Murraya is a beautiful, tasty and healthy exotic. How to grow muraya at home: advice from gardeners Dutch muraya
Muraya - charming indoor plant, which is valued not only for its flowering, but also for its delicate aroma, reminiscent of jasmine. The peculiarity of the flower is that it blooms all year round, while setting fruit. Thanks to this, you can simultaneously observe buds, flowers, and berries on one bush. Although Muraya is known as a capricious woman among gardeners, she should be kept at home, because by creating suitable conditions for her, you can achieve continuous flowering and enjoy the wonderful aroma.
Origin and description of muraya
Muraya is a shrub or small tree belonging to the Rutaceae family along with well-known citrus fruits such as lemon or tangerine.
The plant was first discovered at the end of the 18th century in the Himalayas by the Swedish naturalist Murray, in whose honor it received its name.
Under natural conditions, muraya is found in Southeast Asia, in particular in Sumatra, Taiwan, in the mountainous regions of China, India and Nepal. In addition, it can be seen in the northern part of the Australian continent.
The bush is small; on average, muraya grows up to two meters in height. Thin and flexible stems are covered with light gray bark. The leaf blades are leathery, shiny and smooth to the touch. On one leaf there are several dark green elongated leaves.
The snow-white flowers consist of five petals bent back. They are collected in racemose inflorescences and exude wonderful aroma, reminiscent of the scent of jasmine. Muraya fruits are small and oval. Outwardly, they resemble tiny elongated oranges. Inside each of the fruits there is a large yellowish seed.
Types and varieties of muraya, popular in indoor floriculture
Botanists have described ten species of muraya, but only two of them are cultivated as indoor plants.
- Muraya Königa (chokeberry). It is an evergreen plant native to India. Muraya Königa has pinnate leaves with 11 to 21 lanceolate leaf blades. A special feature of the species is that not only the flowers, but also the leaves have a strong aroma, which is why they are used in cooking and cosmetology. In India, they are used to make curry seasoning, which is why chokeberry is often called the “curry tree.” For indoor floriculture This species is quite capricious; it requires special humidity and lighting.
- Muraya paniculata (exotic). Under natural conditions, the flower grows in the southern regions of Asia and in the northern part of Australia. This plant is most often found in home flower collections. The leaves are not as large as those of black chokeberry, they reach 7–12 cm in length. Each has from 7 to 11 small leaf blades. The flowers are painted in a snow-white or cream shade. The fruits have a bright red color. During flowering, Muraya paniculata exudes a pleasant aroma, for which the flower is popularly called “orange jasmine.” This species blooms quite late, at 5–8 years of age. However, hybridizers have developed new varieties of Muraya paniculata, the flowering of which occurs in the first six months after planting the seeds. This is a dwarf muraya, the height of which in adulthood does not exceed 50 cm. Among modern varieties, we can distinguish Min-a-min, Minima and Dwarf Compact.
In stores, muraya paniculata is often sold under the name Dutch, this is not a variety of muraya, it’s just that they began to call muraya paniculata, supplied from the Netherlands.
Aronia, paniculata (or Dutch) and other types of muraya in the photo
The size of dwarf muraya does not exceed 50 cm. Muraya paniculata is most often cultivated in room conditions The fruits, leaves and flowers of Muraya aronia are edible. They are used in cooking, pharmacology and cosmetology. The crown of dwarf varieties of Muraya is spherical, the bush is fluffy, so there is no need to form a plant. Dwarf varieties of Muraya are ideal for growing on a windowsill
Conditions required for muraya depending on the season - table
| Season | Lighting | Humidity | Temperature |
| Spring Summer | The flower is a fairly light-loving plant. However, Muraya does not tolerate direct sun rays. Ideal option the location will be on an east or west facing window. In summer it is necessary to provide shade from the scorching sun. | Humidity is not particularly important, Muraya can tolerate dry air in the room, but on very hot days it needs to be sprayed warm water twice a day: morning and evening. | +22–25 degrees |
| Autumn winter | A bright place is required, but despite this, the muraya needs to be additionally illuminated with lamps daylight. | Spray the flower once every 2-3 days or place the pot on a tray with damp expanded clay, moss or pebbles. | +15–17 degrees |
How to transplant muraya?
Soil for "orange jasmine"
The soil should be loose, light, neutral or slightly acidic, not too nutritious, because in nature muraya grows mainly in mountainous areas, and ascetics do not really like fatty soil. The ideal substrate for growing an exotic beauty is a mixture of humus, turf and leaf soil, taken in equal parts. To make it loose, you should add coarse sand (1 part), as well as a little vermiculite and perlite.
If it is not possible to create a substrate yourself, you can use ready-made universal or special soil for citrus fruits. But you need to put a couple of tablespoons of perlite or vermiculite in it for greater looseness.
Choosing a suitable container for muraya
The flowerpot for muraya should not be too wide and deep. In order for the “orange jasmine” to bloom well, you need a fairly tight pot; the roots of the flower must completely entwine the earthen ball. For each subsequent transplant, choose a container approximately 2 cm larger than the previous one.
Muraya makes a beautiful bonsai. If you want to grow a weird-shaped tree, choose a shallow ceramic bowl for it.
Transplanting muraya - step-by-step description of the process
Young specimens of muraya require annual replanting, which should be planned in early spring, when the flower begins to actively grow.
