Muraya from seeds at home: sowing, caring for crops, growing, flowering

As you know, some tropical shrubs and trees do not take root well at home. Quite beautiful ornamental plants are obtained from them, but some of them also have very interesting useful properties. The tropical muraya tree is able to please households not only with a delicious aroma, which even one inflorescence can fill the whole room with, but also with delicious medicinal berries. In Russia, this plant is often found at home, which is why it is worth talking about it in more detail so that it becomes even more widespread. The flower requires specific care, but its medicinal properties are literally forced to cultivate many at home. Look at the muraya flower in the photo, which shows the decorative value of the culture:

The homeland of Muraya is considered to be tropical regions. These are mainly the islands of Java, Sumatra, some regions of India and Indochina. The plant got its name from Karl Linnaeus in honor of his student Yunach Andreas Murray. Thus, the more correct name is "mureya", but in everyday life the name "muraya" was fixed to them and we will appeal further.

In youth, the shoots of muraya are quite flexible, but with age they become stiffer and rather smooth to the touch. Thus, the plant becomes a tree or shrub of the Rutov family. Some growers point out that muraya bears great resemblance to some citrus fruits. In the photo below you can see what exactly.

Maintenance and care at home

Murray flower at home feels great. Muraye needs minimal care. Paniculata including.

How to care? Even a novice gardener can do it. After need transplanting, watering, feeding and pruning murrayi. It is very important to provide the plant with the correct location and good soil.

Pruning

Murray pruning is best done at the end of February. To do this, each branch is shortened. for two knots... Cut off only those branches on which at least 4 leaves grow, as well as shoots growing inward.Dwarf murraya does not need pruning.

Watering

Watering the murray is needed abundant in the summer (3-4 times a week), and moderate in the winter (once a week). Reduce watering in September. Can't be allowed stagnant water in a pot.

This can cause root rot and plant death. But excessive drought is also harmful. Water the murraya only clean, filtered water, chlorine free. Daily spraying is very important for the plant.

Fertilize Murraya monthly, and during flowering - twice a month. One time they use only organic fertilizers, and the other only mineral fertilizers.

As the latter, you can use complex fertilizers for bonsai or citrus fruits.

Landing

Murraya is planted in a small pot with many drainage holes. There is no need to buy a spacious container. Murraya will not grow in it until the roots completely fill the pot.
You can make the soil for murraya yourself. To do this, you need to take leafy, sod land, peat and coarse sand, in a ratio of 2: 2: 2: 1.

You can take ready-made soil for citrus plants or succulents, but first adding coconut fiber or perlite to it.

For a young murraya, the soil should be light and loose, and for an adult it should be denser and heavier. Be sure to lay on the bottom of the container drainage, by about 1/3 of the volume. The soil can be disinfected with potassium permanganate.

Transfer

A young Murraya needs an annual transplant. It is enough to replant an adult plant every 2-3 years. The rest of the time, you can simply renew the topsoil.

Pot choose 1-2 cm more the previous one. It is not necessary to deeply deepen the root neck so that the murraya does not hurt.

Sowing technology of Murraya paniculata seeds

Obtaining and preparing murraya seeds

When the seeds ripen, it is better not to overexpose, so that they do not start to rot right on the branches, if they themselves do not fall off (this did not happen - not once).

Eat or wash the pulp, freeing the seeds. If there is leftover pulp, clean it carefully, rinse it in a strainer under running, warm water and place it in a depleted solution of Bordeaux liquid. Depleted he, for me, becomes due to the constant evaporation of moisture from the glass. I add fresh water, part of the active substance, one way or another, decreases with use. The glass with the solution has been on the shelf in the bathroom for about a year, has not lost activity, it only constantly precipitates - you have to stir it when using it.

Lean Bordeaux liquid solution - for soaking seeds

Murraya paniculata Murraya paniculata Russia - seeds in a greenhouse, 06/22/2016

In this example, the seeds were kept in a fungicide for a day (there was simply no time for them). And so, in the evening they are soaked - at night, in the morning they are washed under running water and installed in a greenhouse on moistened foam rubber.

Sowing seeds

So, the seeds are pre-prepared - cleaned of pulp, rinsed under running water and soaked in a solution of Bordeaux liquid or copper sulfate for 2-3 hours, rinsed again and placed in a greenhouse to pierce the roots. All this is done with the aim of visually rejecting low-quality (underdeveloped, rotten, empty) seeds. And so, you can sow all the seeds at once, without sorting, and, hopefully, out of 10 seeds, all 10 will germinate, however, it is not a fact that this will happen. Even viable seeds, for some reason, may not germinate - simply by rotting in the ground.

It is noticed that if the seeds are green, then the roots peck quickly, if the seeds have a beige hue, then a little longer, brown ones are not viable, they are already rotten and not developed. In such seeds, in the remainder, only the outer and inner shells are present, the embryo itself, as a rule, is no longer there, or it has rotted, or was very small.

Seed germination will take place in a greenhouse from a container, with a foam rubber insert inserted into the bottom, filled with water until this substrate is wetted and water appears on the surface - just barely.

The greenhouse is heated, on a glass shelf, which in turn is in direct contact with the heated towel rail. Heating temperature is about 32-35 ° С. Note that for seeds; murray, citrus fruits, tomato, pepper, pomegranate, figs, kiwi, etc. Such a high heating temperature is quite acceptable and works well. It has been noticed that peaking of the roots occurs even faster if the greenhouses are removed from the heating at night and left there in the bathroom. The sown seeds, with sprouted roots, can be placed in a room with a temperature of 26-28 ° C, under a shelter in the form of a greenhouse from an inverted glass, until the sprout is hatching. At lower temperatures (below 24 ° C), sprouts appear a little later.

