits are easy to peel. The plant is afraid of an excess of moisture, therefore it is recommended to water it as the moisture content of the earthen coma decreases. 
The variety comes from Black Sea coast The Caucasus. It belongs to the early varieties. The crown of the tree is upright with few or no thorns. Tangerines are yellow-orange in color, relatively large, with a thick skin. The pulp is juicy, has a sweet and sour taste. 
Important! Enemies for indoor tangerine are spider mites, scale insects, mealybug, fungi and viruses.
Semi-early hybrid variety, bred in 1942 in Florida. It began to be massively grown in 1964 in Israel and Spain. Nova is ideal for growing in pots. 
The tree has a spreading crown of medium size, on which there are no thorns. The leaves are elongated, similar to the Clementine variety. It belongs to the early varieties. For better fruiting, it is necessary to carry out formative pruning to remove weak fruits. Otherwise, next year's harvest will not be high. The flowers have a very fragrant scent. Fruits are medium in size with a thin skin that adheres tightly to the flesh and does not peel well. The pulp is juicy, dark orange in color, sweet, divided into 10-11 segments and contains up to 30 seeds. The fruits ripen fully in December. The crop must be removed immediately after ripening, otherwise its quality will deteriorate.
The Unshiu variety belongs to the Japanese Satsuma group of varieties, although it is native to China. Cultivation took place in Japan and then spread throughout the world. Has a high frost resistance compared to other varieties of tangerines. Another advantage of the plant is the rapid ripening of fruits with low solar activity. Due to the small size of the crown, the variety is grown both outdoors and as a houseplant. 
At home evergreen tree has a crown up to 1.5 m high with dense dark green leaves. The shape of the leaf blade is elongated, with strongly protruding veins. The foliage renewal period is 2 to 4 years. Flowering occurs in May. Flowers are white, numerous, collected in inflorescences of 4-6 pcs. The pollen is sterile. The fruits have a rounded-flattened shape, weighing up to 70 g. The orange peel is well peeled from the pulp.
Tangerine trees take root in city apartments more easily than lemon or orange trees. They do not wither when the room temperature drops to +14, and can produce up to 70 juicy and sweet fruits per year. Citruses purify and disinfect the air, protecting apartment residents from colds and viral diseases, delight the eye with a thick dark green crown and delicate white flowers that smell much better than any air freshener.
Mandarin buying rules
On the Internet or in specialized nurseries, already mature fruit-bearing trees are sold, which it is enough to bring home, water and feed. Formed citruses will cost a lot, so it's easier to grow your own tangerine from a sprout or seed.
The first option is less troublesome, but when buying a young tree, you should ask the sellers for a certificate. Some merchants pass off calamondins as tangerines, which smell like citrus and bear fruit, but orange fruits are completely tasteless. They cheat mainly in the markets or in supermarkets, because nurseries value their reputation, but even when visiting a specialized center, you should ask the employees for documents.
Land preparation
Citrus fruits do not tolerate acidic soils, which contain peat. The land for growing tangerines should be light and nutritious, breathable and retain moisture. To prepare the right soil for young trees, 4 components must be mixed:
- leaf and sod soil in equal proportions;
- coarse river sand, which must be disinfected;
- humus obtained from cow dung.
The last ingredient can be replaced with compost, which contains at least nutrients... When the tangerine is 3-4 years old, oily clay is added to the soil, which will retain moisture and protect the root system from drying out.
In a pot or tub designed for citrus, pour a drainage layer 3-5 cm thick. Expanded clay, small pebbles or clay shards will do. Use large pebbles that better allow air to pass through and prevent water from stagnating at the bottom.
Do I need to transplant mandarin
Every year, a citrus tree is moved from a smaller pot to a larger one, because the growing tree needs more space. A four-year-old mandarin is recommended to be transplanted directly into a wooden tub, where it will live and bear fruit for the next 2-3 years.
Resell the plant better in spring when the citrus wakes up and actively develops. First, a small dig is made to check the condition of the root system. If the tangerine is tightly entwined with an earthen ball, it is transplanted. If not, change the topsoil and leave it in an old pot until next year.
How to transplant citrus without injuring it?
- Moisten the earth around the edges so that it better lags behind the walls of the pot.
- Tap the container lightly with a spatula or hand. This makes it easier to separate the roots with soil from the clay or wooden walls.
- Take the tangerine by the trunk and remove it with the ground. It is not necessary to peel off the old soil from the plant, so as not to damage it.
- Prepare a new pot in advance with drainage and a layer of earth. Put a tangerine in it, cover it with soil on top.
- Tamp the soil, but not hard. Drizzle over citrus and place in the sun.
When replanting a tree, you cannot completely cover the root collar with earth. Her top part must remain on the surface for the citrus to take root faster.
