Muraya species and varieties. Muraya care at home: features, photos. Muraya: home care

27.12.2021Heading: Kinds

Muraya is a rather rare and little-known tree for housewives, but a popular and beloved tropical plant among aesthetes and gourmets from floriculture. This exotic perfection can grow in your apartment too. Murraya is not only attractive in appearance and exudes an amazing aroma, but is also a healer and aroma therapist for her master. Read more about caring for muraya at home.

Murraya flower got its name in honor of the Swedish scientist, professor of botany and medicine, by the name of Murray. Sometimes there are abbreviated names of this plant - Muraya or Murray. Housewives also affectionately call her Murka. Red Murka or Black Murka, depending on the color of its ripe berries.

For the shape of the flowers and their fragrance, flower growers call the Murraya tree Orange Jasmine. For the savory taste of the leaves of chokeberry Murraya Koenig, it is called the Curry Tree. It is also called the Tree of Emperors, Fragrant Tree, Exotic Murray and Japanese Myrtle.

Muraya is a native of Japan and Southeast Asia. It is found in Taiwan, China, India. Even in Australia it can be found. In Japan, for many centuries, murrayu has been actively used to decorate gardens. And everywhere about this miracle - the plant composed legends. In Japan, the Muraya tree is called Japanese myrtle. For a long time it was intended for the elite, it was grown only in the gardens of Japanese emperors, who had to inhale the aroma of Murraya flowers every day to maintain their health and produce healthy offspring. Legend has it that for trying to take this plant or its seeds outside the imperial palace, the guilty person was beheaded. Ordinary Japanese were forbidden to grow Muraya on pain of death.

In ancient China, during the time of the great emperors, this tree was valued and protected like its owners, who believed that it was able to give youth and eternal life.

Muraya belongs to the Rutov family and is the closest relative of citrus fruits. Under natural conditions, about 10 species of this plant grow. For cultivation at home, breeders bred special low varieties of the panicled species of Muraya and Muraya chokeberry. Paniculata Murraya is called Dutch by some, ours or ordinary by others, and exotic Murraya by others. This is the same plant, but it grows, often, in different ways for everyone.

Beneficial features

Description

Muraya is an evergreen perennial plant that can live in your home for quite some time. In room conditions, Murraya is grown in the form of a bush or tree. The size also varies from 30 cm in dwarf varieties to one and a half meters. The stem and shoots of an adult plant are covered with a smooth yellow-gray bark. In young specimens, the shoots are slightly pubescent. The branches are thin, elastic, easily bent. Gradually they stretch out, forming a dense lush crown. Tall specimens of room Murraya should be tied to a support, as its branches are still fragile. At first, the flower grows slowly, but as soon as its root system has mastered the entire space of the pot, the active growth of the ground part of the plant will begin. Even miniature varieties of room Murraya grow a few cm every year. The leaves of Murraya are complex, oval or elliptical in shape, dense, shiny, consist of 5-7 dark green leaves. The size of one leaf is from one to nine cm in length and from half to 6 cm in width. The total length of a complex leaf is up to 12 cm. The leaf plate is slightly bent along the central vein. Muraya blooms in favorable conditions conditionally twice a year.

The fruits of the first flowering have not yet ripened, and the plant is again in bloom. Paniculate inflorescences are formed on the tops of young shoots. Corollas consist of five white petals with a diameter of one to one and a half cm. Long petals open wide, as if demonstrating the appearance of filiform stamens in the center of the flower. After they are pollinated, fruits appear. Depending on the variety, they are red or black, covered with a shiny smooth skin. From a distance, the fruits of Murraya look like hawthorn berries. Their maximum length reaches 2 cm in red berries. Black berries are smaller. Each berry contains two or one long seed. Murraya fruits ripen within four months. They are generally edible and healthy, with a savory, sweetish taste. We do not recommend eating all the berries at a time. But three or four pieces are very useful to eat after a hard day - they will relieve fatigue, give you new strength, you will have working capacity again, calm your nerves. The fruits of the chokeberry Murraya have poisonous seeds, do not swallow them. A feature of this houseplant is that it stands decorated almost all year round with both flowers and fruits of varying degrees of ripeness. The aroma of some species is similar to jasmine, others smell like lemon, and others smell like orange. But all exude a marvelous aroma of freshness and bliss.

But, keep in mind this feature of Murraya. Store bought, it is usually of Dutch selection. It is unpretentious, grows well in room conditions, but you can wait a long time for its flowering and not wait. If this is your case, we advise you to ask around your friends - maybe someone has a blooming copy of our usual, our murray. Get a cutting, or better, a bone, and grow your own Tropicana. A plant obtained in this way will very soon delight you with its flowering and delicious berries.

Species and varieties

As we mentioned above, there are about ten types of murray in nature, but only three of them can be grown indoors.

This species is the most popular and often found because of the beauty and decorativeness of a sprawling, fast-growing bush. It reaches a height of one and a half meters. In an adult plant, the stem is woody. Bright green leaves are oval in shape, reach 15 cm in length. They are located along the entire length of the shoots. With abundant flowering, large (up to 8 cm) corymbose inflorescences with small white flowers bloom on the tops of young shoots. After pollination, orange-red berries appear. They are edible, have a pleasant sweetish taste and an intense aroma of citrus fruits, for which panicled murray is sometimes called orange jasmine.

Murraya paniculata begins to bloom only in the fifth or eighth year of its life.

