Many representatives of citrus fruits when creating favorable conditions perfectly develop and grow in various residential and administrative premises. The most popular of them is lemon, it can be found in apartments and offices, school classes and preschool institutions, clinics and shops. Growing this popular pet is not easy, you have to spend a lot of time and effort on its cultivation and care. Mandarin, orange, lime, pomelo, grapefruit require the same attention. All of them 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 for growing citrus indoor plants should not be located on the windowsill from the northern part 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 the east or west window, but it can also be at a short distance from the south window sill.
Temperature
Plants are dangerous places where warm and cold air, as well as elevated air temperature. In the presence of at least one of these unfavorable moments, the leaves on citrus fruits begin to fall off.
In the period from November to February, when the cultures 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 humidity level must be high. You can maintain it with daily spraying, the water temperature should not be below 25 degrees. Citrus plants endure dry indoor air painfully.
Watering
Not recommended for irrigation tap water, the presence of chlorine in it will negatively affect 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.
Pot selection
The ideal pot material is unglazed fired clay or wood. Be sure to have drainage holes and a good drainage layer at the bottom of the flower container.
Soil composition requirements
Indoor citrus fruits will fully develop only in a special substrate for this type of plant. It is recommended to purchase a high-quality soil mixture only in specialized stores for flower growers so that its quality is not in doubt.
Top dressings and fertilizers
Exotic citrus plants need to be fed regularly from February to November. Can be used organic fertilizers or mineral with nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus content.
Lemons, tangerines, oranges and other exotics can be propagated by seeds, cuttings and grafts. Every grower dreams of growing an exotic citrus plant from an ordinary seed, which will not only germinate and sprout, but will eventually turn into a small tree and give many fruits.
Growing citrus fruits from a seed, from the very beginning of its life path, the plant's immunity is strengthened and resistance to life increases. After all, a tender young culture has to adapt to unusual conditions of existence for it from the very first days. Usually with seed germination big problems does not occur, but flowering and fruiting will have to be expected from 7 to 15 years. Taste qualities fruits also leave much to be desired. In order for the culture to bloom much earlier, you will need to be vaccinated. Usually experienced 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 the fact that plants can reach great heights. It is better to immediately purchase seeds of dwarf species and varieties for planting.
Reproduction 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 obligatory drainage holes at the bottom. Drainage is poured at the bottom, and then a special substrate for citrus fruits. Cover the pot after planting glass jar or film to create greenhouse conditions in which shoots 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 appeared from one seed, then over time it is necessary to leave only one stronger and stronger plant.
Reproduction by cuttings
For rooting you need to take apical cuttings and plant them in wet river sand at a slight slope, covering the cropped 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 transplanting, it is necessary to take care of the root part, as it can be easily damaged.
This method is considered the most common, because it allows you to save all the best quality characteristics. mother plant. Flowering and fruiting occurs much earlier than with seed propagation.
Graft
Grafting can be done by budding or copulation. Scion and rootstock can be from different types citrus fruits. It is recommended to use lemon, orange or grapefruit for rootstock.
Diseases and pests
Possible pests of citrus fruits as indoor crops are aphids, spider mite, shield, mealybug, possible diseases- anthracnose, warty and gommosis. Emerging diseases are difficult to treat, so you need to try to prevent them. At the first signs of the disease, it is recommended to "help" the plants. This help consists in the urgent removal of the affected leaves, buds and fruits, then the plant will direct all its forces to recovery and the preservation of healthy parts.
The main and most common cause of diseases and pests is a violation of the conditions of detention and care rules. With increased attention to pets and strict observance of their requirements and preferences, such a danger does not threaten.
Conditions for growing citrus fruits (video)
Diversity citrus trees amazing in nature. The fruits of these plants are actively consumed by people, because they are rich in useful components. But some grow citrus plants at home, moreover, from such plants you can even get fruits regularly.
In the article I will tell you which citrus indoor plants are the most popular among flower growers. I will also outline the features of growing citrus trees at home.
For growing at home, you can choose several types of citrus fruits. All these plants are unpretentious, not demanding on any specific conditions of detention. And yet, like any other indoor flowers, citrus trees have certain characteristics.
Mandarin
An amazing plant that can become a real decoration of the interior of a house or room. The main advantage of the mandarin is a lush green crown. If the growing conditions are met, the tree will begin to actively bear fruit.