Adult bushes are replanted once every three years (provided that the flowerpot has become too cramped and the roots are peeking out through the drainage holes), and in the intervals between the procedure, you can simply replace the top layer of soil in the pot with fresh substrate.
How to plant muraya at home - video
Caring for Muraya at home
Features of watering and fertilizing
In summer, Muraya needs abundant watering. However, the plant does not like excessive dampness, so immediately drain the excess liquid from the pan, avoiding stagnation of moisture. An important nuance is that the flower does not tolerate chlorine, so use only settled water.
Muraya is fed all year round, alternating organic and mineral fertilizers. Humate is perfect for organic matter, and from preparations containing minerals and microelements, choose complex fertilizers for citrus fruits. In winter, continue to fertilize, but concentrate nutrients reduce by half.
When watering and fertilizing, follow the golden rule: it is better to underfeed and underwater the muraya than to overdo it.
How to trim and form a crown
To give the bush curvaceous and enhance branching, experienced flower growers It is recommended to pinch shoots at the very beginning of the growing season. To do this, you need to shorten the main shoot, and when it produces side branches, you also need to pinch them. The procedure should be repeated three times at intervals of three to four weeks.
Please note that dwarf varieties Muraya paniculata does not need to be formed, since the plant itself grows into a lush bush.
How to make it bloom and bear fruit
The beautiful Muraya does not have a pronounced rest period. It can bloom and bear fruit all year round, and the plant does not need pollinators; it is self-fertile. Snow-white, fragrant flowers bloom for 1–2 days, and then form a fruit that ripens within four months.
If the room is sufficiently humid and warm, then muraya blooms and sets fruit without additional effort. However, if the weather is too hot and the air is dry, the pollen becomes sterile and unviable.
Sometimes it happens that the plant “refuses” to bloom. A little stress will help stimulate the appearance of buds. Move the flower in winter to a cool place, with a temperature no higher than +17 degrees, reduce the amount of watering and fertilizing. After a month, move the muraya to a sunny place and water it abundantly; after one or two weeks, buds will appear on the flower.
Consequences of improper care of Muraya - table
| Problem | Possible reason | How to fix the situation |
| The leaves of the muraya have faded, become stained or yellowed. The edges of the leaf blades curl and plant growth slows down. |
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| The tips of the leaves dry out and the flower stalks fall off. | Very dry indoor air. |
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| Leaf blades turn yellow and fall off. | Incorrect watering. |
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| The leaves dry out in the center and along the edges. | Sunburn. | Move the container with muraya to a place with bright, but diffused light. |
Pests and diseases of muraya
If you provide Muraya with excellent care and acceptable living conditions, she practically does not get sick and is not bothered by pests. However, in dry air, the flower is affected by spider mites and shield aphids. And with excessive dampness, muraya suffers from root rot and chlorosis.
| Diseases and pests | Signs | Reason for appearance | Treatment and prevention measures |
| Chlorosis | The leaves take on a yellow tint, they turn pale or become spotted, and the growth of the muraya slows down. | Excess chlorine in the soil and lack of microelements, especially iron. | Make sure that watering water and fertilizers do not contain chlorine. You can additionally feed the plant with preparations containing a chelated form of iron. For example, microfertilizer "Orton Micro-Fe". |
| Root rot | Leaves and shoots begin to turn black. Mold appears on the root collar. | Overmoistening of the substrate. | A flower affected by root rot should be removed. To prevent the disease, water the muraya properly. Do not allow moisture to stagnate. |
| Spider mite | The leaves wither, turn yellow, and then they die and fall off. WITH reverse side The leaf blade can be seen as a thin web. | Dry indoor air. | The drug Actellik will help get rid of spider mites. Dilute it according to the instructions and carefully spray the muraya, trying to get droplets of the solution on the top and inside of the leaf, as well as on all the shoots. After treatment, place the bag on the plant. Repeat the procedure three times every seven days. To prevent spider mite infestation, regularly humidify the air around the muraya. |
| Shield aphid (scale insect) | Brown tubercles appear on the leaf blades and shoots of muraya. The leaves become paler, they wither, then dry out completely and fall off. | Insufficient humidity in the room. | Helps get rid of scale insects mechanical restoration murayi. Scrape off the tubercles and wash all parts of the plant with a swab dipped in soapy water. After this, spray the flower with Actellik, diluted according to the instructions. Periodically inspect the flowers located next to the muraya. Isolate them immediately if they are infested with the pest. |
Features of reproduction of Muraya
“Orange jasmine” is propagated by the vegetative method and by seeds, while the cuttings take root rather difficultly, so the seed method is preferable.
Muraya from seeds - a step-by-step description of the propagation process
The germination of muraya seeds is lost very quickly, so only fresh ones should be used for propagation. planting material. The ideal option would be to use a seed from a freshly picked fruit, but you can use seeds sold in stores, you just need to pay attention to the production date, it should not exceed 1 year.
The longer muraya seeds are stored, the lower their germination rate.
Propagation of muraya by cuttings - step-by-step master class
Muraya can also be propagated by apical cuttings. They take root quite poorly.
Out of ten cuttings, only a few will produce roots.
How ornamental plant the most popular is "Murraya Paniculata", also known as fragrant, “Exotic” or “Orange Jasmine”.
In nature it grows up to 3 meters in height, but is often grown indoors as a “Bonsai”. It is a fast-growing shrub with dark green pinnate leaves of 3–9 leaflets and white flowers.
