People have learned to grow fruit trees in houses for a long time. They develop well in the room, quickly grow, give in to molding, bloom and delight their hosts with delicious fruits. One of the most popular are citrus indoor plants.
Citrus trees grow in India, Australia, China, Japan, in tropical or subtropical climates. In these regions, always warm and humid air, enough sunlight throughout the year. Tasty and aromatic fruits grow on trees and shrubs. Trees under natural conditions grow up to 12 m high.
The features of growing citrus plants include their uneven growth: the lush development of young shoots alternates with a dormant period.
Homemade citrus
Citrus fruits are mainly repair plants, can produce crops several times a year.
To obtain fruits, it is best to purchase grafted seedlings or rooted Citrus cuttings.
The flowers are bisexual.
Although most Citrus fruits are self-pollinating, flower growers recommend artificial pollination. This will increase the fruit yield.
The fruit ripening period lasts from 5 to 9 months.
Propagation of plants is carried out using seeds, as well as cuttings and grafting.
Types of Citrus for Home
Indoors grow quite a lot of varieties of citrus. The most common are:
- citrus;
- citron;
- tangerine or citrus mesh;
- kumquat or fortunella;
- calamondine or citrofortunella;
- lemon;
- grapefruit.
Citrus Diseases
Diseases can be associated with physiological disorders caused by a deficiency or, conversely, an excess of trace elements.
Some signs of excess or lack of trace elements:
- Adult leaves are dull and yellow. This is due to a lack of nitrogen. If rapid growth of young shoots is observed, the plant is fattening and does not bloom, then an excess of nitrogen in the soil is possible.
- Leaves turn yellow and fade, flowering is weak. Possible lack of phosphorus in the soil. With an excess of trace elements, the plant poorly develops and grows;
- The leaf plate is warped, pits are formed on it, folds appear on the leaf along the veins, some branches die off, foliage falls during the flowering period. This is possible due to a lack of potassium. With an excess of potassium, brown necrotic burns appear along the edges of the leaf;
Lemon leaf with a lack of potassium
- The growth of defective young leaves, the death of growth points are provoked by a lack of calcium and boron;
- With a lack of iron, manganese, zinc or sulfur, leaf chlorosis is observed (green veins are clearly visible on the yellow leaves), young shoots die off.
Citrus plant disease can be caused by pests. These include:
- scabbard and false scabbard (the appearance of wax plaques on leaves and branches);
- mealybug (the appearance of white lumps in the axils of the leaves);
- aphids (on young shoots an accumulation of small black insects);
- spider mite (yellow dots form on the leaves, a white coating appears below).
Fungal diseases include:
- malseko (the branches turn black, then begin to dry);
- gum detection (the appearance of fluid from the wound on the branches and trunk);
Gum detection
- anthractosis (the appearance of wet spots on a sheet, which eventually merge into one);
- powdery mildew (white coating on the leaves).
If a disease is detected, it is necessary to adjust the watering and top dressing of the plant. With fungal diseases, damaged branches are removed and fungicides are sprayed.
Indoor Citrus Care
In order for indoor citrus to develop normally and bear fruit, it is necessary to organize the correct watering, lighting, and also to establish the optimum temperature and humidity.
Watering mode
Watering plants should be moderate and regular. They do not like drought, but waterlogging is also unacceptable to them. The signal for irrigation is the top dried soil layer. In summer, watering is done daily, in winter - if necessary, the main thing is that the soil does not dry out.
Attention! After properly watered, part of the water should drain into the pan.
Temperature and humidity
For the normal development and fruiting of plants, the ambient temperature should be in the range from +18 to + 22 ° C. Higher and lower lead to inhibition of the development of a houseplant.
In the spring and summer, the flower pot can be taken out onto the loggia or balcony.
It is also necessary to maintain humidity of about 70%. To do this, in the summer, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth, install a humidifier near the flower pot or spray the plant with soft water.
Top dressing
Fertilizers are applied only during the growing season. Top dressing is performed in pre-moistened soil.
To maintain beneficial microflora use the drug Baikal or East EM-1.
You can feed with organic fertilizers. To do this, take the infusion of horse manure at the rate of 100 g per 1 liter of water. Infuse fertilizer for 2 weeks.
You can use an infusion of chicken manure or cow manure in a proportion of 40 g per 1 liter of water.
