Planting tangerines at home is an excellent option for those who like to grow fruits or other types of plants. You should know that you can plant mandarins in pots without having a garden, so do not worry about space. However, you should keep in mind that once it grows, the tree can grow up to 2 meters.
This fruit is similar to the orange, rich in vitamin C and B, as well as containing carotene and citric acid. Have a characteristic smell and taste that permeates everything it touches and is very tasty. Having mandarins at home will allow you to enjoy its properties whenever you want, such as after playing sports, as it contains a lot of water and minerals.
If you want to know how to grow tangerines at home, continue reading this oneHOWTO article in which we explain it to you in a simple way, in addition to providing important information about your care.
The seeds of the tangerine
The first thing you should do is remove the seeds of the tangerine. Eat the fruit and wash the seeds with water to remove any remaining pulp that may have attached. It is recommended that the mandarin is rather mature, since in general it has developed more seeds when it is at the end of its life cycle.
Wash the tangerine seeds with water and wrap them with kitchen paper to absorb the water and make them dry.
Choosing the perfect pot
In this point we focus on choosing the most suitable pot in which to sow the mandarins at home, however, also you can choose to do it in your garden.
In order for the plant to grow and develop properly, it is recommended that the pot be deep, at least 30 centimeters, and two hands wide. Make sure there are holes underneath so the water can drain out and not stagnate.
As a recommendation, we suggest that the pot be made of plastic. Why? When you fill the container with sand and when the plant grows it will be heavier and heavier. A pot made of clay or other material will make it very difficult to transport it to another place.
Planting tangerine seeds in pots
Whether you want to plant mandarins in one or more pots, you must choose the right soil, vital for the plant to have all the necessary nutrients so that it grows strong and healthy. It is recommended that whether you are going to grow mandarins in a pot or in the garden, you do not use any type of soil. Go to a garden center and choose soil that is very rich in macronutrients and micronutrients.
Plant the seeds
Make different holes in the ground with a minimum separation between them of 6 cm. Bury each mandarin seed to one 3 cm depth. Then moisten the soil with a little water so that the soil is slightly hard and the seed remains in contact with the soil. This will begin to soften and prepare for germination.
Keep in mind that the seed may take 3-4 weeks to germinate, so from the moment you are going to sow the mandarin seeds in pots, you will have to be patient.
Planting by grafting
We must carry out the same steps as the previous one, but making sure that the roots are well buried and the earth exerts enough pressure on the plant to support it. Once the mandarin tree graft is planted, water to harden the soil.
Mandarin care
As you can see, planting mandarins at home is not a difficult task. In the case that you do it through seeds, you must be more patient, but with a little effort and dedication you will see that finally the plant appears above the surface of the earth. Now, once you have finished the previous step, it is very important that you know the care that will make the plant grow strong and healthy. Neglecting this aspect could prevent the plant from growing or dying during the process. These are the care of mandarins that you should know:
Light
It is necessary for the mandarin tree to receive too much sun. Therefore, it is recommended that you choose a place where it is exposed to sunlight during the day. It is a tree that is well resistant to cold, so do not be afraid to leave it outside. However, if you live in a place where frosts can occur in cold weather, keep the pot indoors.
Irrigation
Vital when sowing mandarins at home. This fruit needs large amounts of water, so when we water we must do it abundantly. Remember that you must guarantee good drainage, that is, the water must not remain stagnant, but must wet the earth and exit through the lower holes.
If you have decided to sow the mandarin seeds, during the first weeks you should water regularly. If you decided to plant the tree at an early age, water every time you find that the soil is dry.
Pass
Especially during the first year, it is important to fertilize the land every 6 months. Otherwise, they often suffer from deficiencies, mainly from a lack of magnesium and zinc.
How long does the tangerine tree take to bear fruit?
If when sowing mandarins at home you have followed the previous steps, you will see how in about 3 or 4 weeks the plant begins to grow.
The mandarin tree can bear its first fruits after a year or so. However, in cases where the seed is planted, we cannot know for sure how long it will take for the mandarin tree to bear fruit, because we do not know its genetic load. Before the fruit comes out, some small white flowers will sprout, similar to the orange blossom.
The mandarin harvest is usually carried out between March and August, since it is the period in which the fruit is freshest.
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