The crushed leaf of "Muraiya" gives off a citrus smell. Flowers form at the tips of branches and are collected in inflorescences. All five petals curve back beautifully.
An elongated berry forms in place of the flower, which turns bright red as it ripens.
The berries have tonic properties, relieve fatigue and lower blood pressure, in which they are similar in effect to Chinese lemongrass.
A decoction of the leaves is used as a gargle for bacterial infections.
"Muraiya paniculata" is undemanding in care and very decorative. In the room it blooms almost all year round, the white flowers contrast beautifully with the dark foliage and red berries. Not the least role in the popularity of the plant is played by its bright jasmine aroma.
The video shows general description plants "Muraiya (Murraya) Paniculata":
The most common types
For example, four-part muraya, which is widely used in Chinese medicine to treat coughs, rheumatism, and stomach diseases.
Recent studies have shown that the active substances of this plant can affect cancer cells and prevent their proliferation.
"Dwarf"
"Dwarf Muraya (Murraya)" is a miniature form of "paniculata". It is assumed that this “Mini-Muraiya” appeared as a result of a mutation. It is distinguished by tiny leaves, collected 3-5 in a complex leaf. The trunk becomes slightly bent from the first weeks of the plant’s life and branches heavily. The height of an adult bush does not exceed 50 cm.
A very attractive feature for gardeners dwarf form- early flowering. Even very young bushes just over 5 cm high are sold with buds, flowers or fruits.
Attention! If you want to buy a dwarf "Muraiya", but it does not show signs of flowering, it is better to contact another seller.
Most likely, they are trying to sell you another plant under the guise of a rare dwarf form.
"Smart Choice"
Non-fruiting variety of "Paniculate Muraya", bred by Australian breeders. Used to create hedges and other forms of street landscaping. It does not get divorced at home.
"Ming-a-min"
“Min-a-min” is a compact form of “Smart Choice”.
Like its older sister, it is sterile, that is, it does not produce seeds when flowering.
It is noticeably larger in size than a dwarf (in open ground it can grow over a meter) and looks different.
Its compound leaf is larger and consists of 5–7 small leaves, internodes are longer. The authorship of this form of "Muraiya" belongs to the Australian Trevor Garrad. Along with "Dwarf Muraya", min-a-min is very popular for growing at home.
"Muraiya Koeniga" (Royal, Chokeberry)
"Muraiya Koeniga" is not a variety of "Paniculata", but a separate species originating from India. In nature, such a “Muraiya” grows into a tree up to 6 meters high, the trunk diameter reaches 40 cm. The pinnate leaf is composed of 11–21 small leaves 2–4 cm long. The inflorescences are large, numbering up to 80 flowers. The tree blooms in 2–4 years.
Both the leaves and white flowers of the royal 'Muraiya' emit a strong aroma. After flowering, shiny black berries are formed, each containing one seed. The pulp of the berries is edible, but the seeds themselves are poisonous to humans. In India and Sri Lanka, the leaves of "Muraiya Koenig" are used to prepare "Curry".
Attention! At home, this flower is quite capricious, but is still sometimes grown by fans of the species.
"Dutch Muraya (Murraya)"
Often, sites selling flowers offer a certain “Dutch Muraya”, passing it off as special kind or a new variety.
However, you will not find this species in any plant catalogue.
In fact, this is an ordinary “Muraiya paniculata”, brought from Holland. It can look very attractive thanks to its lacy foliage, but young specimens are of little interest to gardeners because they bloom only at 5–8 years of age. This “Muraiya” is usually sold with several seedlings in one pot.
Sometimes they try to pass off planted Dutch plants as a dwarf form. They can be distinguished by the number of leaves in the group, the Dutch one has from 7 to 11, and an even trunk without branching. "Dwarf Muraya" immediately looks like a small tree, while Dutch has a conical shape due to the significant difference in length between older and younger leaves.
The invigorating scent lifts your mood and improves sleep. Chewing a leaf of “Muraiya” can get rid of headaches and mouth ulcers. This amazing plant can become not only a window sill decoration, but also a real green first aid kit.
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Muraya is a plant from the Rutaceae family. In nature there are approximately 10 various types. IN natural environment it is found in China, Taiwan, India, in general, throughout most of the Asian southern area. This beauty also grows in Australia.
Muraya is an evergreen plant. It grows to the size of a small tree, or at most a bush. It has a fairly thin and flexible trunk with light gray bark. The leaves of Murraya are smooth, quite fleshy, and have a beautiful dark green hue. They have a round or oval shape; in this case, there are no curly maple-type cuts on the leaves.
The flowers are white and have an average diameter of 8-10 centimeters. Each flower has five distinct petals, like a star. The shape of murayi flowers resembles a lily. Just like a lily, their petals are gracefully bent back. After the plant finishes blooming, a small fruit is formed that has edible pulp and a small seed inside. It takes approximately 4 months for the fruits to ripen.
Please keep in mind that Muraya favorable conditions It is quite capable of blooming and producing fruits all year round. Therefore, the plant has such interesting feature, when on the same specimen you can see buds, blossoming flowers, and at the same time ripened fruits. In the photo below, Muraya is blooming.
Kinds
There are two main types of muraya cultivated in our country.
