Many representatives of citrus fruits when creating favorable conditions They develop and grow well in various residential and administrative premises. The most popular of them is lemon; it can be found in apartments and offices, school classrooms and preschool institutions, clinics and shops. Raising this popular favorite is not easy; you have to spend a lot of time and effort on its cultivation and care. Tangerine, orange, lime, pomelo, and grapefruit require the same attention. They all have numerous useful qualities, one of which is the presence in the leaves of biologically active substances that can destroy pathogenic bacteria. Create all the necessary conditions for citrus fruits in a house or apartment, every lover of indoor plants can do it.
Location and lighting
The place where citrus indoor plants are grown should not be on the windowsill on the northern side of the house, near microwave oven, in drafts and near radiators central heating or other heating devices. Citrus fruits are shade-tolerant crops, so it is more favorable to place them on an eastern or western window, but it is also possible at a short distance from the southern window sill.
Temperature
For plants, places where there is warm and cold air, and there is also an increased air temperature. If at least one of these unfavorable moments is present, the leaves on citrus fruits begin to fall off.
In the period from November to February, when crops are in a dormant period, a special maintenance regime is introduced - low air temperature in the room, the absence of any water procedures(spraying and watering) and fertilizing.
Air humidity
The air humidity level should be high. It can be maintained with daily spraying; the water temperature should not be lower than 25 degrees. Citrus plants are painful when it comes to dry indoor air.
Watering
Not recommended for watering tap water, the presence of chlorine in it will negatively affect indoor pets. Irrigation water (with a temperature of 20-22 degrees) should be settled and slightly acidified. To do this, add a few drops of vinegar to it.
Choosing a pot
The ideal material for the pot is unglazed fired clay or wood. There must be drainage holes and a good drainage layer at the bottom of the flower container.
Soil composition requirements
Indoor citrus fruits will receive full development only in a special substrate for this type of plant. It is recommended to purchase high-quality soil mixture only in specialized stores for gardeners, so that its quality is not in doubt.
Feeding and fertilizers
Exotic citrus plants need to be fed regularly from February to November. Can be used organic fertilizers or mineral containing nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.
Lemons, tangerines, oranges and other exotics can be propagated by seeds, cuttings and grafting. Every gardener dreams of growing an exotic citrus plant from an ordinary seed, which will not only germinate and sprout, but will also eventually turn into a small tree and bear a lot of fruit.
By growing citrus fruits from seeds, from the very beginning of its life, the plant’s immunity is strengthened and its resistance to life increases. After all, a tender young culture has to adapt to unusual conditions of existence from its very first days. Usually with seed germination big problems does not occur, but flowering and fruiting will have to wait from 7 to 15 years. Taste qualities The fruits also leave much to be desired. In order for the crop to bloom much earlier, you will need to be vaccinated. Usually experienced flower growers and gardeners recommend using cuttings of citrus fruits that are already bearing fruit as a scion.
When growing exotic crops in room conditions It is necessary to take into account that plants can reach great heights. It is better to immediately purchase seeds of dwarf species and varieties for planting.
Propagation by seeds
It is recommended to plant freshly harvested seeds taken directly from the fruit. Planting depth - no more than 3 cm. The planting container should hold a volume of about 2 liters with mandatory drainage holes at the bottom. Drainage is poured at the bottom, and then a special substrate for citrus fruits. After planting, the pot must be covered glass jar or film to create greenhouse conditions in which seedlings will appear much earlier. Depending on the variety and type of crop, seedlings will appear in the range from 7 days to 2 months. If several sprouts appear from one seed, then over time it is necessary to leave only one stronger and stronger plant.
Propagation by cuttings
For rooting you need to take apical cuttings and plant them in wet river sand at a slight slope, covering the top with cut plastic bottle from transparent material. Favorable temperature for root formation is 20-25 degrees. The place should be well lit, but protected from direct sun rays. The first roots may appear in about a month, after which the plant is transplanted into a special soil mixture. When replanting, you must be careful with the root part, as it can easily be damaged.
This method is considered the most common because it allows you to preserve all the best quality characteristics mother plant. Flowering and fruiting occurs much earlier than with seed propagation.
Graft
Grafting can be carried out by budding or copulation. The scion and rootstock can be from different types citrus fruits. It is recommended to use lemon, orange or grapefruit for the rootstock.
