Orange: description, planting, growing at home, propagation and care (Photo & Video) + Reviews

Gardening » Citrus » Orange

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Kira Stoletova

Oranges are fruit trees cultivated by humans for several thousand years. Now they are known in all countries of the world. Oranges grow outdoors in hot countries with tropical and subtropical climates.

How do oranges grow?

Why grow?

At home, the orange plant performs several functions:

• decorates the interior
• improves the air quality in the home
• gives children (if any) the opportunity to learn hands-on how to care for citrus fruits
• you have the opportunity to taste a real orange, freshly picked from the branch

But, meanwhile, even experienced lovers of house plants do not dare to start this plant because of its possible complexity and relative decorativeness. In addition, you need to wait several years for fruiting.

young tree

Although one can argue about the beauty of the orange tree: its foliage is very bright, glossy, and with the help of shaping you can achieve a beautiful crown. So, even without fruits, it will look very worthy among flowering and decorative foliage houseplants.

Start growing an orange not by buying a ready-made tree hung with beautiful fruits, but by planting an ordinary seed from an ordinary orange. If you lack experience, you may not be able to cope with a store-bought “miracle”.

Citrus trees imported from abroad or grown in Russian greenhouses are kept on stimulants for many years and grown at constant temperature and humidity. Therefore, once in our apartments, such plants begin to rapidly fade away. Only experienced hands can save them.

Varieties of oranges and their characteristics

Oranges differ in the type of fruit and the timing of harvest ripening. Early and late varieties of hybrid species grown in natural conditions differ from varieties of oranges with corresponding ripening periods intended for greenhouses and tub breeding. Orange fruits are:

• oval and round;
• with red and orange flesh;
• sweet, sour and bitter;
• with and without a growth above the fetus - the navel.

The most famous varieties of oranges in our country and abroad are presented in the table.

Table: the most famous varieties of oranges

Photo gallery: some varieties of oranges

Orange variety Washington Navel can be grown at home

The Navelina orange variety is quite large in size, with a characteristic “navel”

The Salustiana orange variety is seedless.

How did you get to Russia?

Oranges were brought to Russia from Holland in the 17th century

It was from this time that it began to be grown at home. First - in the greenhouses of noble nobles, and then in houses, in large tubs. By the way, the word “greenhouse” comes from the French “orange”, that is, orange.

Ancient greenhouses from the 18th and 19th centuries have been preserved, in which not only oranges were grown, but also many other exotic plants. By the way, we achieved flowering and fruiting of citrus fruits. Now, on the basis of greenhouses, farms are being created that, as before, are engaged in the propagation and grafting of oranges and other citrus fruits.

Many leading countries are now growing oranges: America, Brazil, Mediterranean countries, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, India and traditionally, for 3-4 thousand years, China. Orange production is not falling, but vice versa. Over the last 30-40 years alone, their production has doubled.

Bridal bouquet

At the beginning of the 18th century, in many European and Mediterranean countries, orange tree flowers began to be used to create bouquets that the bride holds during the wedding ceremony. A wreath of orange flowers has long been considered a symbol of a girl’s innocence and a guarantee of eternal youth. In Italy it is generally accepted that a bouquet of orange flowers is a symbol of a large and united family in the future. In English, this flower sounds like orange blossom, but the French name stuck due to its charm and glamor.

This tradition has become entrenched in the wedding ritual and remains popular in the 21st century, which is why the sale of wreaths for wedding ceremonies is popular among young people. For a complete set, the bride can also use perfume with an orange scent, for example, Wedding Bouquet from the English perfume house Floris, which was released specifically for the wedding ceremony of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Description of the species

Orange is a very attractive plant. However, like everything that cannot grow in our latitudes. They began to describe it from the beginning of the 19th century.

Botanists who have encountered orange trees in the wild have been impressed for a long time. The orange tree is a long-liver. There are specimens that have lived up to 150 years.

Let's not forget that every year trees bear a huge amount of tasty and healthy fruits. One orange in a good year can produce 30-40 thousand fruits. The amount depends on the age of the plant.

orange leaves

The height of the tree reaches 6 meters in height, at home it is 3 times less. The crown of the orange is very beautiful. The leaves are regular lanceolate in shape, like all oranges. They are glossy and dark green in color.

orange blossom

White flowers have a special beauty. They are white, less often pink, extremely fragrant and arranged in clusters, sometimes singly. The flower consists of a perianth covering many stamens and five petals.

The fruits consist of several nests, each of which contains seeds. Orange, like tangerine, unlike some other citrus fruits, is easily divided into lobes, each of which contains one or two seeds.

The orange peel has 2 layers:

• flavedo (yellow), outer
• albedo (white), internal

Inside the outer layer there are many glands that contain essential oil.

All citrus fruits have an albedo layer. But, for example, in lemon it is dense, which does not allow peeling, and in orange it is weak and loose. This allows the peel to be easily separated from the fruit.