- Muraya Koenig. This plant is found naturally in India. In its natural habitat it grows up to 4-6 meters in height. It has beautiful small feathery leaves. This type of muraya is very beautiful flowers. They are white in color with a strong aroma, originally collected in rather large inflorescences, which gives this plant a striking decorative and picturesque appearance. After flowering, Muraya Koeniga produces black fruits with a glossy surface; they have an elongated shape. Each such fruit of the plant contains one single seed.
Interesting fact: since Indians use the leaves of the plant as compound component curry seasoning, then in its homeland it is also called curry tree. This plant begins to bloom and bear fruit at 2-4 years of age. It has one drawback: caring for this type of muraya at home is quite troublesome and not every gardener can do it. But there is also a plus, these are the medicinal properties of the plant. It helps treat heart diseases.
- Muraya paniculata (paniculata). This species is also known as exotic muraya. It is native to the jungles of Australia and the warm, humid tropical forests of South Asia. In nature it grows up to 3 meters, the plant is shaped like a shrub. It has fairly large leaves, up to 12 centimeters long, but at the same time they are very narrow. Flowers can be either collected in inflorescences or occur as single specimens. This plant has very interesting fruits, they bright red with quite tasty pulp. The seeds in the pit are double. The flowers of this muraya have a very strong spicy aroma, for which the plant is sometimes called orange jasmine. Muraya paniculata begins to flower in the fifth to eighth year of life. Unlike Koenig's muraya, the variety is quite unpretentious, and this type of murray is easier to care for and easier to cultivate in the climatic and everyday realities of our country.
The dwarf-shaped Murray variety is very popular among gardeners. Maximum height its half a meter. This plant can begin to bloom in the first six months of its life. This circumstance is very much appreciated by flower growers. Having reached a height of only 4-5 centimeters, dwarf muraya can already produce several full-fledged and quite decorative flowers. This variety of Murray is not artificially bred, as it might seem, the species arose as a result of a natural mutation.
Care
Muraya is not particularly whimsical when breeding at home, but some rules should still be followed. Let's look at the main and most useful of them:
The soil
Murraya likes the soil to be quite loose and slightly acidic. The ideal mixture for it is this: in a ratio of 2:2:2:1, mix turf and leaf soils, add humus and clean coarse river sand. Also, a good way out, if you are experiencing difficulties where to get all the necessary components for the substrate, would be to buy ready-made soil for citrus fruits in the store. But in ready soil for murray, you should definitely add some substance that has a leavening effect. It can be vermiculite or coconut fiber. Perlite is also perfect. Keep in mind that the younger the plant, the more loose the soil is suitable for it. Accordingly, you need to add more of this loosening agent to the pot with a young plant, this will ensure excellent and continuous flowering.
Top dressing
The plant should be fed approximately once a month. Moreover, you need to alternate organic matter and mineral supplements. A special composition for feeding bonsai is ideal as a mineral fertilizer for murray. It must be borne in mind that overfeeding this plant with nutrients is unacceptable. And it’s better to not give something to the plant than to feed it. If this happens, you should keep in mind that now its leaves will grow greatly, and flowering will become rare. But flowers are the main decorative decoration of the Murray.
Attention: fertilizers for muraya should not contain chlorine, since by nature the plant is very prone to chlorosis.
Watering
In warm and hot seasons, watering is necessary in copious amounts. But there are benefits and harms from watering. Severe waterlogging should not be allowed - the plant will not tolerate a stagnant swamp at home. In this case, rotting of the root system may begin, which usually leads to the death of the entire flower. You should know that in cool times and winter, watering must be reduced to prevent excessive moisture in the substrate.
In this case, only soft, settled water should be used. It should also not contain chlorine, so tap water is excluded. You can soften the water for watering muraya with a small amount citric acid or apple cider vinegar. If watering conditions are not maintained properly, Murray leaves may begin to turn yellow. Subsequently, they will completely fall off.
Air humidity
Despite the fact that the houseplant comes from the humid southern tropics, it tolerates dry air for a short time surprisingly well. The only thing that should not be done is to allow the plant to be exposed to dry air, since in this case the tips of its leaves begin to dry out. Also, the flowers and buds of the Murray variety Min fall off prematurely. Therefore, if the room is hot and stuffy or if the radiators are running in winter, you should regularly spray the murray leaves with a sprayer. Experienced flower growers also advise placing the pot with the plant on a tray with expanded clay or other drainage submerged in water.
Lighting
Murraya, as a southern guest, loves sunlight very much. Therefore, it is necessary to grow it in a well-lit area. But at the same time, it is still better to shade it from the midday scorching direct rays. It would be ideal to provide enough diffused light for the plant.
In an apartment, a pot of muraya should be placed on the windows on the east or west side. If you placed it on a window on the south side, then do not forget to shade it during the midday hours. On north side It is better not to grow murray at home. There is little light there, so the muraya will begin to shed its leaves.
If the room is dark enough, then you can additionally illuminate the muraya with a fluorescent lamp; such a solarium will only benefit the plant. After all, the longer the daylight hours, the more comfortable she is.
Temperature
Although the delicate plant loves warmth, intense heat is not for Murray - it does not tolerate sizzling heat. In summer she will be most comfortable at 25 degrees Celsius, and in winter she needs about 17 degrees. It is impossible to either lower or greatly increase these temperature indicators. Black Murraya does not tolerate drafts well. The forum on our website will tell you all the secrets of growing this exotic beauty.
