Do you know the mandarinier perfectly?

Each of us knows this orange fruit very well with such an enchanted perfume that it is mandarin. What if we dig a little where this fruit is so familiar? Enlarge the origin of this fruit: the mandarinier, as well as some tips if you want to plant it in your garden.

Origin of the mandarinier

Mandarin, This citrus with orange color of about 8 cm in diameterIt comes from Mandarinier. Originally from the South -est Asia, more precisely from China and Vietnam, Mandarinier can reach a height of 3-4 meters.

In ideal climatic conditions, this great shrub even reaches 8 meters in height! The name of this fruit derives from the fact that the color of its skin recalls that of the silk whose mandarins' clothes have been made. Later, about 19^th Center century, the peoples on the border with the Mediterranean began to plant it.

The scientific name of this tree is Citrus reticulated. It is classified in the family of Rutaceae And its fruit is attributed to the citrus family. The mandarinier has very specific fine leaves, distinguishing it from the other trees from the same family such as the lemon tree.

These white flowers also have a fairly delicate perfume, supplied on a very exotic side. It should be noted that the flower tree twice a year (in spring and winter), allowing those who cultivate it to enjoy this sweet perfume.

This tree has many varieties, including Owari, which is a species specially resistant to cold and is very sweet compared to other varieties. Above all, mandarin should not be confused with Clementina.

In fact, these two citrus fruits are very similar. However, You should know that Clementina is a mandarin hybridcreated by the crossing of the mandarin with a Bigaradier. This therefore gave a more resistant variety of European climate.

Geographically speaking, this plant is more suitable for a warm climate. This explains why it grows better in Spain, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. In terms of European countries in general such as France, we cultivate its hybrid like Clementina, so that it can make faces for hard winters, Even if this shrub could resist a temperature of -10 ° C.

In the plantation

It must be recognized that the plantation of mandarinier is not an easy task, but with the right preparations, we can make the task less difficult than it seems. This difficulty is related to the requirements of the plant in terms of climatic conditions. In fact, it is used to the sun and will not support too fresh atmosphere.

For the northern part of France, internal, pot or bac plantation, it is recommended given the winter hard enough in this part. For the south of France, where the winter periods are softer, We can very well plant it in the ground, but it will therefore be necessary to be very meticulous with maintenance.

For the first type of plantation which is the internal plantation, we begin by choosing the plant. In this case, we choose a healthy and which is quite solid, that is to say, with the deep green foliage. Above all, it must be verified that the plants have no insects or parasites.

In fact, they could slow down the development of the plant or even kill it. We also choose A jar large enough to be able to contain all mandarin roots. In fact, the roots will need a fairly large space (with a diameter of at least 40 cm, or at least the same size as the plane system of the plant) to be able to guarantee the development of the entire plant. It is very important that this pot has a hole on the bottom so that excess water can be evacuated.

An accumulation of water could actually lead to the putrefaction of the roots, therefore to the death of the plant. Now let's go to the composition of the soil. At the bottom of the pot, we move the clay balls, which would act as drainage. Fill the pot for a third to have a quite often layer.

So, we create a mixture of fertilizers with land designed specifically for citrus fruits. We place half of this mixture in the vase before planting the mandarin plant in the middle. So we use the rest of the mixture to fill the pot and keep the shrub well in place. We take care to blame the earth around the trunk and water everything to finish.

For the plantation in the ground, it must be seen that it can be practiced only in the orange area so called (in the south east of France and in the south of the Eastern Pyrenees). In this case, we will need a fairly solid enough holder so that the shrub can be well fruitful.

We choose A position that uses the good sun and that is not too exposed to the dominant wind. Once the position has been chosen, start digging a square hole of 1 m3, i.e. one meter on each side and 1 meter of depth.

As for the Vasini plantation, the mandarinier requires a layer of drainage in the lower part. This layer therefore consists of gravel, clay balls or sand in the event that the ground is very clayey. With the earth from the hole, fertilizer or compost mixes. Then we install the portinnesto there and the hole is reconstructed. We end up watering the plant, then we put the compost on the feet of the arbust and voila.

It should be noted that mandarinier is adapted to a rather acidic land. He prefers well -drained and not too wet soil, having a good sun and the best time to plant is in spring, where any frost risk is rejected.