Murraya paniculata, heated greenhouse, 24.06.2016

Murraya paniculata Murraya paniculata Russia - roots hatched, 05/24/2016

Murraya paniculata Murraya paniculata Russia - seedlings, 05/25/2016

By the way, for the seeds of Japanese medlar - this temperature turned out to be high. More than 1.5 months of standing on the heating, not a single one bent a spine. As soon as the hot water supply was turned off and the greenhouses moved to a room with an air temperature of 28-30 ° C, they immediately began to peck at the roots. Almost all the seeds have already been planted in individual cups, with a cover from an inverted cup, in the form of a greenhouse - so that the soil is not watered until shoots appear and the shelter is removed.

Planting seeds in the ground

Roots peck in different ways, mainly in 3-4 days, up to 7 days. I plant them in plastic cups with a volume of 100-200 ml, at the bottom they have four cross-cut cuts (drainage holes). The cups are filled with self-prepared soil mixture, of approximate composition, which is prepared for citrus fruits. The soil is watered until completely wetted. This cup is inserted into a similar one, but already without slots, or installed in a common tray (wide, large pallet).

After landing in 100-200 gram cups, and installation under illumination lamps, the cups are covered with caps. Thus, a greenhouse is created from inverted cups of the appropriate size. In the greenhouse, constant humidity is maintained, which contributes to faster germination of seeds and release from the outer shell. Also, the soil does not require additional watering and moisture, since its moisture is preserved in the greenhouse.

The date of planting of the seed root, in a 100 g cup

Murraya paniculata (Russia) first shoots 04.06.2016

Murraya paniculata - setting seedlings under lamps

In order not to accidentally injure the young root, a small depression is made in the moistened soil (with a metal nail file) - the seed is inserted without any effort, slightly deepened relative to the ground level and with a nail file, the soil is compressed around the planted seed.

By the way, for planting citrus fruits, in 200 ml cups, I pierce the soil with the same nail file, almost to the very bottom. For planting medlar seeds, shaking the stuck nail file, back and forth, I expand the hole. In principle, if you do not bother, then the seeds can be easily stuck into the soil that has just been moistened, and is still quite loose in the upper layer.

Growing from seeds

Murray seeds for planting should be fresh, because they quickly lose their germination. It is best to place the plant pot on west or east window.

Murraya grows flowers in 3-5 months after planting, and blooms for a very long time, from March to October. After that, large orange-red berries. It is the seeds of these berries that are the seeds.

Reproduction

You can propagate murraya cuttings and seeds... By cuttings, the plant reproduces poorly, and they take root for a long time. They are cut from the top of the shoot and rooted in wet sand, under a film.

After a month, roots appear, and the murraya is transplanted into a separate pot.

The seeds of the plant are cleaned of pulp, dried and planted in spacious containers filled with prepared soil. They are left in a well-lit place, at t + 23-25C, covered with glass, periodically sprayed.

Through Couple of weeks the first shoots of Murray will appear. They are seated in small plastic cups.

Temperature

The optimal condition will be a temperature not higher than + 25C in summer, and about + 15-17C in winter. The plant does not like drafts or sudden temperature changes.

Lighting

It should be shaded a little from direct sunlight.

But daylight hours must be at least 14 hours. Therefore, if necessary, the murraya is illuminated with special lamps.

Cuttings

To propagate muraya in a vegetative way, it is necessary to use semi-lignified branches. It is recommended to cut them off with a shoot that is one year old. Cuttings take root in a soil mixture of perlite, sand and peat.

If you wish, place them in cups filled with water. I advise you to keep the planting material at temperatures from + 25 to + 29 degrees.

I also recommend covering it with a transparent film. Cutting is best done from early to late autumn. When you see that the planting material has taken root, add it to the nutrient mixture. Be sure to lay drainage at the bottom of the pot.

Benefit and harm

Muraya and beneficial properties are almost synonymous. Murraya is not in vain considered medicinal and medicinal plant. It is widely used in traditional medicine.

Healing properties

If you chew on fresh murraya leaves, you can get rid of headache and toothache, cure stomatitis... They are good at helping to cope with insomnia and gastritis.

Applying leaflets to sore joints with arthritis or arthrosis, relieves swelling and pain.

Gargling with a decoction of Murraya leaves perfectly heals a sore throat. Drinking a tincture of murraya leaves with the addition of rosemary helps to lower blood sugar levels, relieve arrhythmias and improve the functioning of the circulatory system.

Berries murrayas also have benefits. It is enough to eat 3-4 things a day to forget about fatigue and reduce blood pressure. Due to the high content of antioxidants, these berries can significantly prolong youth and slow down the aging process of the body.

The delicate scent of murraya flowers has a calming effect, reduces the risk of lung and heart disease. Growing murraya at home is believed to provide family well-being and good luck in love.

Flowering and fruiting

Muraya is an amazing plant. On it at the same time you can observe the fruits, their ovaries, flowers and unblown buds. She does not have a pronounced rest period. Flowers last for 2-3 days, then they are replaced by new ones. Blooming may not stop all year round.

Murraya blooms can last for a whole year.

Muraya is a self-pollinated plant and its fruits are easily tied. 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. Intense heat or too dry air makes the pollen unviable. If you are waiting for fruit, you need to provide the plant with comfortable temperature conditions.

Diseases and pests

With the right care, murraya practically not susceptible to disease, and is extremely rarely attacked by pests.

From excessive watering, the plant may appear root rot and powdery mildew. Of the pests, the greatest danger to murray is spider mites, scale insects, whiteflies and aphids.