Varieties of the panicled Murraya species:

Minima is a small flowering tree up to 60 cm high. It is often used to create bonsai;
Min-a-min is a shrub up to 1 m high, with a dense beautiful crown of small, up to 2 cm long, leaves;
Dwarf Compact - this miniature tree has a height of 10-15 cm and leaves with a diameter of up to 5 mm.

Murraya Koeniga

This type of Murraya is popularly called the Curry Tree. Its pinnate leaves are elongated. The shape of the leaves is lanceolate, pointed at the end. They are used in curry spice mixture. The flowers in multi-flowered corymbs have a light cream hue, and the berries, ripening, turn black in color. The fruits of the chokeberry species of Murraya are eaten with caution - its bones contain poison!

This type of Murraya begins its flowering in the second - fourth year of life.

Murraya pygmy

It is this dwarf species of Murraya that is most in demand among exotic lovers. It was not possible to trace the origin of this plant variety. This is a small bush, 50 - 70 cm in height. In the first half of the year of his life, he blooms, and blooms, almost all year round, even in winter. At the tops of its shoots, buds are simultaneously tied, ovaries appear, flowers open, new buds form, fruits appear - this continuous process does not stop either in winter or in summer. All types of Murraya self-pollinate. Berries ripen in 2-3 months.

Murraya indoor flower care

Muraya is a very wayward plant. Even seedlings of the same plant, growing up, behave differently. Some grow neatly, in a compact bush, and begin to pick up buds after the appearance of the first pair of true leaves. And others wave from a meter, but they don’t think to bloom. Caring for the plant is not very laborious, but knowing some of the nuances will help you not only grow this wonderful tree, but also get enough of the aroma of its flowers and taste the Murraya berries.

Murraya growing temperature

For Muraya, a temperature of 25 - 26 ° C is considered comfortable in summer and slightly lower in winter. In principle, room temperature throughout the year will be just right. The minimum storage temperature must not fall below 12°C. In the warm season, you can put a flower pot on a balcony or veranda protected from rain and wind. But, sharp cooling and cold drafts have a negative effect on the delicate greenery and flowers of Murraya. Take care of your miracle tree!

Lighting

It should be bright, sunny, but, better, scattered. Direct sunlight is not contraindicated - the shoots respond well to the sun's rays on them in spring and autumn. However, on hot summer days it is better to put the flower pot deep into the room, and ventilate the room more often. The best places are on the southeast or southwest window sills. If you have only southern windows, then a light openwork shadow should fall on the plant. If your flower stands on the balcony in summer, then it is also better to keep it closer to the wall so that the midday sun rays do not burn the delicate greenery and Muraya petals. However, if your flower, so to speak, has been in natural sunlight since birth, it is used to it, and its leaves will not fade from the sun.

The duration of daylight hours all year round should be at least 12 hours, and even better - all 14 hours. Therefore, in the autumn and winter seasons, your Murka will definitely need additional lighting with a fluorescent lamp or a phyto lamp. By the way, Murraya is good with artificial lighting, it can grow and bloom with prolonged artificial light.

Watering

Murraya is an active and constantly blooming flower. In spring and summer, that is, during its active growing season, it needs regular and abundant watering, daily spraying and dusting the leaves at least a couple of times a month. In autumn and winter, watering should also be done, but moderately. Muraya can endure temporary drying with loss of turgor, but if you allow the leaf plates to dry out, the plant may die. At the same time, you can lose it from waterlogging and prolonged stagnation of water in the root system, if you constantly fill in the soil that has not yet dried out in a pot. Try to regularly and evenly moisten the soil near the flower. Do not let water stagnate in the pot pan, be sure to drain excess water.

Ambient humidity

Murraya tolerates the normal humidity of city apartments well. Even in winter, during the heating season, the plant develops normally. If the air in the room is too dry, then we recommend spraying the tropical beauty from a small spray gun more often. It is better to take soft, settled water, otherwise, from hard water, ugly lime stains will form on the beautiful leaves of Muraya. In the summer, you can bathe the plant under a warm shower.

soil and pot

For growing Muraya, loose nutrient soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction is used. She does not like greasy heavy soils. Keep this in mind if you want to prepare the soil yourself. It should contain equal proportions of soddy and leafy soil, leafy humus and sand (as baking powder). Moreover, young plants should have a little more sand or other baking powder (vermiculite or perlite). To prevent diseases and pests, decontaminate the soil prepared by yourself (calcine, or steam, or spill with potassium permanganate). In order not to bother, buy a ready-made soil mixture for citrus plants in the store.

Choose a pot for planting of such a size that by the time the plant blooms, the root system has filled it thoroughly. In a tight pot, Murraya blooms more readily and more abundantly. We remind you that a drainage layer and several drainage holes are required at the bottom of the pot.

Flowering and fruiting

As you have already seen, Murraya is a very unusual plant. At one time, there are buds, flowers, ovaries, and even fruits of varying degrees of maturity on it. Amazing, isn't it? This flower does not have a pronounced dormant period. Although the flowers stay on the branch for no longer than three days, more and more buds are constantly blooming, berries appear from the first flowers - and so almost all year round. The fruits of Murraya are tied easily, because this plant is self-pollinated. Sometimes, heat or too dry air makes the pollen unviable. You have to figure it out for yourself when the flowering doesn't bear fruit. Provide the flower with favorable conditions for fruiting and you will enjoy fragrant berries.

top dressing

Adult plants begin to feed during the growing season, flowering and the formation of ovaries. Once or twice a month is enough. It is not worth overfeeding Murka. You should also not use fertilizers that contain chlorine, because of the risk of a disease such as chlorosis.

