general information
Of all the types of citrus plants grown indoors, only the indoor tangerine is second to the lemon tree in terms of prevalence and popularity. According to botanists, its homeland is China or Japan. The name “mandarin” was given to this plant by the Chinese, since for many centuries it was grown only in the gardens of wealthy dignitaries of feudal China - mandarins. Tangerine trees exported from China appeared in Europe only in the 19th century. The Italian Michel Tecor brought tangerine trees to Italy in 1840, and this citrus plant quickly spread throughout the Mediterranean. Probably, such popularity was caused by the fact that tangerine trees are early-fruiting and very productive, and the fruits are sweet and without seeds. Mandarin came to Ukraine from Japan at the beginning of the 20th century, during the mass country house construction in the subtropical zone of the Black Sea coast. This is where it became most common. citrus plant. Regardless of the variety, summer gardeners gave tangerine trees a common name - forged. Mandarin trees are relatively low-growing; on plantations they reach a height of 2-3 meters. The branches of the tangerine tree are mostly drooping. The leaves are dense, dark green, with small wings on the petioles. White fragrant flowers collected in brushes. Mandarin fruits are spherical, flattened, 4-6 cm in diameter and weighing from 30 to 100 g. The fruit peel is thin, orange, and easily separated from the pulp. In the so-called “plump” tangerines, it almost does not touch the pulp, because it is separated from it by an air layer. The pulp is sweet, juicy, yellow-orange, easily divided into slices. The fruit of the tangerine tree contains a lot of sugar, organic acids, vitamins C and B1. Seeds are rarely formed in tangerine fruits. In an apartment, tangerine grows and develops with a limited amount of light and fresh air, therefore it is of paramount importance right choice variety of tangerine most suitable for room conditions. Early ripening tangerine trees of Japanese origin, characterized by low growth and unpretentiousness, meet these requirements. The most common is the indoor tangerine variety Unshiu (which means “Seedless”). This is a low (no higher than 1.5 m) tangerine tree with a spreading crown; without thorns on the branches; with wide, leathery, dark green leaves. The tangerine tree usually blooms once a year in the spring, very profusely. Tangerine flowers are small, white, exuding a pleasant aroma. The tangerine tree begins to bear fruit at the age of 3. At home, a well-groomed adult tangerine tree produces an average of 40-50 fruits per year.
Dwarf tangerines of the Vasya group.
These varieties of tangerine trees are low-growing and decorative. These include indoor varieties of tangerines: Kovano-Vase, Mikha-Vase, Miyagawa-Vase. The height of mature tangerine trees does not exceed 50-80 cm, so they are very convenient to keep on the windowsill. Indoor mandarin does not need to form a crown; only sometimes it is necessary to remove dried and improperly growing branches. Fruit dwarf tangerines begin already in the second year of life. The fruits of the tangerine tree are not inferior in size and taste to the fruits of the Unshiu variety.
Landing (transfer)
For this purpose, take a pot from any material, the main thing is that the upper diameter should not exceed 10-15 cm, the height is approximately the same. There should be one or several small holes at the bottom of the pot to drain excess water when watering. At the bottom of the pot, and this can be a plastic bucket, wooden, ceramic, glass container, place expanded clay or sand as drainage, and best of all charcoal, which can be taken from an extinct fire in the forest, in a city park. The thickness of the drainage should not exceed 3-5 cm. Then sprinkle the drainage with a little soil. To transplant a tangerine tree seedling, you need specially prepared soil of the “Mandarin” type; it is presented on our website in the section “Soils and fertilizers for indoor plants” - “Soils for indoor plants.” Or prepare the soil yourself: the soil for replanting must be taken from the forest or park, under old deciduous trees, except oak, chestnut and poplar. It is necessary to take only the top, most fertile layer of soil, 5-10 cm thick. Add sand to this soil, preferably river sand, a little ash, and more humus, if available. The proportion is as follows: two glasses of deciduous soil, a glass of sand, three tablespoons of humus and one tablespoon of ash. Stir all this in any bowl, add a little water to get a thick, creamy mass that will well fill the entire volume of the pot, leaving no air voids near the roots of the tangerine tree. After six months, the tangerine tree must be transplanted into a larger pot 5 cm in diameter. Spray and water the planted indoor tangerine with a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), and then place it on a previously prepared window sill, bay window or balcony so that the surface of the leaves is directed towards the light.