You can protect the plant from the attack of spider mites and whiteflies by spraying it with an infusion of garlic (40 grams of chopped cloves per liter of water) or onions (10 grams per liter).

Treatment of Murraya leaves with soapy water or a decoction of cyclamen tubers helps a lot. You can use a decoction of tomato tops (a pound per liter of water). The resulting mixture is boiled for 20-30 minutes, a little household soap is added and murray leaves are treated.

It is better to get rid of the scale insects on the plant by treating the leaves with kerosene. The procedure is carried out very quickly and carefully so as not to burn the leaves.

Then the kerosene is washed off with soapy water. A soap-oil solution helps well in the fight against the scabbard. To prepare it, you will need 10 grams of soap and 2 times more machine oil.

The solution is thoroughly whisked and treated with murraya leaves. The plant is covered with a film for several hours, after which it is washed with water. After a week, the treatment is repeated.

Aphids are "afraid" of onion and tobacco infusion (40g per liter of water), a decoction of yarrow or celandine. If folk remedies do not cope, then you can use proven drugs: Karbofos, Fitoverm, Aktara. They do not have a detrimental effect on the murraya.

When chlorosis appears, the plant can be treated with chelated iron, and only purified water can be used for irrigation and spraying.

If Murraya drops leaves, what to do? This is caused by a lack of light or temperature changes. It is necessary to rearrange the plant to a more illuminated place or use a photo lamp, to provide protection from drafts.

Why doesn't muraya bloom? If the flower does not bloom for a long time, then transplantation and feeding will be required. Due to the lack of nutrients in the soil, strong growth of roots, the growth of the plant may slow down.

On the video you can see the features of flower care:

Growing murraya is not at all difficult, requiring no special skills and knowledge. This exotic beauty is unpretentious in care, undemanding to keeping conditions and reproduces well by seeds.

Seed preparation before planting

Before planting seeds in the ground, you need to carry out pre-sowing treatment. To do this, soak them in warm water, wait a few hours and carry out disinfection - place the seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate or "Fitosporin". In order for the planting material to germinate better in the future, the seeds must be treated with Epin or aloe juice.

Important! Do not oversaturate the plant with fertilizers! Muraya is one of the few species that tolerates deficiency much better than excess. Some gardeners plant seeds right away, but the chances of germination are significantly reduced. To ensure that the planting material germinates, it is worth germinating it in a special container. This is a kind of greenhouse with a piece of foam rubber at the bottom. It is necessary to pour water into it to the level of the substrate. The homemade greenhouse should be placed in a warm place, for example, on a heated towel rail. In this case, the temperature at the point of contact should not exceed 35 ° C. It is this indicator that is able to provide optimal conditions for the germination of citrus plants. It will be interesting for you to learn about growing at home such flowers as veronica, daisies, hatiora, zinnia, carnation. After the roots hatch from the seeds, you need to remove the greenhouse from the heating and leave it in the room. After about 3-4 days, depending on the growth of the roots, you can plant the muraya in the ground.

Description of murraya and its features

For gourmets of exotic plants, the Murraya flower is an undoubted find. This unpretentious tree, reaching up to 1.5 meters at home, has a lush green crown, flowers as white as snow and the presence of berries, which ripen unevenly, due to which the color range of this flower is constantly changing.The color of the ripe berries has a bloody scarlet color, which gives grace to this flower.

There are many legends about this amazing plant, which say that in ancient China, during the reign of emperors, the protection of this plant was equated with the protection of the owner himself. The main ability of this plant was that it could heal from cancer, give youth and immortality. Touching the delicate leaves, enjoying the wonderful smell of its flowers, having tasted the infusion from its leaves, healing comes not only for the body, but also for the soul.

Returning to our time, for the cultivation of this flower in indoor conditions, you need to know how to properly care for it and what conditions are most favorable for its growth. Experts say that there are 8 types of murraya in the world. Only two types of this flower can grow at home, the external differences of which are insignificant - these are exotic and paniculate murraya.

The life expectancy in the apartment conditions of this flower is long. The branches, stretching out, eventually form a lush crown, but due to the fragility of the shoots, the use of additional support is inevitable. Murraya grows primarily from the root system, and only after filling the entire pot with it, the rapid growth of the upper part of the plant begins, increasing every day within a few centimeters.

For a long time, the acquisition of this exotic flower was unrealistic for flower growers. But now it can be purchased at almost any flower shop. Moreover, the bush will be of Dutch selection. The unpretentiousness of growth in apartment conditions is the main plus of the home murray. Although it will take a long time to wait for this variety to bloom.

Botanical characteristic

Muraya is a tree or shrub of the Rutaceae family. In the wild, plant height reaches 7 m. Gardeners cultivate low-growing species, the maximum height of which is 1.9 m. Muraya has smooth, pleasantly smelling leaves. Each leaf includes several plates.

The botanical description has information that the flowers of this plant are white-cream, the average size is 1 pc. - 1.5 cm. The fruit is presented in the form of a red berry, it ripens within 3 months. The peculiarity of the plant is that it immediately forms buds, flowers and berries. In the wild, muray can be found in India, America, Asia.

Caring for murray at home

Location and lighting

Murraya prefers diffused bright lighting. In summer, the plant can be exposed to fresh air, and in winter, the best place for its growth is a window on the west or east side. If there are none and all windows are on the south side, then a prerequisite for murraya will be the need to shade them with a film or gauze, because it cannot stand direct sunlight.

Temperature

From spring to autumn, the most optimal temperature for growing murraya is about 20-25 degrees. With the onset of autumn, it is advisable to slightly lower the temperature of the content. In winter, it is advisable to keep the plant at a temperature of 16-17 degrees.

