Calamondin (Citrofortunella)

Calamondin is citrofortunella. This culture was obtained by crossing kumquat and mandarin, therefore it is referred to as citrus hybrids. Calamondin belongs to the Rutov family. Originally a citrus flower from the territories of Southeast Asia. Among gardeners, this plant is also called "Golden Orange" or "Indoor Mandarin".

Calamondin: flower description

Calamondin (Citrofortunella): photo of citrus

Calamondin is a very beautiful culture. The plant is an evergreen species. The culture is adorned with bright compact round fruits, which are suitable for human consumption. The flower is very popular among florists and has the right to take pride of place on the windowsill among indoor plants. Calamondin is completely undemanding to care for. It is very easy to propagate it by seed or cuttings. The plant feels quite comfortable even in dry heated rooms in winter, where the humidity level is very low. It can also grow in a greenhouse. The fruiting period of the Kalamondin citrus is very long, since the hybrid is specially adapted to the conditions of the apartment. In summer, it will be optimal to take the plant out to the balcony or outside.

The height of the Calamondina tree can reach 1 m, and in the wild, the bush even grows up to 5 m.This is if it grows in natural conditions. The bush blooms very beautifully. The flowering period begins in late spring or early summer. The flowers are not particularly beautiful - they are ordinary white, small, star-shaped flowers that look very much like lemon flowers.

Calamondin: bloom

Calamondin flower: video

In order for the Calamondin tree to bear fruit, it is necessary to artificially carry out the process of pollination of flowers. For this, you can use, for example, a soft brush. Even those trees that are about 25 cm high can bear fruit. The fruits of Calamondin taste sour with a slight bitterness. However, they are very fragrant. Inside each fruit, a lot of seeds ripen. Some growers fill the fruit with sugar. Since the taste of the peel is sweet, the fruit is suitable as a dessert or for making confectionery. The fruiting period of Calamondin can overlap and coincide with the flowering period.

Like any plant that bears fruit, Calamondin requires stable watering as well as fertilization. Inadequate care will be indicated by falling leaves of the tree.

Since Calamondin is usually either bought in a specialty store or received as a gift, there is a sharp change in the growing conditions for the plant itself. Climate, air temperature, lighting, as well as irrigation regimes are changing. If you see that the plant has begun to shed its foliage abundantly, then it needs help in adapting. The first step is to organize greenhouse conditions for him by putting a transparent bag on the plant and securing its bases. This is done in order to increase the humidity level. However, you should not forget to remove the shelter every day so that the plant is ventilated. You should also choose a spot for the hybrid that is very light. In winter, phytolamp illumination is required. It is also important to choose a place where there will be no drafts.

If the previous manipulations did not bring the desired effect, you should think about the state of the root system, since the plant could be grown using any special technologies.Proof of this can be found in hormone capsules in the roots of the plant. You should transplant the culture into new soil, carefully examining its roots. If you see rotten and or any affected areas of the roots, they must be cut off, and then the transplant must be completed.

If this does not help, and the Calamondin plant has dropped all the leaves, do not despair. Several more attempts can be made to save the plant. If there are fruits, then they must be removed, as well as flowers, so that the bush does not waste its energy on their nutrition. You can even cut a few branches, but it is imperative to process the cuts with crushed coal. After that, it is necessary to carry out treatment every day with some stimulating and corrective solution containing the required amount of nutrients, as well as in order to protect indoor plants from diseases. If the treatment is successful, after 14 days, the plant will again release the stems.

Calamondin: home care

Calamondin (Citrofortunella): photo of citrus

Lighting

Calamondin loves open, sunlit places. However, direct scorching sunlight can harm the plant, so in the summer it is better to create partial shade for Calamondin.

Unacceptable constantly change the place for the flower, as well as rotate it around the axis. Especially during the period of its flowering and fruiting. As a result, calamondin may begin to shed flowers.

In order for the crown to be symmetrical, it is necessary to turn the bush very slowly, about 1 mm every day.

Temperature

The optimum temperature for Calamondin will be between 18 and 20 degrees. But in order for calamondin to bear fruit next year, in winter, the temperature should be reduced to 13 - 14 degrees. In addition, Calamondin can easily survive a temperature drop of up to 4 degrees. However, provided that it will not be long.

Watering Calamondin

Calamondin needs a lot of moisture, especially when it comes to hot, dry summers. In winter, Calamondin is watered much less frequently. It will be optimal to periodically spray the leaves.

Feeding

As a fertilizer, it is best to use special preparations for citrus plants. It is necessary to fertilize Citrofortunella during the fruiting period without interruption, and then continue to feed the plant throughout the year. It is recommended to carry out exactly foliar feeding. Sometimes the plants are sprayed on the back of the leaf. A necessary condition here is considered to be the movement of the flower to another place while it is being treated with fertilizers or preparations for the treatment of insect pests. However, here you should definitely make a note in order to return this plant in the morning exactly by the side with which it was turned to the window earlier.

The soil

The best soil composition for Calamondin citrus will be rotted manure, turf soil and sand.

Calamondin: Citrus Transplant

Calamondin (Citrofortunella): photo of citrus

To transplant an adult Calamondin, it is necessary to choose a container of a larger volume, since Calamondin has a powerful root system. It is also recommended to keep an earthen lump during transplantation. A thick layer of drainage should be laid out, and then during planting it is necessary to ensure that the root collar remains at the same level at which it was located in the old container.

After transplanting Calamondin, fertilization should be stopped within 30 days, since there is already a sufficient amount of useful elements in the new soil.

Calamondin: reproduction

Experienced growers note that Calamondin is not so easy to propagate. The sown seeds germinate for a long time, besides, the first fruits can be seen only a few years after sowing. Cuttings are also very difficult to take root, they do not adapt well, some do not take root.The summer period is suitable for reproduction, when the air temperature will be 23 - 25 degrees. Best of all, if it is July. Light, loose soil is suitable for the cutting, and it is also better to create a greenhouse effect with bottom heating. Special phytohormones will help the cuttings adapt.

Insects are pests

Calamondin (Citrofortunella): photo of citrus

Like any houseplant, Calamondin is often attacked by insect pests. Common ones are false scutes, whiteflies, spider mites and aphids. If the bush is affected by the above insects, it is necessary to treat it three times with insecticides, according to the rules specified in the instructions. After processing, it is recommended to again cover the Calamondin bush with a bag and place it in a place where the sun's rays do not fall openly throughout the day.

Conclusion

Calamondin (Citrofortunella) is a beautiful exotic houseplant that has a long flowering and fruiting period with the formation of a large number of beautiful fruits suitable for human consumption. Observing the simple rules of home care, Calamondin can be grown by anyone.