Content
- Cultivate an orange tree in Germany
- Oranges are originally from China
- Great varieties also in Europe
- Oranges do not tolerate frost
- Oranges can stand outside in summer
- Tips & Tricks
Cultivate an orange tree in Germany
Oranges are now grown in about 100 tropical and subtropical countries. With a fruit production of about 60 million tons per year, the fruit, also known as orange, is the most widely grown fruit in the world.
Oranges are originally from China
It has been proven that some citrus species were cultivated some 4,000 years ago. Many ancient scriptures dating back to the period of 2100 BC C., Describe citrus varieties and their cultivation in China. Probably the orange is a crossbreed of tangerine and grapefruit. Thanks to increased trade relations, the exotic fruits came to Europe via Persia and the Arab world. From around the 15th / 16th century on European aristocratic houses it was very fashionable to grow oranges and other citrus plants in special orangeries.
Great varieties also in Europe
In 1706, the botanist Johann Christoph Volkamer was the first German to describe in his famous book "Nuremberg Hesperides" a large number of the varieties that were then collected in the stately homes and raised from seed. Unfortunately, many of the varieties known at the time were lost, but were occasionally rediscovered in old Italian castle gardens and nurseries. Offspring of the historical varieties can be visited today in the botanical garden of the island Mainau in the Bodensee. However, the orange varieties at that time were exclusively bitter oranges, while the sweet orange did not reach southern Europe until the 18th century.
Oranges do not tolerate frost
Cultivating orange in the normal room requires good care. In most cases, the plants grow so abundantly in a short time that the space that was originally given to them quickly becomes too small. In addition, oranges - as well as olives and other Mediterranean-influenced plants - need a winter break with temperatures of 10 ° C. At the same time, unlike some types of lemon, oranges do not tolerate frost and should therefore not be planted in the garden. The best way to cultivate oranges in a bright conservatory with plenty of space. Particularly well-suited are compact, more bushy waking varieties such. B. the bitter orange varieties "Chinotto" and "Bouquet de Fleurs".
Oranges can stand outside in summer
Many varieties of oranges, especially the refined varieties, can stand outside in summer. After the last frosts, place the plant in a sheltered, warm place on the south or west side of the house. Here they can stay until the beginning of the first frosts.
Tips & Tricks
Keep in mind that in plants that remain in the greenhouse or conservatory, the growth is much more abundant than in outdoor plants. Due to the higher temperatures, the plants grow faster and there are usually three shoots during the growing season. Oranges are self-fruiting, d. H. You do not need another tree for fertilization.