Muraya grows poorly. Tropical Muraya tree at home (with photo)
The majestic emperors of Japan for many centuries were a symbol of supreme power and justice in the East. The emperor's word was more than law, and any of his whims were fulfilled in the shortest possible time. And, of course, the rulers had some of the best chambers, clothing, food and decorations in the world. It is therefore not surprising that almost 500 years ago, when Japanese travelers came across a group of small plants in the foothills of the Himalayas, which were fragrant like divine nectar, and their fruits relieved fatigue and brought peace to the soul, these trees were immediately taken to the emperor's palace. And soon, previously unknown to anyone, Muraya began to bear the title of imperial tree, and was grown exclusively for the gardens and chambers of Japanese rulers. According to legend, the wonderful smell of Muraya helped people to be closer to the gods, clarifying and strengthening their minds, giving the body new strength and confidence, and providing the descendants of the person who inhaled the aroma of Muraya with strong and strong-willed personalities.
Today, Muraya has retained all its properties, which then amazed the Emperor of Japan, and that is why this plant remains one of the rarest and most desirable for many gardeners. It is worth warning you that Muraya seeds and cuttings of which are very rare, will reward your expectations. If you want Muraya to grow in your home, you need to work hard so that the plant takes root and begins to bloom and bear fruit. Where to get this Muraya flower and how to care for it are very important questions. If this is your first time encountering this plant, the best solution would be to use top cuttings, as they take root best in new conditions. Muraya is not easy to care for. It is curious that, unlike other mountain plants, Muraya develops extremely quickly, so it is quite possible that 3 months after planting you will admire the flowers of the plant and inhale their aroma. The plant should not be replanted very often; the best option would be to replant it after Muraya becomes cramped in her current pot, which happens (for young plants) at intervals of a year. Mature plants that are almost fully developed should be replanted every two to three years.
The Emperor's Tree of Japan - Muraya flower - how to care for it so that it pleases you? It is very important that Muraya loves the sun, but in addition, too much sunlight can destroy it, since the leaves and flower stalks of the plant are extremely unstable to burns. Following this, the plant needs a sunny place, shaded if necessary, to avoid drying out and death of the tree. Another rule for caring for a Muraya flower is proper watering. Muraya prefers abundant, but not frequent, since in the natural mountain habitat this is the prevailing cycle of soil moisture. Just like in the mountains, the air in the room where Muraya is located should be well humidified, since dry air, along with direct sunlight, is detrimental to the plant. It would be a good idea to give the plant a warm shower from a sprayer once a week, or rinse the leaves with warm water. Now let's move on to the seasons and plant cycles. Summer is the most active period for the development of Muraya, during which it is best to transplant or reproduce. Autumn, like spring, is a time of preparation for winter/summer. Important! Muraya flower how to care for it during these periods? Now is the time to feed and fertilize the plant to prepare Muraya for change. Winter is a time of rest, when the plant “sleeps”; the temperature in the room where Muraya is located should not fall lower than 17 degrees Celsius. It is noteworthy that the fruits of Muraya are a unique medicine, the use of which is practiced in modern Japan, as well as ginseng in China. The ripe fruits are bright red in color and can be consumed either in their natural form or by preparing a decoction based on them, which will relieve almost any pain and bring peace to your thoughts.
Do you want to decorate your home, fill it with a pleasant aroma and get healthy fruits? Grow Murraya at home. This exotic plant is native to Southeast Asia. Belongs to the rue family and is a close relative of citrus fruits.
In different sources you can find different spellings of the name - murraya or muraya. The correct name is Murraya, as it comes from the name of the Swedish scientist Murray. In the Russian language, with our usual ease, we threw out one letter “r” and began to call the flower muraya. So both names refer to the same plant and have a right to exist. Flower growers call it “orange jasmine”, the Indians called it kari-pata, and in Europe it was called the imperial tree, because in Japan and China this plant was grown exclusively in imperial gardens.
Externally, muraya is a tree or shrub plant, in nature reaching 6 m in height, and at home growing no more than 2 m. The most common cultivated plant species are murraya paniculata and chokeberry. In adult plants the shoots are smooth, in young plants they are pubescent. The leaves are complex, elliptical in shape, consisting of 5-7 leaflets. The flowers are small, white, collected in inflorescences. They have a strong aroma similar to jasmine. The fruits are edible, they are red or black berries. Due to its medicinal properties, Murraya is used in folk medicine.
With proper care, it blooms and bears fruit almost all year round. The peculiarity of the plant is the ability to do this at the same time.
Sowing Murraya seeds at home
The maturation period of murray seeds is 4 months. To plant them, you need to remove them from the bush in time, without waiting for them to fall off on their own - then they will already be overripe. The pulp can be eaten or simply removed, leaving the pit. The bones are washed with warm running water and kept in a fungicide or a weak solution of Bordeaux mixture for 8-10 hours.
Murraya seeds
Seeds need to hatch before planting, so immediately after soaking they are placed on a damp foam rubber or soft cloth and left until tiny sprouts appear. To germinate seeds, you can organize a "greenhouse" - place a layer of foam rubber in a plastic container and moisten it so that water appears a little on its surface. Cover the top with a lid. The temperature for germination is 24-28°C.
Important! This stage will allow you to select seeds with good germination. Seeds that do not produce roots can be safely thrown away.