But you will also see the lack of nutrients in the soil by the leaves of the plant - they will begin to turn yellow, and the set fruits will fall off. In the spring, you can feed with liquid fertilizer "Emerald", the rest of the time, use "Growth". Top dressing during the setting and bearing of fruits by Murraya, use a special one for citrus plants. Suitable "Flower Happiness" from Fasco, only in a reduced dose than recommended. You can also use special top dressing for bonsai - they are selected in the optimal ratio of macro and microelements necessary for the plant. But ordinary, complex fertilizers for flowering plants are also suitable.

pruning

Murraya easily lends itself to the formation of a crown, she tolerates a haircut painlessly. Leave skeletal branches, and periodically remove young shoots. Just do not cut all its branches at once. Form the crown gradually, during its active growth from the end of winter and all spring. By shortening long shoots, you stimulate the emergence of new, side branches. The crown becomes thicker and more magnificent. If you want to grow Murraya in the form of a tree, shorten unnecessary lower branches gradually. At first, the flower pot will stand on a table by the window, and when Murraya grows up and you form it in the form of a tree, the flower pot can already be placed on the floor. The crown will just be at the level of the window, and natural light will be enough for it.

If you did not want to cut off the tops of the shoots with the buds that appeared and left the plant without pruning, the decorativeness of the flower can suffer greatly. Elongated branches will form inflorescences only at the ends, and the middle of the plant may become bare. Waiting for Murraya to bloom is also useless - it will bloom constantly. On the branches now and then buds, then berries will form.

If you purchased Murraya for medicinal purposes, then only the old, yellow leaves and shoots need to be trimmed to preserve the healthy parts of the plant. Here you can choose which plant you need - decorative or medicinal.

Miniature cultivars of Murraya do not need to be pruned regularly. But she tolerates the formation of a crown to her taste normally. You can even create a bonsai tree to please yourself and surprise your guests!

On young, not yet strong, Murraya bushes, which are about to bloom, it is also necessary to pinch the tops with buds. So you save the strength of the bush for growth and re-flowering. This operation may have to be repeated more than once, as the young Murka will again pick up buds. But, until the plant gets stronger and gains vegetative mass, until it grows up to about 20 - 30 cm in height, its shoots need to be pinched. Brew torn leaves and buds with tea - both healthy and tasty!

Transfer

Young plants are transplanted every spring into a larger pot so that Murraya has room to grow the root system. Too large a pot should not be taken, as a capricious beauty loves to bloom in a cramped pot. That is, by the time it blooms, the root system of the flower must master all the space allotted for the roots. This will be a signal to build up the ground part of the plant, and the formation of numerous buds.

Adult specimens are transplanted less frequently, once every three years. For them, the procedure for replacing the top layer of soil in a pot is sufficient.

Transplant Murrayi by transferring the plant along with an earthy clod into a new, slightly larger pot. Do not allow the root neck of the flower to deepen. Be sure to put a 3-5 cm layer of drainage on the bottom of the pot, then fill in some of the new soil and, only then, place your Murraya there. Fill with earth all the voids in the pot. Shake the pot slightly if necessary. Use the soil for growing citrus houseplants. Pour the flower with warm settled water and put it in a shaded place to adapt and relieve stress from transplanting.

reproduction

Propagation with seeds

Seeds of indoor Murraya species can be purchased at specialized stores. But it’s better if you collect or give you seeds from a plant that you like, which is actively developing, constantly blooming and strewn with delicious beautiful berries - then the guarantee that you will get what you want increases many times over.

For growing Muraya, the seeds of those fruits that have sung on the branches for 4 months are suitable. However, Murray Koenig's black berries ripen in two months. No need to wait until the berries fall off on their own - then they will already be overripe and not suitable for planting. Try to remove ripe berries from the bush in time. Keep in mind that the seeds lose their viability quickly, so they should be sown immediately, shortly after harvest. If it is necessary to save the seeds for some time, this must be done directly in the berries, which are slightly dried and stored in paper bags.

And so, if the berries are ripe, eat the pulp or just wash it off, releasing the seeds. Clean the pulp carefully. Rinse the peeled seeds in a strainer under warm running water, and place them in a glass with Bordeaux liquid or some other fungicide for 2 to 3 hours (possibly overnight) for disinfection. Then rinse again with running warm water.

We draw your attention to the fact that green seeds hatch faster than beige seeds, and brown seeds do not germinate at all - they are either rotten or not developed.

Select good looking seeds. Place them on a layer of wet foam rubber in a greenhouse under the lid - the seeds should hatch before planting! The temperature for this is high, up to 30 ° C. Seeds germinate in different ways. It will take three to seven days. At this stage, you will see how your seeds germinate. For further germination, choose only seeds with good fast germination. Seeds with bad roots or not at all started to grow - throw away without regret.

Prepare containers for planting seeds. Deep containers with lids or any pots will do. You can plant each seed in its own disposable cup with a drainage hole in the bottom, and then place all the cups in a plastic box and cover it with a film to create a greenhouse effect. Do it the way you like. Fill the containers with a wet substrate from a mixture of peat and sand. You can use ready-made soil for citrus plants. Spread the seeds on the surface, press them into loose soil half a centimeter deep. Cover with a lid or film, put in a bright place. The seed germination temperature should be 25-30°C. If there is not enough heat and light, place a planting container under a phyto lamp. After two to three weeks, almost all seeds will germinate. Now the lid of the container must be slightly opened for a short time, the landings must be ventilated and hardened. If necessary, spray with warm water from a fine spray bottle. Usually, seedlings develop actively. If any sprout fails to free itself from the shell, help it with tweezers, only carefully. When 2 true leaves appear, transplant them without picking into separate pots. Dwarf varieties of Murraya form buds in 3 to 6 months, flowering of the usual, or Dutch, Murraya will have to wait.

