Description of the Unshiu mandarin variety and cultivation at home

Who hasn’t wanted to grow a full-fledged tangerine tree on their own at least once in their life? However, how to do this if the average height of one seedling is 3-4 meters? Experts recommend simply choosing the right citrus variety. Thus, Unshiu tangerines have all the required parameters for growing at home. Unshiu is also translated as “seedless”. And this is a definite plus of the variety.

Characteristics and description of Unshiu mandarin

Despite the fact that the Unshiu variety owes its origin to the “land of the rising sun” (Japan), it quickly spread throughout Europe and the CIS. The plant is self-fertile. A distinctive feature of Unshiu is flowers:

• small;
• snow-white;
• oblong shape;
• and have an amazing aroma.

A little history

In fact, the birthplace of the Unshiu mandarin is China, but the plant spread throughout the world only after the seeds arrived in Japan. Therefore, a deep misconception about the origin of the variety has taken root.

There is also a variegated variety of Unshiu mandarin - variegated. The main difference from the classic variety:

• yellow border on leaves;
• larger and lighter fruits;
• the skin of the fruit is denser.

However, in terms of taste, Variegated Leaf is in no way inferior to the classic Unshiu.

Description of the crown

The crown of the Unshiu mandarin is dense and spreading, but home trees are able to adapt to existing conditions. The leaves are smooth to the touch and easy to clean. They are elongated and have a slightly corrugated surface.

Important! Successful fruit ripening requires sunlight, so it is recommended to occasionally thin out the crown.

Features of flowering

The flowering period of the Unshiu mandarin falls in May. The flowers are small, fragrant, and are united in small racemes. A characteristic feature of tangerine is the absence of the need for artificial pollination.

Fruit characteristics

Unshiu tangerines are loved due to the delicacy of the fruit, the characteristic features of which can be expressed in several points:

• small, average weight varies between 70 and 100 grams;
• uniform color, orange;
• round shape, slightly flattened on both sides;
• juicy, sweet, with mild sourness;
• the skin is thin and quickly leaves the fruit;
• citrus consists of 10-12 lobes;
• There are no bones inside at all.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Mandarin Unshiu has a number of advantages:

• tasty and nutritious fruits;
• beautiful aesthetic appearance of the plant;
• high productivity;
• resistance to diseases and pests;
• complete absence of seeds in fruits;
• convenient watering mode.

However, there are also notable disadvantages;

• the fruits do not last long;
• the tree needs constant care;
• The plant needs to be replanted regularly.

Growing at home

Unshiu mandarin seems to be created for growing at home. However, before you start breeding this variety, experts recommend studying the basic care points that may create minor inconveniences:

• it is difficult to adjust the temperature if there is central heating;
• Regular spraying is required, which significantly increases the humidity in the room;
• needs to be fertilized frequently.

Planting a tree

It is recommended to plant a tangerine tree in early spring. This will require a complex mixture consisting of the following components:

• turf soil as a base;
• leaf humus;
• sand - for better hydration;
• rotted humus as fertilizer;
• drainage up to 5 centimeters at the bottom.

Important! When replanting and caring, do not damage the root system.One damaged shoot can destroy the entire tree. This is especially true for young, newly purchased seedlings.

Lighting, humidity and temperature

For the full development of Unshiu mandarin, it is important to ensure saturation with light and warmth. It is recommended to take the plant out to “bask in the sun” on sunny (windless!) days.

Attention! Unshiu does not tolerate direct ultraviolet rays, so it needs to be hidden under a light curtain.

Average air temperature: +17 degrees, however in winter, during the rest period, the temperature should not be higher than 10 degrees. It is also important to remember the lighting formula in winter: the cooler the room, the less light the plant needs and vice versa. It is also recommended to spray the leaves with water - this will help create a humidity close to the natural environment of the plant.

Watering and fertilizing

The plant needs to be watered when the top 5 centimeters of the soil has dried out; less often in winter. It is also not recommended to pour water directly on the roots - this will expose them even more. Mandarin Unshiu needs regular feeding, because artificial soil is far from natural conditions.

The following are often used as fertilizer:

• animal manure;
• mineral fertilizers purchased in the store;
• Potash with a high potassium content is excellent for leaves.

Pruning rules

Due to the fact that the tangerine tree tends to grow upward, but not every house has high ceilings, it is recommended to resort to the pinching procedure (removing the top). This allows you to form a crown and direct the growth of branches horizontally. The procedure must be carried out until the desired result is obtained, regardless of the presence of leaves and flowers.

Protection from pests and diseases

At home, it is much easier to get rid of the misfortune that has overtaken you. So:

1. A fungicide solution will help defeat the invasion of spider mites and thyroid glands.
2. Rot and rot are easily eliminated by adjusting the watering regime.
3. Topaz or copper sulfate solution are the main enemies of fungi and powdery mildew.

Important! Tangerines can be overcome by other, rarer pests and diseases. In this case, it is recommended to write down the symptoms and contact a specialist.

Problems when growing tangerines

Growing Unshiu tangerine does not cause any trouble for gardeners, but several main difficulties have been identified during care:

• It is often difficult to find out why the leaves turn yellow, so the plant may die (more often it is either an excess of water or a lack of potassium);
• the need for daily care, especially with increased dry air;
• the fruits are sometimes bitter (due to improper pruning of seedlings).

Harvest and storage

The first harvest of this variety appears 3-4 years after planting. The average yield from one domestic tree is about 5-10 kilograms. However, transporting and storing the fruit is a minor problem due to the soft skin. Unshiu tangerines are stored for 1 to 3 months.