After the seeds have sprouted, they are planted in cups with a moist substrate (you can use soil for citrus plants). Containers with seedlings are placed under the phytolamp and covered with film on top. No further watering is required because the film maintains the required humidity in the glasses.
Seedling care
The cups are not opened until the first sprout appears. After this, hardening begins - at night the film rises by about half. Then the sprouts can be opened for the whole evening. Then you can begin carefully watering the seedlings with a sprayer. Before starting, the slightly dried soil is carefully loosened so that there are no voids in the glass.
These sprouts are a little over 1 month old.
The seedlings must be completely free of the shell. You can help them with this by carefully removing it with tweezers. After this, the seedlings are again placed under the lamp for further growth and development. After a month, they already have a few leaves. At the age of 3-4 months, murraya grown from seeds may well bloom!
Growing murray at home and plant photos
It is not difficult to grow Murraya; you just need to provide it with the correct temperature, lighting and watering conditions, and it will delight you with fragrant flowering and fruiting.
The lighting should be bright but diffuse. Direct sunlight is not for murray. If there is no other option than the southern exposure, then a light openwork shadow should fall on the plant. The best places are the east or west room. In winter, the daylight hours should be 12-14 hours, so the plant needs additional lighting.
Temperature is an important parameter for the healthy development and growth of a plant. In summer, it is kept at room temperature - preferably no more than 25 ° C, in winter it can be reduced to 16-18 ° C. The minimum temperature is +12°С.
Comfortable temperature for murrayi is 22 degrees Celsius.
Watering varies depending on the season. In spring and summer - plentiful, but without overflow, from September to spring - moderate. In spring and summer, it is done 3-4 times a week - in the autumn-winter period - 1 time. The water needs to be settled and filtered. It tolerates muraya and spraying well.
Humidity is not a very important condition for a plant. Constant spraying creates an acceptable level. The plant needs to wipe the leaves from dust weekly.
The soil must be fertile and conduct water and air well. Shop soil for citrus fruits can be combined with garden soil, having previously treated it with Baikal or simply with a solution of potassium permanganate. To make it more loose, it is diluted with perlite or coconut fiber. You can make a substrate from leaf and sod land, peat and river sand (2: 2: 2: 1).
Important! Young and mature plants require different soil. Young seedlings should grow in light, loose soil, while adults need heavier and denser soil.
Young plants are transplanted once a year into a larger container (2-3 cm). Adult plants are replanted once every 2-3 years. Between transplants they refresh the top layer of soil. Murayya is transplanted by transshipment, without disturbing the earthen ball.
Top dressing
Any citrus fertilizer is suitable for Murraya.
Young seedlings are not fed. Feeding can be started 2-3 months after transfer to a permanent pot, maintaining the active vegetation of the plant. Fertilizer is also applied at the beginning of fruiting and is done regularly (2 times a month) until the fruits ripen. Use fertilizers for citrus fruits and a mixture of organic and mineral fertilizers, alternating them. The gardener's golden rule - it is better to underfeed the plant than to overfeed it - is perfectly suitable for muraya.
Murraya pruning
It is produced for crown formation and for sanitary purposes. It is done at the end of February. Each branch is cut into 2 knots. If there are less than 3 leaves on a branch, there is no need to touch it. All dried branches and those that grow inward, towards the trunk, are removed.
To prevent early flowering (at the age of 5-6 months) from taking away the muraya’s strength, the first buds need to be pinched. She will immediately respond by redialing the color. It needs to be removed too. This will allow the young seedling to gain strength and grow to 25-30 cm. There is no need to remove the buds further.
Flowering and fruiting
Muraya is an amazing plant. On it you can simultaneously observe fruits, their ovaries, flowers and unopened buds. She does not have a pronounced rest period. The flowers last for 2-3 days, then they are replaced by new ones. Flowering may not stop all year round.
Murraya blooms can last a whole year.
Muraya is a self-pollinating plant and its fruits are easily set. Sometimes, to stimulate fruiting, it is pollinated by transferring pollen with a soft brush from one flower to another. This is done if for some reason the fruits do not appear for a long time. Extreme heat or too dry air makes pollen unviable. If you are waiting for fruits, you need to provide the plant with comfortable temperature conditions.
Reproduction of Murraya at home
Reproduction of muraya from seeds is described above. This is the most reliable way. Dwarf muraya reproduces only in this way.
Cuttings are less reliable and take longer. The cutting is taken from the top of the shoot and placed for rooting in damp sand. It is covered with film on top. The roots appear in about a month, then the sprout is transplanted into a separate pot.
Pests and diseases
Murraya is susceptible to attack by many pests.
Subject to proper growing conditions, muraya is resistant to disease. If the water is poorly settled, chlorosis may occur. It is treated by treating the bush with chelated iron. Excessive watering provokes the appearance of root rot and powdery mildew.
Of the pests, Muraya is affected by whitefly, spider mites, scale insects and aphids. Whiteflies and mites will be repelled by spraying with a garlic or onion solution (40 cloves of garlic or 10 g of onion per 1 liter of water). You can get rid of scale insects by quickly treating the leaves with kerosene and then washing them with a soap solution. It is better to fight aphids with tobacco infusion or a decoction of yarrow or celandine.