Reproduction
Indoor tangerines are propagated by grafting onto lemon and orange seedlings grown from seeds indoor varieties and by air layering method. Indoor mandarin is practically not amenable to cuttings under amateur conditions.
Lighting
The tangerine tree should be kept in a southern sunny window. In summer, indoor tangerine is recommended to be taken out open air- in the garden, on the veranda, on the balcony, placing it in a place protected from the wind. If an indoor tangerine stands on a south window, then summer time It is advisable to darken it a little from direct sunlight so that burns do not occur on the tangerine leaves and chlorosis does not appear from overheating of the entire crown and roots. For this, at the very window frame, according to the height of the tangerine tree, they make a gauze curtain and in the morning, before leaving the house, cover the glass with it if the day promises to be sunny.
Air temperature
If a pot of indoor tangerine will stand on a windowsill, then the window must be well insulated for the winter, and the pot itself must be insulated in winter and summer. Favorable temperature for tangerine budding and flowering is +16 +18°C, air humidity is at least 60%, but don’t be afraid high temperature, the tangerine tree can withstand and bear fruit up to +40°C.
Watering
Indoor tangerine should be watered as the top layer of soil dries, without allowing the lump of earth in the pot to completely dry out. To determine soil moisture, take the time to take a little of the surface layer of soil with three fingers every day and squeeze it. If the soil sticks together, then there is no need to water; if it crumbles under your fingers, then it’s time to water. You need to monitor the condition of the soil daily (especially in summer) so that the entire earthen lump in the pot does not dry out due to high temperatures and bright sun. The question of where to get water for irrigation and what it should be is also very difficult, and therefore we will dwell on it in detail. In a city apartment drinking water practically unsuitable for watering citrus fruits, since it contains a large amount of compounds of alkaline earth metals and chlorine, which together and individually cause great harm tangerine, causing spotting (chlorosis) of leaves, alkalizing the soil, disrupting metabolic processes. Many authors recommend boiling tap water, but this does not always immediately lead to the desired result, extra hassle often scare away potential lovers of window fruit growing, so I recommend taking hot water from the tap. This water contains less chlorine and is softer. In addition, water for irrigation must be left for at least 24 hours in an open container to completely remove chlorine, which is extremely harmful to citrus fruits. In a private house, water can be taken from a well, but it is better from a lake or stream and left in the room for heating. Rainwater now contains many harmful impurities, so do not collect it for irrigation. In any case, wherever the water is taken, it must be left for at least a day in an open vessel at room temperature and only then watered over the tangerine. IN winter time, for achievement better growth and fruiting of tangerines, it is advisable to heat the water to a temperature of +30 +35°C before watering. In the summer, you can put the water on a sunny window and not bother heating it.
Spraying
It must be well remembered that in addition to watering, indoor tangerines should be sprayed with water from a spray bottle or any other method at least once a day, especially in summer, to create humidity, to wash away dust from the branches, so that the leaves “breathe”. At least once a month, it is advisable to place the tangerine tree in the bathtub and cover it plastic film soil in a pot and treat the entire crown with cotton wool and soap suds. Then you won't have to deal with difficult pest control. Do not forget to tie the stem of the tangerine tree at the bottom with gauze or a bandage so that the soapy water is absorbed into the fabric and does not get into the soil.
Fertilizer
In winter, indoor mandarin is not fed, in spring and summer - once every two weeks. Any fertilizing should be done only the next day after watering, i.e. when the soil in the pot is wet, otherwise you can burn the roots. Pour fertilizer under the plant until the solution begins to flow out of drainage holes. To feed a tangerine tree seedling, you need fertilizer of the “Tangerine” type; it is presented on our website in the section “Soils and fertilizers for indoor plants” - “Fertilizers for indoor plants.” Feeding mature plants, at least one meter high, with fish soup once a month increases their fruiting. They do it like this: 200 grams of fish waste or small unsalted fish are boiled in two liters of water for half an hour. Then dilute the solution cold water and filter through cheesecloth. This fertilizer must be used together with the Mandarin fertilizer mentioned above.