Air humidity

Murraya needs high humidity, so the flower needs daily spraying. Once a week, the leaves are washed under warm water, and once a week the plant can be given a warm shower. For additional moistening, the pot with the plant can be placed on a pallet with damp expanded clay or pebbles.

Watering

Murraya is very fond of watering and all kinds of procedures associated with water (spraying, rubbing the leaves). In spring and summer, the flower needs abundant watering, in autumn and winter, watering is reduced. For watering, it is necessary to use settled water at room temperature.

Important! The earth must not be allowed to dry out, otherwise the root system may die.

The soil

The optimal composition of the soil for successful cultivation of murraya should consist of a mixture of store and ordinary soil with the addition of peat and sand. To ensure the safety of the plant from harmful microorganisms in ordinary soil, it is necessary to disinfect it with special solutions (potassium permanganate is quite suitable for this).

Top dressing and fertilizers

From March to September, the murray must be fed with complex fertilizers 2 times a month, the murray will thank with abundant flowering and a gorgeous green crown. You can alternate organic and mineral fertilizers.

Transfer

Young plants are best replanted annually in the spring. Mature plants need to be replanted every 2-3 years. The pot should be selected a little larger than the previous one.

Providing good drainage is the key to excellent plant growth. It should occupy a third of the pot, preventing water stagnation, in which the death of the flower is quite likely. When transplanting murraya, you need to make sure that there is no deepening of the root collar of the plant, otherwise flowering and fruiting will stop.

Pruning and shaping the crown

Murraya usually does not need pinching. In order for the crown to grow evenly, the plant periodically needs to be turned towards a light source. In the spring, before the start of the growing season, long shoots must be shortened by a third or even half. Shoots growing inward and thickening the crown must be cut off.

Bloom

Young seedlings begin to bloom in the second year, but it is recommended to pluck the first buds to allow the plant to grow stronger. Murraya blooms from early spring to late autumn with small, white flowers. After flowering, small round berries of a dark red color develop. The berries grow and ripen for about 4 months. On the murray bush, buds can be laid at the same time, flowers open, ovaries appear and fruits ripen.

Care, temperature conditions, water introduction

In spring and autumn, I advise you to keep the tree at temperatures from + 25 to + 27 degrees. In winter, it feels good at a temperature of + 17 degrees. At this time, the muraya has a dormant period. You don't have to prune the plant as it forms the crown on its own.

However, if the tree is actively growing branches, you can adjust them by a few centimeters. In order for the muraya to evenly build up the greens, it is necessary to rotate it around its axis. Every part of the plant must receive sunlight.

I advise you to water the muraya in moderation. From early March to late November, watering should be abundant, but not frequent. Add water as the soil dries up (I recommend using warm water, free from unwanted impurities).

Reduce watering in early winter. Keep the plant in a cool place, but do not expose it to the wind.

Reproduction of murraya

Murraya can be propagated by seeds and cuttings.

Propagation by cuttings

Murray cuttings are best propagated in early spring. Apical shoots are cut into cuttings. Cut long leaves to half the length of the leaf to reduce evaporation. Cuttings are rooted in a mixture of peat and sand mixed in equal amounts. Peat can be replaced with leaf or humus soil. In addition, cuttings can be rooted in a peat tablet, perlite or in water.

The container with the handle is covered with a transparent plastic bag, glass jar, or cut off plastic bottle and placed in a bright place. The greenhouse is periodically opened for ventilation. The soil temperature must be maintained within the range of 26-30 degrees. The soil is kept moist.

After the cuttings take root, they are planted in separate small pots.

Seed propagation

Murray seeds are usually sown immediately after harvest or at any time of the year (germination lasts a long time).Before sowing, the seeds should be soaked for 1-2 hours in warm water. There is no need to use growth stimulants. The seeds are germinated in a mixture of peat and sand mixed in equal amounts or in a peat tablet.

Seeds are spread over the soil surface and covered with a 0.5-1 cm layer of substrate. The container with seeds is covered with a transparent glass or plastic bag. The greenhouse must be ventilated from time to time. The soil temperature is maintained within the range of 26-30 degrees. The seed pot is provided with good lighting, but no direct sunlight. The substrate is kept moist. It is better to moisten the soil from a sprayer, while being careful not to erode the topsoil.

Seeds germinate in 30-40 days. When 2-3 full-fledged leaves grow in the senyats, they are transplanted by the picking method into separate small pots. The seeds can be sown directly into separate pots, then they will not need to be dived.

Over time, when the root system completely fills the pot, the muraya seedlings are transplanted into larger pots. Seedlings grow slowly for the first two years, so a transplant may not be needed soon.

Reviews of the Murraya plant

Dina, the city of Chita. For me, indoor muraya is four advantages in "one bottle". It grows rapidly, constantly blooms, is unpretentious and useful. When, with a certain amount of skepticism, I first planted the seeds presented by one of my acquaintances, I did not expect such a result. Being very tiny, the bush bloomed! Since then, for almost a year now, I have been enjoying its aroma and brewing "imperial tea" from its leaves.

Ekaterina, city of Moscow. I first heard about the murray on TV, caught fire and begged for seeds through my friends from those who are engaged in her breeding. And I didn’t regret it! Few care efforts pay off handsomely - aroma and decoration! And with the help of rinsing from its leaves and eating berries, I got rid of stomatitis that constantly tormented me.

Dewdrop, a predator plant, extracts nutrients from insects that fall into its trap.

If you love cacti then check out the article Ripsalidopsis caring for it at home.