Problems of growing Murraya
- If Muraya's leaves fall off, it means there is not enough light for it, move the pot to a brighter place;
- Muraya does not bloom in several cases: the pot is too small and requires replanting, there is not enough nutrition, you bought a Dutch muraya, which may not bloom at all;
- By yellowing and drying of the leaves, Muraya reacts to several factors: a sharp change in temperature, high temperature in the room, low humidity, drying out of the earthen coma, too loose a pot. Yellowing and falling of the lower leaves is a natural process of age.
"Our" and "Dutch"
There are no varieties “our muraya” and “Dutch”, they are one and the same species - Murraya paniculata or Murraya exotica (these are synonyms). Dutch Murraya, bought in a store (and they usually sell Dutch ones there), is not grown from seeds or cuttings, but by cell division using various stimulants; it blooms rarely and late, and may not bloom at all. It will not be possible to obtain seeds from a Dutch individual, again due to the lack of flowering.
Our Muraya and the Dutch one do not exist; they are all one species.
If you want to get flowering and fruiting muraya, it is better to get seeds from familiar gardeners or order them by mail. Such a plant will produce its first buds already at the stage of 1-2 true leaves.
Benefits and harms
All flower growers know about the healing properties of muraya. Its leaves have a unique taste of freshness and are very aromatic. In its homeland, the leaves of chokeberry are used to prepare the well-known spice - curry. The leaves retain their qualities both when frozen and when dried, the main thing is not to separate the leaf from the petiole. They are used in medicine as medicinal raw materials.
Murraya is used in medicine and cooking.
Essential oil is obtained from its leaves, which is the quintessence of the beneficial properties of the plant. It helps with blood diseases, insect bites, lowers blood pressure and is used to treat hemorrhoids and diseases of the excretory system. It is used in cosmetology.
Muraya is a plant from the Rutaceae family. There are approximately 10 different species in nature. In its natural environment, it is found in China, Taiwan, India, in general, in approximately most of the southern Asian area. This beauty also grows in Australia.
Muraya is an evergreen plant. It grows to the size of a small tree, or at most a bush. It has a fairly thin and flexible trunk with light gray bark. The leaves of Murraya are smooth, quite fleshy, and have a beautiful dark green hue. They have a round or oval shape; in this case, there are no curly maple-type cuts on the leaves.
The flowers are white and have an average diameter of 8-10 centimeters. Each flower has five distinct petals, like a star. The shape of murayi flowers resembles a lily. Just like a lily, their petals are gracefully bent back. After the plant finishes blooming, a small fruit is formed that has edible pulp and a small seed inside. It takes approximately 4 months for the fruits to ripen.
Keep in mind that under favorable conditions, muraya is quite capable of blooming and producing fruit all year round. Therefore, the plant has such an interesting feature when on the same specimen you can see buds, blossoming flowers, and ripened fruits at the same time. In the photo below, Muraya is blooming.
Kinds
There are two main types of muraya cultivated in our country.
- Muraya Koenig. This plant is found naturally in India. In its natural habitat it grows up to 4-6 meters in height. It has beautiful small feathery leaves. This species of muraya has very beautiful flowers. They are white in color with a strong aroma, originally collected in rather large inflorescences, which gives this plant a striking decorative and picturesque appearance. After flowering, Muraya Koeniga produces black fruits with a glossy surface; they have an elongated shape. Each such fruit of the plant contains one single seed.
Interesting fact: since Indians use the leaves of the plant as a component of curry seasoning, in their homeland it is also called curry tree. This plant begins to bloom and bear fruit at 2-4 years of age. It has one drawback: caring for this type of muraya at home is quite troublesome and not every gardener can do it. But there is also a plus, these are the medicinal properties of the plant. It helps treat heart diseases.
- Muraya paniculata (paniculata). This species is also known as exotic muraya. It is native to the jungles of Australia and the warm, humid tropical forests of South Asia. In nature it grows up to 3 meters, the plant is shaped like a shrub. It has fairly large leaves, up to 12 centimeters long, but at the same time they are very narrow. Flowers can be either collected in inflorescences or occur as single specimens. This plant has very interesting fruits; they are bright red in color with quite tasty pulp. The seeds in the pit are double. The flowers of this muraya have a very strong spicy aroma, for which the plant is sometimes called orange jasmine. Muraya paniculata begins to flower in the fifth to eighth year of life. Unlike Koenig's muraya, the variety is quite unpretentious, and this type of murray is easier to care for and easier to cultivate in the climatic and everyday realities of our country.
The dwarf-shaped Murray variety is very popular among gardeners. Its maximum height is half a meter. This plant can begin to bloom in the first six months of its life. This circumstance is very much appreciated by flower growers. Having reached a height of only 4-5 centimeters, dwarf muraya can already produce several full-fledged and quite decorative flowers. This variety of Murray is not artificially bred, as it might seem, the species arose as a result of a natural mutation.
Care
Muraya is not particularly whimsical when breeding at home, but some rules should still be followed. Let's look at the main and most useful of them:
The soil
Murraya likes the soil to be quite loose and slightly acidic. The ideal mixture for it is this: in a ratio of 2:2:2:1, mix turf and leaf soils, add humus and clean coarse river sand. Also, a good way out, if you are experiencing difficulties where to get all the necessary components for the substrate, is to buy ready-made soil for citrus fruits in the store. But you should definitely add some substance that has a leavening effect to the prepared soil for murray. It can be vermiculite or coconut fiber. Perlite is also perfect. Keep in mind that the younger the plant, the more loose the soil is suitable for it. Accordingly, you need to add more of this loosening agent to the pot with a young plant, this will ensure excellent and continuous flowering.
