How to transplant calamondin at home. Citrofortunella calamondin or indoor tangerine home care reproduction. We graft calamondin on our own at home
Often, housewives are afraid to grow citrus trees, because caring for them at home is different from caring for an ordinary plant, although to a large extent it is not so complicated. Grow tangerine tree in a pot is the dream of almost every indoor plant lover. A good ally in this matter is calamondin. We will talk about how to care for the plant so that it pleases you with its decorative appearance and fruits in this article.
Calamondin - what is this plant
Calamondin has many names: "citrofortunella", " indoor tangerine", "golden orange", however, it is most often called "room citrus". Calamondin is a hybrid plant obtained by crossing a mandarin and a kumquat. Citrofortunella - a representative of the Rutovye family, came to our territory from South-East Asia.
Did you know?Often on forums dedicated to indoor plants, they ask: "Is it possible to eat calamondin?". Of course you can. This ornamental tree bears edible fruit.
Let's try to explain what calamondin is. The plant is represented by a low tree, which in room conditions does not grow more than 1 meter, although at home, it can reach 5 meters in height. It has a highly branched crown and elastic shoots. Brown. Dark green, smooth leaves small size, oval in shape with a pointed tip. The central vein is clearly distinguished on them, along which the leaf twists upwards. If the leaf is crushed or kneaded, it will begin to exude an unobtrusive smell. Small white flowers bloom in spring. The fruits are small, weighing 12 grams, with a yellow-orange, thin skin, shaped like a tangerine. Most often, citrofortunella is used to replace lemon, but fresh fruits are best consumed with a peel, as it compensates for the sour taste of the pulp.
We create optimal conditions for growing in the house
Of course, the natural habitat of any plant is best suited for it, however, if you create optimal conditions in your home, you can grow them yourself. We will talk further about where and how best to place calamondin.
Location and lighting
In order for your citrofortunella to feel comfortable indoors, it must be placed correctly. It is best to place the tree in spacious room so that it can grow freely. For calamondin, a western or eastern window is suitable summer period, and the north side - in winter.
Important!Despite the fact that citrofortunella is a heat-loving plant, South side will not work, because due to direct sunlight, the tree may stop bearing fruit, or its leaves will completely fall off.
Calamondin is best suited for a well-lit room with diffuse sunlight, but with particularly intense sunlight on the plant in summer time, it is better to shade it. IN summertime it is desirable to take the plant "breathe" outside, however, here it should be protected from direct sun. In order for the citrofotunella to grow evenly and the crown to be even, it must be turned to the sun every day, by several millimeters. It is also important to take care that calamondin is protected from drafts, as they can make it sick.
Temperature regime
Calamondin is a flower that tolerates cold and heat equally well. However, it is better to grow it with room temperature, maximum +25°С. In winter, the temperature is reduced to +15°C.
Calamondin care at home with skill
An important factor in the care of calamondin is watering, because the golden orange is a moisture-loving plant. Top dressing and pruning is necessary both for preventive purposes and for crown formation. We will talk about how and when to carry out these procedures further.
Watering and humidity
In the question of how to water calamondin, first of all, it is necessary to accurately calculate the temperature at which the plant will “live”, so as not to pour Citrofortunella and correctly draw up a watering schedule. An important signal that the plant needs fluid is the degree of drying of the top layer of soil by 0.5 cm. Watering should be carried out especially intensively in spring and summer, by autumn - the amount of moisture and the frequency of moistening should be reduced.
Did you know?Young calamondin requires more abundant watering than an adult plant.
If you do not follow the watering regimes, calamondin will dry out, and the leaves will turn yellow and curl up. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to regularly spray citrofortunella. For this purpose, you must use only a spray gun with a good spray. It is better to take water at room temperature, separated. It is undesirable to spray calamondin during flowering, since the petals do not tolerate contact with water.