Diseases and pests
Possible pests of citrus fruits as indoor crops are aphids, spider mite, scale insect, mealybug, possible diseases– anthracnose, warts and gommosis. The emerging diseases are difficult to treat, so you need to try to prevent them. At the first signs of disease, it is recommended to “help” the plants. This help consists of urgently removing the affected leaves, buds and fruits, then the plant will direct all its strength to recovery and preservation of healthy parts.
The main and most common cause of diseases and pests is violation of maintenance conditions and care rules. With increased attention to indoor pets and strict compliance with their requirements and preferences, such a danger does not threaten.
Conditions for growing citrus fruits (video)
Diversity citrus trees in nature it is amazing. People actively eat the fruits of these plants, because they are rich in useful components. But some people grow citrus plants at home, moreover, you can even get fruits from such plants regularly.
In this article I will tell you which citrus indoor plants are most popular among gardeners. I will also outline the features of growing citrus trees at home.
There are several types of citrus fruits you can choose to grow at home. All these plants are unpretentious, not demanding of any specific conditions. And yet, like any other indoor flowers, citrus trees have certain characteristics.
Mandarin
An amazing plant that can become a real decoration for the interior of a house or room. The main advantage of the tangerine is its lush green crown. If the growing conditions are met, the tree will begin to actively bear fruit.
Features of growing tangerine:
- abundant and regular watering, mandatory alternation of watering and spraying;
- regular application of root fertilizers, especially during flowering and fruiting periods;
- timely formation of a green crown.
Despite its beauty and grace, tangerine also has a major drawback - the fruits of this tree are very sour, so it is almost impossible to eat them.
- Kovano-Vase;
- Sochinsky-23.
Orange
Many people have tried to grow a citrus tree from a seed. If you conduct a similar experiment with an orange seed, you can get a positive result - after some time a young shoot will appear from the ground, which, if certain growing conditions are met, will soon turn into a luxurious tree.
In most cases orange trees grown for beauty, not for fruit. It's important to remember that ornamental plant does not differ in increased productivity.
The features of growing an orange at home are approximately the same as when growing a tangerine.
The only thing you need to pay attention to is that an orange requires a larger container, because the tree proper care can grow up to 3 meters high.
At home, it is best to grow the following varieties of orange tree:
- Pear-shaped kinglet;
- Pavlovsky;
- Adjarian seedless;
- Gamplin.
Lemon
You can often find decorative lemons on the windowsills of apartments and houses. Flower growers love this citrus tree for its unpretentiousness and beauty.
- Maikopsky;
- Pavlovsky;
- Novogruzinsky;
- Genoa.
Hybrids
Flower growers are actively engaged in home cultivation of citrus hybrids. The following varieties deserve special attention:
- Sweet lemon (Limetta Pursha) - the plant in external parameters resembles a lemon, but only with spherical fruits;
- Limequat is a cross between a lime and a kumquat.
- Clementine is a hybrid of tangerine and orange.
- Ponderosa is a hybrid of lime and pomelo.
- Calamondin is a hybrid of kumquat and mandarin.
- Orange is a cross between an orange and a kumquat.
Features of growing citrus fruits at home
Caring for citrus fruits at home is easy. Enough to provide plants comfortable conditions. What is important to pay special attention to?
Content temperature
Low or too high air temperatures will negatively affect the development of the plant - the tree will simply stop growing, become weak and may even die.
Comfortable temperature conditions for citrus fruits are:
- in summer - from +18 to +26 degrees;
- in winter - from +12 to +16 degrees.
Impact negative temperatures will be detrimental to the plant.
The plant should not be exposed to sudden changes in temperature conditions, as this may result in the leaves being dropped.
In summer or late spring, the citrus tree can be taken out to the balcony, but it is important to protect it from open sunlight, which can burn the leaves, which will also cause leaf fall.
Illumination
In nature, citrus fruits grow in hot regions and are constantly exposed to the scorching rays of the sun. But at home, such conditions cannot be created for a flower. The plant must be placed in a bright part of the room, but it is important to ensure that the bright rays of the sun do not fall on its surface.
Citrus fruits tolerate a lack of light very hard - the leaves on the trees begin to turn yellow and fall off. If it is not possible to provide the plant with natural light, then it is necessary to provide it with artificial light.
Watering
Citrus trees need moderate and regular watering. There must be a layer of expanded clay at the bottom of the flowerpot; moisture should not be allowed to accumulate at the roots.
IN winter time Every year, watering is reduced, but it is necessary to avoid drying out the soil. If the plant is located near heating devices, it should be regularly sprayed with warm, settled water.