Top dressing
The plant should be fed approximately once a month. Moreover, you need to alternate organic and mineral fertilizers. A special composition for feeding bonsai is ideal as a mineral fertilizer for murray. It must be borne in mind that overfeeding this plant with nutrients is unacceptable. And it’s better to not give something to the plant than to feed it. If this happens, you should keep in mind that now its leaves will grow greatly, and flowering will become rare. But flowers are the main decorative decoration of the Murray.
Attention: fertilizers for muraya should not contain chlorine, since by nature the plant is very prone to chlorosis.
Watering
In warm and hot seasons, watering is necessary in copious amounts. But there are benefits and harms from watering. Severe waterlogging should not be allowed - the plant will not tolerate a stagnant swamp at home. In this case, rotting of the root system may begin, which usually leads to the death of the entire flower. You should know that in cool times and winter, watering must be reduced to prevent excessive moisture in the substrate.
In this case, only soft, settled water should be used. It should also not contain chlorine, so tap water is excluded. You can soften the water for watering muraya with a small amount of citric acid or apple cider vinegar. If watering conditions are not maintained properly, Murray leaves may begin to turn yellow. Subsequently, they will completely fall off.
Air humidity
Despite the fact that the houseplant comes from the humid southern tropics, it tolerates dry air for a short time surprisingly well. The only thing that should not be done is to allow the plant to be exposed to dry air, since in this case the tips of its leaves begin to dry out. Also, the flowers and buds of the Murray variety Min fall off prematurely. Therefore, if the room is hot and stuffy or if the radiators are running in winter, you should regularly spray the murray leaves with a sprayer. Experienced flower growers also advise placing the pot with the plant on a tray with expanded clay or other drainage submerged in water.
Lighting
Murraya, as a southern guest, loves sunlight very much. Therefore, it is necessary to grow it in a well-lit area. But at the same time, it is still better to shade it from the midday scorching direct rays. It would be ideal to provide enough diffused light for the plant.
In an apartment, a pot of muraya should be placed on the windows on the east or west side. If you placed it on a window on the south side, then do not forget to shade it during the midday hours. It is better not to grow murray on the north side of the house. There is little light there, so the muraya will begin to shed its leaves.
If the room is dark enough, then you can additionally illuminate the muraya with a fluorescent lamp; such a solarium will only benefit the plant. After all, the longer the daylight hours, the more comfortable she is.
Temperature
Although the tender plant loves warmth, nevertheless, intense heat is not for murray - it does not tolerate the sizzling heat well. In summer, she will be most comfortable at 25 degrees Celsius, and in winter she needs about 17 degrees. It is impossible to either lower or greatly increase these temperature indicators. Black Murraya does not tolerate drafts well. The forum on our website will tell you all the secrets of growing this exotic beauty.
Transfer
While the plant is young, approximately the first 3-4 years, it is replanted every year. In this case, each subsequent pot for murray should be taken only 1-2 centimeters larger than the previous one, otherwise the leaves of the plant will fall off. An interesting approach to adult plants: they are transplanted every 2-3 years into the same container where they were before. By the way, a plant is considered mature if it has already bloomed at least 2-3 times. Muraya is replanted in summer or spring using the transshipment method. In this case, you need to shake the roots as carefully as possible from lumps of old soil and, if possible, remove the top layer of soil. Then transplant into the same pot, but with new soil.
Trimming
In this sense, you will have to tinker with Muraya. Indeed, in order to give the plant a lush shape, experienced gardeners recommend pinching literally every new branch in order to give it the right direction, namely in different directions. Do not allow murray branches to grow randomly, because in this case the decorativeness of the plant will decrease.
It is worth keeping in mind that if you are growing a dwarf tree, you do not need to pinch it. This plant itself is compact and initially grows as it should. But if you want to create a bonsai, then only in this case will you need to shape the bush and pinching it. Reviews from flower growers say that there is nothing complicated in forming a neat bush.
- Winter dormancy period. This plant does not have a specific, pronounced period of sleep. With proper care and favorable conditions, it is not difficult for it to bloom and bear fruit all year round. But if suddenly the conditions of its maintenance do not suit it, the first sign of this will be the fact that the plant sheds its leaves.
- Bloom. Each new Murray flower stays in place for one to two days, after which it falls off. But flowering continues continuously, so after the fallen flower, new ones will immediately bloom.
- Fruit. With good and suitable air humidity, Muraya bears fruit without much effort or help from the grower. But if there are difficulties, then you can help the plant set fruit by pollinating it. To do this, use a soft brush to transfer pollen from one flower to another. It should be borne in mind that the tender stigma of the murray quickly loses its vitality. And it can be affected by dry air, heat or insufficient watering. In this case, don’t pollinate; it won’t do any good until you create favorable conditions. Watch a video on how to properly care for a plant.
- Diseases and pests. Like most house plants, it is susceptible to major pests: scale insects, mealybugs, and whiteflies. Also, aphids pose a danger to murray seeds and leaves. From time to time it is recommended to wipe the leaves of the plant with a damp cloth, brushing off dust and pests at the same time. A warm shower will also help her. At the first signs of infection, try to carefully spray the plant with a weak insecticidal solution.