Fertilization
In order for the plant to feel comfortable indoors, and the forces expended during the growing season to be fully compensated, it will need an additional source of energy. To replenish them, you can carry out both root and foliar top dressing. Best of all for the golden orange, a complex fertilizer for citrus fruits is suitable, which must be applied 1 time in 10 days (in summer), and 1 time per month in winter. If for some reason it is not possible to use a special fertilizer, it can be replaced with a solution of ammonium nitrate and calcium chloride in the following ratio: 5 grams of saltpeter, mixed with two grams of calcium, then dilute this mixture in 1 liter of water.
Important! Root top dressing it is better to carry out on the second day after watering calamondin, then the nutrients will be better absorbed.
Pruning and crown shaping
An important factor in the care of kalandin is tree pruning. Such a procedure is carried out with two goals: to form a beautiful uniform crown, or to renew / treat the plant. Pruning begins at the end of February, gradually cutting the tree so that shoots from the 4th row remain. Pruning ends in summer or early autumn. Then all protruding, spoiling decorative look shoots. Sometimes, it happens that cutting off the shoots is necessary not only to give the tree shape, but also in order to remove the diseased parts. In this case, all diseased damaged shoots are cut off, and the places of cuts are covered with garden pitch, or coal.
Did you know?It is necessary to start pruning in order to form a crown only when the tree reaches a height of 50 cm.
Rest period of Calamondin
Calamondin is one of those plants that needs a properly organized wintering. The rest period (wintering) should begin in November and last until February. In order for this period to pass successfully, it is necessary to provide calamondin with a full day of light and a cool temperature - no higher than + 12 ° C. At this time, the number and frequency of watering is also reduced, which after a month should be carried out 1-2 times in 4 weeks. The plant "wakes up" in March, after which its growth and vegetation are activated.
Important!In order for the plant to wake up faster, it is necessary to gradually increase the temperature in the room by several degrees.
Proper transplant
Over time, citrofortunella needs a transplant. The first time the plant is transplanted 14-20 days after purchase. For calamondin, there is a specific transplant schedule: young plants are transplanted annually, mature plants - once every three years. The transplant must be done in such a way as not to destroy the earthen ball from the previous pot.
Citrus calamondins (citrofortunella) are exotic fruits that can be grown at home. They usually grow up to 40-45 centimeters tall in a one liter pot, so this standard great for small space. These trees are hardy, adapt to the cold and can withstand temperatures as low as -6°C. They are hybrids of the mandarin and the kumquat (yellow-orange tropical fruit).
Calamondin is perfectly adapted for growing at home.
Calamondin trees are grown throughout South Asia, Malaysia, India and the Philippines, where their sap is used. These citrus fruits were introduced from China to the US around 1900. In the US, they are used primarily for decorative purposes. Since the 1960s, potted calamondin citrus trees have been shipped from South Florida to other states in North America to grow as houseplants.
Description of Calamondin
Calamondin trees are small, dense evergreens, from 90 centimeters to 1.2 meters in height. The woody stem of this dwarf citrus tree is densely covered with oval, glossy green leaves. You can expect an abundance of flowers and fruits after the second year of growth of Calamondin.
On the branches of growing citrus trees there are small thorns, on which white, star-shaped flowers with pleasant aroma. Over time, these flowers become small orange fruits (2.5–5 cm in diameter) resembling a tangerine crossed with a lemon. Fruits ripen slowly, their color changes from dark green to bright orange.
The segmented fruits are seedless and very acidic. But do not rush to collect fruit. They can hang on a tree for a long time without falling off or spoiling, so you can enjoy their beauty for several months.
Citrofortunella is one of the hardiest citrus varieties. The fruits of this plant appear in the spring months and can be stored until winter. These fruits can be used to make drinks in the same way that lemons or limes are used. They also make marmalade, jellies and cakes. You can use them in place of lemons in cooking recipes as both fruits are similar in acidity.
Calamondins are used in cooking instead of lemons.
How to grow calamondin
This hardy ornamental evergreen citrus makes a great addition to the home garden, which is why many gardeners wonder how to care for calamondin at home. If you live in a cold climate region, then this specimen is one of the few citrus trees you can grow outside. Calamondin trees can grow even in the shade. They are drought tolerant but need to be watered anyway to avoid damaging stress.