Pests
Enemies for indoor tangerine are sucking and gnawing pests, as well as fungi and viruses. The most common pests are: spider mites, scale insects (false scale insects). The fight against them is carried out with chemical and biological preparations, which are more acceptable in the conditions open soil subtropics and greenhouses. It is advisable not to use pesticides for an apartment. Signs of spider mite infestation are as follows: white dots appear on old tangerine leaves on the underside, and the reddish mite itself is visible to the naked eye. If you touch it, it starts to move quickly. Young leaves curl into a “boat” and become entangled in a white web. To combat mites, use tobacco dust, garlic, and laundry soap. Take 1 tablespoon of tobacco dust and pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 6 days. Add 10 grams to the resulting infusion laundry soap and spray the plant 3 times with an interval of 6 days. Garlic is used as follows: one head of garlic is crushed, poured with a glass of hot water and left for 2 days. The solution is filtered and spraying is carried out similarly to the above. When affected by scale insects, brown-gray shiny round formations with a diameter of 3-5 mm are visible on the surface of young and old leaves. They are placed along the veins at the top and bottom of the leaf, as well as on the branches themselves. IN initial stage these growths are almost transparent, whitish in color and difficult to notice. With severe damage, sticky gum appears on the surface of old leaves, and in the late stage they become covered with a black sticky coating, which is very difficult to wash off with water. Water-oil emulsions effectively help against scale insects. One teaspoon machine oil stir in one glass of warm water, add 40 grams of laundry soap, 2 tablespoons washing powder. Before processing, cover the soil in the pot with plastic film, and the stem is tied at the bottom with a bandage. This is done in order to prevent the emulsion from getting into the soil. Treatment is carried out using a cotton or gauze swab. A water-oil emulsion is applied to all surfaces of tangerine branches and leaves. After 3-4 hours, rinse everything off in the shower, making sure that the emulsion does not get into the soil. Process 3 times with an interval of 6 days.
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 clean and disinfect the air, protecting apartment residents from colds and viral diseases, delight the eye with a thick dark green crown and soft white flowers that smell much better than any freshener.
Rules for buying tangerine
On the Internet or specialized nurseries they sell already mature fruit-bearing trees, which you just need to bring home, water and feed. Formed citrus fruits will cost a hefty sum, 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 seller for a certificate. Some traders pass off calamondins as tangerines, which smell like citrus and bear fruit, but the orange fruit is completely tasteless. They cheat mainly in markets or supermarkets, because nurseries value their reputation, but even when visiting a specialized center, you should ask the employees for documents.
Land preparation
Can't stand citrus fruits acidic soils, which contain peat. The soil for growing tangerines should be light and nutritious, allow air to pass through and retain moisture. To prepare the right soil for young trees, you need to mix 4 components:
- leaf and turf 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 has no less nutrients. When the tangerine is 3-4 years old, fatty clay is added to the soil, which will retain moisture and protect the root system from drying out.
Pour a drainage layer 3–5 cm thick into a pot or tub intended for citrus. Expanded clay, small pebbles or clay shards are suitable. Use large pebbles that allow air to pass through better and prevent water from stagnating at the bottom.
Do I need to replant the tangerine?
Every year the citrus tree is moved from a smaller pot to a larger one, because the growing tree needs more space. It is recommended to transplant a four-year-old tangerine immediately into a wooden tub, where it will live and bear fruit over the next 2-3 years.
Relocate a plant better in spring when citrus wakes up and actively develops. First, they make a small dig to check the condition of the root system. If the tangerine tightly entwines the earthen ball, it is replanted. If not, change it upper layer soil and leave in the old pot until next year.
How to relocate citrus without injuring it?
- Moisten the soil around the edges so that it better comes away from the walls of the pot.
- Lightly tap the container with a spatula or hand. This makes it easier to separate the roots and soil from the clay or wooden walls.
- Take the tangerine by the trunk and remove it along with the soil. There is no need to remove old soil from the plant so as not to damage it.
- Prepare in advance new pot with drainage and a layer of soil. Place a tangerine in it and cover it with soil on top.
- Compact the soil, but not too much. Water the citrus and place in the sun.
When replanting a tree, you cannot completely cover the root collar with soil. Its upper part should remain on the surface so that the citrus takes root faster.