Of the diseases, the main problem of this southern plant is chlorosis. The disease has the following symptoms: the leaves begin to become covered with ugly yellowish-brown spots, the growth of the bush stops, the leaves turn yellow and dry very quickly. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully and carefully monitor that the water for irrigation does not contain chlorine. It is also important that the insecticides used are chlorine-free.
Reproduction
- Japanese panicled murraya can be propagated by both seeds and petioles. But it is still preferable to plant with seeds, since the petioles of the plant take root for too long, and in many cases do not take root at all. In general, their development is influenced by many factors.
- Dwarf muraya can reproduce exclusively by seeds. Keep in mind that its seeds will lose their viability very quickly, so it is advisable to plant them in a pot immediately after maturing on the mother tree. Under favorable conditions, a sprout from a seed will appear in one to two weeks. After that, the sprouts should be planted in separate pots of a small volume, the volume of the glass is suitable. Also, the seeds of dwarf murray make an excellent healing tincture.
- Murraya Koeniga can reproduce by seeds and root shoots.
Mysterious Murraya Hollandaise
Often mentioned by many in conversations and on forums, Dutch Muraya. What kind of animal is this? Let's figure it out.
Some not very experienced flower growers, out of ignorance, mistake it for some separate variety of muraya. It is not right. At its core, Dutch is an ordinary paniculate murraya. The only Dutch thing about it is that it was delivered to this store from the Netherlands. In this country, the plant used to decorate even mines. And there it is customary to plant several plant seedlings of different sizes in the same container. Its only peculiarity is its unusual openwork foliage and interesting fruits.
How not to get burned while shopping
It is impossible to buy dwarf muraya in stores, as well as a plant of the paniculata species. A florist can only purchase it from another florist. At the same time, the price of these murrays will be quite decent - for a tiny monthly sprout they ask for an average of 300-400 rubles. Keep in mind that if you come across a scammer, he can easily pass off an ordinary sprout of paniculata muraya as an expensive dwarf plant specimen. After all, the so-called Dutch Murraya costs 15-20 rubles per seedling in the store. And most often they are sold in groups - 150 rubles for about 15-20 pieces.
How to avoid falling for a scammer and with 100% probability of purchasing a dwarf muraya:
- Buy from a friend.
- Pay attention to the trunk of the sprout. The undersized murray always has a slightly curved trunk, while the panicled murray will have a straight posture.
- Dwarf Murraya will be sold with buds or flowers, despite its young age. After all, it begins to bloom very early - already in the second week of life. Therefore, the flowering of a young plant is a sure sign that you have a dwarf specimen in front of you, and not an ordinary one.
It is presented in the form of a small tree, the growth of which, most often, reaches no more than 1.5 meters. At the same time, its bark, which can have a gray-white or white-yellow tint, is considered an unusual feature of the plant, and feathery brownish leaves stand out perfectly against its background.
The green part of Murraya is very widely used in culinary activities. It is the most delicious and unusual seasoning that has a citrus-lemon flavor. It is also part of one of the famous Indian seasonings - curry.
Murraya blooms begin with the appearance of gorgeous white flowers. When this process comes to an end, instead of leaves, small red berries appear on the plant. Some people think that they are very easy to confuse with hawthorn.
If you get very close to the plant, you can smell the pleasant smell of jasmine. The fruits that grow on the stems can be used as food. They have a spicy taste and a sweetish tint.
This plant belongs to the Rutaceae family. In unnatural habitat conditions, only a few varieties of this flower can be grown. These include exotic and paniculata murraya. In appearance, these two plants are practically no different from each other.
With proper care, Murraya can grow at home for many years. At the same time, its young shoots slowly increase in size, thereby contributing to the formation of a lush crown. To prevent the branches from being damaged, the plant must be supported (that is, special supports will be needed). For several years the flower practically does not develop. But when the root system strengthens and adapts to new growth conditions, active growth of the upper part of the flower begins. Each year, the height of the Murraya can increase by a couple of centimeters.
Landing
First of all, growing a plant at home begins with planting Murraya. To do this you will need to use its seeds. It is necessary to take into account the fact that seeds bought in stores do not always germinate. But personally collected seeds after flowering are much more reliable and effective. The guarantee of growth of such seeds usually reaches 99-100%.
Murraya is planted in moist soil, which should consist of sand and leaf soil. The container used for growing seeds must be covered with glass and taken to a room that is well lit throughout the day.
After 2-3 weeks, you will be able to see the first young shoots, which, in turn, will grow quite quickly. It is during this period of time that the glass will need to be removed. After this, you just have to watch the active growth of the shoot, which after a short period of time will turn into a chic little tree.
Upon completion of planting, the young plant must be watered!
Locationand lighting
Murraya is one of the plants that will not develop normally without warmth. It is for this reason that it is very important to ensure that with the onset of cold weather, the air temperature in the house does not become lower than 15 degrees.
It is best to place the flower on the east or west side. The plant loves light, but to avoid burns from direct rays of the sun, it needs to create a small shade.
In summer, the best place for Murraya to grow is a balcony or loggia. Do not forget that it is necessary to avoid frequent drafts. Otherwise, the leaves may begin to deteriorate.