Calamondins propagate through seed sowing or by rooting thin cuttings in spring period or denser cuttings in summer. They can also be bud-grafted to the stem. Flowers do not require cross pollination and will produce fruit at the age of two years, continuing to bear them almost all year round.
Calamondin bears fruit all year round
What you need for boarding
- Big pot.
- A mixture of purchased ground soils.
- Organic supplements or slow release fertilizers.
- Insecticide (optional).
- Secateurs.
Hint: place flower pot onto a tray with wheels or into a trolley for easy movement. This acquisition will facilitate the care of the tree.
Calamondin prefers large pots
Caring for calamondin trees at home
Although calamondin trees can be grown indoors, they are best suited for growing outdoors in partial shade or full sun. Caring for citrofortunella is to fulfill the following conditions:
- Light. Give the tree as much as possible sunlight throughout the year (at least 4 hours of direct sunlight every day). Rotate the plant a quarter of a turn every week because it will grow rapidly towards the light source and its trunk will twist. During the warmer months, it is best to move the tree outdoors to give it room to grow.
- Temperature. The most suitable temperature is 18-24 °C. In winter, this tree can withstand a minimum of 10°C, but any temperature below 12°C will adversely affect the growth of the tree.
- Watering. It is impossible to flood the plant too much, so that the roots do not rot. Before watering, the soil should dry to a depth of 2.5 centimeters.
- Humidity. In a place where citrus grows, there should be moderate humidity. Dry air causes flowers to drop. Place the container or flower pot on a tray of damp pebbles to increase the humidity.
- The soil. For calamondin, any good mix land, you can buy ready-made or mix it yourself by buying soil different kind. Use a soil mix designed for potted plants and not the soil from the garden.
- Fertilizer. The best and most suitable for citrofortunella is organic fertilizer from fruit trees. It contains all the nutrients needed for healthy growth citrus roots, and promotes the growth of the tree and its fruits. When fertilizing calamondin during the winter, use a single-use, water-soluble fertilizer approximately every five weeks. Then in early spring add a slow release fertilizer and continue to fully fertilize the soil with a water soluble fertilizer every month during the growing season.
- Purity. Make sure that the leaves are not covered with dust. This prevents infestation by mites or other pests. Check the tree's foliage regularly for them. When they appear, treat the leaves chemicals by following the directions on the package. But this must be done before the leaves begin to fall. Important note: If you plan to eat fruits, be very careful while spraying pesticides so as not to poison them. Reapply natural organic insecticides whenever possible to prevent the introduction of new pests.
- Reproduction. Take stem cuttings in early summer. With a sharp knife or with a blade, cut off 10 centimeters of stem with at least 2-3 leaf nodes without flowers or fruit. Dip the end of the trimmings into the hormone powder for the soak before inserting it into the wet mixture. Then put in a plastic bag to maintain moisture. The cutting planted in the substrate will begin to grow in about 6-8 weeks, developing roots and buds.
- Collection of fruits. Harvest the fruits by cutting them with scissors so as not to damage the stem. Fruit is best eaten shortly after harvest or kept cold as it rots quickly at high temperatures.
Compared to other citrus trees, calamondin is easy to care for. Follow the necessary rules for growing this plant, and citrofortunella will bear fruit and bloom all year round.
Calamondin loves constant but moderate humidity.
Citrofortunella bears fruit at the age of two. Pay attention to the age of the plant when you buy it. you can buy annual seedlings on the cheap, but after purchase it will take a lot more time for you to enjoy the ripe fruit.
When the plant grows in spring, it is necessary to shorten it so that it does not become too large. Pruning long branches in spring will encourage new branches to grow just below the cut. Dried or diseased branches should be removed. Cut the stems at an angle just above the leaf node (where the leaf attaches to the stem).
Repot young trees every 2-3 years. Plants will not bloom if there is not enough space for them. At first, it is worth growing calamondins in small containers. Use a pot of about 15 cm until the plants are three or four years old. And then transplant them into a 20 cm container. Always use a pot with a drainage hole to prevent root rot.