Features of growing mandarin:
- abundant and regular watering, mandatory alternation of watering and spraying;
- regular application of root dressings, especially during periods of flowering and fruiting;
- timely formation of a green crown.
Despite the beauty and gracefulness, the mandarin also has a major drawback - the fruits of this tree are very sour, so it is almost impossible to eat them.
- Forged Vasya;
- Sochi-23.
Orange
Many people have tried growing a citrus tree from a seed. If you conduct a similar experiment with an orange seed, you can get a positive result - after a while a young shoot will appear from the ground, which, under certain growing conditions, will soon turn into a chic tree.
In most cases orange trees cultivated for beauty, not for fruit. It is important to remember that ornamental plant does not have high productivity.
Features of growing an orange at home are about the same as when growing a tangerine.
The only thing you need to pay attention to is that an orange requires a more spacious 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:
- Kinglet pear-shaped;
- Pavlovsky;
- Adjarian seedless;
- Gamplin.
Lemon
On the windowsills of apartments and houses you can often find decorative lemons. Flower growers love this citrus tree for its unpretentiousness and beauty.
- Maykop;
- Pavlovsky;
- Novogruzinsky;
- Genoa.
hybrids
Flower growers are actively engaged in the home cultivation of citrus hybrids. The following varieties deserve special attention:
- Sweet lemon (Limetta Pursha) - the plant resembles a lemon in external parameters, but only with spherical fruits;
- The limequat is a cross between a lime and a kumquat.
- Clementine is a hybrid of mandarin and orange.
- Ponderosa is a hybrid of lime and pomelo.
- Calamondin is a hybrid of kumquat and mandarin.
- Oranzhevat - crossing an orange with a kumquat.
Features of growing citrus 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
A low or too high air temperature will adversely 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 subjected to sudden changes in temperature, this may result in throwing off the foliage.
In summer or late spring, a citrus tree can be taken out to the balcony, but it is important to protect it from open sunlight that can burn the leaves, which will also provoke leaf fall.
illumination
In nature, citrus fruits grow in hot regions, they are constantly under the scorching rays of the sun. But at home, such conditions for a flower cannot be created. The plant must be placed in the 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 the 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. Be sure to have a layer of expanded clay at the bottom of the flowerpot; moisture should not be allowed to accumulate at the roots.
IN winter time Years, watering is reduced, but drying out of the soil must be avoided. If the plant is near heating appliances, then it should be regularly sprayed with warm, settled water.
- moderate watering;
- exclusion of drying out of the soil;
- regular spraying in the evening.
fertilizers
The introduction of root dressings is carried out only during the period of activity of the plant, that is, from the beginning of March to mid-September. During the dormant period (in winter), citrus fruits do not need additional nutrients.
Fertilizer options for citrus trees:
- Baikal;
- Vostok-EM1;
- Renaissance.
Outcome
- 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.
A special place among indoor plants is occupied by fruit crops, and the most common among them are numerous representatives of the genus Citrus. They are better than most fruit crops adapted to room conditions: grow quickly, form well, bloom profusely and bear fruit.
A citrus plant looks especially impressive, on which flowers and fruits are simultaneously present in varying degrees of ripening.
The homeland of citruses is China, Japan, East India, Australia, where they are represented by evergreen trees (from 3 to 12 m high) or shrubs with thorns and dense leaves rich in essential oil.
citrus flowers
Citruses bloom twice a year, medium-sized, but fragrant white or pink flowers. From citrus flowers, fruits of various shapes, colors and tastes, rich in vitamins and microelements, are formed.
Types of citrus houseplants
Citron (Citrus medica Citron)- is, along with two other ancient species, mandarin and pomelo, the progenitor of modern citrus.
Currently, a very interesting variety "Buddha's Hand" can be found in room culture. Citron fruits have a lot of zest and very little pulp.
Mandarin, or mesh citrus, unshiu (Citrus reticulate var. Unshiu)- the most precocious species with abundant fruiting. In tub culture grows up to 1.5 m.
This type of citrus houseplant has a spherical crown with slightly drooping branches without thorns, dark green leaves of an oval-elongated shape; white, very fragrant flowers are arranged in pairs or small groups in the axils of the leaves. The fruits are medium-sized, pear-shaped, orange or orange-red, with an easily detached peel and juicy sweet pulp without seeds.
All types of indoor citrus plants are grown in the winter garden or as tub plants. Miniature citrofortunella will feel great on a sunny windowsill.