Reproduction using shoots (cuttings)

Rooting cuttings is more laborious and less effective than seed propagation. It is necessary to choose shoots without buds or wait until they fade. And for a flower like Murraya, which blooms and bears fruit for most of the year, this is problematic. For reproduction, such a one-year-old shoot is suitable, which is already half woody, with two to three leaves. Treat the lower cut of the shoot with root and place for rooting either in a glass of warm, settled water, or immediately in a wet mixture of peat and sand under the film. For rooting, choose a bright warm place (25 - 30 ° C). After one and a half to two months, you will see young shoots, which means that the cuttings have roots. Gradually accustom the seedlings to the open air, remove the film for a short time at first, then longer. After a few days, the film can be removed completely.

A rooted cutting in a glass of water is also transplanted into a pot with a soil mixture suitable for growing flowering citrus plants according to all planting rules.

Diseases and pests

This plant is very hardy. It rarely gets sick, and is almost not affected by pests. With careful and caring care for an exotic beauty, there should be no problems with growing it.

Possible flower problems:

All this is not desirable - the tender leaves and flowers of Murraya can suffer greatly. Keep pests out of your home!

We introduced you to an amazing indoor plant, domestic Murka, which constantly gives the owners joy and well-being. All its merits cannot be counted! Exotic, decorative, unusual interior decoration for your home, air purifier, rich citrus aroma in all rooms, free healer and carrier of tasty and healthy berries all year round - this is all in one indoor flower named Murraya. Try to grow this exotic miracle yourself from a small seed or cutting, and you will feel the pride of the grower and the envy of the guests of your house.

Muraya is a plant from the rue family. In nature, there are approximately 10 different species. In its natural environment, it is found in China, Taiwan, India, in general, approximately in most of the southern Asian space. This beauty also grows in Australia.

Muraya refers to evergreens. At the same time, it grows to the size of a small tree, in extreme cases a bush. It has a fairly thin and flexible trunk with light gray bark. Murraya leaves are smooth, rather fleshy, of a beautiful dark green hue. They have a round or oval shape, there are no figured cutouts like maple in this case on the leaves.

The flowers are white, have an average diameter of 8-10 centimeters. Each flower has five distinct petals, like an asterisk. In their shape, muraya flowers resemble a lily. Also, like a lily, their petals are gracefully bent back. After the plant has finished flowering, a small fruit is formed, which has edible pulp and a small bone inside. It takes about 4 months for the fruits to ripen.

Keep in mind that muraya, under favorable conditions, is quite capable of blooming and bearing fruit all year round. Therefore, the plant has such an interesting feature, when on the same specimen you can see both buds, blooming flowers, and simultaneously ripened fruits. In the photo below, muraya blooms.

Kinds

In our country, two main types of muraya are cultivated.

Muraya Koenig. This plant is naturally found in India. In its natural habitat it grows up to 4-6 meters in height. It has beautiful pinnate leaves of small size. This type 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 effect and picturesqueness. Muraya Koeniga after flowering produces black fruits with a glossy surface, they have an elongated shape. In each such fruit plant, there is one single seed.

An interesting fact: since the Indians use the leaves of the plant as an integral component of curry seasoning, in their homeland it is also called the curry tree. This plant begins to bloom and bear fruit at 2-4 years of age. It has one drawback: home care for this type of muraya is quite troublesome and not every grower will be able to do it. But at the same time, there is a plus, these are the medicinal properties of the plant. It helps treat heart disease.

Muraya paniculata (paniculata). This species is also known as exotic muraya. It is native to the jungles of Australia and the warm, humid rainforests of South Asia. In nature, it grows up to 3 meters, the plant is decorated in the form of a shrub. It has rather 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. Seeds in stone 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 its flowering in the fifth or eighth year of life. Unlike muraya Koenig, the variety is quite unpretentious, and this type of murray is easier to care for, it is easier to cultivate it in the climatic and domestic realities of our country.

Among gardeners, the dwarf murray variety is very popular. 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 release several full-fledged and quite decorative flowers. This variety of murray is not artificially bred, as it may seem, the species arose as a result of a natural mutation.

Care

Muraya is not particularly whimsical at home breeding, but some rules should still be followed. Consider the main and most useful of them:

The soil

Murraya likes the soil to be fairly loose and slightly acidic. The ideal mixture for her is as follows: in a ratio of 2: 2: 2: 1, mix turf and leaf soil, add humus and clean river sand of a large fraction there. Also, a good way out, if you are having difficulty where to get all the necessary components for the substrate, is to buy ready-made land for citrus fruits in the store. But in the finished soil for murray, you should definitely add some substance that has the effect of a baking powder. It can be vermiculite or coconut fiber. Perfect for perlite. Keep in mind that the younger the plant, the more loose soil suits it. Accordingly, more of this loosening agent should be added to the pot with a young plant, this will ensure excellent and continuous flowering.

top dressing

The plant should be fed about once a month. And you need to alternate organic and mineral supplements. Ideally, a special composition for bonsai nutrition is suitable as a mineral fertilizer for murray. It must be borne in mind that overfeeding with nutrients of this plant is unacceptable. And it is better to give something to the plant than to feed it. If this happens, it should be borne in mind that now its leaves will grow strongly, while flowering will become rare. But flowers are the main decorative decoration of 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 plentiful quantities. But there are benefits and harms from watering. Strong 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 be aware that in cool times and in winter, watering must be reduced in order to prevent excessive moisture in the substrate.