For fruiting, the plant must be pollinated. Calamondin trees that are grown indoors must be handled by hand.
Use a small, dry brush to fertilize each flower. Move the brush around the center of each flower, moving from one flower to another. This is how you transfer pollen from male flowers to female flowers, just like bees do.
If you moved the plant indoors for the winter, then after warming, put it on open air not immediately possible. Take the citrus outside at night for about a month. And when calamondin adapts to the temperature, you can leave it for fresh air all day. Remember that in any room additional light and the moisture you can provide will be good for your tree.
Calamondin was bred by crossing two cultures - Fortunella and Mandarin. Therefore, it is called citrofortunella or citrus calamondin. Among the people, other names for the tree are more popular - indoor tangerine or golden orange.
Description and features of the plant
Calamondin belongs to the rue family. Habitat growth - Southeast Asia. Grows as a branched shrub or small evergreen tree. In nature, it grows up to 7 m, the maximum height of indoor calamondin is 1.5 m. The root system is well developed. Thin, woody roots completely wrap around a lump of earth in a pot. The roots and stems of the tree are covered with light, rough bark of a pale brownish color. Branching begins almost from the base of the stem, the shoots are densely leafy. The leaves are small and glossy. A slight fold along the main vein is characteristic. Leaves sit on dense, short petioles.
Young branches closer to May are covered with inflorescences. The buds are snow-white, collected in two or three pieces. The flowers are fragrant, up to 2.5 cm in diameter. Each bud consists of five petals. The flowers self-pollinate, but you can increase the likelihood of fruit set by artificial pollination with a brush. After a month and a half, the tree is covered with small orange fruits, similar to tangerines.
Calamondin fruits can be eaten. Unlike tangerines, it is better to use them with the peel. The pulp is sour with bitterness, the skin is sweet. Calamondin fruits are more often used as a flavoring additive in tea, pastries and other dishes than for independent consumption.
Actions after purchase
Calamondins often go on sale, already strewn with bright orange fruits. After fruiting, such trees stop growing, gradually die. To save the life of calamondin, you need to help him adapt to new conditions. What should be the care of calamondin after purchase?
- Pot change. Immediately after the purchase, you need to transplant calamondin into a larger pot. The soil is used nutritious, transplanted by transshipment. The roots dry out easily, so you need to act quickly.
- Isolation. The tree is placed in a ten-day quarantine. Set separately from other plants, protect from the sun, water moderately, do not feed.
- Search for pests. Checked daily for pests. When they are found, they are sprayed with insecticidal preparations.
- Additional processing. If the tree begins to drop leaves, all flowers and ovaries are cut off, sprayed with Epin.
How to care for calamondin (citrofortunella) in winter? It is desirable to create cooler conditions for him, about 16-18 ° C. The temperature should not fall below 12°C. artificial additional lighting winter is a must! In the heat and with a lack of light, the tree will stretch, fade, bloom weaker.
Calamondin care: what to consider
Growing calamondin citrus at home involves creating a favorable microclimate, timely feeding, watering and pruning. The tree is quite hardy, it is not difficult to care for it. Experienced flower growers recommend to adhere to the basic requirements.
- Lighting. The light should be bright but diffused. They try to place calamondin in the east and southeast. Too dark on the north side, too hot on the south side. Shade from the sun in summer. In winter they do without shading. On the north side, both in summer and in winter, additional illumination with fluorescent lamps is organized.
- Temperature . Calamondin loves soft warmth. Adjusts well to room temperature. Ideal Conditions summer 22-24°C. In winter, the temperature is lowered.
- Watering. In warm seasons, calamondin is watered abundantly up to twice a day. During fruiting, make sure that the soil is evenly moistened. Sometimes it is better to water less often, but very plentifully. Moisture should flow to all roots. In autumn, watering is gradually reduced. The lower the air temperature in the room, the less often watered. After drying the surface of the soil, wait about three days. In winter, watering is minimized, but drying is not allowed. With a lack of moisture, calamondin leaves curl, dry, flowers and ovaries fall off. Excess moisture leads to rot.