Transfer
While the plant is young, approximately the first 3-4 years, it is replanted every year. In this case, each subsequent pot for murray should be taken only 1-2 centimeters larger than the previous one, otherwise the leaves of the plant will fall off. An interesting approach to adult plants: they are transplanted every 2-3 years into the same container where they were before. By the way, a plant is considered mature if it has already bloomed at least 2-3 times. Muraya is replanted in summer or spring using the transshipment method. In this case, you need to shake the roots as carefully as possible from lumps of old soil and, if possible, remove the top layer of soil. Then transplant into the same pot, but with new soil.
Trimming
In this sense, you will have to tinker with Muraya. Indeed, in order to give the plant a lush shape, experienced gardeners recommend pinching literally every new branch in order to give it the right direction, namely in different directions. Do not allow murray branches to grow randomly, because in this case the decorativeness of the plant will decrease.
It is worth keeping in mind that if you are growing a dwarf tree, you do not need to pinch it. This plant itself is compact and initially grows as it should. But if you want to create a bonsai, then only in this case will you need to shape the bush and pinching it. Reviews from flower growers say that there is nothing complicated in forming a neat bush.
- Winter dormancy period. This plant does not have a specific, pronounced period of sleep. With proper care and favorable conditions, it is not difficult for it to bloom and bear fruit all year round. But if suddenly the conditions of its maintenance do not suit it, the first sign of this will be the fact that the plant sheds its leaves.
- Bloom. Every new flower in murray, it stays in place for one to two days, after which it falls off. But flowering continues continuously, so after the fallen flower, new ones will immediately bloom.
- Fruit. With good and suitable air humidity, Muraya bears fruit without much effort or help from the grower. But if there are difficulties, then you can help the plant set fruit by pollinating it. To do this, use a soft brush to transfer pollen from one flower to another. It should be borne in mind that the tender stigma of the murray quickly loses its vitality. And it can be affected by dry air, heat or insufficient watering. In this case, don’t pollinate; it won’t do any good until you create favorable conditions. Watch a video on how to properly care for a plant.
- Diseases and pests. Like most house plants, it is susceptible to major pests: scale insects, mealybugs, and whiteflies. Also, aphids pose a danger to murray seeds and leaves. From time to time it is recommended to wipe the leaves of the plant with a damp cloth, simultaneously brushing off dust and pests. A warm shower will also help her. When the first signs of infection appear, try to thoroughly 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, and the leaves very quickly turn yellow and dry out. Therefore, it is necessary to closely and carefully ensure that the water for irrigation does not contain chlorine. It is also important that the insecticides used are chlorine-free.
Reproduction
- Japanese paniculata murraya can reproduce by both seeds and petioles. But it is still preferable to plant with seeds, since the petioles of the plant take too long to take root, 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 ripening on the mother tree. Under favorable conditions, a sprout from a seed will appear within one to two weeks. After this, you should plant the sprouts in separate small pots, the size of a glass is suitable. Also, the seeds of dwarf murray make an excellent healing tincture.
- Murraya Koeniga can reproduce by seeds and root shoots.
Mysterious Murraya Hollandaise
Often mentioned by many in conversations and on forums, Dutch Muraya. What kind of animal is this? Let's figure it out.
Some not very experienced flower growers, out of ignorance, mistake it for some separate variety of muraya. It is not right. At its core, Dutch is an ordinary paniculate murraya. The only Dutch thing about it is that it was delivered to this store from the Netherlands. In this country, the plant used to decorate even mines. And there it is customary to plant several plant seedlings of different sizes in the same container. Its only peculiarity is its unusual openwork foliage and interesting fruits.
How not to get burned while shopping
It is impossible to buy dwarf muraya in stores, as well as a plant of the paniculata species. A florist can only purchase it from another florist. At the same time, the price of these murrays will be quite decent - for a tiny monthly sprout they ask on average 300-400 rubles. Keep in mind that if you come across a scammer, he can easily pass off an ordinary sprout of paniculata muraya as an expensive dwarf plant specimen. After all, the so-called Dutch Murraya costs 15-20 rubles per seedling in the store. And most often they are sold in groups - 150 rubles for about 15-20 pieces.
How to avoid falling for a scammer and with 100% probability of purchasing a dwarf muraya:
- Buy from a friend.
- Pay attention to the trunk of the sprout. The low-growing Murraya always has a slightly curved trunk, while the paniculate Murraya will have a straight posture.
- Dwarf Murraya will be sold with buds or flowers, despite its young age. After all, it begins to bloom very early - already in the second week of life. Therefore, the flowering of a young plant is a sure sign that this is a dwarf specimen and not an ordinary one.
How many more unknown flowers will the tropics give us? Muraya is one of the representatives exotic plants. This is not only a beautiful, but also a useful plant. All parts of the tree, including the underground part, are used for medicinal purposes.
Description and features of Muraya
IN wildlife Muraya tree(Murraya) or shrub reaches 3 meters in length. The indoor one stretches up to 1 -1.5 m. Trees can be found on the islands Pacific Ocean, tropical forests, India, Asia.
The plant emits a magical smell. By inhaling its aroma you can get a charge of vivacity, development mental capacity, 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.
The murayi trunk is woody with a yellow tint. The leaves are dark green, fleshy with a citrus aroma and lemon notes. Thanks to this, the plant is successfully used in cooking, medicine, and cosmetology. The leaf shape is varied: oval, round, with some bend to the outside.
Muraya flowers snow-white or with milky caps. The diameter of the inflorescence varies from 1.8-2 cm. Moreover, they grow as single ones or collected in a brush.