In this case, only soft, settled water should be used. It also should 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 the watering conditions are not properly observed, the leaves of the murray 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 in dry air, because in this case the tips of the leaves begin to dry out. And also in the murray of the Ming variety, flowers and buds fall prematurely. Therefore, if the room is hot and stuffy, or if the batteries work in winter, you should regularly spray murray leaves from a spray bottle. Also, experienced flower growers are advised to put a pot with a plant on a pallet with expanded clay or other drainage drowned in water.

Lighting

Murraya, as a southern guest, loves sunlight very much. Therefore, it must be grown in a well-lit area. But at the same time, it is better to shade from midday scorching direct rays. It would be ideal to create enough diffused light for the plant.

In an apartment, a pot with muraya should be placed on the windows on the east or west side. If you put it on the window on the south side, then do not forget to shade at noon. It is better not to grow murray on the north side of the house. There is little light, so the muraya will begin to shed its foliage.

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 it 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 both lower and greatly increase these temperature indicators. Black murraya does not tolerate drafts. The forum on our website will tell you all the secrets of growing this exotic beauty.

Transfer

While the plant is young, about the first 3-4 years, it is transplanted every year. At the same time, each next pot for murray should be taken only 1-2 centimeters more than the previous one, otherwise the leaves will fall off the plant. 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 an adult if it has already bloomed at least 2-3 times. Muraya is transplanted in summer or spring by transshipment. In this case, it is necessary to carefully shake off the roots from the clods of the old earth and, if possible, remove the top layer of soil. Then transplant into the same pot, but with new soil.

pruning

In this sense, Muraya will have to tinker. After all, in order to give the plant a magnificent shape, experienced flower growers recommend pinching literally every new branch in order to set it in the right direction, namely, in different directions. Do not allow murray branches to grow randomly, because in this case the decorative effect of the plant will decrease.

It should be borne in mind that if you grow a dwarf tree, then you do not need to pinch it. This plant itself is compact and grows as it should initially. But if you want to create a bonsai, then only in this case you will need the formation of a bush and pinching. Reviews of flower growers say that there is nothing difficult in forming a neat bush.

Winter rest period. This plant does not have a definite pronounced period of sleep. It is easy for her to bloom and bear fruit with proper care and favorable conditions even all year round. But if suddenly the conditions of detention do not suit her, the first sign of this will be the fact that the plant sheds leaves.
Bloom. Each new murray flower stays in its place for one to two days, after which it falls off. But flowering continues uninterruptedly, so after the fallen flower, new ones will bloom right there.
Fruit. With good and suitable air humidity, muraya bears fruit without much effort and help from the grower. But if there are difficulties, then you can help the plant to set the 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 delicate stigma of murray quickly loses its vitality. And it can be affected by dry air, heat or insufficient watering. In this case, do not pollinate - there will be no sense until you create favorable conditions. Watch a video on how to properly care for a plant.
Diseases and pests. Like most domestic plants, it is susceptible to major pests: damage by scale insects, mealybugs, and whiteflies. Also for seeds and leaves, murray is a danger to aphids. 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 free of chlorine.

reproduction

Japanese panicled murraya can reproduce both by 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, from the seeds of dwarf murray, an excellent healing tincture is obtained.
Murraya Koeniga can be propagated by seeds and root shoots.

Mysterious murraya dutch

Often mentioned by many in conversations, on the forums, Dutch muraya. What is this animal? Let's figure it out.

Some not very experienced flower growers unknowingly take it for some separate variety of muraya. It is not right. At its core, Dutch is a common panicled murray. The only thing Dutch in it is that it was delivered to this store from the Netherlands. In this country, the plant used to decorate even the mines. And there it is customary to plant several different-sized plant seedlings in the same container. Its only feature is its unusual openwork foliage and interesting fruits.

How not to get burned when shopping

It is impossible to buy dwarf muraya in stores, as well as a paniculata plant. A grower can buy it only from another grower. At the same time, the price of these murrays will be quite decent - for a tiny monthly sprout they ask an average of 300-400 rubles. Keep in mind that if you come across a scammer, he can easily pass off an ordinary panicled muraya sprout as an expensive dwarf specimen of a plant. After all, the so-called Dutch murraya costs 15-20 rubles per seedling in the store. And most often they are sold in a group - for 150 rubles for about 15-20 pieces.

How not to fall for the bait of a scammer and with a 100% chance of acquiring 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 already 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.

How many more unexplored flowers the tropics will give us. Muraya is one of the representatives of exotic plants. This is not only a beautiful, but also a useful plant. For medicinal purposes, all parts of the tree are used, including the underground part.

Description and features of muraya

In wild nature Muraya tree(Murraya) or shrub reaches 3 meters in length. The room stretches up to 1 -1.5 m. Trees can be found on the islands of the Pacific Ocean, tropical forests, India, Asia.

The plant emits a magical smell. Inhaling its aroma, you can get a charge of vivacity, develop mental ability, restore the cardiovascular system and improve sleep. The famous botanist D. Murray discovered this plant back in the 18th century, and the flower was named after him.