- Humidity . Calamondin is neutral to moisture. Spraying is recommended in hot weather. summer days and in winter heating season. Calamondin is not placed next to the batteries. If the air humidity in the apartment is below 40%, its artificial increase is required by arranging water containers, installing tubs in a tray with wet sphagnum.
- Hygiene. For hygienic purposes, the tree is periodically bathed under a warm, almost hot shower. The maximum water temperature is 55°C. Hot water under pressure, it cleans the leaves well from accumulated dust, serves as a prevention of the appearance spider mite. The earth in a pot while bathing is covered with polyethylene.
- The soil . The soil for calamondin should be nutritious and breathable. Optimum acidity - no higher than pH 6.5. Three parts of the universal soil mixture add one part of biohumus and the same amount of fine gravel.
- Transplant. Until the age of three, trees are recommended to be transplanted annually. Adult calamondins are transplanted less frequently - once every two to three years. The optimal time for transplantation is spring. If the pot has become very cramped, the roots have rotted, salinization or acidification of the soil is observed, you can transplant it at another time of the year. The root system of calamondin is vulnerable, they try not to injure it - they do not destroy the old earthen lump.
- Pot and drainage. Choose a pot equal in depth and width. At the bottom they make large drainage holes. Large expanded clay is well suited as drainage. It can be replaced with walnut shells.
- Top dressing. Feed from early spring to late summer. Contribute complex fertilizers. The dose of nitrogen in the composition of the drug should be minimal, potassium and phosphorus - increased. The intervals between top dressings are two weeks. The preparations are added to the water for irrigation. If calamondin blooms in autumn or winter time, the feeding schedule is being reviewed. They continue to make monthly intervals. Strictly adhere to the dosage recommendations from the instructions for each specific drug.
- Pruning . Trimming calamondin (citrofortunella) is a must. It easily tolerates pruning, quickly starts up side shoots. As a result of regular pruning, they form a spherical dense crown, stimulate flowering, fruit set.
Calamondin can be grown as a tree or shrub. Pruned in early spring, combined with transshipment. Cut out all old, brown, damaged branches. Thin out the bush. In the summer they cut, shorten too long branches. The cut is performed over the internode. On pruned shoots, flower buds will form only after a year.
Seed and vegetative propagation
Calamondin is propagated by seeds and cuttings. The first way is slow and laborious. The second one is more simple. Each of them has its own characteristics.
Growing from the bone
Peculiarities . Growing calamondin from seed is a long and laborious process. Theoretically, Calamondin will begin to bear fruit in six years, but in practice, ten years pass before the first flowering. Calamondin seeds lose their germination very quickly, so they should be planted immediately after harvest. The fruit is left on the tree until the last - it must be fully ripe.
Action algorithm
- Prepare nutritional soil mix. It is made up of fertile land, sand and peat.
- Pour the soil into the container, spread the seeds on the surface, sprinkle them with a layer of 1–2 cm of earth.
- The soil is well moistened with a spray bottle, the container is covered with a film. Keep in a warm, well-lit place. The optimum temperature for seed germination is 25-28°C.
- After the emergence of shoots, the film is removed. Dive at the stage of two true leaves in separate pots.
By the same principle, you can grow a lemon, an orange from a seed. But the chances of success will be lower. Most of the fruits that enter the stores are collected unripe.
cuttings
Peculiarities . You can propagate calamondin cuttings. Cuttings are cut in early spring from strong, healthy branches. The easiest way to root apical cuttings with three or four internodes, fully matured leaves.
Action algorithm
- Cuttings are cut, the cut is dried for an hour.
- The lower part of the cutting is treated with a phytohormone solution, placed in light soil. Deepen into the soil to the bottom sheet.
- The container with the handle is covered with a jar. Maintain a temperature of about 24-28°C.
- Every day, the shelter is removed for half an hour, moisten the soil as necessary.
Rooting does not always occur, so it is better to use several cuttings at the same time. The first roots appear in two to three weeks. Calamondin, grown from cuttings, begins to bear fruit already in the third or fourth year.