Daria, the city of Kemerovo. For me, muraya is, first of all, beauty in the room. Someone may not like the smell - it is pleasant, but too strong. But the fruits, along with flowers, decorate it wonderfully!

It will be useful to watch a video about the muraya plant, in this video you will learn a little more useful and interesting information, we wish you pleasant viewing.

Muraya blooms: there will be fruit!

There are several ways to breed muraya. It is very easy to germinate the plant of the Japanese emperors Muraya from seeds. Today - a master class on how to quickly grow a "little prince" from fruits. The proposed method allows you to get sprouts in 10-14 days. The first and most important condition is that the fruits must be ripe. This means that the "berries" of muraya acquire a bright red color. Greenish-red and - even more so - completely green fruits will not give any shoots (checked repeatedly). Here is what the fruit of muraya looks like, capable of sprouting:

Muraya fruits, ready for germination: the "berries" are ripe!

The second thing you need to pay attention to is that the seeds from the fruits should be planted in the ground right away. The longer you store them, the less likely they are to germinate. As a last resort, you can hold the “berry” in the refrigerator for a couple of days right with the pulp (but without removing the bone). And the secret of fast germination of seeds is that instead of the usual soil, I use a peat tablet. (You can just take peat). This "soil" is extremely loose and allows the sprouts to quickly find their way to the sun. Now - a master class for germinating muraya from seeds: 1. Take the red "berry", separate the bone from the pulp. The best thing is to eat the pulp. (Very tasty: a little sweet, a little bitter; something between citrus and viburnum). 2. Prepare a peat tablet.To do this, we completely immerse it in water and wait until it swells. 3. In the resulting peat mixture, immerse the muraya seeds to a depth of about 1 cm. The distance between the seeds is 2 cm. Attention! It is not necessary to scarify or soak the muraya bone. As I have already prepared, it is necessary to plant it "lukewarm" - tk. fresh. 4. We place the prepared material in a transparent greenhouse. You can simply cover the peat tablets with a plastic cup. Or you can put them in transparent containers in which, for example, cookies are packed. 5. We place the greenhouse in a bright place at room temperature. We open it periodically, checking the moisture content of the soil. (But if the greenhouse is airtight, there will be no need to water the ground until the shoots appear. Due to the condensation, there will be enough moisture). 6. In 10-12-14 days the first shoots will appear. They look like this:

Muraya sprouts: the first day

7. We open a greenhouse, place the “newborns” in a bright place, but not in the open sun. We carefully moisten the soil. (I use a spray bottle for this). In just a few days, these sprouts will be ready for picking (transplanting into separate flowerpots). To do this, they must form 2 full sheets. 8. We are preparing material for the transplantation of neophytes for permanent residence. We will need:

Muraya sprouts ready for picking

a) flowerpots, commensurate with the root system. This is another plus of using peat tablets. Through the special paper in which they are enclosed, you can easily see the roots of the sprouts. As a rule, muraya roots are long. Therefore, deep vases will be needed. b) a suitable earthen mixture. Now you need to use a soil - for citrus or universal. c) drainage. Without it - nowhere: muraya does not tolerate stagnant moisture. I use expanded clay. d) a small plastic spoon. It is convenient for her to reach the sprouts without injuring the roots. e) toothpicks and threads. Weak shoots may have to be tied up. So, let's start picking: The principles are the same as for transplanting an adult muraya (see my post on this blog about caring for this plant). Roots cannot be injured. And - be sure - to leave the root collar open (even if small sprouts seem to "float" above the soil). The plant should never be buried in the ground!

So, we take the flowerpots, place the drainage on the bottom, pour the required amount of soil. Carefully take out the seedlings with a spoon, scooping up along with the peat. We put it in a flowerpot, water it. If 1 seed is planted in 1 peat tablet, the sprout can be placed in a pot as a whole. But it is imperative to "unearth" it - so that it is not deepened in the soil.

Muraya sprouts 2 weeks after the pick

Further - care, as for an adult plant. The only moment: the sprouts need to be taught to the sun gradually. First, keep them in a less lit place for a week. And then gradually move to the window. (As we remember, muraya needs a bright diffused light - east or west side; south - with an overprint). Immediately after a dive, neophytes will begin to release twigs. And in about 2 weeks you will already have tiny plants with .. a fully formed crown. Let the "little princes" grow and delight!

Growing difficulties

With a lack of trace elements in the substrate or high alkalinity of the soil, the leaves become yellow.
If the light is too bright or due to sunburn, the leaves around the edges and in the center dry out.
If the air is too dry, the tips of the leaves dry out in the plant, the peduncles fall off.

Summing up the above, murraya is absolutely not whimsical plant, which can be grown at home even from a small seed or cuttings, and with good care and attention, it will give an unforgettable experience and good mood. Also, the flower has medicinal properties - murraya is used to treat many diseases.

Muraya - growing from seed at home

Murraya is ours and Dutch

Murraya belongs to the rutaceae family and is the closest relative of citrus fruits. At home, Murraya Paniculata is most often grown - it is easier to get seeds, purchase and receive by mail. Very often you can hear the terminology "Murraya Dutch" and "Murraya ours". What does it mean?

In fact, both are one and the same species - Murraya paniculata, synonym - Murraya exotica, popular name "Orange jasmine". The plant got its name in honor of the 18th century Swedish botanist Johan Andreas Murray. And it is written in Latin - Murraya, hence the two letters "p" in the spelling of the name. But first, the second letter "r" was skipped in the name of Murraya - it is easier to pronounce it this way, and then it disappeared from the spelling of the plant's name, which is, of course, incorrect.