The pulp of an orange differs, like that of all citrus fruits, in its originality and complex structure. It consists of elongated sacs containing juice. You can observe that if you do not cut the fruit, but only open it, then the juice does not flow out.

This happens because the juice sacs are not disturbed.

Neroli: benefits and emotional effect

Essential oil obtained from orange flowers has been successfully used in medicine for several centuries. Previously, only very wealthy people could use it, but the modern perfume industry often uses artificial scent enhancers. Therefore, when the name “orange blossom” is indicated on the label, this can mean not only natural oil, but also other substances and products that are obtained after processing orange flowers, as well as their substitutes.

Neroli oil helps eliminate insomnia, depression, and relieve feelings of fear and anxiety. Orange blossom is a good antidepressant that gives women joy and peace. The oil is a sedative that helps reduce feelings of panic, melancholy or fear, stabilizes the mental state and harmonizes the general condition, and is considered a strong aphrodisiac (euphoric and hypnotic effect).

Neroli has a general strengthening effect on the immune system and has an antiviral effect. In Italian history, it is known that the citizens of Venice used orange oil to treat not only depression, but even a terrible infectious disease - the black plague.

How to grow a tree from a seed

orange seeds

You can try to plant more than just an orange from a seed. But also lemon, persimmon or avocado. You just won’t get fruit from these indoor plants. Quite beautiful trees will please the eye, but only with foliage. Citrus fruits are a pleasant exception.

Why do you need a rootstock?

An inquisitive beginner who has never planted anything is faced with the question: if you plant an orange seed, what will grow? Moreover, the orange is the most ordinary one, from the nearest supermarket. The answer is yes. We will tell you how to do this below.

But we don’t need an orange seedling, but a rootstock. What does it mean? When we buy a ready-made tree with orange fruits in a flower shop, we do not even suspect that it is grafted. In 99% of all cases, the scion and rootstock are different types of citrus fruits.

Citrus grafting

All citrus fruits are grafted, otherwise, grown from seeds, they will bear fruit late (if this happens at all) and the fruits will not be as tasty. Quite often you can hear or read on specialized forums a story whose fragments are similar.

It’s about the fact that at work there is a huge lemon (orange, tangerine) grown from a seed, which is already 15 years old (10, 20, 30). And no one has ever seen it bloom. Accordingly, this tree also never indulged in fruits.

If you want your efforts not to be in vain, immediately find a good rootstock for your future tree. They can be found through advertisements. But the search will be much more effective on specialized sites, where people who are passionate about growing citrus fruits share their experience and excess planting material.

Which citrus fruits are best to plant for rootstock?

In order for citrus fruits to bear fruit, they need to be grafted. For example, kumquat or calamondin are never planted with seeds as rootstocks. Firstly, they are too frail and take a long time to grow.

Secondly, the root system of these seedlings is very weak. Both callus take a long time to grow. In a word, they are not used in this capacity.

It is believed that the best rootstocks for orange are:

• lemon
• pomelo
• bigardia or sour orange
• grapefruit

The fact is that various factors are taken into account, such as growth rate and others. Lemons are most often used, simply because they are more accessible. Than all other types of successful rootstocks.

One-year-old lemon seedlings

Two more circumstances that are taken into account when choosing a rootstock. It must have a powerful root system in order to fully feed itself and feed the scion. And another important thing: callus should grow quickly and the wounds should heal within a short period of time.

Some people call New Georgian lemon as a successful rootstock for orange. It, like bigardia, is ready for grafting within a few months after planting. And not in a year, like a lemon.

Its root is powerful and it grows callus instantly. One of the best options for rootstock. There are many opinions regarding grafting of citrus fruits. Some people like grapefruits as a rootstock because they have fairly vigorous shoots.

Some people categorically reject them for use in vaccinations. The best way to find out who is right is to experiment with grafting yourself.

How to prepare a seedling for grafting

Previously, it was believed that the rootstock should be as thick as a pencil. Now smaller barrel diameters are allowed. Hobbyists who have achieved virtuosity in matters of grafting graft citrus fruits with a trunk as thick as a match.

For successful grafting, take one-year-old lemon seedlings or 4-5 month old sour oranges. Some people apply a higher dose of nitrogen fertilizer to help the seedlings grow faster. This should not be done.

Because exceeding the dose of any element, including nitrogen, has the same negative effect as its deficiency.

Excess fertilizer is harmful to potted plants

Among the disadvantages of this method is the increased susceptibility of the plant to fungal diseases. If the excess nitrogen is large, this will also affect the appearance of the plant: the color of the leaves and trunk will change, they curl and become stained.

The best way to grow a healthy plant is to use a complete fertilizer, which contains the entire set of basic elements and microelements. In order for the lemon to grow and develop better, you can occasionally spray it with Epin to use the plant’s internal reserves.

Watering should be moderate. The soil should be slightly moist. If there is too much water, the roots will begin to rot. Outwardly, this will not appear immediately, but such a plant as a rootstock will be of little use. After all, roots are the main organ for feeding a plant.