Muraya's trunk is woody with a yellow tint. The leaves are dark green, fleshy with a citrus aroma and lemon notes. Due to this, the plant is successfully used in cooking, medicine, cosmetology. The shape of the leaf is varied: oval, round, with a slight bend to the outside.

Muraya flowers snow-white or with milk caps. The diameter of the inflorescence varies from 1.8-2 cm. Moreover, they grow as singles or collected in a brush.

In the photo Dutch muraya

To change colors, red oval ones appear muraya berries. The maturation period lasts about 4 months. The appearance is similar to the fruits of hawthorn, and similarly they have medicinal properties:

stabilize blood pressure;
reduce headache;
tone the body;
reduce blood sugar.

The uniqueness of the plant in the simultaneous formation of fruits and the growth of new buds. Berries with a peculiar taste, have a sweetish aftertaste. Useful muraya properties not only in fruits, leaves, but also roots, stems, flowers:

The first signs of a sore throat can be removed if you take a few leaves and chew thoroughly in your mouth, only then swallow. If the disease progresses, rinsing with decoction will help here. Brew a few leaves like tea. After 15 minutes, you can use the drug every two hours.
In the rehabilitation period of the post-infarction state, tincture is used. Fruits and leaves, crushed in equal proportions (5 tablespoons) are infused in a dark place on vodka (250 g). After two weeks, apply 30 drops before each meal.
Tincture of the following components will save you from dermatitis: plantain, murraya (3 tablespoons each), brew with 1 liter of boiling water.

Cosmetology has not bypassed the useful gifts of nature and has found application for them:

A daily intake of 5 berries per day will help prevent aging of the body. The skin will retain elasticity and moisture.
For women after 30 years, a decoction will help balance aging skin. For this, 2 tbsp. spoons of flowers brew with water 0.5 liters. Leave for 7 hours under a warm cloth. Then, strain and use instead of washing with water in the morning.

Muraya contraindications

Each drug can bring not only benefit, but also harm. Therefore, before using prescriptions, you should consult a doctor for advice. Even if the plant does not cause side effects.

It is important to remember about alcohol tinctures! They intensely reduce pressure. Therefore, when taking them, you need to control blood pressure. The following factors that can be used are idiosyncrasy, pregnancy, infants.

Having studied the benefits and harms of muraya, we can conclude. That one should not abuse alcohol tinctures, fruits and ignore the advice of doctors.

Planting and breeding muraya

Choose a place in the apartment with bright diffused light. The soil for planting should be slightly acidic and loose. It is enough to take soil for citrus crops in a flower shop, add vermiculite.

At home, you can take river sand with humus and leafy soil. Before use, heat the mixture or impregnate it with a solution of potassium permanganate. Growing Muraya can be done in two ways.

Propagation by cuttings:
1. For this method, mature plants with a sufficient number of shoots, in early spring, are suitable.
2. Cut off the crown cuttings 15 cm long.
3. Cut large leaves in half.
4. It is good to root the cuttings in a peat tablet, water, perlite.
5. Before planting, treat the cut with zirconium.
6. Put glass or plastic jars on the cuttings to create a favorable microenvironment.
7. From time to time to do airing, spraying the soil.
8. Keep the container in a consecrated place.
9. The optimum temperature is 26-29 degrees C.
10. The appearance of new leaves will be a signal that the cuttings have taken root.
11. Shelter can be removed and the branches distributed in separate pots.

Muraya breeding from seed:
1. The time of sowing seeds is not tied to time. Once the seeds have formed, they can be used as planting material.
2. Germination is maintained for a long time.
3. The fruits are peeled and soaked for a while (2 hours) in a warm liquid.
4. Pour peat mixed with sand in equal proportions into the container.
5. Lower the seeds and sprinkle a little and moisten the soil. Do not compact the earth, it should be loose on the surface.
6. Create a mini greenhouse, periodically ventilate and monitor the soil moisture in it. It should not be wet or dry.
7. Lighting should be bright with a temperature of 29 degrees C.
8. After one month, one and a half shoots will appear.
9. Remove cover.
10. The signal for picking will be two real leaves. If the seeds are planted immediately in separate pots, picking is excluded.
11. The soil for young seedlings should be looser than for adult specimens.
12. As soon as the roots fill the entire pot, the plants will start to grow.
13. Muraya from seeds will bloom the next year, but the buds should be cut off so that the plant is well strengthened in the underground part.

Muraya care

In order for the plant to bestow flowers and fruits, it is necessary to take care of the muraya , in the following way:

1. Watering muraya plants spend moderate. The exception is hot weather. Irrigation in this case increases, but this does not mean that it should be flooded. Waterlogged soil will not allow the flower to grow, and will provoke rotting of the root system.

In winter, watering is reduced. Special requirements apply to water: soft, settled water. It can be rain or melted snow. The bush responds positively to rubbing muraya leaves from dust and spraying.

2. Top dressing alternate with complex mineral fertilizers and organic matter. No more than once a month.

3. Since the tropics are the birthplace of the plant, do not forget about high humidity. You can achieve it in the apartment, if you spray the bush, place it in an aquarium or put it on a pan with water. These measures are especially relevant when the heating is turned on.

4. Murraya loves light, but does not tolerate direct sunlight. If the apartment does not have an east, west side, then it is worth covering the glass with gauze, using blinds at lunchtime. The north window gives little light. Here, on the contrary, it is necessary to use additional consecration. Otherwise, the flower may shed its leaves. The plant responds well to walks in the summer.