Pictured is a Dutch muraya
As the colors change, red ovals appear muraya berries. The ripening period lasts about 4 months. The appearance is similar to the fruits of hawthorn, and they have similar medicinal properties:
- stabilize blood pressure;
- reduce headache;
- tone the body;
- reduce blood sugar.
The uniqueness of the plant lies in the simultaneous formation of fruits and the growth of new buds. Berries with a peculiar taste have a sweetish aftertaste. Useful properties of muraya not only in fruits, leaves, but also in roots, stems, flowers:
- The first signs of a sore throat can be removed by taking a few leaves and chewing them thoroughly in your mouth, only then swallowing them. If the disease progresses, rinsing with a decoction will help. Brew a few leaves as tea. After 15 minutes, you can use the drug every two hours.
- During the rehabilitation period after a heart attack, tincture is used. Fruits and leaves, crushed in equal parts (5 tablespoons), are infused in a dark place with vodka (250 g). After two weeks, apply 30 drops before each use of food.
- A tincture of the following ingredients 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 use for them:
- A daily intake of 5 berries per day will help prevent the aging of the body. The skin will retain its elasticity and moisture.
- For women over 30 years of age, a decoction will help balance aging skin. For this, 2 tbsp. Brew spoons of flowers with 0.5 liters of water. Leave for 7 hours under a warm cloth. Then, strain and use instead of washing your face with water in the morning.
Contraindications for muraya
Each drug can bring not only benefits, 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 intensively reduce blood pressure. Therefore, when taking them, you need to control your blood pressure. The following factors that can be used are individual intolerance, pregnancy, infants.
Having studied the benefits and harms of muraya, we can draw a conclusion. That you should not abuse alcohol tinctures, fruits and ignore the advice of doctors.
Planting and propagation of 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 from a flower shop and add vermiculite.
At home, you can take river sand with humus and leaf soil. Before use, heat treat the mixture or soak it in a solution of potassium permanganate. Growing Muraya can be done in two ways.
Propagation by cuttings:
1. Mature plants with a sufficient number of shoots in early spring are suitable for this method.
2. Cut crown cuttings 15 cm long.
3. Cut large leaves in half.
4. Root cuttings well in peat tablet, water, perlite.
5. Before planting, treat the cut with zirconium.
6. Place glass or plastic jars on the cuttings to create a favorable microenvironment.
7. Ventilate and spray the soil from time to time.
8. Keep the container in a sacred place.
9. The optimal temperature is 26-29 degrees C.
10. The appearance of new leaves will be a signal that the cuttings have taken root.
11. The cover can be removed and the branches distributed into separate pots.
Reproduction of Muraya from seeds:
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 preserved long time.
3. The fruits are peeled and soaked for some time (2 hours) in warm liquid.
4. Pour peat mixed with sand in equal parts into the container.
5. Drop the seeds and lightly sprinkle and moisten the soil. The soil should not be compacted; 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 overdried.
7. Lighting should be bright with a temperature of 29 degrees C.
8. In one month, a month and a half, shoots will appear.
9. Remove the cover.
10. The signal for picking will be two true leaves. If the seeds are planted immediately in separate pots, picking is eliminated.
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 begin to grow.
13. Muraya from seeds It will bloom next year, but the buds should be cut off so that the plant becomes well established in the underground part.
Caring for Muraya
In order for the plant to give flowers and fruits, you need to take care of the muraya , in the following way:
1. Watering muraya plants carry out moderate. Exception - hot weather. In this case, irrigation increases, but this does not mean that it needs to be flooded. Waterlogged soil will not allow the flower to grow and will cause rotting of the root system.
IN winter period watering is reduced. Special requirements applied to water: soft, settled water. It could be rain or melted snow. The bush responds positively to rubbing muraya leaves from dust and spraying.
2. Fertilizing alternates with complex mineral fertilizers and organic matter. No more than once a month.
3. Since the plant’s homeland is the tropics, do not forget about high humidity. You can achieve this in an apartment by spraying the bush, placing it in an aquarium or placing it on a tray of 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 or west side, then it is worth covering the glass with gauze and using blinds at lunchtime. The north window provides little light. Here, on the contrary, additional consecration must be used. Otherwise, the flower may shed its leaves. The plant responds well to walks in summer time.
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. Young seedlings should be replanted every year. Choose the next pot 2 cm larger than the previous one. Adult specimens require replanting once every 3 years. Drainage is of particular importance.
The flowerpot should be filled to 1/3 of it. Do not bury the root collar into the ground.
Use the transshipment method. When the entire bush with soil is carefully pulled out, the root part is inspected. If there is rotting and dead roots, remove. A layer of soil is sprinkled onto the drainage, then the parts are settled and removed. Soil is poured over the drainage, and a tree with a lump of earth is planted. New soil is sprinkled on the sides of the plant.
Place the container in a shaded place for several days so that the flower can survive the stress. Then, again place the flowerpot in a consecrated place.
When replanting, you should carefully examine the root and remove diseased and rotten parts.
7. A uniform crown can be achieved not by pinching, but by turning the flowerpot towards the light. Spend the spring sanitary pruning. And also shorten large shoots by 1/3. Get rid of 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. First type - exotic muraya (Muraya exotica) or foreign. This species is native to Japan.
There it is called Japanese myrtle. Previously, almost 4 centuries ago, mere mortals could not grow it - it was punishable death penalty. The plant was intended only for a select few. Over time, plants belonging to citrus and rue trees became the property of the people.