Maintenance advice

Although mandarinier hates humidity, it is a very greedy plant in water. Rather, it is the stagnant water that does not adapt to him. Each growing mandarinier requires very good irrigation 3 times a week to guarantee their development. It must also be fertilized using fertilizers every 2 weeks during this period.

It is preferable to use organic fertilizers for the health of the plant and also that of those who consume the fruit from then on. The purpose of this fertilizer is to guarantee a nitrogen, a phosphorus and a potassa, basic minerals for its growth.

To protect the tree during the winter, the foot should be covered with ash from the fireplace. This will prevent the frost from reaching the roots. This is what concerns mandarinists planted in the ground.

For those planted in a tank or in a pot, it will be necessary to lift the pot so that there is no stagnant water in the cup that supports it. Since the beginning of autumn, the plant should be repaired in a cool place, With a temperature between 8 ° C at 10 ° C. The place should also be well enlightened. Without these conditions, the leaves of the tree will gradually become yellow, so they will fall one by one. It should be noted that the leaves that point on the bottom instead of being straight upwards indicate a lack of water and you will have to irrigate immediately.

Nor will you forget the addition of fertilizers to enrich the pot of the pot. The renewal of this fruit tree is performed every 2-3 years. In this case, it ensures that the size of the pot or tank used gradually increases after each floor to allow the roots to develop well.

In both cases, that is to say for the vascalino in pots or in the ground, the plant requires regular cuts. Will be made since the beginning of spring. This operation facilitates the circulation of the lymph in all solid branches, to have fruit: mandarins.

To do this, it is necessary to cut the thin branches or those who start losing the leaves and being dry. The latter often distinguishes the interior of the leaves and prevents the growth of the news.

The main disease that attacks Mandarin trees is the presence of the partners. These are very popular parasites in the gardens and not only affect fruit trees but also ornamental plants.

They feed on the sap of the stopwatch and dry it more and more if you don't take care to eliminate it. Its presence is marked with white bunches and headlights. Luckily, It is possible to remedy by applying a mixture of vegetable oil and washing liquid to the infected branches or simply a liquid black soap solution that is pulverized directly on these parasites.

Composition and benefits of the fruit of this plant

Since mandarin is one of the citrus fruits, Has an important contribution in vitamin C. It also has a strong calcium and potassium content. We also detect the presence of elements of magnesium and traces. This fruit is therefore not only delicious (with a sweeter taste than that of other citrus fruits) but it is also very good for health, despite the fact that it also has many seeds.

It is recommended in case of nasal congestion or sensation of fatigue. In addition, this is the reason why we often find the mandarin among the recipes that increase your energy after a long day of work, for example.

Its orange color is due to the presence of Carotene. This fruit is also the ally of those who follow a weight loss diet because it is not very calorific and contains fibers.

You can also enjoy the benefit of the essential oil that comes from the joy of mandarin. In fact, this oil comes from a cold extraction and has many virtues. You can mention your toned and antiseptic property.

To this is the fact that the mandarin essential oil is excellent for digestion. In addition, its smell is very relaxing. This oil can be drunk with herbal teas, adding a few drops (they are sufficient (2 or 3 drops), to stimulate digestion.

It is also used in organic cosmetics, as a toning and purifying mask. It also gives a radiant complexion and has a softening effect on the skin.

Some recipes with the Mandarinier fruit

This fruit is available in different delicious dishes. You can invent a homemade jam with it or make a good mandarin cake. In short, they are not the possibilities that are missing. They accompany sweet or savory dishes very well.

Here is the recipe for the famous mandarin cake. As ingredients, we will need 400 grams of short pastry, 80 grams of butter, 250 grams of cnocchia sugar and, of course, mandarins.

It will take 7 mandarins of average size. Here, we will use a ready -made short pastry. First, let's take a mold in diameter 22 or 24 cm, depending on what you have at home. The dough is distributed out there, ensuring that the thickness is on average 4 mm.

So you will have to mix the eggs and sugar in a bowl and whip the mixture. In the meantime, we preheat the oven to 200 ° C and, on the other hand, we begin by appealing the rind of the mandarins and pressing the fruits to extract the juice.

The butter is added to the mixture on the eggs, then to the mandarin juice and finally to the zest. We take care to mount everything vigorously and therefore to spread this mixture on the dough already arranged on the mold and cook for 35 mm.

Simple and easy to prepare, but nevertheless delicious, this recipe will not fail to satisfy children and also the whole family.