From observing numerous seedlings, I can say the following that they grow and develop in different ways - some grow compactly and bloom when the first pair of true leaves appears, others pretend to be Dutch, grow by leaps and bounds and do not think to bloom. In general, very wayward plants, the crown develops in different ways, although it can and should be formed.

There is a Murraya variety 'Min a Min' - in nature there is a very dense shrub no more than 1 m high, the length of each leaf is about 1.5-2 cm.And of course, Murraya koenigii is a unique species of Murraya - its seeds can also be found on sale , the popular name 'curry tree' - its feathery leaves are more elongated than those of Murraya paniculate leaves - lanceolate, pointed at the end with a crenate edge, are included in a mixture of curry spices (the leaves have a distant smell of turpentine). The flowers are not white, but rather light creamy, with multi-flowered shields. And the berries turn black when ripe.

Murraya belongs to self-pollinated plants, fruits are set easily. After the berries are ripe, the seeds are harvested and can be sown.

Note: among flower growers there is an opinion that "Dutch Murraya" is a straight plant, poorly branching with loose branches, its complex leaf consists of 7 - 11 leaves, and flowering for 5 years; in "our murrays" the bush is compact, branches well, and the complex leaf consists of 3-7 leaves and the seedlings bloom from a very early age (2-3 months from germination). In fact, there is no such variety as "Dutch Murraya", there are different clones of the same plant. A bit of science:

The latest study, published in the American Society of Horticultural Science HorstScience "Direct Shoot Organogenesis in Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack: A Prerequisite for Genetic Transformation" in July 2013, was conducted to investigate whether there are differences between Murraya leaves and flowers obtained from different conditions. Plants were grown in vitro and in vivo, morphological and anatomical differences were also manifested in the growth rate and shape of the bush, the size of the leaves, and the rate of flowering. Therefore, if you want to get an exact clone of the plant you saw, it is advisable to purchase fruits or cuttings from the selected plant. The Dutch and American (Logee's Plants for Home & Garden) suppliers have completely different clones.

Murraya in the encyclopedia

Benefits of Muraya essential oil

People who do not have the opportunity to use fresh parts of muraya should pay attention to the oil made from the leaves of the bush. It has a pleasant spicy scent, light yellow tint and a long list of beneficial properties:

Improving the functioning of the digestive system.
Treatment of hemorrhoids.
Improving blood composition.
Diaphoretic action and stimulation of the excretory organs.
Elimination of signs of skin diseases.
Decrease in high blood pressure.
Increasing the general tone of the body.

Muraya oil can be used in a variety of ways:

Cold inhalation. We drip 2-3 drops into a tablespoon of odorless water or vegetable oil, put in an aroma lamp, under which we light a candle and conduct a session.
Hot or hardware inhalation. Add 1-2 drops of essential oil to 100 ml of water and breathe in steam for 5-20 minutes. It must be remembered that not all inhalers are allowed to use oils - you should carefully study the instructions.
Rinsing the mouth.In 0.5 cups of drinking or boiled water we dilute 3-4 drops of muraya, add a teaspoon of honey. We mix well and use it as intended. Exceeding the dosage or inadvertently swallowing may cause an attack of nausea.
Cosmetology. Essential oil is allowed to be added to creams and hair balms, shampoos, hand products. But with cosmetics for the face it is better not to risk it, the effect may be too violent.

When working with Muraya essential oil, do not exceed the indicated dosages. Such experiments do not affect the severity of the positive effect, but they can lead to unpleasant consequences.

Muraya does not bloom. Muraya does not bloom

Muraya is an evergreen tree or shrub that can grow up to 2 meters in height. Most often, flower growers grow muraya paniculata. The flower, with proper care, is able to bloom and bear fruit from early spring to late autumn. This adds a certain zest to the bush. It's so beautiful when you can simultaneously see snow-white, fragrant flowers and fruits of all shades, from bright red to dark green. Unfortunately, not all lovers of an exotic guest from the tropics can achieve such an interesting effect.
What is needed for its rapid and long flowering? Naturally, comfortable conditions of detention and the absence of diseases. How can this be achieved? Here are some tips.

Muraya is very sensitive to correct lighting. It thrives best in places where the light is bright enough, but the direct rays of the sun do not burn the delicate foliage. As a rule, these are southeast or west windows. On the southern windowsills, the flower risks getting burned, and on the northern windowsills, the muraya will wither from lack of light. And in either case, you will not wait for flowering.
A tropical guest is partial to moisture, and therefore needs daily and abundant watering. In winter, it is better to cut it slightly so that the top layer can dry out slightly.
Spraying the flower is also vital, especially in winter, when the air in the apartments is dry with heating devices. Too low humidity provokes the fall of flowers and buds, as well as spider mite disease.
Due to the tendency of muraya to chlorosis, watering should be done only with well-settled, and preferably melt or rainwater. For the same reason, chlorine-containing fertilizers should not be used.
During the growing season, and especially with the beginning of flowering, the plant needs regular alternate dressings with mineral and organic fertilizers. The procedure must be carried out monthly. But remember that an excess of nutrients will lead to the formation of a large volume of leaf mass, and the plant will not have the strength to bloom.
Despite his love for moisture, Muraya does not tolerate waterlogging. Therefore, she needs a loose, permeable substrate and a good drainage layer. With excessive moisture, the root system rots and the plant is threatened with death. In this case, there is no longer any talk of flowering.
Muraya, especially at a young age, requires an annual transplant into a larger pot. But if the diameter of the new container exceeds the previous one by more than 2 cm, then in this case the plant will give all its strength to the development of the root system. Muraya blooms profusely only in tight pots!
If the temperature regime is violated, Muraya will also feel bad. She does not like excessive heat above +25 ° C. It is much better for the plant at lower temperatures, which in winter should not exceed +17 ° C. Protect the tropical inhabitant from drafts and other sudden temperature fluctuations. This can lead to loss of flowers and buds, as well as various diseases.
Muraya flowers have one more feature - they do not tolerate the touch of hands. Enjoy their crisp white petals and wonderful scent from a distance.