Note! To make mineral fertilizing use special complex fertilizers for citrus fruits.
Mineral and organic fertilizers are applied alternately every 10 days.
Nitrous compounds are not used during flowering. During this period, the plant needs phosphorus and calcium.
Wintering plants
In winter, the air temperature should be lowered. If the room is warm, then the vital processes of the tree will proceed quite actively. Since the photosynthesis of citrus is slow during this period, the plant does not receive energy. As a result, the tree will be depleted, this can lead to its death.
This time is called the rest period. It lasts from November to February. Then the wood ripens in the citrus, young shoots do not grow.
The air temperature during this period is maintained depending on the type of citrus. To maintain a 12 hour light day for citruses arrange artificial lighting.
Bone Orange at Home
An orange tree can be grown at home from the seed of an orange purchased in a store. However, in this case it will bloom no earlier than in 7-10 years. In a pot, it can reach 3 meters in height.
Orange tree
If you want to get the crop faster, it is better to plant an orange or propagate it using cuttings. After vaccination or after planting the cuttings, the plant may bloom in 3-4 years.
Conditions for sprouting an orange seed
In order to grow a seedling, you must adhere to the following step-by-step procedure:
- Preparation of seed material;
- Preparation of soil and containers for growing seedlings;
- Replanting seeds;
- Sowing care;
- Dive and transplant the finished seedling.
It is better to plant an orange in early spring so that the natural light for the seedlings is sufficient.
How to choose the fruit of the desired maturity and separate the bone
To obtain seeds, you need to take fully ripened fruits, without damage and rot. Ripe oranges have a rich specific smell, they are heavy in weight. The fruit should be evenly colored and free from stains.
Seeds are selected the most round, large and full-bodied. They are immediately freed from the pulp, washed in water and soaked for 12-24 hours in water or a solution of Epin or other growth stimulant. Soaking will soften the outer shell of the seeds, which will allow the seeds to germinate faster.
Attention! Dried seeds for germination are not used, as a dense peel will prevent germination.
Preparation of the soil mixture and the choice of pot
Soil for landing can be purchased at the store, you can do it yourself. To prepare the soil mixture using sheet earth, sand and peat, taken in equal amounts, or sheet soil and peat.
For sowing, you can use small containers with drainage holes.
Seed Preparation Steps
At the bottom of the pot lay a drainage layer of expanded clay, vermiculite, etc. The soil is poured on top and rammed a little.
Planting and growing seedlings
The seed must be planted shallowly, to a depth of 1-1.5 cm.
Prepared pots are placed in a warm place. Lighting at this stage does not play a role. To create the effect of a greenhouse, they are covered from above with a piece of polyethylene or a cut-off plastic bottle.
You can germinate the seeds beforehand. To do this, put a cloth in the container, which is pre-moistened. Seeds are placed on it, which are covered with a damp cloth. Arrange a greenhouse. After a few weeks, the seeds will germinate. After emergence, seedlings are transferred to a well-lit place.
When 2 leaves appear, seedlings need to be diced, when 4 leaves appear, they are transplanted by transfer to a permanent place.
Orange tree seedlings
Pots with seedlings are placed on the southeastern or southwestern window sills.
Watering regimen for bone and sprout
When germinating a seed, the soil should not be overdried and waterlogged. Therefore, periodically the earth is sprayed with water from a spray gun. After emergence, the soil should also be moderately moist.
Citrofortunella home care (Calamondin)
Kalamandin what is it
Another evergreen citrus plant with a beautiful name is -calamondin citrus. It appeared as a result of crossing kinkan and mandarin plants. It is also called Chinese tangerine and golden orange. Grown in rooms, as well as winter gardens. It can be presented in standard form or in the form of bonsai.
Bonsai calamondin
In vivo, it grows from 3 to 7 m high, at home - from 0.6 to 1.5 m.
The flowers are white, self-pollinating.
The calamondine fruit is orange in color, rounded, slightly flattened above and below, up to 4.5 cm in size. The flesh is acidic, consists of 6-8 slices, covered with a thin fragrant skin.
Care
Citrofortunella grows well indoors. Calamondine care is to create optimal conditions for the development and fruiting of the plant.
Illumination
One of the requirements for caring for calamondine at home is the organization of lighting. Daylight hours should not be less than 12 hours, so in winter there is a need for artificial lighting. In summer, it is advisable to place a citrus hybrid in the garden. The place should be a little shaded so that direct sunlight does not fall on the plant.