We prepare everything for planting

Gardener's Tool Set

For beginners, you can take lemon seeds. If you really want to grow an orange from a seed, then you can do it. Orange can also be grafted onto orange rootstock. However, you will have to wait a little longer than a lemon, about a year and a half.

In order to plant citrus seeds, we need:

Plastic cups

Containers for soil

Some people specifically buy transparent cups so that they can observe the development of the root system.

Drainage

It is used to allow excess moisture to escape through the drainage hole. In the absence of drainage, excess moisture does not come out, but accumulates in the lower layer of soil and can sour there.

Pebbles or small expanded clay are used as drainage

The latter is sold in flower shops in bags labeled “Drainage”.

Priming

It is best to use the one where the name says: “For citrus fruits.” To improve germination, you can add river sand to the soil. It must first be calcined in the oven (20-30 minutes) or in the microwave (5 minutes).

Packaged soil

If you use self-prepared soil, then you must definitely use sand. Your soil must also be calcined so that all spores of fungal infections die. It is not necessary to use highly nutritious soil for sowing.

Additionally: potassium permanganate, watering can, water for irrigation, marker for signature, plastic bag, fluorescent lamp or phytolamp.

Seeds must be pre-soaked

In order for the seed to germinate faster, you can first soak it. Seeds of any plants are soaked in a small amount of water so that it barely covers the planting material. Otherwise, the seeds may “suffocate” and not sprout.

What is better to use for planting: pots or plastic cups? There is no unity in answering this question; each method has pros and cons. But most still prefer to use glasses.

They are smaller and the soil in them will not have time to sour. As soon as the root system has entangled the entire earthen ball, you can transplant the plant into a larger container. And in a pot, the root will take a long time to master the entire volume, which will slow down the development of the above-ground part.

Planting seeds

You can plant 2 or 3 seeds in a large pot at once.

You can soak the seeds in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 15-20 minutes to disinfect the planting material.

The landing algorithm is as follows:

• Drainage holes are made in the cup with a hot metal object, usually a nail.
• Usually 2-3 holes are enough.
• Pour drainage into the bottom, approximately 1/5-1/6 of the height of the pot.
• Then add soil.
• We leave it for several hours so that it settles.
• Usually this procedure is done simultaneously with soaking the seeds.
• Just during this time the earth will settle and it will be possible to begin planting.
• In addition to soaking for several hours, you can leave the seeds in a damp cloth to germinate.
• The fabric should be washed every day in clean water and not allowed to dry out.
• After 2-3 days, the seeds (or seeds) can be planted.
• Before planting, make a small depression in the center of the pot or glass and spill a little water.
• The soil should be only slightly moistened, but in no case should the so-called “swamping” be allowed, when the soil turns into mud.
• If the soil has settled too much, add fresh soil.
• Plant the seed to a depth of 2-3 centimeters.
• After planting, sprinkle loose soil on top and do not water again.
• There should be enough moisture.
• If the seed has a “beak”, that is, a small sprout, when planting, point it down, this is the root, the cotyledon leaves will appear later.
• After planting, cover the cup with a plastic bag.
• There should be space between the soil surface and the bag.
• A so-called mini-greenhouse is formed.
• The air humidity in it should be increased to speed up germination.
• Shoots will appear in 2-3 weeks.
• How quickly this happens depends on many factors.
• First of all, this is pre-sowing treatment.
• If you pre-soaked and germinated your seed, then you may be pleased with the seedlings within a week.
• If there is no time, they can also plant dry seeds.
• In the best case, the sprout will appear in a month.
• Until this time, you can keep the pot even in a dark place.
• The main thing is to check it regularly, at least three times a day.
• The bag must be removed at least once a day and ventilated for 15-20 minutes.
• You also need to monitor the soil and seedlings.
• As soon as a sprout appears, the bag must be removed and the plant placed in the sun or under a lamp.
• You can wear the bag at night for some time, for example, a week.

When germination, the soil should always be slightly moist. Check not the surface of the soil, but a little deeper. Place your index finger on 2 phalanges. If you feel damp, then everything is in order, you can wait with watering.

Home care

Oranges grow at home in spacious pots or tubs, but in a well-lit place. From the photo you can determine which pot you will need. Caring for a home tree includes watering, maintaining the desired temperature, and fertilizing.

Domestic varieties of orange trees are viable up to 70 years, but if you deprive it of winter dormancy, it will not live longer than 4 years. When grafting is planned, a twig from a fruit-bearing tree can be wrapped in a damp cloth and stored in the refrigerator for up to a month.

Spraying and watering

Spraying the tree is required if there is insufficient humidity in the room. Watering is carried out based on the soil moisture in the tub. 1-2 times a week is enough. But the tree needs to be watered abundantly so that the soil is well saturated with moisture, but does not float in water.

Irrigation is carried out with warm liquid when the top layer of soil dries out. In winter, watering is reduced.

