Oranges are now grown in around 100 countries in the tropics and subtropics. With a fruit production of around 60 million tons per year, the fruit, also known as the orange, is the most widely grown fruit in the world.
Can you grow orange trees in Germany?
In Germany, orange trees can be cultivated as potted plants by putting them outside in summer and bringing them into a bright, frost-free room in winter. Suitable varieties are compact growing bitter oranges such as “Chinotto” and “Bouquet de Fleurs”.
Oranges originally come from China
It is proven that various types of citrus were grown around 4000 years ago. Many ancient writings, dating back to 2100 B. C. BC, describe citrus varieties and their cultivation in China. The orange is probably a cross between mandarin and grapefruit. Thanks to increased trade relations, the exotic fruits reached Europe via Persia and the Arabian region. From around the 15th / 16th century it was very fashionable for European noble houses to grow oranges and other citrus plants in special orangeries.
Great variety of varieties also in Europe
In 1706, the botanist Johann Christoph Volkamer was the first German to describe in his famous book “Nuremberg Hesperides” a large number of the varieties that were then collected in stately homes and grown from seeds. Unfortunately, many of these varieties that were known at the time have been lost, but have occasionally been rediscovered in old Italian castle gardens and nurseries. Breeds of the historic varieties can now be viewed in the botanical garden on the island of Mainau in Lake Constance. However, the orange varieties at that time were exclusively bitter oranges / bitter oranges; the sweet orange only reached southern Europe in the 18th century.
Oranges do not tolerate frost
Cultivating oranges in a normal room requires good care. The plants usually grow so luxuriantly within a short period of time that the space originally allotted to them quickly becomes too small. In addition, oranges - just like olives and other Mediterranean plants - require a winter break with temperatures of a maximum of 10 °C. At the same time, unlike some lemon varieties, oranges cannot tolerate frost and should therefore not be planted in the garden. Oranges are best cultivated in a bright winter garden with plenty of space. Compact, bushy-growing varieties such as:B. the bitter orange varieties “Chinotto” and “Bouquet de Fleurs”.
Oranges can be left outside in summer
Many varieties of oranges, especially the refined varieties, can be left outside in summer. After the last frosts, place the plant in a sheltered, warm place on the south or west side of the house. They can stay here until the first frosts begin.
Tips & Tricks
Please note that plants left in the greenhouse or winter garden will grow much more luxuriantly than outdoor plants. Due to the higher temperatures, the plants grow faster and there are usually three shoots in the growing season. Oranges are self-fertile, i.e. H. You don't need another tree for fertilization.