Help: The root collar of a tangerine is the line separating the trunk and skeletal roots. In this place the tree has a small compaction, which is half covered with earth.
Lighting
Tangerines need sunlight. The more, the healthier the tree and the juicier the fruit. Mature citrus trees are placed next to western or eastern windows. Pots with young trees are placed on the northern windowsill.
Plants also do well next to south-facing windows if they have blinds or translucent curtains installed to diffuse the light. It is undesirable for citrus leaves to be exposed to direct sunlight. Ultraviolet light burns the crown of tangerines and dries out the soil.
In summer, it is useful to take citrus fruits out onto the balcony or leave them in the garden. The tub is placed under tall, spreading trees, which will diffuse and soften the light. Plants located in an apartment near a window should be protected from the sun at noon, and opened in the evening, closer to 4–5 o’clock.
In winter, tangerines must be illuminated 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's recovery is long and difficult, 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 around its own axis from time to time so that all sides of the plant receive approximately the same amount of light.
Temperature and humidity
In spring, the first buds appear on the tangerine tree, and it is important that the temperature in the room does not fall below +20–25 degrees. When the thermometer drops to +17–15, the citrus is covered with barren flowers, which smell pleasant, but do not produce a harvest.
In winter, the plant is moved to a cool room. The temperature in the room is reduced gradually; due to the sudden cold snap, the tree may shed its leaves. The room should first be +18, then +16–14, and some gardeners drop it to +10. Why keep citrus in a cool room? So that the mandarin has time to rest a little and gain strength. After a short winter holiday, the tree blossoms more buds, and the fruits become juicier and sweeter.
Mandarins need to be prepared for hibernation after harvesting. In mid-January, the temperature in the room begins to gradually increase so that the citrus “wake up” and have time to prepare for spring flowering.
tangerine tree loves warmth and moisture, so in hot weather it needs to be sprayed twice or thrice a day with a spray bottle. 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 recommended to install special humidifiers or ionizers. If the tub of tangerine is located close to the radiator or radiator, cover the heater with a damp towel.
The room in which the citrus tree is located 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 a tub with tangerine dries out, the plant may develop spider mites. The soil should always be slightly moist, but not wet, so in summer the tree is watered daily, and in winter it is reduced to 2-3 times a week.
You need to test the soil with your finger, and if it seems crumbly and too dry, add a little water. Before watering, look into the pan. Accumulated liquid indicates that there is too much water and the tree does not have time to absorb it. Watering must be stopped before the tray dries, otherwise root system will begin to rot or fungus will appear.
Use only cleaned melted or rainwater. The liquid is allowed to sit for 3-4 days in a large saucepan or plastic bucket and then passed through a kitchen filter. You can’t just water the tangerine with tap water, because heavy impurities and salts settle in the soil, inhibiting the plant.
Liquid volumes depend on the size of the tree and air temperature. The hotter the room, the more moisture evaporates. If 0.5–1 liter is enough for a small tangerine, then an adult tree will need three or four.
The water must be heated to +35–40 degrees. How to check the temperature of a liquid without a thermometer? Dip your finger into it. It should be pleasant, but not hot.
Pour water onto the root, being careful not to let droplets fall on the leaves and trunk. Moisten the crown separately from a spray bottle so that the liquid is distributed evenly. During the flowering period, make sure that water does not get on the buds. If a few drops fall on green or ripe fruit, 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.
You can find suitable fertilizers in flower shops. We recommend stopping at:
- Uniflor bud during flowering;
- Kemira Suite;
- Uniflor growth during fruit ripening.
Mineral fertilizers alternate with organic ones. Natural nutrient solutions are prepared from cow manure or poultry droppings. Part of the dry matter is diluted in 10–12 parts of water, left for 2–4 days, and then added in small portions.
The soil is moistened before fertilizing. Using chemicals It is important to follow the instructions. If you increase the dosage, you can burn the tangerine roots or poison the tree. Citrus leaves are also treated with a weak solution. Mineral fertilizers should not get on the fruits.
In the spring, before flowering begins, the tree is pruned. Remove dry and thin branches, pick off yellowed leaves. Garden shears must be sharpened and disinfected before pruning. Treat the cuts with tree resin to help them heal faster.