If possible, it is recommended to take melt water. Tap water is first settled or softened with acetic or citric acid. You also need to check that there is no stagnation of liquid. Therefore, after watering, excess water is drained. The tree is sprayed monthly with warm water to wash away dust and dirt.

Top dressing

Varieties for home cultivation must be fed from the beginning of spring to the end of October. A special complex fertilizer for citrus crops is applied to the soil at intervals of two weeks. Or instead, prepare the nutritional composition yourself.

This mixture includes potassium salt, phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizer (10 g/25 g/20 g). If the tree does not tolerate fertilizers well, then you need to rinse the soil with clean water and switch to foliar feeding. They are made in ready-made formulations, 2-3 times a year. Or choose fertilizers from another manufacturer.

Trimming

Pruning is carried out to increase the amount of harvest. The event is carried out when the orange reaches up to 30 cm in height. In spring, the main shoot is cut to 25 cm. Only 3-4 of the strongest side shoots are left on the trunk. After the increase, only two second-order branches are retained.

The next ones come from them and then fruit-bearing branches begin to form. Next, the crown is trimmed as it grows, removing old and empty branches. In the first year, the tree is deprived of all ovaries and flowers. This helps it get stronger faster and accelerates the growth of the seedling.

Topping

Oranges grow (the photo shows the size of an adult tree) at first without pinching. They should give their first shoots. After pruning, when 3-4 second branches remain, they are pinched so that branching continues. In a year the growth will begin. Then pinching is done again. It is repeated until fruit-bearing branches appear - up to 4-5 times.

Transfer

The sprouts are transplanted in the spring, when two true leaves appear on them. To do this, choose a pot with a diameter of 8-10 cm. Special soil for citrus fruits or a mixture of garden soil, sand, peat and humus (2:1:1:1) is poured into it.

For an indoor orange tree, the best soil is dug from under oak and tall nettles.

The orange tree does not tolerate picking well due to its sensitive root system. Therefore, the transplant is done together with a lump of earth. The root neck is not buried; it must remain on the surface. Then subsequent transplants are done at intervals of 2-3 years.

The tree is transferred to a larger pot or tub. But they should increase gradually. If you immediately plant a tree in a large pot, it may get sick and die. Once an orange reaches 10 years of age, it is no longer replanted. It is enough to remove and change the top layer of soil.

Optimal conditions

Orange trees are heat-loving, so they will not take root in the middle zone. They are not suitable for climates where the temperature drops to –6°C or lower. With this cold, the branches are already freezing. If the temperature drops even lower, the tree dies. Therefore, in cool climates it is necessary to prepare a shelter in advance.

Indoor varieties require conditions that are as close to natural as possible. At home, a pot or tub is placed in the southeast corner. If it is closed by a wall, then move it to another one that is maximally illuminated. But the tree should be slightly shaded so that the sun does not burn the leaves. Therefore, it is enough to curtain the window with tulle. In winter, an additional light source is directed onto the tree.

The optimal temperature in the room should be from +21°C to +25°C. If it is higher, the tree will grow faster, but will not bear fruit. If the temperature drops below the minimum value, growth and development will be delayed. In winter, indoor readings should be up to +15°C.

The room needs to be kept at high humidity. If the indicator falls below 40%, the tree will shed its leaves. This happens more often in winter, when the air becomes dry due to heating. Then additional air humidification is required - daily or 2-3 times a week. You need to place a tray under the pot or tub, which should always be filled with water.

Caring for seedlings after germination

To make an orange feel “at home,” the same conditions are created for it as in its homeland. To summarize, orange loves heat, high humidity and sun. But everything needs moderation. For successful development, we create the following conditions for an orange or lemon seedling:

Temperature

The higher the better. In the first year of development, this rule only works for the benefit. As the plant grows and blooms, the temperature will need to be regulated differently. But this will happen only in a few years.

In winter you need to reduce the temperature to 15 degrees

At the same time, do not forget about the lighting, otherwise the plant will stretch out. And the rest of the time - 20-25 C is the most comfortable temperature for an orange. At this time, especially when the temperature rises, you need to monitor the sun.

Lighting

Diffused light would be best

Orange loves sun, but direct sunlight can cause it to dry out. Especially in the first year, when a small amount of substrate in a glass dries out in half a day.

Watering

Young assistant

Regular, but no frills. For irrigation, use only settled water or after a filter.

Spraying

Several times a day, especially in the heat.

Top dressing

It is advisable to use complex fertilizers, such as nitroammophoska, which contains three main elements: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Nitroammofoska can be used throughout the development of the orange tree

As an additional recommendation, you may be advised to keep your seedlings away from drafts, otherwise they will die. To maintain high humidity, you can place cups with seedlings in trays, where you can spread wet moss.

Application in the perfume industry

Neroli oil is widely used in the production of luxury perfumes. A pleasant aroma with a fruity accent perfectly emphasizes the compositions used to make perfumes.