Harvesting muraya leaves

When fresh leaves are used, the benefits of the plant have the maximum healing effect. For the preparation of masks, teas, infusions, the product can be dried in the traditional way and grinded. Store in sealed containers. Frozen leaves are also used in cooking, while the benefits of the product are preserved.

Advice! Excessive exposure to temperatures damages the structure of the grass, so it is not recommended to store it for a long time.

Florist tips

In addition to the basic rules for caring for this beautiful exotic tree, there are several secrets that are not known to everyone. In order for the plant to develop well, not hurt, bloom magnificently and bear fruit abundantly, you need to know some of the tricks of its cultivation.

Florist Secrets:

the tree is very fond of fresh air, in summer it is recommended to take it out to the terrace;
muraya must be protected from the sun's rays, if it is on the windowsill, in the heat you need to remove it from there or curtain the window with tulle;
so that the plant becomes a tree and does not turn into a bush, you need to constantly cut off the lower branches;
the leaves may turn yellow if they are watered with water with chlorine, it is better to take rain water for watering;
blooming flowers can last a couple of days for each to form a fruit. To do this, you need to help the plant - take a dry brush and walk it over all the flowers, transferring pollen from one flower to another;
the ground under the tree must be regularly loosened, the roots must "breathe";
for the plant to move away from the transplant, it must be placed in a darkened place for a couple of days;
it is not recommended to use plant branches for reproduction, only a few of them will take root, it is better to grow a tree from a seed.

Muraya is an exquisite plant that is easy to care for and grow. The tree will decorate any room, bring positive emotions into the house. Anyone can do the cultivation of an exotic tree. Even novice flower growers can grow a wonderful tree with a fragrant lemon scent on their windowsills.

How to choose the right indoor muraya

It is difficult to acquire the dwarf form of Murray, namely, it begins to bloom almost in the store. In addition, sellers often pass off as dwarf species Murraya paniculata, of the Dutch selection, the flowering of which occurs at 4 - 7 years.

So that you do not be fooled, we will give some distinctive features of the dwarf Murka: the stem of the seedling is slightly curved, and if you are offered a plant with a perfectly even stem, this is most likely a variety of paniculata Murraya. The second difference is the presence of buds or flowers on the seedling - undersized Murraya varieties are always sold either with flowers or with almost blossoming buds.

Look for just such a Murka in the markets or from friends, ask them to give you a berry or a seed from such a plant and grow this wonderful tree yourself!

There are legends about a houseplant named Murraya. The Japanese call it Japanese myrtle. Chinese - Imperial tree. Egyptians - Elixir of life. Many beautiful names are given by people to Murray for her wonderful abilities - Orange Jasmine, Scented Tree, Curry Tree. Housewives call Muraia affectionately - our Murka. Red Murka is called Murraya with red berries, and Black Murka is called black-fruited Murraya Koeniga. And by right, Murka is considered not only the keeper of the hearth and the guarantor of family happiness, but also a home doctor.

Culinary uses of fruits and leaves

The green parts of Murraya Koenig's black chokeberry, thanks to their citrus scent, are used in cooking - they are part of the famous Indian curry spice. Its leaves are a bit like laurel, have a pleasant aroma with hints of parsley, red pepper and sage, stimulating the appetite. Red Murray berries can be eaten fresh or added to sweet dishes. The berries of the black-fruited Murraya can also be eaten, but be careful - its bones are poisonous, they cannot be chewed and swallowed.Curry leaves are fried in ghee, after which this aromatic oil is added to soups, vegetable stews, and minced meat. This seasoning is especially combined with seafood - the food acquires a special, sophisticated, taste and aroma.

The leaves of the Curry Tree retain their qualities both when dried and when frozen, the main thing is that they do not need to be separated from the cuttings.

Murray buds, fresh and dried, can be used to brew tea. Very useful, but the smell is specific. Try it, you might like it.

Murraya: description

Muraya is a striking representative of the Root family, referring to both trees and shrubs. You can see it in India and Central Africa. It has many varieties. Care is easy with proper planting and adherence to temperature, lighting and watering.

Muraya flower

The origin and appearance of the muraya plant

It is a shrub, a relative of lemon and tangerine. The plant was first discovered in the 18th century. Swedish naturalists in the Himalayas. It is named after Murray, the scientist who found the first specimen.

For your information! Muraya is a thermophilic plant that can be seen in its natural habitat in Sumatra and Taiwan. It also grows in China, India and Nepal. It is also found on the Australian continent.

The appearance cannot leave anyone indifferent: a two-meter green plant with thin trunks covered with brown bark, with shiny smooth leaves. Each leaf contains buds, which in the spring turn into snow-white five-leafed flowers with jasmine-scent wrapped ends. At the end of spring, red muraya fruits, covered with an orange peel, appear from the flowers. Each has a yellow seed inside.

Japanese emperors tree

Murayu is called the tree of the Japanese emperors, since since the beginning of the empire in Japan, the leaves and flowers of the plant have been used for medicinal purposes. Each muraya leaf is useful. From them, tinctures with decoctions were prepared, which were allowed to drink only to representatives of the Japanese dynasty to increase the hidden qualities of a person. The imperial drink made it possible to improve sexual energy and masculine strength. Attempts to take the seed home and try to grow murraya at home ended in the beheading.