It is easy to form an oval crown on a tangerine. It is enough to pinch the tops of the branches and trim off excess shoots that are not capable of bearing fruit and only draw nutrients from the tree.
When the plant first blooms, you need to leave only 10-15 buds. The rest are carefully cut off so that they do not deplete the young tree. The older the tangerine becomes, the more ovaries can be left.
Install one or more wooden supports in the tub, to which branches with fruits are tied. Large fruits are attracted to the ground, and the tangerine may break or split into several pieces.
Citrus needs to be bathed monthly. Cover the pot and soil with 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 low pressure and rinse off the soap suds. There must be water room temperature or a little warmer.
All that remains is to blot the leaves and branches with a dry towel. Let the tangerine sit in the bathroom until it dries completely, and then you can return it to its old place and remove the film.
Caring for a citrus tree is no more difficult than caring for an apple tree in the garden or an orchid growing on the windowsill. Lots 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 its rich aroma, and in winter it will reward you with sweet and useful fruits, which are associated with the New Year and magic.
Video: how to grow a tangerine from a seed
The tangerine tree (lat. Citrus reticulata) is evergreen, which means that it is quite unpretentious. Therefore, with proper care, you can enjoy its fruits within 2-4 years.
Where to place
Like all houseplants, the tangerine, first of all, must be placed correctly. IN heating season The tree should be kept away from batteries. Vacation home more suitable for placement ornamental trees, but in well-lit and humidified apartments, citrus fruits also take root.
The tangerine tree is light-loving; a lack of sun is detrimental to it and can lead to loss of foliage and even death. That's why perfect option – a bright room with windows facing south, southwest or southeast. However, exposure to direct sunlight is also undesirable.
In the autumn-winter period, the sun rarely pleases residents middle zone Russia, and even more so the inhabitants of northern latitudes. Therefore, the plant will most likely require additional artificial lighting. Lighting around 2000 lux for 10-12 hours is enough for the mandarin to produce buds by the end of the season. By the way, tangerines bloom in May and bear fruit in October.
Citrus tree in the house. Watch the video!..
Warm or cold
Optimal temperature is equally important. At home, the plant requires coolness, 16-18°С will be sufficient. If the rates are too high, flower fall is inevitable. During the rest period, the temperature must be reduced up to 10-14°C. At the same time, tangerines must be protected from drafts. In summer, the tree should be taken out onto the balcony or terrace.
Air humidity is another key parameter on which the health and development of tangerine depends. Firstly, the plant needs to be sprayed (for old trees, it is enough to wipe the leaves with a damp cloth). Secondly, it is necessary to control the humidity in the room. The norm is considered to be in the range from 40 to 60%, but in the homes of most Russians this figure is significantly underestimated: during the heating season, due to the active operation of the batteries, the air dries out and the humidity barely reaches 30%. Therefore, in order to protect the plant, and at the same time your own health, it is highly advisable to purchase a special humidifier.
How to water
Water the tangerine with softened water at room temperature. “Water procedures” can be repeated only when the top layer of soil in the pot dries out. Do not allow water to stagnate, this can lead to rotting of the root system. From February to November, after watering, the plant should be fed with organic or combined mineral fertilizers(nitrogen and phosphorus). It is advisable to refrain from using synthetic additives; in extreme cases, they can be alternated with natural fertilizers.
In terms of popularity among gardeners, the tangerine tree is only slightly inferior to the lemon laurels. And this is not surprising: its bright fruits delight the eye, and its subtle aroma has a healing effect, improving mood and giving vigor. Tangerine trees decorate the windowsills long years– the main thing is to properly care for them. Moreover, it is not so difficult - the mandarin is not capricious.
A tangerine tree can be grown from a seed at home. To do this, seeds are selected from the tangerines you like. In order for seedlings to appear for sure, it is better to plant at least 10 pieces.
The seeds are pre-soaked for several days. For this purpose, they are wrapped in damp gauze and placed in a warm place. The main thing is that the gauze does not dry out. After a few days, the seeds will swell.
As soon as sprouts appear, the seeds can be planted. Stores sell special soil for citrus fruits. But you can make an earthen mixture yourself.