Orange flower (orange blossom) is present in the following women's and men's perfumes:

• Givenchy Amarige (1991) - symbolizes beauty, femininity and nobility, has a rich trailing aroma of a floral composition (mimosa, orange blossom, black currant, rosewood, tuberose, vanilla, sandalwood and other notes).
• Lancome Poeme (1995) - combines several contrasting feminine scents: frosty freshness (representing the blue poppy from the Himalayas) and the warmth of sand dunes, consisting of the scents of orange, bell and mimosa on a vanillin “base”.
• Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb (2011) - refers to oriental fragrances, main heart notes: neroli, orchid, jasmine, freesia and rose, suitable for young people and middle-aged women.
• Christian Dior Pure Poison (2004) - the creators of this perfume (famous designers C. Biname, D. Ropillon and O. Polge) received a surprisingly clean and noble scent with notes of orange, jasmine, amber, gardenia and sandalwood, the aroma has a teasing and passionate appeal , suitable for a date.
• Prada Infusion de Fleur d'Oranger (2008) has a scent associated with a walk on the beach on a summer day, transporting its owner to forgotten bright moments of childhood; the composition is composed of orange blossom, neroli oil, jasmine, mandarin and tuberose.
• The One For Men Platinum (2013) by the Dolce & Gabbana brand is a men's perfume that has a solemn, enchanting and sultry aroma (orange flowers, cardamom, ginger, basil, etc.).

Orange grafting

In order for an orange to bear fruit, it needs to be grafted. Let's see how to do this:

You need to prepare: rootstock, orange stalk, pruning shears or blade, polyethylene or latex (in extreme cases, you can take electrical tape).

Algorithm of actions:

• Plant it yourself using our tips, or buy a ready-made rootstock.
• Purchase a branch of a fruiting orange tree from breeders or hobbyists for grafting.
• You need to buy it on the day you plant the plant.
• Before the procedure, you need to store it in a plastic bag, wrapped in a damp cloth.

There are two methods of grafting: budding (or eye) and cuttings.

• To successfully carry out the event, you need to wait for the time of active sap flow, when the bark peels off well.
• We remove the leaves from the scion.
• After grafting, we tie the graft site and water it generously.
• After 5-10 days you need to check. If the eye does not turn black, then the bud has begun to take root.
• After 3 weeks, the bandage can be removed.
• When budding, we cut off the upper part of the rootstock only when the scion bud has sprouted and taken on an “adult” appearance.
• Budding

Vaccination schedule

Vaccination is not as complicated a procedure as it might seem at first glance. In order for everything to go well, you need to act confidently.

You can “fill” your hand on young branches of any tree or shrub. You need to take ones that are similar in diameter to the citrus fruits that interest us.

Fruit bouquet: production

Many companies also sell bouquets of oranges and flowers, intended specifically for a holiday or as a gift. However, you can easily make such a bouquet yourself.

To make a bouquet you will need oranges, flowers, a floral sponge (pioflor), a wicker basket, sticks for fastening and wire, fern leaves and any other flowers.

The sponge is placed in a basket, soaked with water. Oranges must be cut in half and sticks attached to them. Ferns and flowers (chrysanthemums, gerberas, daisies, etc.) are placed in a bouquet by sticking the stems into a sponge. Oranges are placed with the chopsticks down and the cut part up. The rest of the space is decorated with small flowers.

Such a bouquet, made up of fruits and flowers, is an excellent gift that can not only lift your spirits, but also provide health benefits by adding vitamins to the body.

When to expect fruit

The plant is grafted, among other things, so that it bears fruit more quickly. Compare: without grafting, at best, the fruits will appear in 8-10 years. And with grafting, the wait for this event will not be long; in 3-4 years the first fragrant orange flowers will appear.

Fruit ripening in an ordinary city apartment

Sometimes a grafted plant blooms in the first year, but most often this happens later. Orange flowers are self-pollinating, so there is no need to pollinate them additionally. If at the time of flowering the room temperature is above 28 C, then urgently take measures to reduce it, otherwise the pollen becomes sterile and the fruits do not set.

The fruits ripen in approximately 8-10 months. If the plant is small, then some of the flowers can be removed. When ripe, place supports to prevent the orange from falling under the weight of the fruit.

Preparation of orange water and its uses

Another way to obtain orange blossom products is extraction with supercritical CO2 gas (carbonic acid). After distillation, the resulting hydrolate is orange blossom water. It includes aromatic substances obtained by extraction using petroleum ether. The final product is an absolute in the form of a brown liquid containing 16% methyl anthranilate and having an intense orange aroma.

Orange flower water was widely used in cooking in Arab and French cuisines for preparing drinks and dishes. It is included in the ingredients of delicious lemonades, tea, and is added to baked goods and meat dishes.

Applications of oranges

Oranges are good not only on the table, they are widely used in the food industry.

The main directions of their application:

The main orange product is, of course, juice. It is canned and sold to us in beautiful jars and boxes. The main problem: to distinguish a fake from a truly natural juice.