When daylight hours are shortened, you can use the help of phyto- and fluorescent lamps. It is necessary that the light falls on the plant for 12-14 hours. If these conditions are not met, the Murraya may not bloom at the right time, and the likelihood of completely dropping its foliage also increases.
Pot sizes
To ensure normal flower growth, it is very important to choose the required pot size. Most often, when transplanting Murraya, experts advise choosing a pot whose diameter will be 1-2 centimeters larger than the previous one.
No need to exaggerate with dimensions. After all, then, during watering, all the liquid will accumulate at the roots of the plant, which can lead to an irreversible process of rotting of the root system.
When choosing a pot, pay attention to its stability and the material from which it is made. It is best to choose plastic flower pots that have a wide base. This provides reliable support for the flowerpot.
The soil
In order for the plant to develop well and bloom in a timely manner, when planting or replanting a flower, it is necessary to choose the right soil.
Thus, it is believed that the best option for Murraya is nutritious and loose soil. Its acidity can reach 6 - 7.5 pH.
If you plan to purchase soil in a store, then, first of all, your choice should fall on soil that is intended for growing citrus fruits. At the same time, you will need to add a little perlite or vermiculite to this soil (this will increase the looseness of the soil).
If desired, soil for Murraya can be prepared on your own. To do this, you will need to mix leaf and turf soil, humus and coarse sand. All ingredients are combined in a ratio of 2:2:2:1.
Do not forget that before pouring the soil, drainage must be lined at the bottom of the pot. For this you can use expanded clay or small pebbles.
Transfer
Murraya, like other indoor flowers, needs to be replanted every year. For this procedure, a pot is prepared in advance, which must be larger than the one previously used and the soil described above.
When transplanting a flower, you need to be careful and careful, because the plant has very fragile roots that are quite easy to damage. In order not to disturb the root system of the flower, you can use a simpler method of replanting. To do this, remove the top 5 centimeters of soil and sprinkle it with a new one. It is not recommended to compact the soil.
An important condition for transplanting Murraya is the location of the root collar. It is necessary that it is always located at the top and not deepened into the ground.
Upon completion of the Murraya replanting process, the plant will need to be watered!
Fertilizers and fertilizing
The most suitable period for feeding Murraya is considered to be from March to September. It is recommended to alternately use mineral and organic fertilizers.
During the period of active plant growth, it is advisable to fertilize once a month.
If fertilizing is carried out too often, then with the onset of flowering, the swollen buds may not open.
For greater efficiency, liquid fertilizers can be used. At strong concentrations, they must be diluted in purified water. Using this technique will accelerate the growth of the flower and significantly strengthen the entire Murraya root system.
Watering
When the plant begins to actively grow, it is very important to water it regularly. To do this, you will need to use purified water, or water that has stood for several days. Make sure that there is no admixture of limescale or other harmful substances in the liquid.
The fact that a plant needs to be watered can be easily determined by the condition of its soil. As soon as the soil dries out a little, this means that the flower is ready to receive the next portion of liquid.
With the onset of cold weather, the frequency of watering is significantly reduced, and with the onset of the dormant period, it may stop altogether.
Temperature regime
For active growth of Murraya in the warm season, the mark on the thermometer can reach 25 degrees. And with the onset of cold weather, the thermometer should show no lower than 17 degrees.
Murraya needs to be protected from sudden changes in temperature and strong drafts. It is for this reason that the flower must be placed away from the air conditioner, vents and balcony doors.
Air humidity
Murraya, a type of paniculaceae, will adapt quite positively to reduced humidity levels, even if it is very cool outside.
When the dryness in the house reaches a critical level, the plant may begin to wither and dry out. To avoid the death of the plant, its crown can be occasionally watered with warm boiled water. It is also possible to carry out the bathing procedure under the shower. This not only helps revitalize the foliage, but also helps get rid of dust.
Trimming
To make it easier for the plant to develop during the period of its active growth, pruning is mandatory. If the shoots reach large sizes, they can be shortened to the desired appearance. This will give you the opportunity to create the tree shape that you have long dreamed of.
Varieties of dwarf and miniature murray do not require pruning. Even without this method, they branch very well and have a beautiful appearance and unusual crown shapes.
If desired, pruning can be done at any time of the year. Although, usually, no one risks endangering the flower and carries out the procedure as needed.
Diseases and pests
Murraya, with poor care, insufficient lighting and watering, becomes susceptible to damage from plant pests such as spider mites and scale insects.
If the flower does not have enough nutrients in the soil, then the leaves may change their color and become more lethargic. To correct this, it is necessary to use mineral and organic fertilizers.
In bright sunlight, the leaves can get severely burned, and also dry out a little around the edges and in the central part.
If the humidity level in the room is very low, then Murraya may begin to shed ripe flower stalks. In order not to harm the plant even more, it is necessary to carry out the procedure of spraying and bathing in the shower.
Bloom
With proper care, Murraya is capable of constant flowering. But most often this unique process occurs from spring until mid-autumn.
At the same time, small white flowers open on the plant. Unfortunately, this unusual spectacle may only last a few days. The flowers have a pleasant aroma, which is somewhat similar to how jasmine smells.
After the flowers fall, small berries appear that are colored red. They are edible, so they are often used to prepare various dishes.
If the humidity is low and the air temperature in the room is too high, then Murraya pollen will not be able to perform its main function.
