With what do most of the inhabitants of the post-Soviet space associate the New Year holidays? Of course, with the fir tree and the scent of citrus: oranges, tangerines and lemons. Not many people know that all these citrus plants are quite amenable to growing at home. On the types of indoor citrus plants and care for them, let's talk in our article.
Growing citrus in the home
Cultivation of citrus tree at home is interesting, although not easy. Erroneous are those who think that it is enough to plant a pot in the pot from the fruit you like and everything, you can not buy lemons for tea any more. Without knowing the special techniques of the first harvest, it will take about 20 years, no less. Much earlier will be pleased with the fruits of varietal trees selected with regard to room conditions. But here it is also important not to be mistaken. Only those types of indoor citrus plants that are grafted on lemon seedlings, kumquat , grapefruit or orange, or grown from cuttings cut from fruit-bearing indoor citrus, are suitable for growing on window sills.
Care for indoor citrus plants
That the southern visitor on your window sill felt like at home, it is necessary to observe following rules of leaving:
1. Light - the best citrus feel at a long (12-hour) light day. Therefore, in the summer they should be artificially shaded, and in the winter - additionally illuminated.
2. Temperature - the most suitable temperature for indoor citrus 17-22 °. At higher temperatures, the plant begins to experience discomfort, turns yellow and discards leaves. In winter, citrus fruits are best kept at a temperature of 10-14 ° C, which will help them to go into a resting state, with no additional lighting required.
3. Watering - water citrus should be as the top layer of the earth dries in the pot. It is very important that the plant does not dry out (this can be evidenced by drooping leaves and sprouts) and not poured. Water for irrigation should be at room temperature, always stand-by with the addition of a few drops of vinegar.
4. Soil - for the comfort and full development of indoor citrus plants, the soil must be of neutral acidity and light composition. The ideal composition of the soil is as follows:
- sand river - 1 part;
- humus - 1 part;
- turf ground - 2 parts;
- deciduous land - 1 part.
5. Top dressing - citrus fruits should be fed without fail. They are vitally important:
- nitrogen for rapid growth;
- phosphorus to accelerate the maturation of fruits;
- Potassium for greater resistance to disease.
6. Transplanting citrus at home - to determine whether your plant needs a transplant or you need to wait, you can by how much the roots grew. Transplant the citrus fruit should be only when the roots are entangled all the earthenware in the pot completely. The new pot should be larger than the previous pot 2-3 cm in diameter. Transplant indoor citrus fruits usually in February-March, by transshipment.
7. Citrus diseases at home:
- Anthracnose - arises from the defeat of the pathogenic fungus, which causes
dying leaves, shoots and fruits; - wartiness - formation of growths on shoots and fruits;
- gummosis - the formation of brownish-red spots on the branches and trunk;
- tristease - dying of the bark;
- Root rot - decay of roots, which occurs as a result of overflow.
Indoor citrus plants are susceptible to many diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi. To protect your green pet from danger it is very important to look after it properly, remove sick parts of the plant in time, sprinkling the cuts with activated charcoal.