How to care for a Mandarin tree

The scientific name of the Mandarin tree is Citrus Reticulata and it is very similar to the orange tree, but it has less height and a more rounded crown. In fact, mandarins belong to the botanical genus citrus and are of the same family.

This plant grows up to 10-20 fruits and is very suitable for different outdoor spaces such as gardens, terraces, balconies and patios, but you can also keep them indoors or in a greenhouse.

information about the mandarin tree

The mandarin comes from the tropical areas of Asia, it can be said that it is a fruit originating from China and Indochina. Nowadays, there is a long list of countries that are dedicated to its production and they are: Spain, China, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, among others.

The mandarin tree belongs to the genus Cytrus of the Rutaceae family (about 160 genera and 1600 species). The mandarin tree is a tree that adapts easily to desert, subtropical and tropical climatic conditions.

its properties

The mandarin tree is a tropical tree that offers a delicious fruit better known as mandarin, it is easy to grow and care for.

The mandarin tree, like all citrus fruits, are self-fertile plants, that is to say, all that is needed is a pollinating agent such as a bee or other insect that transfers the pollen from the male flower to the female flower for it to reproduce. However, there are other species that require more intensive care.

The average tree has the following dimensions: 2 to 4 metres high and 3 to 6 metres wide.

tips to take care for your mandarin tree

Taking into account these tips and information you can have a Mandarin tree with the appropriate care so that it grows strong, healthy and with a lot of fruits.

ideal location

Bearing in mind that the most suitable climate for the mandarin tree is the Mediterranean, a well-lit location should be chosen where there are no heavy frosts in winter.

If this is not possible, it should be grown in pots and kept indoors on days when it is freezing or very cold.

el suelo o sustrato

The mandarin tree, like the other citrus trees, is not very demanding as far as the soil is concerned, and tends to adapt to most of them, except for those that are very clayey, very chalky or saline. The soil should be rich in nitrogen and potassium, otherwise it should be supplemented with part of the fertiliser.

Mandarin trees grow effectively and positively in sandy soils compared to clay soils, i.e. they grow well in medium to well-drained soils. The optimum pH range for mandarin trees is between 6 and 7. Mandarin trees grow very well if the soil has the following characteristics: soils with the above-mentioned pH, a depth of more than 60 cm, low-saline soils and soils with medium permeability.

temperature

The optimum temperature for the best development of the mandarin tree is between 23 and 35 degrees Celsius. Below 13 degrees Celsius, growth stops and damage begins when temperatures fall below -2 degrees Celsius. At high temperatures, up to 50 degrees Celsius, no damage occurs, as long as there are no dry winds and there is moisture in the soil.

watering

Mandarin trees prefer careful watering to avoid waterlogging the plant. A moist soil is sufficient. Water daily in very hot or dry areas and once or twice a week if the area is cloudy or humid. If the mandarin tree is in a pot, it should be watered when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. If you transfer from pot to soil, water daily for the first few weeks.

fertilisation

Mandarin trees require a lot of macro and micronutrient fertiliser and it is a plant that frequently suffers from magnesium and zinc deficiencies. It is advisable to fertilise at each watering and not to exceed 2 kg of fertiliser per cubic metre of water to avoid excess salinity. It is advisable to fertilise from March to September.

When should I plant a mandarin tree?

It is recommended to plant mandarin trees between April and June. The tree usually bears ripe fruit between October and December depending on the variety.

possible pests and diseases

The mandarin tree is one of the most resistant citrus trees to pests and diseases, but that unfortunately does not mean that it cannot have some problems during its growth. In fact, if we neglect them, if we do not water and fertilise them properly, it is likely that some micro-organism or insect will harm our tree.

The disease that mandarin trees suffer most from is Phytophtora, a fungus that is favoured by an excess of humidity and warm but mild temperatures, between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius. The symptoms are: brown spots on the upper side of the leaves and a white-grey powder on the canopy, rotting of the root system, weakening and in some cases death; the way to treat it is to use copper-based fungicides and avoid excessive watering.

Other diseases are as follows:

• Viruses and viroids: symptoms are leaf drop, excessive fruit production, general weakening. Unfortunately, there is no cure.
• Red spider mite (red spider mite): mandarin trees show the symptoms of discoloured spots on the affected parts, webbing, slowing of growth. It can be easily combated with acaricides or neem oil.
• Mealybug (insects): these have the same symptoms as the cockroaches. To treat this pest, diatomaceous earth is used, which is a very fine white powder made up of fossilised microscopic algae containing silica.
• Whitefly (insect): The symptoms of mandarin trees are yellowing of the leaves, sticky substance on the leaves and weakening. It is treated by placing yellow sticky traps, which is a colour that attracts these flies and other pests such as aphids.
• Leafminer (insect): the symptoms of the mandarin tree are discoloured galls on the leaves, yellowing, leaf drop and weakening. To treat this pest it is advisable to apply neem oil.

shop your mandarin tree

The mandarin tree is a very beautiful ornamental species, which can make your garden, balcony, patio or terrace more beautiful; it is also a tree that bears many fruits, which are characterized by being juicy and sweet. We show you some that we have in our online shop:

mandarino copa 85cm

Take a look at this marvellous mandarin tree of 85cm! Order it now in our online shop, it arrives fresh directly from the nursery, we pack it carefully and you will receive it in 4-5 days at home with no shipping costs and a 30-day quality guarantee!

• height: 80-85cm ↕
• pot size: 21cm Ø
• amount: 1
• it's coming to you with mandarins!
• colour: green leaves and green and orange coloured fruits
• grown in the Netherlands, origin Italy

mandarin tree of 100cm

Take a look at this wonderful mandarin tree of 100cm! Order it now in our online shop, it arrives fresh directly from the nursery, we pack it carefully and you will receive it in 2-3 days at home with no shipping costs and a 30-day quality guarantee!

• height: 100-110cm ↕
• pot size: 22cm Ø
• amount: 1
• colour: green leaves and green and orange coloured fruits
• grown in Spain

With these care tips you already have all the information you need to purchase your mandarin tree in our online shop, take a look and shop your favourite one!