Reproduction
The main way to propagate Murraya paniculata at home is to use seeds. In order to be sure of their 100% ascent, the seeds must be prepared in advance.
Sowing of seeds is carried out as soon as they are freed from pulp.
In order for the seeds to germinate quickly, it is necessary to maintain a slightly elevated temperature of 25-28 degrees.
When planting, the seeds will need to be immersed in sand, approximately half a centimeter, after which the container in which they are located is covered with glass.
The first shoots can be seen in a few weeks.
Rest period
In winter, a dormant period begins for Murraya. At this time, it is recommended to maintain the room temperature at least 16 degrees. Also, a sufficient amount of light plays a very important role.
Watering is significantly reduced for several months, and the use of fertilizers should be abandoned altogether.
Plant toxicity and beneficial properties
When deciding to grow Murraya at home, you care not only about the plant itself, but also about the health of those around you. After all, as you know, the elements that the plant releases (phytoncides and aromatic oils) clean the air in the room very well. The aroma of flowers that bloom during flowering normalizes sleep and has a calming effect on the human nervous system.
This plant can be used as a medicine. Thus, it can reduce the symptoms of diseases such as cardiac ischemia, angina pectoris, and high blood pressure.
Murraya fruits are recommended for consumption by people suffering from diabetes. The unique properties of these fruits help control blood sugar levels.
With proper care, Murraya will not only become an excellent decoration in your home, it also helps maintain normal well-being of a person and create an atmosphere of comfort and tranquility in the house!
In recent years, an incredible number of all kinds of exotic flowers have appeared in flower shops.
They are often expensive and require close care. But how can you resist the brightness of colors, shapes and all sorts of semi-mystical properties that are attributed to this or that guest from distant countries!?
Very often, among the “overseas” plants, you come across a flowering tree with white bark and shiny, glossy, dark green leaves, which has healing properties.
Muraya (Murraya): a brief description of an exotic flower
The homeland of muraya, or murraya, is the tropical forests and mountainous regions of India, Indochina, the islands of Java and Sumatra. This plant was also very well known in medieval Japan. Muraya (lat. Murraya) is a shrub or rue family. It has many varieties, including paniculata, Himalayan, chokeberry, Dutch, dwarf, winged, etc. It should be noted that rutaceae are very close to. Like, the fruits of muraya are edible and healthy. Young shoots of muraya are pubescent, while adults are smooth. The dark green leaves are imparipinnate, with five or seven elliptical leaflets, leathery. In addition, they have a unique aroma.
Muraya flowers are white or light cream. Small, about two centimeters in diameter. Often with a very strong aroma. Sometimes collected in inflorescences. They are added to tea. Recent studies have shown that the aroma of muraya flowers has a beneficial effect during angina attacks.When ripe, muraya fruits are most often bright red in color. They ripen for about four months.
What conditions should be created in the house for exotics?
Despite the fact that the homeland of muraya is tropical forests and mountains, this plant has adapted quite well to living in apartments. So, what is necessary for an exotic bush to feel good and give joy to its caring owner? Let's take a closer look at how to grow muraya. 
Like all terrestrial plants, three components are important for muraya: light, water and. The temperature in an apartment or greenhouse should not fall below 17 °C in winter.
Important! Muraya loves fresh air very much. In summer, it is recommended to take it outside, into the shade. Protect the plant from the heat!
Location and lighting
Muraya is unpretentious to growing conditions. This is a light-loving plant, so the room where the flower is located must be sufficiently lit (the windows face the east, south and southeast sides). However, in the summer, you need to protect the delicate flower from direct sunlight. It is better if diffused light falls on it. Also in the autumn-winter period, the plant requires additional lighting. For example, fluorescent fluorescent lamps with a glow temperature in the range of 4000-5000 Kelvin (neutral daylight) are quite suitable. 
Temperature regime
Muraya grows not only in tropical rainforests, but also in mountainous areas, which means it is prepared for some temperature changes. However, for its development, flowering and fruiting, the optimal temperature will be 18-25 °C. A decrease to 16 °C or less can lead to inhibition of tree growth. The leaves will begin to wither. Muraya will not bloom or bear fruit.
Important! Muraya can't stand the heat.
This must be taken into account when placing a flower on the windowsill.
How to care at home
Caring for Muraya is not at all difficult. You just need to understand and take into account some of her needs.
Watering and air humidity
Without water, plant life is impossible. Tropical forests have plenty of moisture. Muraya loves, but it should be remembered that an excess of the latter can have a bad effect on the root system. Based on this, you need to water the muraya abundantly, but not often.
It is necessary to allow the soil to dry out. The plant responds well to spraying, but you need to take moderation in everything. Air humidification also has a beneficial effect. This can be an ordinary aquarium with fish, which is located not far from the plant. 
You can also place a container of water next to the plant and place expanded clay or moss in it. In this case, the gradual evaporation of moisture compensates for the dryness of the air. For spraying and watering, it is better to use soft boiled or settled water.
Soil and fertilizing
The soil for muraya must be nutritious. The plant is desirable. for muraya, they are needed from spring to autumn - water once every two weeks with the addition of dressings for citrus fruits. There are many complex fertilizers in flower shops.
