If you don’t have a garden, you can fill your house with life and color by growing fruit trees in pots. It’s easy to do this, it will save you a lot of money, and it will be much more comforting than buying your favorite fruits in a store!
Tangerines are fruits that originate in South Asia, but their consumption has spread throughout the world. The tree from which they are born usually measures around two meters, however even if you do not have a garden you can grow them in pots. In addition, along with the fruits, beautiful white flowers grow, similar to the orange blossoms of orange and lemon trees, which will decorate and fill your home with life.
The mandarin tree is indicated in Mediterranean or tropical climates, but if you live in a cold or frosty place, pots are a perfect option, since you can easily move it indoors; in that case you even have the advantage that tangerines are more resistant to cold than oranges.
In this note you will learn how to grow mandarins at home in a simple way, in order to take advantage of all its properties.
Tangerine Properties
In addition to its sweet and refreshing taste, this fruit contains vitamin C, vitamin B, citric acid, and carotene in its pulp. Vitamin C participates in the formation of collagen, bones, red blood cells and favors the absorption of iron and resistance to infections. Citric acid, for its part, has a disinfectant function and enhances the action of vitamin C.
This fruit has anti-inflammatory properties that help in the treatment of ulcers, intestinal and digestive problems; stimulates the formation of antibodies, having an anti-infective function; contains natural antioxidants; and it is among the most beneficial fruits for the lungs.
The tangerine also has a high content of water, potassium and citric acid. Therefore, it is also ideal for replenishing minerals after playing sports. Also, it is a natural source of fiber, which helps fight constipation, and is recommended for overweight people due to the satiating effect it generates and the lower amount of sugars it contains compared to other fruits.
Grow tangerines step by step
1. Choose a suitable container for the species of mandarin you have chosen. Always try to have holes in the bottom to facilitate drainage.
2. Use soil rich in organic matter and small rocks in the bottom base for proper drainage. You can also mix the soil with some washed sand to improve aeration.
3. Plant the germinated seeds or transplant the tree. Cover the roots and press the soil into the sides, being careful not to damage the plant.
4. Place your pot near the window, so that sunlight can reach it.
5. Water the pot when you feel the first inch of dry depth on touching the soil. Moderate watering in summer and decrease in winter.
6. Prune off suckers growing along the trunk and cut off broken or dead branches at any time.
7. Try to keep your fertilizer rich in magnesium, zinc and iron.
8. The general harvest will be between September and January in the northern hemisphere, and between March and June in the southern hemisphere, but this can vary according to the variety you have chosen. Mandarin oranges must be picked carefully to avoid bumps or other damage.
Learn how to preserve them or peel them easily and enjoy their juice!
What to do with tangerines
With tangerines, as with any other fruit, you can make many delicious preparations that will give it that characteristic citrus flavor. For example, you can cook your own energy cereal bars or even make your own homemade mandarin orange liqueur. But you can also make crafts with its peel, such as a candle that you can also make with an orange.
You can also transform the branch of your fruit tree into a new tree, and have tangerines as long as you want! Like the British people who are self-sufficient thanks to the planting of vegetables, herbs and fruit trees in public spaces. Imagine the potential of these little fruits and go ahead and plant them in your own home!