5. Observe the following temperature regime: summer - 25 degrees C, winter - 17. Muraya does not like drafts.

In good weather, muraya can be taken outside

6. Replant young seedlings every year. Choose the next pot 2 cm larger than the previous one. Adult specimens are transplanted once every 3 years. Drainage is of particular importance.
Fill them with a flowerpot should be 1/3 of it. Do not bury the root neck into the ground.

Use the transfer method. When the entire bush with soil is carefully pulled out, the root part is inspected. If there is decay and dead roots, remove. A layer of soil is sprinkled on the drainage, then the parts are seated, removed. Soil is poured over the drainage, and a tree with a clod of earth is planted. New soil is sprinkled on the sides of the plant.

For a few days, put the container in a shaded place so that the flower survives the stress. Then, again put the flowerpot on the consecrated place.

When transplanting, you should carefully look at the root, remove diseased and rotten parts

7. A uniform crown can be achieved not by pinching, but by turning the flowerpot towards the light. In the spring, carry out sanitary pruning. And also shorten large shoots by 1/3. Get rid of the shoots growing inside the bush.

Types and varieties of muraya

According to experts, only 10 species of muraya live in nature. Of these, two species are suitable for growing at home. The first kind - exotic muraya (Muraya exotica) or foreign. This species is native to Japan.

There it is called Japanese myrtle. Earlier, almost 4 centuries ago, mere mortals could not grow it - it was punishable by death. The plant was intended only for the elite. Over time, plants related to citrus and rue passed into the possession of the people.

An adult exotic muraya can be mistaken for a lemon one from afar. The trunk of young shoots is green, and the leaves are similar to citrus specimens. The tree itself emits an exquisite tart aroma of rue.

Inflorescences cover the crown with white caps in the form of a garland. The fruits are red in color, reminiscent of a miniature lemon. If you bite into it, then in your mouth, like a juicy persimmon. The benefits of muraya exotic was noticed back in the days of the ancient Egyptian estates. Tibetan medicine also cannot do without this plant.

exotic muraya

The second kind is muraya paniculata(Murraya paniculata). The birthplace of the evergreen shrub is China. Natural specimens grow up to 3 meters. Grown in room culture muraya blooming like bonsai.

Shoots end with flowers collected in clusters. The leaves are leathery, oval, twisting slightly outward. Long flowering of snow-white flowers, ends with the appearance of useful berries.

In the photo, panicled muraya

Scientists have conducted a lot of research and found that the plant affects cancer cells, and does not allow them to develop, thanks to the active substances that are in the composition of the plant. Buy muraya it wasn't possible before. Now all flower shops are happy to offer you a useful flower.

Muraya Koeniga. Some flower growers think that this is a representative of the paniculate species. But the plant has nothing to do with it. In the wild, murraya Koenig grows in India and is considered a separate species.
The tree can be called a giant among other species, since its height is 6 meters. Powerful barrel 0.4 meters. Surprisingly small flowers are collected in one brush up to 80 pieces, like separate bouquets.

Berries after flowering become black, but its seeds are poisonous. Although the pulp is edible. Growing it indoors is very difficult. But there are lovers who want to "tame" a capricious variety.

Diseases and pests of muraya

Improper care for muraya has the following consequences:

the plant feels good in slightly acidic soil, but if there is an excess of alkali, the leaves of the plant will turn yellow in the composition of the soil;
the appearance of dry leaves at the edges or in the center. This is the first signal that the bush has received a sunburn;
inflorescences fall. This indicates that the air is too dry.

The most dangerous pests for the plant are mites, thrips, spider mites, scale insects. In the fight against them, the leaves should be washed with soapy water and treated with insecticides.

Muraya is a representative of the Rutov family, in the nature of which there are about 12 species. This perennial plant is able to give an exotic color to any room.

Leaves and fruits of muraya can be to eat, while they contain substances that have a beneficial effect on health.

Types of muraya

At home, only 2 types of muraya are grown:

Muraya Koeniga(in Latin Murraya koenigii). It grows naturally in India. This plant reaches a height of six meters. The leaves are narrow, pinnate and very long - up to 22 cm. The flowers of this muraya are white, arranged in inflorescences of 30-80 in one. The fruits are oblong, shiny, black. One fruit of Muraya Koenig contains only one seed. The leaves of this variety of muraya are used to make a popular Indian curry seasoning.
Muraya exotica(in Latin murraya exotica). It is also called "panicle". It grows in areas of Northern Australia, but is also found in Asia. Unlike Muraya Koenig, which looks like a tree, this species is a fast-growing shrub, sometimes reaching a height of three meters. The leaves grow no more than 15 cm in length, and the upper leaves of this muraya are larger than the lower ones. Special Interest in this species, they are not flowers, but bright reddish fruits, the aroma of which can only be compared with an orange.

In room conditions, a dwarf variety is more often grown. panicled muraya. This bush grows for a very long time and does not gain more than half a meter in height.

Muraya care

Care for this plant has its own specifics, although it does not pose much of a problem. If you correctly follow all the recommendations, muraya will reward you with a lovely view and a wonderful aroma.

Lighting and temperature

Muraya loves good illumination, but does not tolerate direct sunlight, so diffused light is better for it.

Perfect muraya location- western or eastern window sills.

You can put a pot of muraya on the south window, but then you have to shade it from the sun during the daytime. The main thing here is not to overdo it with protection from excess light - in low light, muraya starts intensely drop leaves.