Fresh orange juice

In 2000, more than 2 million tons of orange juice were produced worldwide. Most orange juice was produced in America and Brazil. Delicious orange syrup is produced for the food industry.

It is sold in retail stores. It is also purchased in large quantities by food industry enterprises. Especially those that produce confectionery, candies, semi-finished products (pancakes with syrup), ice cream.

Antioxidant-rich essential oil is cold pressed from the peel.

There are two types - sweet and bitter orange oil. Oil made in Spain and Guinea is valued more than others.

It has a strong, characteristic aroma of fresh orange, making it popular in aromatherapy. Combines well with other essential oils, especially pine and lavender oils. Since ancient times it has been used in cosmetology as part of creams.

It has an anti-inflammatory, toning and regenerating effect for all skin types. Orange zest is widely used. It is rich in flavonoids, pectin, vitamins, and phytoncides.

Zest jam

It is used in making jam, as well as in the production of liqueurs. The remainder of the peel processing also does not go to waste and is used as livestock feed.

Main characteristics of the orange plant

Orange is a flowering, woody, evergreen plant with a continuous vegetation cycle, that is, at the same time there can be ripe and green fruits on the tree, as well as flowering baskets. The fruits of orange trees are valued for their taste and aroma. Hectares of orange plantations are cultivated in the Mediterranean, Asian countries and South America. In Southern Europe, alleys with citrus hybrids decorate central streets and squares.

Orange trees decorate streets and courtyards in Spain

Orange is an unusual plant in a number of characteristics. It is considered a long-liver and lives for more than 75 years.

Table: botanical classification of orange

Why trees and fruits are interesting

This tall tree with a compact, dense crown of a round or pyramidal shape reaches a height of 10–12 m. It is characterized by remontability and grows up to 50 cm per year. There are also low varieties:

• dwarf forms grow up to 5 m;
• compact indoor trees, which look like a bush with glossy foliage, grow up to 0.8–1.0 m. Exceptional specimens that are more than 10 years old can be two meters tall.

The roots of the hybrid are located superficially and at the ends have caps with colonies of fungi instead of root hairs to absorb nutrients and moisture. The symbiosis of a plant and fungi is called mycoriosis and has a beneficial effect on the yield of citrus, since the mycelium increases the absorption surface of the roots, through which mineral compounds and water are absorbed. This feature of the root system requires artificial irrigation.

At the ends of the orange roots there are caps with colonies of fungi to absorb nutrients and moisture.

The branches have thorns and thorns up to 10 cm long. The leaves of an orange tree live for 2 years, so one plant can simultaneously have last year’s leaves, which serve to accumulate nutrients, and young ones that participate in photosynthesis. Mostly old leaves fall in February - March. The dark green citrus leaf is leathery, dense, oval in shape with a sharp tip, measures 10x15 cm and has a jagged or solid wavy edge. The glands of the orange leaf contain aromatic oils. The petioles have small winged appendages.

The orange harvest largely depends on the foliage of the plant.
If for some reason the orange tree has lost its leaves, it will not bear fruit next year. M. A. KAPTZINEL
https://homecitrus.ru/files/library/kap.pdf

Orange fruits are called hesperidium (a type of berry-shaped fruit) or bitter orange. Fruits ripen from 7 to 12 months, depending on the variety. They can be small and large, with a strongly pronounced aroma or subtle, barely noticeable. Ripe fruits weigh from 100 to 250 g, and sometimes reach 600 g. Oranges have a round or wide oval shape, similar in structure to berries. They can be multi-seeded or seedless and have a sweet and sour taste, sometimes with a specific bitterness.

Orange is a fruit and a berry at the same time

The fruits contain:

• essential oil - up to 2%;
• sugar - 9%;
• vitamins - 68%.

The pulp of the fruit is multi-locular, covered with a film and consists of 9–13 segments, separated by a partition. Fragrant juice makes up about 40% of the total volume of the fruit. The inner part consists of large succulent cells in the form of juice sacs, easily separated from each other.

The porous surface of the orange - the peel - makes up from 20 to 40% of the total mass of the fruit and has a thickness of approximately 5 mm. It is bright orange in color, sometimes with a reddish or yellowish tint depending on the variety. The surface of the peel - the zest - has a sharp ethereal aroma. The white spongy layer inside the peel is called albedo and is easily separated from the skin. Each lobe contains 1–2 seeds located one above the other.

Inside, an orange consists of three layers: peel, albedo and pulp with seeds.

Fleur d'orange - elegant orange flower

For the first time, young plants bloom and begin to bear fruit in the 3rd year of life. A snow-white basket with a large golden pistil in the middle, collected in clusters of inflorescences at the ends of the shoots, exuding a delicate aroma with notes of jasmine - this is an orange flower.

Usually the flowers of a tropical hybrid are collected in brushes of 6–8 pieces, less often - single. Orange blooms at a temperature of 16–18 degrees: in the south of Russia this begins in mid-May, some varieties bloom in early June. In Spain and Turkey, the orange tree blooms in mid-March, and in Cyprus - in March or April.