How to instill
Peculiarities . If properly grafted, Calamondin will be more drought tolerant and will develop a good root system. Most often it is grafted onto orange seedlings. You can vaccinate at any time from March to the end of summer. During the period of active growth, the grafts take root well and start growing.
Action algorithm
- Removed from rootstock lower leaves and branches, cut at the selected height.
- The stock is cut vertically to a depth of about 2 cm. The bark is separated from the wood.
- Choose a suitable branch for the scion. A cut is made on the underside of the cutting.
- A cutting is placed in a vertical incision, clamped and wrapped with insulating tape.
- The junction is tightly wrapped with plastic wrap.
- After a month, you can remove the polyethylene, after two - the insulating tape.
Vaccination is a rather complicated procedure. For beginners, it may not work out the first time. All the subtleties of vaccination are known only by experience.
Common pests
Despite the spicy smell, pests do not bypass Calamondin. Florists have to deal with most pests. The most common insects are collected in the table.
Table - Calamondin pests
| Name of the pest | Signs of appearance | Ways to fight |
|---|---|---|
| spider mite | - Leaves look dusty; - the tree sheds leaves; - the branches are covered with a thin cobweb | - Increasing air humidity; - at the first sign of treatment with systemic insecticides ("Aktellik", "Aktara", "Inta-vir") |
| Shchitovka | - Plaques form on stems and leaves; - leaves turn yellow; - the tree stops growing, loses foliage | - Mechanical removal insects with an alcohol swab; - repeated spraying with insecticides |
| Mealybug | - Whitish bloom on the leaves; - lumps of "cotton wool" in the axils of the leaves | - Mechanical treatment with alcohol or vodka; - spraying with insecticides |
| Aphid | - Twisting of leaves and tops of new shoots; - stickiness of leaves; - growth inhibition, wilting | - Bathing in the shower using soap solution; - treatment with insecticides or tobacco dust |
If calamondin is completely dry, you can try to reanimate it, but success is not guaranteed. Carry out a major pruning of the tree, transplant into fresh nutrient soil. Place a plastic bag over the top to keep the moisture in and don't forget to water regularly. A small amount of growth stimulant can be added to the water for irrigation.
Frequent illnesses
Diseases are rarer than pests. Their development is usually provoked by improper conditions for keeping calamondin. Three diseases represent the greatest danger. Their symptoms and treatment are described in the table.
Table - Diseases of Calamondin
| Disease name | Characteristic symptoms | Treatment Methods |
|---|---|---|
| sooty fungus | - Black film on leaves and non-lignified shoots | - Spraying with a solution of colloidal sulfur, fungicide "Fitosporin-M"; - in the future, preventive spraying once a month |
| Anthracnose | - First yellow-green, then brown spots on leaves; - formation of necrotic areas | - Decreased air humidity; - pruning of affected leaves and branches; - spraying blue vitriol or Bordeaux liquid |
| Gommosis (gum disease) | - Formation of blisters on the stem (filled with gum); - cracking of swellings, death of the bark in the affected areas; - yellowing and shedding of leaves; - dark brown spots on fruits | - Cutting out deformed bark and wood with cleaning of wounds; - treatment of wounds with copper sulphate, lubrication with Bordeaux paste |
Growing problems
Judging by the reviews of flower growers, improper care more often affects the decorative effect of a tree than diseases and pests. The table summarizes the main growing problems and possible causes.
Table - Problems of growing Calamondin
| Problem | Probable Cause |
|---|---|
| Calamondin does not bloom | - Lack of light; - excess nitrogenous fertilizers; - irregular watering; - sharp temperature changes; - pests; - lack of trace elements |
| Unripe fruits fall off | - A lack of nutrients; - a sharp change in the microclimate |
| Leaves turn yellow and fall | - Lack of magnesium |
| Leaves are falling | - Unsuitable temperature regime; - air humidity below 40%; - constant drafts |
| calamondin withers | - Cold; - problems with the root system |
Since it is not very difficult to care for Calamondin, it is quite possible to achieve not only flowering, but also stable fruiting. Compact tree with rounded crown decorative leaves, strewn with bright orange fruits, looks very elegant.
