Murraya - home care

Flowers

A windowsill can be home to not only indoor plants but also exotic ones. Murraya is a plant rarely seen in Russian apartments. To ensure that your murraya grows and blooms as pictured, you need to know what care it requires at home and when to repot it.

The history of the appearance of murraya

The plant is very beautiful, and its flowers exude a wonderful fragrance. It was named after the Swedish scientist Johan Andreas Murray. Many call it orange jasmine or the emperor's tree.

The plant's native land is Japan and Southeast Asia. Murraya can also be found in China, Taiwan, and Australia. Since ancient times, murraya has been used to decorate gardens. In Japan, the tree was considered sacred. It was grown only in the gardens of the Japanese emperors (hence the name).

In Japan, a legend about the plant's inaccessibility still persists. In ancient times, anyone who carried the plant outside the imperial palace had their hands or heads chopped off.

Caring for murraya at home depending on the species

The photo shows varieties of murraya, which not only bloom beautifully but also have curling leaves. The following varieties can be planted indoors:

Caring for anteaters at home

To get a plant like the one in the photo, you need to care for it properly. The process is quite simple and doesn't require much effort:

the plant loves fresh air, so the room where it will grow requires regular ventilation;
The light in the room should be diffused. However, if the plant is exposed to direct sunlight for two hours, it will not be harmed;
During the winter period, murraya should receive the required amount of light;
in winter the room temperature should be no more than 15 °C, and in summer – no more than 25 °C;
Almost all species, except for the paniculate murraya, require little care indoors. Propagation is the same, and pinching and pruning are not required.
The pot needs to be turned every day so that the plant grows evenly.

Please note!

If you're repotting a murraya indoors and aren't sure what kind of pot it needs to thrive, don't worry. There are no specific requirements, the main thing is that the plant has enough space for root development.

Proper watering

When the plant is becoming more active, it needs to be watered more frequently. Watering should begin when the soil surface in the pot feels dry. Allow the water to settle before watering. Tap water is not recommended. Misting should only be done during the winter.

What to fertilize with

For good growth and flowering, add fertilizer once a month in spring and summer. Both mineral and organic fertilizers are suitable; simply alternate them.

Important!

If there's too much nitrogen, the plant's green color will become more pronounced. If there's too much nitrogen, flowering will not occur.

Fertilizers can be purchased at a specialty store. Simply dilute them according to the instructions on the packaging, and you're ready to water.

How to transplant correctly

If the murraya is young, it needs to be repotted annually. Ideally, it should be repotted every three years. However, the topsoil should be replaced with fresh soil once a year. Repotting is done by transshipment, taking care of the roots.

Important!

If the plant was purchased in a store, it also needs to be repotted. However, this should be done within a month of purchase. This will allow the plant to adapt to the new conditions, and you won't cause any harm.

Repotting also requires proper soil selection. Murraya prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil. When preparing the soil, mix one part compost, two parts sand, and two parts leaf mold. When purchasing soil from the store, choose soil prepared for citrus plants. Be sure to add drainage to the bottom of the pot.

How to propagate murraya correctly

The plant is often propagated by cuttings. Cuttings are taken in the fall. The cut branches should be placed in a container of water at a temperature of about 30 degrees Celsius. Bottom heating is ideal. Once the first roots appear on the cutting, the plant can be planted in soil.

What diseases is murraya susceptible to?

If the plant is not properly cared for, it may become ill:

If yellow spots appear, this is due to watering with chlorinated water;
If the plant does not bloom, it means there is not enough space in the pot and it needs to be repotted;
If the plant is not growing, then most likely it does not have enough air;
If leaves start to fall from a plant, this indicates root damage. It may also indicate improper soil selection;
If the murraya is dropping buds, then most likely the room is too hot.

Indoors, the plant is susceptible to attacks by dangerous pests such as aphids and spider mites. To prevent diseases, the murraya needs to be treated regularly.

Please note!

If the leaves start to turn yellow and fall off, it's possible that pests have infested the pot. Treat the bush first, and if that doesn't help, repot the plant and change the soil.

When growing the plant, it's important to monitor the room temperature. Proper watering and care are key to ensuring the murraya will bloom and delight its owner.