Soil for tangerine trees:
- Turf - 3 parts;
- Earth -1 part;
- Humus -1 part;
- A little sand or clay.
Expanded clay is placed at the bottom of the pot, then the prepared soil mixture is poured. The seeds are planted to a depth of 5 cm. The soil is well moistened and the pot is placed in a bright place. But the hatched sprouts must be protected from direct sunlight in the first weeks. Otherwise they will dry out.
It is worth knowing that trees grown from seeds will not themselves produce cultivated, juicy fruits. In order to get tasty tangerines, you will need to graft a shoot from a cultivated fruit-bearing plant onto the tree.
Video instructions for growing tangerines from seeds
Lighting and location
Mandarin is a southern plant, so it loves light and warmth. For it, you should choose windows facing south, southeast, southwest. It is important that the location is well lit.
However, direct sunlight, especially in summer heat, I don’t really like tangerine. They can cause leaf burns. If the tree overheats under the rays, chlorosis may begin - the plants will begin to wither and lose strength. Therefore, on too sunny days, the south window is covered with a gauze curtain. IN summer period You can take the tree out onto the balcony. In a private house they even take it outside. However, in this case, the transfer is carried out gradually - first the pot is placed in the shade. When he gets used to the new conditions, he is taken out to the site. If you immediately expose the pot to the sun, the tangerine may begin to hurt.
In autumn and winter, tangerines need to be artificially illuminated. To do this, place lamps on the windowsill and turn them on during the day. Without this, the tangerine may begin to hurt.
Temperature
Mandarin does not like cold. Optimal temperature air temperature for it is +20 degrees in summer, +12-14 in winter. Buds and ovaries on the tree appear only at a temperature of +16-18 degrees. If the room is always colder, then the tangerine will not bloom and the gardener will wait in vain for bright fruits.
Humidity
In nature, tangerines live in a humid subtropical climate. Therefore, for a comfortable existence, they must be constantly sprayed with water from a spray bottle. And you will have to do this several times a day. In winter, you will have to spray the tree more often, since central heating makes the air very dry. But under no circumstances should you spray tangerines with cold tap water. It should be warmed to room temperature.
Additionally, you can place a bowl of water near the plant. You can also pour water into the tray on which the pot with the plant stands. In dry air, the tangerine tree is affected by pests - scale insects and spider mites.
Watering
In summer, the plant is watered frequently and abundantly. In winter, it is enough to water it 2 times a week. The soil in the pot should not dry out completely - the drying of the top layer of soil indicates that it is time to water.
A simple experiment can tell you whether it's time to water. It is enough to take a pinch of earth in your fingers and squeeze. If it crumbles, it’s time to go get a watering can.
Do not use tap water. The chlorine and other compounds it contains alkalize the soil and cause chlorosis, which causes spots to appear on the leaves. Pre-boiling does not give a positive result either. tap water. Firstly, this complicates maintenance, and secondly, harmful elements still remain in the water. Some gardeners recommend using hot water supplied centrally for irrigation. It is less chlorinated and has greater softness. It must first be cooled and left for 24 hours. However, it is recommended to do this procedure with any water for watering the tangerine tree.
In winter, water for irrigation is heated to +30-35 degrees. Otherwise, you can overcool the roots of the plant and it will wither. In summer, the water naturally heats up as it sits.
Additional care
Every month the mandarin needs to have a bath. The soil in the pot must be protected with an impermeable film. The leaves of the tree are washed with soapy water. This will help protect the plant from pests.
Important: to prevent soapy water running down the trunk from saturating the ground, it is wrapped with a bandage.
Nutrition
Trees need to be fertilized periodically. This is done for the first time a year in April. Then, until winter, the tangerine is fed every two weeks. This is done so that the tree develops well, buds and bears fruit. Summer feeding prevent bitterness of fruits. There is no need to feed the plant in winter.
For feeding, use any complex fertilizers that are sold in stores. There are special fertilizers for citrus fruits.
You can enhance fruiting with the help of the so-called fish soup. 200g of small fresh fish are boiled in 2 liters of water for 30 minutes. The strained broth is cooled and added to the complex fertilizer.