Reference: The mandarin root collar is the line that separates the trunk and skeletal roots. At this point, the tree has a small seal, which is half-sprinkled with earth.
Lighting
Mandarins need sunshine. The more, the healthier the tree and juicier fruits... Adult citruses are placed next to west or east windows. Pots with young trees are placed on the northern windowsill.
Plants do well next to southern windows if they have blinds or translucent curtains that diffuse light. It is undesirable for citrus leaves to be exposed to direct sunlight. Ultraviolet light burns the crown of tangerines and dries up the earth.
In summer, citrus fruits are useful to take out on the balcony or leave in the garden. The tub is placed under tall, spreading trees that will diffuse and soften the light. The plants that are in the apartment by the window should be covered from the sun at noon, and opened in the evening, closer to 4–5 o'clock.
In winter, tangerines must be supplemented with phytolamps. The duration of daylight hours is 8-12 hours, no less, otherwise the citrus weakens, the leaves turn yellow and fall off. The tree takes a long and difficult time to recover, spending a lot of energy and nutrients, and some specimens cannot cope with the shock and die.
Tip: When using special lamps, the citrus tub needs to be rotated from time to time around its own axis so that all sides of the plant receive approximately the same amount of light.
Temperature and humidity
In the spring on tangerine tree the first buds appear, and it is important that the temperature in the room does not drop below + 20-25 degrees. When the thermometer drops to + 17–15, the citrus becomes covered with barren flowers, which smell good, but do not yield.
In winter, the plant is transferred to a cool room. The temperature in the room is reduced gradually, due to a sharp cold snap, the tree can shed its leaves. The room should be +18 first, after + 16-14, and some gardeners lower it to +10. Why keep citrus cool? So that the tangerine has time to rest and gain strength. After a short winter vacation, more buds bloom on the tree, and the fruits become juicier and sweeter.
It is necessary to prepare the tangerine for hibernation after harvesting. In mid-January, the temperature in the room begins to gradually increase so that the citrus "wakes up" and has time to prepare for spring flowering.
The tangerine tree loves warmth and moisture, so in the heat it needs to be sprayed with a spray bottle twice or three times a day. In summer, a bucket or bowl of water is left next to the plant to prevent the air from drying out. In winter, it is advised to install special humidifiers or ionizers. If the tangerine tub is located near a radiator or radiator, cover the heating device with a damp towel.
The room in which the citrus stands is regularly ventilated. But the tree is moved away from the window, because the tangerine does not tolerate drafts.
Watering citrus
When the soil in the tangerine tub dries up, the plant may appear spider mites... The soil should always be slightly damp, but not wet, so in summer the tree is watered daily, and in winter it is cut down to 2-3 times a week.
Try the soil with your finger, and if it seems crumbly and too dry, add a little water. Look into the pallet before watering. Accumulated liquid indicates that there is too much water for the tree to absorb. Watering must be stopped before the pan dries out, otherwise the root system will begin to rot or a fungus will appear.
Use only purified melt water or rainwater. The liquid is allowed to stand for 3-4 days in a large saucepan or plastic bucket and then passed through a kitchen filter. You cannot water the tangerine with water just from the tap, because heavy impurities and salts settle in the ground, oppressing the plant.
The volumes of liquid depend on the size of the tree and the air temperature. The hotter it is in the room, the more moisture evaporates. If 0.5-1 l is enough for a small tangerine, then an adult tree will need three or four.
Water must be heated up to + 35-40 degrees. How to check the temperature of a liquid without a thermometer? Put your finger in it. It should be nice, but not hot.
Pour water over the root, trying to prevent droplets from falling on the leaves and trunk. Moisten the crown separately from the spray so that the liquid is evenly distributed. During the flowering period, make sure that water does not fall on the buds. If a few droplets fall on green or ripe fruits, it's okay.
It is better to water the tree in the morning. Water helps the plant wake up and starts metabolic processes.
Fertilizer
In winter, the tangerine does not need feeding, but from April to September-October, when the buds bloom and the fruits ripen, the tree needs to be fertilized. Apply nutrients twice a month. Buy complex fertilizers containing:
- phosphorus;
- nitrogen;
- potassium.
Find suitable fertilizers can be in flower shops. Recommend to stay at:
- Uniflor-bud during the flowering period;
- Kemira Suite;
- Uniflor-growth during fruit ripening.
Mineral fertilizers alternate with organic ones. Natural nutrient solutions are prepared from cow dung or poultry manure. Part of the dry matter is diluted in 10–12 parts of water, infused for 2–4 days, and then added in small portions.
Moisten the soil before fertilization. Using chemicals it is important to follow the instructions. If you increase the dosage, you can burn the roots of the tangerine or poison the tree. Citrus leaves are also treated with a weak solution. Mineral fertilizers should not get on the fruit.