- moderate watering;
- preventing soil drying out;
- regular spraying in the evening.
Fertilizers
Root feeding is carried out only during the period of plant activity, that is, from the beginning of March to mid-September. During the dormant period (winter), citrus fruits do not need additional nutrients.
Fertilizer options for citrus trees:
- Baikal;
- Vostok-EM1;
- Revival.
Bottom line
- Growing citrus trees at home will not be difficult if the plant is provided with comfortable conditions and proper care.
- For growing at home, it is recommended to choose decorative varieties citrus fruits, characterized by small growth and unpretentiousness.
Fruit crops occupy a special place among indoor plants, and the most common among them are numerous representatives of the Citrus genus. They are better than many others fruit crops adapted to indoor conditions: they grow quickly, form well, bloom and bear fruit profusely.
A citrus plant looks especially impressive, on which flowers and fruits are simultaneously present in varying degrees of ripening.
The homeland of citrus fruits is China, Japan, Eastern India, Australia, where they are represented by evergreen trees (from 3 to 12 m in height) or shrubs with thorns and dense leaves rich in essential oil.
Citrus flowers
Citrus fruits bloom twice a year, small but fragrant white or pink flowers. Citrus flowers produce fruits of various shapes, colors and tastes, rich in vitamins and microelements.
Types of citrus indoor plants
Citron (Citrus medica Citron)- is, along with two other ancient species, tangerine and pomelo, the progenitor of modern citrus fruits.
Currently, in indoor culture you can find a very interesting variety, “Buddha’s Hand”. Citron fruits have a lot of zest and very little pulp.
Mandarin, or net citrus, unshiu (Citrus reticulate var. Unshiu)- the earliest ripening species with abundant fruiting. In tub culture it grows up to 1.5 m.
This type of citrus indoor plants has a spherical crown with slightly drooping branches without thorns, dark green oval-elongated leaves; white, very fragrant flowers are arranged in pairs or small groups in the axils of the leaves. The fruits are small, pear-shaped, orange or orange-red, with an easily peelable peel and juicy, sweetish pulp without seeds.
All types of indoor citrus plants are grown in the winter garden or as pot plants. Miniature citrofortunella will feel great on a sunny windowsill.
Fortunella, or kumquat, "golden orange"(Fortunella margarita)- looks like a miniature orange. The fruits are elongated with a sweetish peel. The Variegata variety has striped green-white or green-yellow leaves.
Calamondin, or citrofortunella (Calamondin)- a hybrid of mandarin and fortunella. This type of indoor citrus fruit is more of an ornamental than an edible plant.
It has compact sizes (up to 1 m in height), glossy dark green oval-pointed leaves and numerous small (up to 4 cm in diameter), round, yellow-orange fruits, bitter in taste and with a large number of seeds.
Photo of homemade lemon flowers
Homemade lemon (Citrus limon)- the most common type in indoor culture. It is an evergreen, low-growing (up to 1.5 m), spreading tree with thin but strong gray or reddish-purple shoots, long spines (there are varieties without spines) and large, wide-oval emerald leaves with a pointed end. Each leaf lives about 3 years.
The development of not only the plant itself, but also individual fruits directly depends on their quantity and condition, since the ripening of one lemon requires at least 10 healthy, actively functioning leaves.
Flowers homemade lemon, as can be seen in the photo, are medium-sized, white or cream, arranged singly, in pairs or in small tassels.
They may not be visible behind the abundant foliage, but the characteristic delicate and quite intense aroma will not allow you to miss this wonderful period. Indoor lemons can bloom 2-3 times a year, and the ripening of the fruits lasts several months, so on one plant you can often see both fragrant flowers and fruits in varying degrees of ripening - from bright green to sunny yellow.
There are quite a lot of varieties bred specifically for indoor cultivation, including domestic selection.
Our photo gallery contains photos of homemade lemon flowers of the most common varieties:
Lemon "Ponderosa"- unpretentious, but large variety with tasty, very large fruits with lumpy yellow skin; there are few fruits, but the plant can bloom up to 4 times a year, bearing fruit from 6-7 years;
Lemon "Pavlovsky"- one of the oldest Russian varieties, medium-sized with large delicious fruits, bears fruit in the third year;
Lemon variety "Meyer1"- compact and productive, the fruits are very juicy, slightly bitter, with thin orange-yellow skin, begins to bear fruit in the third year.
