The tangerine tree is an impressive sight with its strongly bushy growth and the elliptical, dark green, shiny leaves. The pretty white flowers grow singly or in sparse clusters in the leaf axils. The numerous cultivars are mostly propagated vegetatively by grafting onto sticks of other citrus species as well as by eye cuttings and sinkers. Of course, you don't have to do it that complicated at home.

Propagating tangerine tree by seed

If you want to grow a tangerine tree yourself, all you need to start with is a tangerine you bought in the supermarket. When buying, make sure you get the right type of tangerine, because satsumas or clementines usually contain little or no seeds. "Real" tangerines, on the other hand, always contain a few seeds, which you can remove from the pulp at home. Clean the seeds from the pulp, place them on a dry kitchen towel and let them dry in the sun for about a week.

Plant seeds

You can bridge the waiting time by buying seed pots and potting soil. A greenhouse is also very suitable for growing seedlings. Now fill the seed pots with soil and put the tangerine seeds in there. Always keep the soil moist with a spray bottle, but never wet. The potty should be in a bright and warm place. However, direct sunlight should be avoided. The core will germinate within four to six weeks.

Caring for the tangerine seedling

The young tangerine plant should only be repotted when its seed tray has been fully rooted. If this is the case, take a sufficiently large (but not too large) plant pot and fill it with a layer of expanded clay (19.73€) or lava quarry and then special citrus soil. The little plant is put in there and kept slightly moist at all times.

Growing a tangerine tree from a cutting

If you already have an older tangerine tree, you can propagate it using cuttings. To do this, proceed as follows:

  • Choose a head cutting about 10 centimeters long, which is cut off below the leaf node.
  • Defoliate the lower part of the cutting, only two to a maximum of three leaves should remain.
  • Dip the cut end in rooting powder.
  • Place the cuttings in a seed tray with nutrient-poor potting soil.
  • Put a plastic bag over it.
  • Keep the soil evenly moist.

After a few weeks, the cutting will root. You can recognize this by the fact that fresh shoots appear on the little plant.

tips and tricks

Tangerines are quite delicate. They do not tolerate excessive dryness, wetness, cold or drafts. Nevertheless, you should put your tangerine tree in a sheltered place in summer, because only then will it develop flowers and thus fruit.

IJA

Category:

Vegetable garden