Many representatives of citrus fruits, when creating favorable conditions, develop well 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. It is not easy to grow this popular pet, you have to spend a lot of time and effort on growing and caring for it. Mandarin, orange, lime, pomelo, and grapefruit require the same attention. All of them have numerous beneficial qualities, one of which is the presence of biologically active substances in the leaves that can destroy pathogenic bacteria. To create all the necessary conditions for citrus fruits in a house or apartment is within the power of every lover of indoor plants.
Caring for citrus plants in the apartment
Location and lighting
The place for growing citrus indoor plants should not be on the windowsill from the north of the house, near a microwave oven, in drafts, and near central heating batteries or other heating appliances. Citrus fruits belong to shade-tolerant crops, therefore it is more favorable to place them on the east or west window, but it is also possible at a short distance from the southern window sill.
Temperature
For plants, places where warm and cold air is found, as well as elevated air temperatures, are dangerous. 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 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 humidity level should be high. It can be maintained with the help of daily spraying, the water temperature should not be lower than 25 degrees. Overdried indoor air is painfully tolerated by citrus plants.
Watering
It is not recommended to use tap water for irrigation, 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.
Pot selection
The ideal pot material is unglazed fired clay or wood. There must be drainage holes and a good drainage layer at the bottom of the flower container.
Requirements for the composition of the soil
Indoor citrus fruits will be fully developed only in a special substrate for this type of plant. It is recommended to purchase high-quality soil mixture only in specialized shops for flower growers, so that its quality is not in doubt.
Top dressing and fertilizers
It is necessary to feed exotic citrus plants regularly from February to November.You can use organic fertilizers or mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.
Reproduction of indoor citrus
Lemons, tangerines, oranges and other exotic species can be propagated by seeds, cuttings and grafts. Every florist 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 its resistance to life increases. After all, a tender young culture has to adapt to its unusual conditions of existence from the very first days. Usually, there are no big problems with the germination of seeds, but flowering and fruiting will have to be expected from 7 to 15 years. The taste of the fruit also leaves much to be desired. In order for the culture to bloom much earlier, you will need to be vaccinated. Usually, experienced florists and gardeners recommend using citrus cuttings that are already bearing fruit as a scion.
When growing exotic crops indoors, it must be borne in mind that plants can reach great heights. It is better to immediately purchase seeds of dwarf species and varieties for planting.
Seed propagation
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 with a glass jar or foil to create greenhouse conditions in which seedlings will appear much earlier. Depending on the variety and type of culture, seedlings will appear in the interval from 7 days to 2 months. If several shoots have appeared 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 the apical cuttings and plant them in wet river sand at a slight slope, covering the top with a cut plastic bottle made of transparent material. The favorable temperature for root formation is 20-25 degrees. The place should be well lit, but protected from direct sunlight. 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 keep all the best quality characteristics of the mother plant. Flowering and fruiting occurs much earlier than with seed reproduction.
Graft
Vaccination can be carried out by budding or copulating. The graft and rootstock can be from different types of 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 mites, scale insects, mealybugs, possible diseases - anthracnose, wartiness and gommosis. The emerging diseases are difficult to treat, so you need to try to prevent them. At the first signs of illness, 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 strength to recovery and preservation of healthy parts.
The main and most common cause of diseases and pests is a violation of conditions of detention and rules of care. With increased attention to indoor pets and strict adherence to their requirements and preferences, such a danger does not threaten.
