Step-by-step guide to replanting a tangerine tree at home

With proper care, tangerine grows quickly at home. Moreover, not only its branches and shoots grow, but also the root system. In order for the tree to feel comfortable, bloom and bear fruit, it is regularly replanted.

In a cramped container, the plant stops developing, sheds its inflorescences and gets sick. If you plant citrus immediately in a large pot, it will not form correctly and will not bloom. Replanting a tangerine tree at home is carried out in compliance with the rules, which we will discuss below.

Why replant a tangerine tree?

The citrus tree develops quickly, its root system quickly fills the pot. When the roots occupy the entire container, the plant's growth stops. It cannot fully absorb from soil liquid and nutrients. The roots begin to rot or dry out, increasing the risk of fungal infection.

Over time, the soil in the pot becomes depleted. Some of the minerals that were added to the soil are converted into insoluble compounds and salts. They are harmful to plants and interfere with the absorption of essential elements. It will not be possible to correct the situation by applying fertilizing; it is necessary to completely replace the soil.

In what cases is this necessary?

Planned transplants are carried out regardless of the condition of the tangerine.

When is the procedure necessary:

1. Planned transplant. The older the plant, the slower it develops and the less often it is moved to a new pot.
2. When filling the pot with the root system. To check this, stick a skewer into the ground. If it passes with difficulty, it means that the roots have filled the entire space.
3. For root rot. An external sign of the disease is yellowing and falling leaves. In this case, the root system is washed off the ground, all affected roots are removed, treated with copper sulfate (1 teaspoon per 5 liters of water) and soaked in Heteroauxin.
4. If the soil has been repeatedly waterlogged. Such an error in maintenance causes a change in the composition of the soil. To save the plant, the soil is replaced with new fertile soil.
5. If water quickly flows into the pan or, conversely, stagnates. This is a sign that the wrong soil mixture is being used. To solve the problem, replace the soil with a new one consisting of the correct components.
6. With increased soil acidity. This indicator is checked using litmus paper. It is not recommended to add lime to the soil if there is already a tree there.
7. When purchasing a new plant. The soil in which the tangerine tree is planted in the store contains a lot of peat. In addition, there is a risk that it will be contaminated with fungi, bacteria or pests. This is dangerous not only for tangerines, but also for other indoor plants. Therefore, immediately after purchase it is replanted.

If tangerine leaves turn yellow and fall off for unknown reasons, despite following the rules of care, it is recommended to replant the plant. Often this becomes a solution to the problem.

Transplant timing

When is the best time to replant an indoor tangerine? Experienced gardeners do this in the spring, immediately after wintering ends, but before sap flow begins. Then the tree will quickly take root and easily survive stress.

Note! Transplantation is also possible in the fall, after the fruits have sprouted.

If a tangerine looks unhealthy, it is replanted regardless of the time of year. In other cases, adhere to the following scheme:

1. When grown from seed dive when 2 true leaves appear on the seedlings into a container with a volume of 200-300 ml. Replant the second time when the root system fills the pot. In the first year, 2 to 3 transplants are performed.
2. Before the first flowering (the first 3-5 years), tangerines are replanted once a year.
3. After the first flowering and fruiting, the tree is replanted every 3 years.
4. Trees older than 10 years that have reached the optimal size are not transferred to a new pot, but the top layer of soil is replaced annually.

Preparation

In order for planting a tree in a new pot to be successful, it is important to properly prepare for this procedure. Attention is paid not only to the plant, but also to the container with soil.

Choosing a pot

The chosen container for the tangerine will determine how comfortable the plant will feel in the new conditions.

For the first transplant, take a pot with a volume of 200-300 ml. Each subsequent container should be 3-6 cm larger than the previous one.

In the first year, plastic containers are allowed. Then it is recommended to choose pots made of clay or ceramics - this material has pores that allow air to pass into the soil.

Advice. Experienced citrus growers advise choosing narrow and tall containers. In them the root system is stronger.

It is important that there are drainage holes in the bottom of the pot - excess liquid will flow out through them. This will prevent water from stagnating in the pot. It is better if the pot comes with a tray. It is used for bottom watering.

Before use, containers are disinfected in one of the following ways:

• soak for 30 minutes in a dark pink solution of potassium permanganate;
• pour boiling water over or boil in it;
• soak in a solution prepared from 3 liters of water and 1 tsp. copper sulfate.

The soil

Stores sell special soil for citrus fruits. It has an optimal composition for tangerines. However, it is not available at all retail outlets.

A universal soil mixture will not work for tangerines. It is prepared on the basis of peat, which has a bad effect on the condition of citrus fruits.

Often the soil is prepared independently. The following soil mixture is optimal for young plants:

• garden soil - 2 parts;
• river sand – 2 parts;
• humus – 1 part;
• rotted manure - 1 part.

For plants older than four years, the soil is made differently:

• garden soil - 2 parts;
• river sand – 1 part;
• humus – 1 part;
• rotted manure - 1 part.

