How many years does a potted mandarin orange take to bear fruit?

The mandarin orange (juzi) generally refers to the tangerine, whose place of origin is China, and it is now cultivated in most countries and regions around the world. Moreover, besides being planted in the open field, tangerines can also be grown in pots.So how many years does a potted mandarin orange take to bear fruit? How should it be cared for?

1. How many years does a potted mandarin orange take to bear fruit?

A potted mandarin orange generally bears fruit in 2-3 years, but different growing techniques and growing environments can also cause differences in the fruiting period. In addition, traditional mandarin oranges ripen in autumn, in October-November, but now, due to the development of mixed cultivation techniques, there are also mandarin oranges that ripen in the depths of winter in December-January and in early spring in February-March.

2. How should a potted mandarin orange be cared for?

1. Soil

The potting soil suitable for growing mandarin orange trees is generally neutral (pH value 4.5-7.5), humus-rich sandy loam or sandy soil. You can buy it at a flower shop or a flower and bird market, or mix it yourself: use 4 parts decomposed garden soil, 2 parts river sand, and 1 part plant ash, mix them thoroughly and evenly, then grind fine and sift.

2. Flower pot

Choose a round pot with good water permeability and air permeability, spread a 5 cm thick layer of coarse sand on the bottom of the pot, line the inner wall with a layer of new tiles, then fill with soil and plant the tree.

3. Watering

During the growing season, water before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. On sunny summer days, water once a day; if the soil is on the dry side, water once more that same day. In spring and autumn, water once a day. In early spring and late autumn, water once every 2-5 days depending on the soil moisture in the pot, and control watering in winter. The water temperature for watering is best kept consistent with the soil temperature, and the pH value is generally preferably 6.5-7.

4. Fertilizing

When fertilizing a potted mandarin orange tree, apply light fertilizer frequently according to the tree, the weather and the soil. Potted plants with strong fertilizer tolerance, large growth and abundant fruit should be fertilized more; otherwise, fertilize less. Do not fertilize during the dormant period. If the potting soil has a low fertilizer content or the pot has not been changed for a long time, fertilize more; if the potting soil has a high fertilizer content, fertilize less.

5. Pruning and shaping

According to the variety of mandarin orange tree being grown, prune it into tree shapes such as the natural round-headed form, pagoda form, single-branch cliff form, double-branch antler form, three-branch cup form, weeping willow form, and dragon-curve form. In addition, the measures for promoting flowering and dwarfing, and for pruning by shape, mainly include bud rubbing, pinching, branch bending, branch curving, ring cutting, retraction, renewal, and branch pulling, and by methods such as opening the angle of branches and thinning out leggy branches, densely growing branches and ineffective branches to enhance light exposure and shape the ideal tree form.

6. Prevention and control of diseased and pest branches

Pay attention to attacks by pests and diseases such as foot rot, mites, scale insects and aphids. You can spray pesticides in advance for prevention and control, and promptly prune dead and diseased branches and leaves.

In addition, after the winter temperature drops below 10 degrees, promptly move the potted mandarin orange indoors to avoid low-temperature freezing damage.