In the spring and summer months, this plant will feel good at a temperature of 22-25 ° C, while in winter the room should be slightly cooler, but not lower than 15 ° C. If the temperature drops below these indications, muraya will start fade and hurt.

Watering mode and air humidity

In the warm months of the year, muraya is required a lot of moisture. It is necessary to water it at this time often, but do not allow the earth in the pot to be too wet and, even more so, to stagnate. It's for education root rot.

From September-October, at the first cold snap and until the end of winter, watering should be reduced and carried out only when the top layer of the soil has dried out well. Water for watering muraya must first be defended or boiled.

Dry air is not very terrible for this plant, but in hot weather it is better to moisten it all the same so that the leaves do not begin to dry out and fall off. Recommended daily spray muraya with water at room temperature, or place the pot in a tray filled with wet expanded clay.

Fertilizer

Too often to feed muraya Not recommended, as it will produce abundant foliage growth despite the fact that the flowers will almost cease to form.

Optimal mode- once a month, applying mineral fertilizers and organic matter in turn. Good for these purposes top dressing for bonsai.

Should not be allowed so that chlorine is contained in the fertilizer for muraya, since this plant may suffer from a disease such as chlorosis.

In winter, muraya is fed a little more often than in warm seasons.

Transplantation and soil composition

Transplant this plant is needed as its growth increases. For young seedlings, an annual transplant is required, and for older plants, this procedure is needed much less frequently. It will be enough to pour fresh soil on top.

First, a suitable pot is selected, which will be a couple of centimeters larger than the old one. Plant very carefully removed from the pot along with the soil, shaken slightly and planted in a new soil. In order not to damage the roots during transplantation, it is advisable to use a special spatula to extract the plant.

The soil for muraya it is necessary to select neutral or slightly acidic. If you make the mixture yourself, you need to take turf, leaf soil and humus in equal parts, as well as half of the coarse sand.

You can use purchased soil intended for succulents, diluting it with any baking powder. At the bottom of the pot a thick layer of drainage should be laid.

reproduction

Muraya is propagated cutting method and seed. Cuttings are taken only from adult plants, cut off and placed in a container of water, after which they wait for the formation of roots. When the roots appear, the cuttings are planted in separate pots.

With the seed method of reproduction use bones from the fruits of muraya. They are planted in the soil and waiting for the emergence of seedlings. This process usually takes about a month. Bushes are formed for 3-4 months.

Muraya pests and diseases

This plant can affect, and. Regularly rinsing the muraya with warm water in the shower can prevent the appearance of pests. And if they have already appeared, only insecticides will help.

Medicinal properties

This plant has been famous since ancient times for its exceptional healing qualities. When flowering, it releases special essential oils into the air, which not only have a calming effect, but also help to reduce the likelihood of heart attacks by almost 2 times.

In the fruits of muraya contains a lot of vitamins and antioxidants that delay the aging of the body. They are able to lower blood pressure, normalize blood sugar levels, and also improve the condition with all kinds of diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

The leaves of this plant have analgesic and wound healing properties, they are effectively used for the treatment of diseases of the oral cavity, toothache, sore throat, gastritis, stomatitis, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as diseases of the joints as a local remedy.

The majestic emperors of Japan have been a symbol of supreme power and justice in the East for many centuries. The word of the emperor was more than the law, and any of his whims were fulfilled in the shortest possible time. And, of course, the rulers had some of the best rooms in the world, clothes, food and decorations. Therefore, it is not surprising that almost 500 years ago, when Japanese travelers stumbled upon 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 delivered to the emperor's palace. And soon, Muraya, unknown to anyone before, began to bear the title of the imperial tree, and was grown exclusively for the gardens and chambers of the Japanese rulers. The marvelous smell of Muraya, according to legend, helped people to be closer to the gods, clarifying and strengthening their minds, giving new strength and confidence to the body, and providing the descendants of the person who inhaled the scent of Muraya with strong and strong-willed personalities.

Today, Muraya has retained all of its properties, which then struck 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 for the plant to take root, and begin to bloom and bear fruit. Where to get this Muraya flower, how to care for it - these are very important questions. If this is your first time encountering this plant, the best solution is to use top cuttings, as they take root best in new conditions. Muraya care for her is not easy. 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 transplanted very often, the best option is to transplant 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 repotted every two to three years.

The tree of emperors of Japan - Muraya flower how to care for it to please you? It is very important that Muraya loves the sun, but besides, too much sunlight can destroy him, since the leaves and flower stalks of the plant are extremely unstable to burns. As a result, the plant needs a sunny location, shaded if necessary, to avoid drying and death of the tree. Another rule of Muraya flower how to care for it is proper watering. Muraya prefers plentiful, but not frequent, as in the natural mountain habitat this cycle of soil moisture prevails. As well as in the mountains, the air in the room where Muraya is located must be well humidified, since dry air, along with direct sunlight, is detrimental to the plant. It would be nice to give the plant a warm shower from a sprayer once a week, or wash the leaves with warm water. Now let's move on to the seasons, and the cycles of the plant. Summer is the most active period in the development of Muraya, during which it is best to transplant or reproduce. Autumn, like spring, is the 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 in order to prepare Muraya for change. Winter, this is the 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 Muraya fruit is a unique medicine, the use of which is practiced in modern Japan, as well as ginseng in China. Ripe fruits of bright red color can be consumed, both in their natural form, and by preparing a decoction based on them, which will relieve almost any pain and bring peace to your thoughts.