Temperature mode
During the growing season, the ambient temperature should be in the range from +18 to 27 ° С. If the temperature is high, the plant will lose fruit.
Calamondin fruit
During the rest period, the temperature is reduced to + 10-15 ° C.
How to water
The soil in the pot should be moderately moist. Water the plant in the summer every day, in winter - not more than 1 time in 1-2 weeks.
For watering, the water should be soft and room temperature. After watering, the water that has poured into the pan is removed. If the air is dry, then additionally spray the crown.
Top dressing
Fertilizer is applied during the growing season 1 time in 7-10 days. To do this, use complex fertilizers for citrus fruits.
Attention! During the rest period, top dressing is not performed.
Earth mixture
The soil is neutral. You can take a special primer for citrus. To prepare the soil on their own, take 2 parts of turf land and 1 part of rotted manure and sand.
How to care for a lemon tree at home
Lemon care, just like any other citrus, consists in the proper organization of the conditions for its development. The most suitable varieties for growing in houses are Pavlovsky, Eureka and Maykop.
Lemon Tree
Illumination
The daylight hours for a lemon tree should be at least 12 hours. The most suitable places are southeast and southwest windows.
Direct sunlight should not be allowed to fall on the leaves of the plant. If the flower pot is located on the southern window, then in summer you need to prit citrus. In winter, additional lighting is organized in the evening hours.
Temperature mode
During flowering, it is necessary to maintain the ambient temperature no higher than 20 ° C, otherwise high temperatures will cause the flowers to fall.
In winter, the temperature from +14 to + 16 ° С will be optimal for lemon.
How to water
Depending on the temperature and dryness of the air, watering is performed daily in the summer or once every 2 days, in the winter - 2 times a month.
Important! To prevent root decay, the water remaining in the pan after watering is drained.
It is advisable to clean the leaves from dust and dirt at least 1 time per month. This will help improve plant photosynthesis.
Top dressing
For the normal development of the plant, it is recommended to perform top dressing with mineral compounds 1 time in 2 weeks during the growing season (from March to September). Fertilizer is applied after watering. You can use an infusion of cow manure and an infusion of wood ash. Fertilizers are best alternated.
Earth mixture
When transplanting lemons, use a ready-made earth mixture or make it yourself. To do this, peat, turf and leafy earth, sand are mixed in equal proportions.
Mandarin: home cultivation and care
This is another citrus that develops well in the house and gives tasty and aromatic fruits.
Illumination
The most suitable place for the plant is the southern, southeastern or southwestern window sills. During the growing season, it is important to protect mandarin from direct sunlight. For protection, the window can be covered with gauze. In the autumn-winter period requires additional artificial lighting.
Tangerine tree
Temperature mode
The optimum temperature for the development of mandarin is + 20 ° C. For successful budding, it is better to set the temperature in the room + 16-18 ° C. For wintering, citrus needs a temperature of + 14-16 ° C.
How to water
Watering is carried out with warm warm water in the summer every day, in winter - once every 2 weeks. The soil should be moderately moist.
Top dressing
Feed the plant begin in April and end in September-October. During dormancy, tangerines are not fed. If you do not fertilize, the fruits will be bitter.
Earth mixture
For cultivation use special soil for citrus. For independent soil preparation take 2 parts of leaf soil, 1 part of humus, sand and sod land.
Grapefruit tree at home
Like any citrus fruit, grapefruit will grow and bear fruit only if optimal development conditions are observed for it.
Illumination
The daylight hours should last 10-12 hours. In winter, they arrange backlighting in the evening, if the day is cloudy - throughout the day.
Homemade grapefruit
Temperature mode
In the spring-summer period, the temperature should be in the range + 20-27 ° С, in winter - + 4-8 ° С.
How to water
The soil should be moist, but not waterlogged. In summer, watering is carried out daily, in winter - 1 time per half a month.
Top dressing
Fertilize the plant 1 time in a fortnight in the period from April to September. In winter, top dressing is not carried out.
Earth mixture
As with any citrus, it is best to use Lemon. For self-preparation, they take in equal parts turf soil and humus, two parts of leafy soil and ½ part of sand.
Observing the simple rules of citrus fruit care, you can always grow beautiful small trees at home that will delight the hosts with delicious and fragrant fruits.