An adult exotic muraya can be mistaken for a lemon 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 with white caps in the form of a garland cover the crown. The fruits are red and resemble a miniature lemon. If you bite into it, your mouth feels like a juicy persimmon. Benefits of muraya exotic was noticed back in the days of the ancient Egyptian classes. Tibetan medicine also cannot do without this plant.
Exotic Muraya
Second type - Muraya paniculata(Murraya paniculata). The homeland of the evergreen shrub is China. Natural specimens grow up to 3 meters. Grown indoors muraya blooming like "Bonsai".
The shoots end in flowers collected in clusters. The leaves are leathery, oval and curl slightly outward. Long flowering snow-white flowers ends with the appearance of healthy berries.
Pictured is Muraya paniculata
Scientists have conducted a lot of research and found that the plant affects cancer cells and prevents them from developing, thanks to active substances contained in the plant. Buy muraya It wasn't possible before. Now all flower shops are happy to offer you a healthy flower.
Muraya Koeniga. Some gardeners 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, as its height is 6 meters. Powerful trunk 0.4 meters. Surprisingly small flowers are collected in one brush, up to 80 pieces, like separate bouquets.
The berries turn black after flowering, but the seeds are poisonous. Although the pulp is edible. It is very difficult to grow it indoors. But there are lovers who want to “tame” the 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 soil;
- the appearance of dry leaves around the edges or in the center. This is the first signal that the bush has received a sunburn;
- inflorescences fall off. This indicates that the air is dry.
Most dangerous pests for the plant mites, thrips, spider mite, scale insect. To combat them, the leaves should be washed with soapy water and treated with insecticides.
In recent years, an incredible number of all kinds of exotic flowers have appeared in flower shops.
They are often expensive and require close care. But how can you resist the brightness of colors, shapes and all sorts of semi-mystical properties that are attributed to this or that guest from distant countries!?
Very often, among the “overseas” plants, you come across a flowering tree with white bark and shiny, glossy, dark green leaves, which has healing properties.
Muraya (Murraya): a brief description of an exotic flower
The homeland of muraya, or murraya, is the tropical forests and mountainous regions of India, Indochina, the islands of Java and Sumatra. This plant was also very well known in medieval Japan. Muraya (lat. Murraya) is a shrub or rue family. It has many varieties, including paniculata, Himalayan, chokeberry, Dutch, dwarf, winged, etc. It should be noted that rutaceae are very close to. Like, the fruits of muraya are edible and healthy. Young shoots of muraya are pubescent, while adults are smooth. The dark green leaves are imparipinnate, with five or seven elliptical leaflets, leathery. In addition, they have a unique aroma.
Muraya flowers are white or light cream. Small, about two centimeters in diameter. Often with a very strong aroma. Sometimes collected in inflorescences. They are added to tea. Recent studies have shown that the aroma of muraya flowers has a beneficial effect during angina attacks.When ripe, muraya fruits are most often bright red in color. They ripen for about four months.
What conditions should be created in the house for exotics?
Despite the fact that the homeland of muraya is tropical forests and mountains, this plant has adapted quite well to living in apartments. So, what is necessary for an exotic bush to feel good and give joy to its caring owner? Let's take a closer look at how to grow muraya. 
Like all terrestrial plants, three components are important for muraya: light, water and. The temperature in an apartment or greenhouse should not fall below 17 °C in winter.
Important! Muraya loves fresh air very much. In summer, it is recommended to take it outside, into the shade. Protect the plant from the heat!
Location and lighting
Muraya is unpretentious to growing conditions. This is a light-loving plant, so the room where the flower is located must be sufficiently lit (the windows face the east, south and southeast sides). However, in summer period needs to be protected delicate flower from direct sunlight. It is better if diffused light falls on it. Also in the autumn-winter period, the plant requires additional lighting. For example, they are quite suitable fluorescent lamps daylight temperature in the range of 4000-5000 Kelvin (neutral daylight). 
Temperature
Muraya grows not only in tropical rainforests, but also in mountainous areas, which means it is prepared for some temperature changes. However, for its development, flowering and fruiting, the optimal temperature will be 18-25 °C. A decrease to 16 °C or less can lead to inhibition of tree growth. The leaves will begin to wither. Muraya will not bloom or bear fruit.
Important! Muraya can't stand the heat.
This must be taken into account when placing a flower on the windowsill.
How to care at home
Caring for Muraya is not at all difficult. You just need to understand and take into account some of her needs.
Watering and air humidity
Without water, plant life is impossible. Tropical forests have plenty of moisture. Muraya loves, but it should be remembered that an excess of the latter can have a bad effect on the root system. Based on this, you need to water the muraya abundantly, but not often.
It is necessary to allow the soil to dry out. The plant responds well to spraying, but you need to take moderation in everything. Air humidification also has a beneficial effect. This can be an ordinary aquarium with fish, which is located not far from the plant. 
You can also place a container of water next to the plant and place expanded clay or moss in it. In this case, the gradual evaporation of moisture compensates for the dryness of the air. For spraying and watering, it is better to use soft boiled or settled water.
Soil and fertilizing
The soil for muraya must be nutritious. The plant is desirable. for muraya they need from spring to autumn - water once every two weeks with the addition of fertilizer for citrus fruits. There are many complex fertilizers in flower shops.
