Kids love oranges and having mandarin oranges in your hood may strengthen your parental bond with them. The mandarin oranges scientifically referred to as Citrus reticulata is a predominant tropical and subtropical drought tolerant small citrus tree with fruit resembling other oranges as likely expected. The oranges are usually eaten alone or in salads. The reddish-orange cultivar especially are often marketed as tangerines but that is not its botanical classification. They are structurally smaller, oblate and perhaps spherical like the common oranges, but their tastes are distinctively less sour, as it is stronger and sweeter. The common oranges are usually referred to as the mandarin hybrids but a ripe mandarin is firm to slightly soft. It is usually heavy for its size and pebbly skinned. As opposed most of the other common oranges in the citrus group, it has very thin peel with less bitter mesocarp that allows for the orange to peel and split easily into segments. Although the hybrid oranges have these traits as well but to a lesser degree. It’s been traced scientifically that the mandarin, the papeda, the pometo and the citron are all ancestors of the common citrus groups/varieties that have evolved through the hybridization process, however, the mandarin are all more important as they are the only sweet orange along the ancestral line.
No part of mandarin orange is a waste as the peel has reportedly been used fresh, zested or whole, and sometimes dried and used as spice in baking and cooking. Not only this, they have been used in drinks and candies. As traditional medicine, they have also been used to treat abdominal distensions to reduce phlegm as well as enhance digestion. All these among other nutritional and health benefits which include the fact that they are fat free, cholesterol free, sodium free and contain a good amount of vitamins A and C make mandarin oranges brilliant addition to your indoor plant set up. Being a tree plants, it offers your home a good ventilation through air purification too.
Common varieties of Mandarin oranges
‘Mandarin oranges’ refers to an entire group of citrus fruits which include varieties such as Satsuma, Clemetine, Pixie, Dancy, Honey and Tangerines in general. These varieties could be seed or seedless, but they are different from other citrus group in that they are usually sweeter and possess bright orange skin that peels easily before reaching its inner segments that are easily separated. Although mandarin oranges are usually called tangerines, such naming should be avoided because although tangerines are the most common variety of fresh mandarin oranges found in many places, the USA especially, but not all mandarin oranges are tangerines.
How to Grow Mandarin Oranges Indoor
With the most important sets of materials needed being potting mix, container/pot, pruning shares, compost, manure, fertilizer and water, growing of mandarin oranges indoor follows a step by step method involving activities such as planting, care, hardening, re-potting and fruit management.
The ideal indoor growing conditions for the orange is a roomy pot filled with rich, well-drained soil. A combination of peat moss, sand and vermiculite in equal portions make a nice loose potting mix for Mandarin oranges. You could begin to grow the plant with seed or seedling. In the case you begin to grow mandarin oranges with seed, let it stay in the container till it reaches a particular height when transplanting would not affect it. Planting with seed will however take a long time before transplanting.
Next is to get a growing container that is three times larger than the root balls of mandarin oranges. After this, fill the container with a well-drained fertile potting mix. The next step is to plant the tree from this container into a new container at the similar height it was growing in the original container. Then, place the container where it would have enough access to sunlight for growth. Rotate the sides regularly to ensure all sides have access to sunlight.
Because you are not planting directly on the soil, watering becomes a regular activity. The plant absorbs plenty of water but will not tolerate a wet root. In fact it is not cold resistant. Water should be allowed to drain well enough between watering. Along the line too, you must ensure the plant is fertilized every three to four months such that its nutritional needs are always met. Make sure to use high quality citrus fertilizer according to manufacturer’s dosage, and do not allow the fertilizer to touch the trunk of plant or else they get damaged. Also make sure that they planting pot is got rid of weeds and other vegetation always
Indoor mandarin have lesser fruit capacity compared to garden ones because they are grown in small containers. However trees provided with ideal conditions including plenty of light and good care will produce fruits in proportion to their own sizes. Trees must flower and fruit within the first five years of planning on budded trees and they increase their capacity over time. Mandarin oranges are best stored in a cool dark spot for few days. However they could be refrigerated for up to two weeks to extend their shelf life.
Planting mandarin oranges will add massively to your meals’ Vitamin C base and gets you closer to that all year round.