In the spring, before flowering, the tree is pruned. Remove dry and thin branches plucking yellowed leaves. Garden shears must be sharpened and disinfected before pruning. Treat the sections with wood resin so that they tighten faster.
It is easy to form an oval crown in a mandarin. It is enough to pinch the tops of the branches and cut off the excess shoots that are not capable of bearing fruit, and only pull nutrients from the tree.
When the plant blooms for the first time, only 10-15 buds need to be left. The rest are carefully cut so that they do not deplete the young tree. The older the tangerine gets, the more ovaries can be left in.
Install one or more in the tub wooden supports, to which branches with fruits are tied. Large fruits are attracted to the ground and the tangerine can break or split into several pieces.
Citrus should be bathed monthly. Cover the pot and the ground plastic wrap and take the plant to the bath. The leaves are first moistened and then soaped. You can gently rub them with a soft cloth to remove dust and cobwebs. Turn on weak pressure and wash off the lather. The water should be at room temperature or slightly warmer.
It remains to blot the leaves and branches with a dry towel. Let the tangerine stand in the bathroom until it dries completely, and then you can return it to its old place and remove the film.
Take care of citrus tree no more difficult than caring for an apple tree in the garden or an orchid growing on a windowsill. A lot of light, a little water and fertilizer - and the tangerine will stretch out, covered with dark green leaves and delicate buds. In summer, citrus will delight you with a rich aroma, and in winter it will thank you with sweet and healthy fruits that are associated with the New Year and magic.
Video: how to grow a tangerine from a bone
Many people grow tangerines at home not only for fruit, but also because of the beautiful flowering of the tree and the pleasant aroma of flowers.
For some representatives of citrus fruits, very difficult care is needed, and special conditions for its successful growth. Mandarins are not one of them. This is a rather unpretentious and hardy plant.
There are two ways to grow citrus:
1. Purchase a seedling of a fruit-bearing tree at a flower shop.
2. Grow independently from seed obtained from purchased fruits.
Ornamental tangerines
Mandarin tree belongs to the Rutaceae family, the foliage is evergreen, the leaf cover changes every few years, the flowers are white in color with a pleasant aroma.
People who have indoor tangerines prefer to grow them themselves from seeds. But in this case, only a decorative look will grow, which will look beautiful in the general interior. The trees may either not bear fruit at all, or produce small, tasteless fruits.
Gardeners always plant citruses for a delicious harvest. At home, you can do the same if you really want to get your own tangerines.
The best place for the plant is in the southern room, where there is most of the sunlight. In the presence of poisonous plants, they will need to be moved to another room, since tangerines do not like such a neighborhood.
The basics of growing an ornamental mandarin
First of all, you need to take a few tangerine seeds and soak them in a damp cloth for several days. Large amount moisture should be avoided, the fabric should be slightly damp, and as it dries, it is enough to add water.
Even if you want to grow one tree, then you need to take 8 - 12 seeds for safety net. Some may not germinate, someone will die from possible diseases, someone will not survive the vaccination process if it is done.
How to plant in the ground
Peat is not suitable for tangerines, such soil often sour, almost does not hold moisture, and there are no nutrients in it. To create citrus ideal conditions it is best to prepare an earthen mixture with your own hands:
1. three parts - turf soil.
2.one piece - sheet soil.
3.one piece - organic fertilizer.
4.one piece - river sand.
5. a small piece of clay.
If it is not possible to make the soil yourself, it is recommended to purchase soil with a neutral composition in the store, or add ash and organic fertilizers to ordinary soil.
The bottom of the container, which will be used for planting, you need to put stones to improve drainage or expanded clay.
Ornamental mandarin care
After the first sprouts appear, it is necessary to introduce organic and mineral fertilizing into the ground, this should be done every 14 days. Fertilizers need to be applied after watering the plants.
Transplant citrus it is recommended once a year in the spring, while trying to preserve the layer of earth that has adhered to the root system. Upon reaching the age of eight, the tree will need replanting once every couple of years.
Mandarins need sunshine, so the best place for a plant, it will be placed on a windowsill in the southern room. V winter months you need to monitor the temperature regime, it should not drop to +15. Citrus needs to be sprayed weekly, it is a moisture-loving species. You can put a bowl of water next to it.
On hot summer days, tangerines need to be watered: morning, afternoon and evening, during the winter months, as the soil in the pot dries up.
Pest control
Red spider mite, citrus whitefly, scale insect - pests of which are very difficult to see, but their presence can lead to the death of young citrus fruits.
It is necessary to carefully examine the plants for the possible presence of a tiny cobweb in order to begin treatment at the first sign.
The stores sell special pest control products. With solutions, you need to rinse all the leaves on both sides. The procedure must be repeated several times, every 7 days.