The orange flower exudes a delicate aroma

When the temperature fluctuates sharply in any direction, sensitive flowers fall off. The blooming flower is bisexual. It does not live long (no more than 5 days) and exudes a subtle, pleasant aroma. The inflorescence grows up to 5 cm in diameter when fully bloomed. It contains white-milky, sometimes with a pinkish tint, fleshy oval-shaped petals (5 pieces), tapering towards the end.

Surrounded by many yellow, heavily pubescent stamens, there is a single long pistil in the center. The flower does not fully open and the pistil remains surrounded by perianths - underdeveloped petals. There are varieties without pistils, they do not require pollination and produce fruits without seeds.

In French, "orange flower" sounds like "fleur d'orange".

The attractive essential oil of orange flowers has a wide range of cosmetic properties and has healing effects for the skin and hair. It is also called “neroli” in honor of the Italian princess Neroli, who first began to use orange flower essential oil for cosmetic purposes.

Neroli is an orange flower oil used in cosmetology.

Snow-white orange flowers were used in the Middle Ages in Europe as a traditional decoration for the bride's wreath.

Benefits of oranges

Orange is a storehouse of vitamins and other useful substances. It has a tonic effect; it’s not for nothing that Americans drink freshly squeezed orange juice in the morning. At a time when citrus fruits were transported to Europe by ship, the fruit was used as an antiscorbutic remedy.

In addition, the fruits are useful:

• prevention of hypovitaminosis
• treatment of vitamin C deficiency (160 grams contains the daily requirement of this vitamin)
• prescribed for liver diseases
• promotes better absorption of iron
• help improve the functioning of the digestive tract
• has a beneficial effect on blood vessels, thinning the blood

Oranges are especially rich in vitamin C. A little behind in quantity are vitamin B1, potassium and folic acid.

Due to the presence of a large amount of fiber, putrefactive processes in the large intestine are reduced. Dietary fiber enhances the digestion process.

One large fruit contains a daily dose of vitamin C

The fruit contains a lot (87%) of water and virtually no protein or fat, which makes the orange a very light product. Even though oranges contain 12% carbohydrates, which are in the form of simple sugars, they have a low glycemic index.

Plus: for all their benefits, they are very tasty!

How best to consume: juice or fruit

Orange juice is the leader in popularity in all countries, but, like any juice, it contains much less fiber compared to fruits. Its glycemic index increases slightly due to the lack of fiber. One glass of orange juice contains enough glucose to equal two whole oranges.

Let's remember this, it is especially useful for those who are going on a diet. Excessive juice consumption can lead to weight gain. Good quality orange juice will only benefit you if consumed in moderation. But, if you want to lose weight, it is better to eat whole fruits.

Juice or fruit?

As such, adverse effects from consuming oranges are rare. “Torture” with oranges is unlikely to harm a healthy body. Only a small number of people are allergic to citrus fruits. Pregnant women are advised to drink juices and eat the fruits themselves with caution.

Orange is highly acidic due to the content of citric and ascorbic acids and can be annoying for those who suffer from heartburn. And it doesn’t matter in what form it will be eaten.

Otherwise, this fruit, beloved all over the world, is the standard for combining business with pleasure - tasty, nutritious, simply a storehouse of antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins, minerals, and so on. All this really helps prevent cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Overall, delicious and healthy food!

Possible problems with orange cultivation

When growing orange indoors, certain problems may arise:

• The tips of the leaves dry out. This is due to insufficient nutrients. Especially Fe, N. deficiency of the first element leads to yellowing of the veins, of the second to yellowing of the entire leaf as a whole. To eliminate the problem, the crop needs to be fed with fertilizers containing iron. Nitrogen fertilizers should be fed to the crop in the spring.
• Pests. Orange is susceptible to harmful insects that cause damage to the leaves, usually worms and spider mites. You can fight them by constantly washing the crop with water, as well as using insecticides.

Mature tree with fruits

• Diseases. Among them, spotted chlorosis is the most common; it is spread by insects and causes the areas of leaves between the veins to turn yellow. To combat this disease, you simply need to destroy the damaged areas.
• Exposure to low temperatures. The lowest temperature that an orange can withstand is +2 degrees, so you need to protect the crop from exposure to negative temperatures.
• The crop drops buds, this may be due to too high a temperature, insufficient watering, and excessive fertilization. To eliminate the problem, you need to create the appropriate conditions.
• The leaves turn pale and fall off. The problem may be due to root rot. It is necessary to check the root system and eliminate damaged roots.

Thus, growing oranges is not at all difficult; you just need to create the necessary conditions for the culture.

Conditions for growth

The necessary conditions for the successful growth of a tree at home are:

• moisture content of the soil mixture, the presence of oxygen in it;
• a certain temperature;
• sufficient lighting;
• suitable pot;
• high-quality soil mixture.

In the absence of at least one factor or its violation, it will not be possible to grow an orange in a pot.