Add 1 tbsp to the bucket of the resulting soil mixture. ash. It is better to immediately prepare a large amount of soil, since it will be needed more than once.

The soil is disinfected: calcined in the oven, poured with boiling water, dark pink potassium permanganate or a solution prepared from 1 tbsp. l. copper sulfate and 1 bucket of water.

Drainage is disinfected in the same way as soil.

Note! Orange sand is not suitable for preparing soil mixture. It contains too much iron. It is recommended to give preference to white or gray river sand.

Preparing the tangerine tree

In order for the tree to easily tolerate transplantation and quickly take root, it is also prepared. To do this, a week before the procedure, the plant:

• wash in the shower;
• fed with potassium and phosphorus fertilizers;
• put in a shaded place.

Transplant instructions

Depending on the age of the mandarin, the technique for transplanting it to a new place varies.

Transfer

The procedure involves partial cutting of the roots and complete replacement of the soil. Therefore, plants that have already bloomed and bear fruit are replanted once every 3 years.

How to replant a tangerine:

1. The day before transplanting, the tangerine is watered generously with warm, settled water so that the soil can better stick to the roots.
2. The tree is removed from the pot, the roots are cleared of the soil.
3. The roots are inspected for damage by infection and pests. All affected areas are cut off. Rotten and dry roots are also removed.
4. A 1-2 cm layer of drainage and the same amount of soil are poured onto the bottom of the pot. An earthen mound is formed in the center of the pot.
5. The plant is transferred to a pot. The roots are evenly distributed around the mound. The remaining space is filled with the remaining soil. The root collar of the tangerine tree should not be buried.
6. The soil around the tangerine is compacted. Water with warm, settled water with the addition of a few drops of Heteroauxin.

The question that raises controversy is whether it is necessary to shorten the tangerine roots by a third when replanting. Some citrus growers believe that this will make the root system stronger, while others say that in the process of moving the plant to a new pot, a large number of roots are broken off. Either way, pruning slows down the tree's growth.

Transshipment

Transshipment is used to plant tangerines in new containers if they have not yet reached 4 years of age. This procedure is carried out annually.

The advantage of transshipment is that the roots of the plant are not damaged in the process, it does not experience stress and quickly takes root. In a new pot, its growth does not slow down.

Instructions for transshipment of tangerine trees:

1. The tangerine is not watered for 3 days before transferring, so that it can be conveniently removed from the pot.
2. The tree is removed from the pot along with the earthen lump. At the same time, they try to keep the roots intact.
3. The entire drainage layer is removed. Using a sharp knife, cut off 1-2 cm of the top layer of soil. It is important that the blade does not touch the trunk of the tangerine.
4. A 1-2 cm layer of drainage is poured into a new pot. Then a tangerine is placed there along with an earthen lump. The free space is filled with earth, which is pressed down.
5. The tree is watered with warm, settled water.

How to work with an old plant

A plant that has reached its optimal size is not replanted. To get rid of harmful insoluble compounds, replace the top layer of soil:

1. The tree is placed in a basin and watered with plenty of water. Water is periodically poured out of the basin. This is done until clear liquid flows from the pot.
2. The top 3-4 cm of soil is removed. Instead, a new nutrient soil mixture is poured.
3. The soil around the trunk is crushed and watered with warm, settled water.

This procedure is carried out once every 2-3 years.

note! If a tree is sick, it is transplanted into a new container, regardless of age.

Tree care after replanting

It is important to provide the tree with proper care after replanting. This will help the plant take root faster.

Temperature

After transplantation, for the first 2-3 weeks the temperature in the room is maintained at +24...+26°C so that the tree takes root faster. After 14-21 days, the indicators are reduced to the temperature usual for the plant.

Watering

Mandarin is watered with a small amount of warm, settled water daily. For the first month, a couple of drops of “Heteroauxin” are added to the water once a week. 2 weeks after transplantation, the first feeding. It must contain phosphorus, potassium and urea.

Humidity

The humidity in the room should be high. To ensure optimal conditions, the plant is sprayed daily with warm, settled water. At first, it is recommended to add a small amount of Epin to it.

Lighting

For a month after transplantation, the tangerine is kept in a shaded place. It should not be exposed to direct sunlight.

If after transplantation the leaves begin to fall off, the mandarin needs to create greenhouse conditions. To do this, put a bag on it, which is fixed on the pot. The tree is ventilated and sprayed daily. Such conditions are provided until the problem disappears.

Is it possible to replant tangerines with fruits?

It is not recommended to replant the tangerine tree during flowering and fruit formation. Despite the fact that transshipment is necessary for the proper development of a houseplant, it is associated with stress. There is a high risk that citrus will drop flowers and harvest.

Transferring a plant to a new pot during fruiting is justified only if the tree begins to shed leaves or other signs appear that it is sick. Before the procedure, all inflorescences and fruits are picked off so that the tangerine does not waste energy on them.

Conclusion

The tangerine tree requires regular care. In favorable conditions, it develops quickly and forms many shoots and roots. It must be replanted in a timely manner. Without this procedure, the plant will get sick and stop blooming.