Plant flower

Muraya is an indoor flower. The buds of the plant are snow-white or milky. Appear in quantities of 10 to 15 pieces. and grow with brushes. The diameter of the flowers is 2 cm. Inside each one there are yellow stamens, the aroma resembling jasmine flowers.

Flower appearance

Muraya chemical composition

The beneficial flowers of muraya contain phytoncides, which have sedative properties that have a beneficial effect on heart activity and sleep.

Advice! For relaxation, aromatherapy with muraya oil is recommended.

The benefits of shrub leaves, consisting of the glycoside hesperidin and other substances, are manifested in a positive effect on the capillaries.

The berries of the plant are also beneficial, including vitamins and antioxidants that prevent skin aging and fading. The fruits contain potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and iron. Most of the berries are water.

The use of muraya in traditional medicine

The benefits of bush leaves are used:

with ENT diseases;
to strengthen blood vessels;
prevention and recovery after a heart attack;
skin diseases.

Decoctions and tinctures are prepared on the basis of useful leaves.

Examples of recipes:

For rinsing and drinking, 6 sheets are poured with boiling water and insisted for up to 20 minutes. Apply three times a day, 50 ml.
For lotions, a solution is prepared based on Muraya leaves, plantain and rosemary. Combining three tablespoons of ground plants with a liter of boiling water, the liquid is infused for half an hour.
For migraines, it is recommended to chew the leaves for several minutes.
Alcoholic tinctures are prepared on the basis of crushed leaves (five spoons) and alcohol (glass) for 10 days.Apply 30 drops daily before meals.
For rinsing, muraya flowers infused in boiling water for two hours are used.

The use of healthy fruits helps to normalize sugar levels, eliminate problems with potency.

Muraya leaves turn yellow: what to do

The leaves can turn yellow if the soil has an increased alkalinity or there are no useful trace elements in it. Also, the plant sheds its leaves due to a sharp drop in temperature, natural aging, lack of sufficient watering, excessive oversaturation of fertilizing, improper care. The plant can turn yellow, fall off and shed the leaves due to improper transplantation, for example, in a too spacious pot. The yellowing of the leaves can be due to the action of chlorosis (a common disease of shrubs).

So that the plant does not hurt, you need to provide moderate watering with settled water, monitor useful additives for the absence of chlorine in the composition.

In general, an exotic citrus plant can decorate any room with its appearance. It is not difficult to take care of it, the main thing is to plant it in a large pot, water it on time and do prophylaxis against diseases, otherwise it can shed its beautiful leaves and flowers.

How to transplant correctly

If Muraya is young, she needs an annual transplant. The best option would be to transplant the plant once every three years. But once a year, the top of the land needs to be replaced with a new one. The plant is transplanted by transshipment - respect for the roots is important.

Important!

If the plant is purchased from a store, it also needs replanting. But you need to do this a month after purchase. The plant will be able to adapt to new conditions, and you will not harm it.

The transplant also presupposes the correct selection of soil. Muraya loves neutral and slightly acidic soils. When preparing the land, one part of humus, 2 parts of sand and 2 parts of leafy earth are mixed independently. When buying land from the store, opt for soils prepared for citrus plants. Be sure to lay out drainage at the bottom of the pot.

Muraya species

There are about 10 varieties of muraya. Min-a-min is a useful ornamental plant that lacks seeds, just above the dwarf variety. There is also a Dutch muraya - a paniculate variety brought from the country of the same name.

There are three main varieties for home keeping:

Paniculate;
Dwarf;
Koenig.

A common species is paniculate. Differs in rapid growth, fluffy crown and bright leaves up to 15 cm long. Flowering begins no earlier than 5 - 8 years after planting. Buds are small, white, corymbose. Red berries ripen after pollination. The variety has a citrus-jasmine scent. There are several paniculate varieties with a height of 15, 60 and 100 cm.

The dwarf muraya is the most popular variety. The height of the shrub is about 60 cm. It blooms up to six months, the buds are constantly renewed. Useful fruits ripen in two to three months.

Muraya Koeniga is a species with long feathery leaves tapering towards the end. Useful leaves are used as a seasoning in cooking. The flowers are creamy, the ripe fruits resemble a black chokeberry, black in color. Koenig's bones are poisonous, so it is recommended to be careful with the fruits of the bush. Eating seeds is harmful to health.

Air humidity and watering

Muraya loves not frequent, but plentiful watering. As soon as the soil in the pot dries up by a third, the plant should be watered. It is very important to use settled water without chlorine; for this, a little citric acid is added to it. In winter, the intensity of irrigation decreases.

As a rule, the usual humidity in the apartment is enough, but on hot days you can spray the shrub with a spray bottle.

Muraya: a short description of the plant

Like many other exotic plants, muraya (also "murraya") for many years was inaccessible to our fans of indoor floriculture. Moreover, this is, perhaps, one of the most unpretentious plants that can patiently endure the hardships of the dry air of city apartments. Today it is easy and inexpensive to buy a bush of this flower. But the plants begin to bloom and bear fruit with great difficulty. A rooted stalk from a botanical garden or a seedling is a different matter.

What is such a legendary plant? Indoors, this tree is 1–1.4 m high. The white bark of the trunk and glossy dark green feathery leaves with 5–7 leaves are very beautiful. Fragrant white flowers and beads of red fruits remind of the relationship with citrus fruits. This is probably one of the longest flowering plants, moreover, it does not need a dormant period. Another attractive feature of muraya is that the plant has both flowers and ripe fruits (berries) at the same time. Outwardly, they are similar to hawthorn and are also edible - the pulp is sweetish, with a piquant aftertaste.

Some call the scent of muraya divine