Choose at your own discretion. Somewhere in October, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to insert fertilizer sticks (two or three pieces) into the pot of soil where the tree grows. Also, when replanting, adding bark and to the soil will have a good effect. 
Pruning and crown formation
Muraya does not require special pruning.
However, if you are a lover of the art of bonsai or penjing, feel free to practice on this tree. Muraya easily tolerates pruning. To form a beautiful crown from a young age, the growth points of actively developing shoots are pinched off the tree. You should also cut out excess branches. Otherwise, the tree may turn into a bush.Flowering and fruiting
Flowers stay on the branches of the plant for one or two days. At suitable humidity, the fruits set on their own. But it’s still better to help the tree. Muraya is pollinated with a brush. It is enough to carefully transfer the pollen from flower to flower. The fruits, when ripe, acquire a bright red hue. The fruits ripen in approximately four months.
Important! At proper care Muraya blooms and bears fruit all year round. Moreoversimultaneously!
How to transplant muraya at home
Muraya is quite demanding when it comes to transplanting. An adult plant is replanted no more than once a year. Better - once every two to three years as it grows. Transplanted using the transshipment method. 
The pot for muraya is not large. When replanting a plant, you should not bury the root collar. This can cause the cessation of flowering and fruiting.
It is advisable not to “trample down” the soil. It should always be loose. Muraya's root system needs air. The pot with the transplanted tree can be moved for several days to a room with dim light, for example, to a room with windows facing north.
This will help the plant to withstand stress more easily and recover from replanting faster.
Propagation of muraya by cuttings
Muraya is easily propagated and grown in two ways, cuttings and seeds.
Cuttings are cut from the tops of strong shoots. Leave two or three nodes on the cut cuttings with them completely cut off lower leaves. The top ones are cut to half. Plant in a pre-prepared pot with soil (you can use a regular plastic transparent glass). Sand mixed with is used as soil.
Did you know? This method cannot be called effective, since only a few cuttings will take root. It is much more effective to grow muraya from seeds.
After planting, the soil is watered and the plant is placed in a warm place. Can be covered on top glass jar. It is advisable to shade the planted cuttings for a week. It is enough to cover the plant with loose material. Temperature - 20-25 °C. Unrooted cuttings should be watered rarely, but every day with soft water from a spray bottle. In two or three weeks the cuttings will sprout roots.
After this, the cuttings are transplanted into a pot filled with nutrient soil. Drainage is placed at the bottom of the pot, about one third of the container. 
Difficulties in growing: diseases and pests
Muraya is a fairly hardy plant that has acclimatized well to our apartments, but it is still susceptible to disease. Its cultivation and maintenance has its own characteristics and difficulties. For example, it may not grow, dry out, or bloom.
Basically, all of the above problems are associated either with improper watering, either with a lack or excess of light. If Muraya sheds its leaves, the problem often lies in dry air. The reason for this is most often the battery under the windowsill. A solution to this problem can be moving the plant to another place or spraying it more frequently with a spray bottle. The cause of drying out can also be damage to the fragile root system during transplantation. In this case, you need to be patient and wait until the muraya grows new roots. 
Growth inhibition - either the plant does not receive enough nutrients, or it is in a place where there is not enough light, or the pot is too small.
If the muraya does not bloom or bear fruit, then most likely there are not enough nutrients or the pot is too small.
The tree may also not be suitable for the fertilizers you feed it with. In this case, they need to be replaced. In addition, (whiteflies, mealybugs, scale insects, etc.) may appear in the soil or on the soil or a fungus will appear. Today, specialized stores have plenty of antifungal and pest control products. Qualified advice can be obtained on site from the sellerMuraya leaves turn yellow - most likely this is chlorosis, a non-infectious disease caused by the chlorine content in irrigation water. Prevention is simple. Make sure that the water for irrigation does not contain chlorine, or feed the plant with a chelated form of iron. The same reason and treatment method can help when Muraya leaves fall off. 
Medicinal properties of muraya
When muraya blooms, a huge amount of aromatic scents are released into the air. essential oils and phytoncides. The aroma of muraya flowers is soothing. Observations have shown that in those suffering from angina pectoris, the aroma of blooming muraya reduces the frequency of attacks by 60%. Provided that it is inhaled regularly. An infusion of flowers is used for washing. Helps cope with sagging skin.
Its fruits are endowed with tonic properties that can lower blood pressure, contain vitamins and many beneficial substances, including antioxidants. They have a hypotensive effect. Recommended for people with hypertension, coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases. Muraya berries help lower blood sugar levels without the use of hypoglycemic agents.
The leaves of the tree have anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. Heals wounds. Juice from the leaves helps relieve headaches and toothaches. 
As you can see, the benefits of muraya are quite noticeable. And even if it just stands in the room, the aesthetic appearance, the pleasant smell that stimulates work and relaxation - what else does a connoisseur need?
Important! Despite its numerous medicinal properties, its use should be treated with caution.nursing mothers, pregnant women, and children under twelve years of age. Since the leaves of the plant lower blood pressure, they should not be eaten by hypotensive patients.
Muraya - magnificent plant, quite easy to care for and reproduce, it will give a lot of joy to its owners, bring a feeling of comfort into the house, and fill the air with a delicate aroma. This plant can be safely recommended even to beginners. With minimal material and time costs, we get the result in the form of magnificent flowers and fruits in just three to four months. Isn't this a miracle?!
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