Fortunella, or kumquat, "golden orange"(Fortunella margarita)- looks like a miniature orange. Fruits of the extended form with a sweetish skin. Variegata has striped green-white or green-yellow leaves.
Calamondin or Citrofortunella (Calamondin)- a hybrid of mandarin and fortune. This type of indoor citrus is more of an ornamental than an edible plant.
It has compact dimensions (up to 1 m tall), 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 lemon)- the most common species in room culture. This is an evergreen, undersized (up to 1.5 m), sprawling tree with thin but strong gray or reddish-purple shoots, long spines (there are varieties without spines) and large emerald leaves, wide oval with a pointed end. Each leaf lives for about 3 years.
The development of not only the plant itself, but also individual fruits, directly depends on their quantity and condition, since at least 10 healthy, actively functioning leaves are necessary for the ripening of one lemon.
Flowers homemade lemon, as seen in the photo, medium-sized, white or cream, arranged singly, in pairs or small brushes.
They may not be visible behind the abundant foliage, but the characteristic gentle and quite intense aroma will not allow you to miss this wonderful period. Indoor lemons can bloom 2-3 times a year, and fruit ripening 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 few varieties bred specifically for room culture, 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 a bumpy yellow skin; there are few fruits, but the plant can bloom up to 4 times a year, bears 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 "Meyer"- compact and productive, fruits are very juicy, slightly bitter, with a thin orange-yellow skin, begins to bear fruit in the third year.
Care 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 illumination in summer (it is better to take out open air, sunny, draught-free location).
Heat-loving oranges need a higher winter temperature (+13…+ 18 °C). Watering in the summer is also moderate, without overdrying the earthy coma and without stagnant water. To form a beautiful crown of citrus fruits, when leaving at home, pruning and pinching is done - after the appearance of 3-4 leaves, pinch the growth point. The same method will also contribute to the acceleration of fruiting throughout the year.
During active growth plants are fed once every two weeks, alternating if possible mineral fertilizers with organic. 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. Citruses reproduce well both by semi-lignified cuttings and seeds. At seed method reproduction, fruiting occurs later than with cuttings.
TO How to take care of indoor citrus plants?
Citrus plants such as lemon, orange, grapefruit, tangerine, kinkak are often grown indoors. Citrus trees will bear fruit only if they are grafted, although most often they are grown not at all because of the fruit. Someone is just wondering if it will be possible to grow a Mediterranean tree from a seed, while someone is pleased with the delicate aroma that the leaves exude.
In any case, in order for a citrus plant to look good, it is necessary to know and observe some conditions for its maintenance, given that caring for citrus fruits indoor plants varies depending on the time of year.
Lighting and air temperature
Citrus crops come from Southeast Asia, where there are quite 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 the 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 optimum 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 fruit.
In the spring, when frosts stop, potted plants are put outside, but not planted in the ground, in order to prevent hypothermia of the roots.
During growth, citrus fruits need to be sprayed every day. warm water.
How to water citrus fruits?
Trees are watered 1-2 times a week with warm water, watering should be plentiful in summer, and moderate in winter.
Since the growth cycle slows down in winter, the plant needs less water. So that the tree does not die from an excess of moisture, watering is reduced from October. But overdrying of an earthy coma should not be allowed, 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 temperature of the earth must be at least + 18 ° C. To prevent a drop in temperature, watering must be carried out only with warm water.
Citrus transplant
Young trees need to be transplanted only by transshipment. Moreover, the transplant 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 did not have time to cover the entire earthen ball, 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 transplanted every 2-3 years, and only before the start of growth. After a period of growth, it is better not to touch the plant. It is also not necessary to transplant a plant with flowers or fruits, as this will lead to their fall.
For citrus young plants, the mixture is made light: one part of leafy soil, sand and humus from cow dung and two parts of sod land. For adult plants, a heavier mixture is needed: one part of leafy soil, sand and humus, three parts of soddy 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.
Fertilize citrus fruits only when they are actively growing: from February to September. During preparation for the rest period and during the exit from it, the concentration of fertilizers should be halved. It is best to use organic fertilizers ( bird droppings, cow dung 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. With a lack of nutrition, timely top dressing can be carried out, while an overabundance of fertilizers leads to a burn of the roots and even to the death of the plant. The most important sign of an excess of fertilizers is the appearance of a dry border along the edge of the leaves and their fall.
If the foliage crumbles heavily, then it is impossible to feed the tree, since untimely feeding can bring him a lot of harm.