Choose at your own discretion. Somewhere in October, it will not be superfluous to insert fertilizer sticks (two or three pieces) into a pot of earth where a tree grows. Also, when replanting, adding bark and to the soil will have a good effect. 
Pruning and crown formation
Muraya does not require special pruning.
However, if you are a fan of the art of bonsai or penjing, feel free to practice on this tree. Muraya easily tolerates pruning. To form a beautiful crown from a young age, the growth points of actively developing shoots are pinched off the tree. You should also cut out excess branches. Otherwise, the tree may turn into a bush.Flowering and fruiting
Flowers stay on the branches of the plant for one or two days. At suitable humidity, the fruits set on their own. But it’s still better to help the tree. Muraya is pollinated with a brush. It is enough to carefully transfer the pollen from flower to flower. The fruits, when ripe, acquire a bright red hue. The fruits ripen in approximately four months.
Important! With proper care, muraya blooms and bears fruit all year round. Moreoversimultaneously!
How to transplant muraya at home
Muraya is quite demanding when it comes to transplanting. An adult plant is replanted no more than once a year. Better - once every two to three years as it grows. Transplanted using the transshipment method. 
The pot for muraya is not large. When replanting a plant, you should not bury the root collar. This can cause the cessation of flowering and fruiting.
It is advisable not to “trample down” the soil. It should always be loose. Muraya's root system needs air. The pot with the transplanted tree can be moved for several days to a room with dim light, for example, to a room with windows facing north.
This will help the plant to withstand stress more easily and recover from replanting faster.
Propagation of muraya by cuttings
Muraya is easily propagated and grown in two ways, cuttings and seeds.
Cuttings are cut from the tops of strong shoots. Leave two or three nodes on the cut cuttings with the lower leaves completely cut off. The top ones are cut to half. Plant in a pre-prepared pot with soil (you can use a regular plastic transparent glass). Sand mixed with is used as soil.
Did you know? This method cannot be called effective, since only a few cuttings will take root. It is much more effective to grow muraya from seeds.
After planting, the soil is watered and the plant is placed in a warm place. You can cover the top with a glass jar. It is advisable to shade the planted cuttings for a week. It is enough to cover the plant with loose material. Temperature - 20-25 °C. Unrooted cuttings should be watered rarely, but every day with soft water from a spray bottle. In two or three weeks the cuttings will sprout roots.
After this, the cuttings are transplanted into a pot filled with nutrient soil. Drainage is placed at the bottom of the pot, about one third of the container. 
Difficulties in growing: diseases and pests
Muraya is a fairly hardy plant that has acclimatized well to our apartments, but it is still susceptible to disease. Its cultivation and maintenance has its own characteristics and difficulties. For example, it may not grow, dry out, or bloom.
Basically, all of the above problems are associated either with improper watering, or with a lack or excess of light. If Muraya sheds its leaves, the problem often lies in dry air. The reason for this is most often the battery under the windowsill. A solution to this problem can be moving the plant to another place or spraying it more frequently with a spray bottle. The cause of drying out can also be damage to the fragile root system during transplantation. In this case, you need to be patient and wait until the muraya grows new roots. 
Growth inhibition - either the plant does not receive enough nutrients, or it is in a place where there is not enough light, or the pot is too small.
If the muraya does not bloom or bear fruit, then most likely there are not enough nutrients or the pot is too small.
The tree may also not be suitable for the fertilizers you feed it with. In this case, they need to be replaced. In addition, (whiteflies, mealybugs, scale insects, etc.) may appear in the soil or on the soil or a fungus will appear. Today, specialized stores have plenty of antifungal and pest control products. Qualified advice can be obtained on site from the sellerMuraya leaves turn yellow - most likely this is chlorosis, a non-infectious disease caused by the chlorine content in irrigation water. Prevention is simple. Make sure that the water for irrigation does not contain chlorine, or feed the plant with a chelated form of iron. The same reason and treatment method can help when Muraya leaves fall off. 
Medicinal properties of muraya
When muraya blooms, a huge amount of aromatic essential oils and phytoncides are released into the air. The aroma of muraya flowers is soothing. Observations have shown that in those suffering from angina pectoris, the aroma of blooming muraya reduces the frequency of attacks by 60%. Provided that it is inhaled regularly. An infusion of flowers is used for washing. Helps cope with sagging skin.
Its fruits are endowed with tonic properties that can lower blood pressure, contain vitamins and many beneficial substances, including antioxidants. They have a hypotensive effect. Recommended for people with hypertension, coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases. Muraya berries help lower blood sugar levels without the use of hypoglycemic agents.
The leaves of the tree have anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. Heals wounds. Juice from the leaves helps relieve headaches and toothaches. 
As you can see, the benefits of muraya are quite noticeable. And even if it just stands in the room, the aesthetic appearance, the pleasant smell that stimulates work and relaxation - what else does a connoisseur need?
Important! Despite its numerous medicinal properties, its use should be treated with caution.nursing mothers, pregnant women, and children under twelve years of age. Since the leaves of the plant lower blood pressure, they should not be eaten by hypotensive patients.
Muraya is a magnificent plant, quite easy to care for and propagate; it will give a lot of joy to its owners, bring a feeling of comfort to the house, and fill the air with a delicate aroma. This plant can be safely recommended even to beginners. With minimal material and time costs, we get the result in the form of magnificent flowers and fruits within three to four months. Isn't this a miracle?!
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