Trimming
Pruning not only allows you to form a beautiful crown, but also speeds up the onset of fruiting. All weak branches must be removed. The apical shoots are periodically pinched. Then the tree begins to bush, the crown becomes denser and more beautiful.
In young trees, in the first years of flowering, it is necessary to pinch off some of the buds. This will preserve the vitality of the plants. Otherwise, they may become exhausted and bear fruit poorly. The fewer flowers there are, the larger and more beautiful the fruits will be.
Transfer
The plant is replanted once a year in the first years of life. Then, when the fruiting period begins, the trees are replanted every 2-3 years. This is done before the plant begins to grow. Perfect time- March. If time is lost, it is better to miss the deadline. A transplant carried out at the wrong time can lead to the tree being sick for a long time or even dying. If there is room in the pot, sometimes it is enough to replace the top layer of soil and drainage.
Pest Control
The fact that the tangerine has been infected by a mite is indicated by white dots on the underside of the leaves and curled leaves in which cobwebs can be seen. To destroy it, you can use garlic tinctures, tobacco dust, and laundry soap.
1 tablespoon of dust is infused in a glass of boiling water for 6 hours, then mixed with 10 grams of soap. The plant is sprayed with this solution. It is enough to carry out 3 procedures every 6 days.
To prepare garlic tincture, chop the head of garlic and leave it in a glass of boiling water for 2 days. Then they act in exactly the same way.
When attacked by scale insects, brownish spots-growths appear along the veins on the leaves. They fight scale insects with the following solution:
- 1 tsp machine oil;
- 2 tbsp. l washing powder;
- 40 g laundry soap;
- 1 glass of water.
This solution should not get on the soil. It is applied to leaves and branches. After 4 aces it is washed off in the shower. The tree is treated 3 times every 6 days.
At good care the tangerine tree will bear its first fruits in the third year and will then produce up to 50 tasty and juicy tangerines. Caring for it is not that difficult. The main thing is that it must be regular and constant. And then the tangerine tree will definitely reward you with beauty and harvest.
And vegetatively. For planting, you can take seeds from any fruit. Remove them and immediately plant them in a fertile substrate consisting of leaf humus and sand with the addition of small quantity fatty clay. Seedlings appear quite quickly and after a few years become quite lush bushes.
Flowering and fruiting on mandarins grown in this way occurs very late. The process can be accelerated by grafting the plant.
The vegetative method of propagation is quite labor-intensive, but by propagating in this way, you will get fruits much faster in 2-4 years. Make air layering. To do this, select a suitable branch and remove the bark about 2 cm wide from it. Tie this area with damp moss and periodically moisten it as it dries; the substrate should always be wet. After some time, roots should appear on the cuttings. Cut off a branch and plant in a pot with light soil.
How to care for a tangerine
Tangerines, unlike other citrus fruits, are quite unpretentious and require minimal care, but in order to get them to bloom and bear fruit, you need to create certain conditions for the plant.
The tangerine needs bright, but diffused light. Place the pot on an east or west window. On sunny days, shade from direct rays.
The plant is moisture-loving. In spring and summer, it must be watered 1-2 times a day with soft water at room temperature. In winter, watering should be slightly reduced, but the soil should always be moist; you should not allow the earthen clod to dry out, as the tangerine can shed its leaves. Spray the plant regularly, especially if the air in the room is very dry.
To achieve required humidity, pour expanded clay into the tray and moisten it. As it dries, add a little water to the tray.
During the period of active growth, during budding and fruiting, feed the plants with organic and mineral fertilizers. Use complex fertilizers for citrus fruits, and as organic matter - slurry from cow manure (in a ratio of 1:10).
Transplanting a plant
Young bushes must be replanted annually, and adult plants once every 3 years. Best time for this - spring, at this time the tangerine begins a period of active growth, so the plant will tolerate the procedure very well.
Place a layer of drainage at the bottom of the pot. This could be broken brick, crushed stone or expanded clay. Then add a nutritious but light citrus substrate. Remove the plant from the old pot, shake off the soil and wash the roots in warm water. Remove diseased and rotten ones and plant the tangerine in fresh soil.
Adults large plants replanting is quite problematic, but you can get by by replacing the top layer of soil in the container. Remove about 5 cm of old soil and add fresh substrate. Lightly compact it and water the plant with warm water.