Pot

You need to choose pots that exceed the size of the roots by 3–4 cm . With each transplant you will need a container of larger diameter and height.

When choosing a pot, it is better to give preference to clay containers. Their walls breathe, absorb excess moisture well, and, if necessary, release it back into the soil. You can buy several plastic pots with stepwise increasing sizes.

Priming

The soil mixture must be loose, retain moisture well , contain nutrients, and have a neutral reaction.

You can use purchased soil for planting or make your own soil mixture by taking leaf soil, sand and peat in equal parts.

Lighting

Like all representatives of the subtropical zone, orange trees love light. When there is a lack of lighting, citrus fruits are prone to diseases and refuse to bear fruit, which is why it is recommended to place them on windows facing south, west, and east. To prevent the foliage from suffering from sunburn, it is important to create light shading for it, but the brightness of the lighting should remain at the same level.

Important ! In autumn and winter, when the length of daylight hours decreases, the orange must be illuminated.

Humidity

The humidity level in the room where the tree grows should not be lower than 40% , otherwise the plant will quickly shed its leaves and die.
This is especially common in winter, during the heating season. In this situation, it is important to artificially humidify the air by spraying the plants. An alternative is to use a humidifier placed near the pot with the tree.

Temperature

Orange is a tropical plant that loves warmth:

• the optimal temperature regime in spring and summer is 22-24°C;
• acceptable values ​​in winter are 10-18°C.

At elevated temperatures, the buds fall off and the plant itself slows down . The culture also reacts poorly to drafts and sudden temperature changes.

Diseases and pests

Potted orange may be affected:

• anthracose;
• scab;
• late blight;
• root rot.

It will be possible to revive the culture by removing the infected area, followed by treating this area with special preparations, as well as transplanting it into a new substrate well fertilized with nutrients.

Not only diseases, but also pests pose a threat to the plant.:

• spider mites;
• thrips;
• whitefly;
• aphid;
• scale insect

In the fight against parasites, it is recommended to use insecticides (Biotlin, Fitoverm). You can also use folk remedies (a solution of laundry soap, an infusion of garlic or hot pepper).

In order to detect the development of diseases or pest damage in time, it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the plants. As a preventive measure, you need to spray the trunk and leaves with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture. Also, do not forget to apply mineral fertilizers and biofungicidal preparations.

Orange tree diseases

This crop is susceptible to a large number of fungal diseases, but it is worth noting that weak plants that do not receive proper care suffer from this. There are tips on how to save an orange tree:

1. Root rot occurs due to excessive watering and stagnation of liquid in the pot. The disease develops unnoticed until the leaves begin to fall off rapidly. In this case, the plant only needs to be replanted by removing the rotten roots.
2. Sooty fungus appears on leaves and branches in the form of a black coating. Remove it and be sure to ventilate the room. It is recommended to reduce the intensity of watering.
3. Scab on an orange tree appears on the leaves in the form of dark-colored bumps. As a result, they fall off and the bark cracks. To remove the problem, you must use copper sulfate or other fungicides. Spraying is carried out in the spring or after flowering. It is important to remove and burn diseased leaves and branches.
4. Wartiness provokes the formation of growths on the shoots, and gray warts on the leaves. For control, you can use Bordeaux mixture for spraying after wintering, flowering and in mid-summer.
5. It is worth noting that a tree can be affected by almost all pests and scale insects appear more often than others. To combat it, you need to spray with insecticides.

Possible difficulties and errors

Orange is a rather capricious crop. When growing an exotic plant, the gardener may encounter possible difficulties. The most common mistakes include :

1. Changing the lighting mode: turning the pot, moving the plant from one room to another.
2. Damage to the root system during transplantation.
3. Excess fertilizer or poor soil.
4. A sharp change in temperature at home.
5. Violation of watering rules.

On a note ! The picky orange does not tolerate tobacco smoke, so it is better not to smoke in the room where the tree is located.

How to transplant?

It is better to plan transplantation of citrus crops in the spring, before flowering.
The procedure should be performed once every 2-3 years. Transplant rules :

1. The tree should feel free in the pot, which is why it is necessary to select a container larger than the previous one by 2-3 cm in diameter.
2. It is better to replant plants using the transshipment method, this will eliminate the risk of damage to the root system.
3. The soil mixture should be of good quality and the bottom of the pot should have good drainage.
4. After transplantation, the plant needs to be shaded from direct sunlight for several days.

On a note ! It is permissible to transplant a tree during the flowering process using the transshipment method. With this method, the citrus will not experience stress and will preserve buds, flowers and even fruits.

Advantages and disadvantages

The process of growing an orange tree has several advantages:

• high germination of seed;
• undemanding plant to soil;
• the ability to grow using seeds at any time of the year;
• All varieties of pomegranate serve as planting material.

But there are also disadvantages, including:

• the troublesome and time-consuming process of growing a plant;
• uneven germination;
• seeds are not always of appropriate quality.

Taking into account all the pros and cons, you can grow an orange at home and enjoy exotic fruits.