Caring for indoor citrus fruits at home
Secret successful cultivation citrus fruits is to provide them with relative rest in winter (in a bright, well-ventilated room at a temperature of +4.+8 ° C with moderate watering) and maximum lighting in summer (it is better to place them outside open air, sunny, draft-free place).
Heat-loving oranges require higher winter temperatures (+13...+ 18 °C). Watering in summer is also moderate, without drying out the earthen clod and without stagnating water. To form a beautiful crown of citrus fruits when caring at home, pruning and pinching is done - after 3-4 leaves appear, the growing point is pinched. The same method will also help speed up fruiting throughout the year.
During active growth plants are fed once every two weeks, alternating if possible mineral fertilizers with organic ones. Transplantation is carried out by transshipment in the spring: young plants - annually, at the age of 4-5 years - once every 2 years, older than five years - once every 3 years. Citrus fruits propagate well from both semi-lignified cuttings and seeds. At seed method reproduction, fruiting occurs later than with cuttings.
TO How to care for indoor citrus plants?
Citrus plants such as lemon, orange, grapefruit, tangerine, and kinkak are often grown indoors. Citrus trees will bear fruit only if they are grafted, although most often they are not grown for their fruit. Some people are simply wondering whether they will be able to grow a Mediterranean tree from a seed, while others are delighted by the subtle aroma that the leaves emit.
In any case, in order for a citrus plant to look good, it is necessary to know and observe certain conditions for its maintenance, given that caring for citrus fruits indoor plants varies depending on the time of year.
Lighting and air temperature
Citrus fruits are native to Southeast Asia, where there are fairly humid and warm weather conditions and a lot of sunlight. Therefore, when growing citrus plants indoors, you need to select well-lit places for them. The exception is lemon, which feels great in a shaded room.
If the citrus plant is kept at very low or very high temperature environment, then it cannot develop normally. In summer, the optimal temperature will be from +18 to +27 °C; in winter it should be cooler - no higher than +12 °C. Compliance temperature regime serves as a prerequisite for obtaining fruits.
In the spring, when frosts stop, potted plants are placed outside, but not planted in the ground, to prevent the roots from overcooling.
During growth, citrus fruits need to be sprayed every day. warm water.
How to water citrus fruits?
The trees are watered 1-2 times a week with warm water; in summer watering should be plentiful and in winter moderate.
Because the growth cycle slows down in winter, the plant needs less water. To prevent the tree from dying from excess moisture, watering is reduced from October. But the earthen clod should not be allowed to dry out, so that leaves and fruits do not fall off.
There is one more important point, which you need to pay attention to in the winter months: the ground temperature should be at least +18°C. To prevent a drop in temperature, watering must be carried out only with warm water.
Transplanting citrus fruits
Young trees need to be replanted only by transshipment. Moreover, replanting must be carried out in a timely manner, because due to a lack of nutrients the plant will not be able to develop normally.
If the roots of the tree have not managed to cover the entire earthen lump, there is no need to do transshipment; it will be enough to replace the drainage and upper layer soil.
Before transshipment, be sure to treat the pot with a solution of potassium permanganate or scald it with boiling water.
Trees that are already bearing fruit are replanted every 2-3 years, and only before growth begins. After the growth period, it is better not to touch the plant. There is also no need to replant a plant with flowers or fruits, as this will lead to their falling off.
For young citrus plants, the mixture is made light: one part each of leaf soil, sand and humus from cow manure and two parts of turf soil. For adult plants, a heavier mixture is needed: one part each of leaf soil, sand and humus, three parts turf soil and a little low-fat clay.
How to fertilize citrus fruits?
Thanks to fertilizers, the sugar content of fruits increases and their bitter taste decreases.
You can fertilize citrus fruits only when they are actively growing: from February to September. During preparation for the rest period and during exit from it, the concentration of fertilizers should be halved. It is best to use organic fertilizers ( bird droppings, cow manure slurry), combined mineral fertilizers, or fertilizers designed specifically for citrus crops.
It is very important to know that it is better to underfeed a plant than to overfeed it. If there is a lack of nutrition, timely fertilizing can be done, while an excess of fertilizers leads to burns of the roots and even death of the plant. The most important sign of an excess of fertilizers is the appearance of a dry border along the edges of the leaves and their falling off.
If the foliage is falling off a lot, then you cannot feed the tree, since untimely feeding can cause a lot of harm to it.