Calamondin is a beautiful small tree, a specially bred ornamental hybrid that is very common and especially popular in Southeast Asia. But in Europe today this is gaining popularity. homemade tangerine, so it is called by the people.
Love to citrus crops and growing them at home makes calamondin welcome guest on the windowsill. Another name for him is citrofortunella, grown by crossing kumquart (fortunella) with tangerine.
At home tangerine small stature, it hardly grows to one meter. It has leaves of a rich green color, shiny, glossy, characteristic of citrus fruits.
Small white flowers, fragrant with citruses, and the fruits are very similar to small tangerines - bright, very fragrant and beautiful, but, unfortunately, inedible. The taste of these fruits is so-so - they are bitter-sour, with many seeds, more like a lemon than a tangerine.
Citrofortunella is quite unpretentious when kept at home, but very often when changing residence and getting into more dry room, the plant is under stress and its leaves begin to fall off.
To remedy the situation, homemade tangerine is completely covered plastic bag and tie at the bottom. In this way, 100% humidity is created inside. Every day, it is necessary to untie the air bag for a while while the plant adapts.
In addition, at first the tree must be sprayed every day. warm water and moisten the soil. After a couple of weeks, it is very desirable to transplant the plant into a new pot, because capsules with growth stimulants are often introduced into the soil before selling, which can cause the plant to wither when the microclimate changes in a new place.
When transplanting, it is necessary to check for rotting on the roots, and be sure to remove rotten areas. Transplantation is carried out by transshipment of the plant, trying not to damage the root system.
With further transplants, it is advisable not to disturb the earthen clod, removing only a little upper layer adding new soil on top.
After transplantation, during the first month, the plant does not require top dressing, since the new soil has a fairly balanced composition. In the future, it is necessary to feed the plant with special mixtures in the spring and summer - once a week, and in the cold season - once a month.
Choice of residence
Be sure to find a suitable place for your home tangerine, because this southerner loves light and warmth.
But here are the straight lines Sun rays can cause burns to tender leaves, therefore, choosing sunny side, it is necessary to cover the plant from sun light curtain.
For winter maintenance, citrofortunella must be provided with additional illumination. Therefore, for the winter, a lamp is placed next to the pot, because the future harvest will depend on the amount and intensity of lighting.
Temperature and Humidity
Homemade tangerine does not like too hot weather. In summer time optimum temperature for calamondin about +25 degrees. The plant feels very good on the balcony or on outdoor terrace, with slight shading.
In the natural habitat of citrofortunella in winter, the temperature drops to 16 - 18 degrees, so be sure to provide similar conditions for the winter in order to see abundant flowering and beautiful fruits in the future.
However, homemade tangerine will survive even with a short drop in temperature, even to zero.
Soil moisture needs to be monitored very carefully. In summer, watering should be carried out when the top layer of soil dries out by half a centimeter. Water should be warm and settled, or boiled, because tender plant cannot drink water with chlorine, it can kill him. An indispensable spraying of the leaves is an indispensable condition for the comfortable maintenance of the plant.
IN winter period when the air humidity in the room decreases due to heating, the humidification and watering algorithm must be changed. It is necessary to spray the plant more often, but watering less often.
Home care for calamondin (citrofortunella)
Citrofortunella sheds leaves What to do?
With improper care and maintenance, the plant can shed its leaves. There are several reasons for this, and if they are identified and eliminated in a timely manner, then citrofortunella is able to recover and grow leaves again.
The reason that the leaves fell off may be an elementary draft. It is necessary to protect calamondin from open windows and wide open doors.
Poor lighting, too hot or too dry room where calamondin lives can also provoke leaf shedding.
In this case, it is necessary to humidify the air with a humidifier. The temperature in the room should be tried to maintain in the optimal mode, avoiding large differences. The lack of lighting is eliminated with the help of phytolamps.
With such a problem, it is very important to check the condition of the calamondin root system. If the tree received an excess of water during irrigation, then it is quite possible that its roots began to rot.
In this case, an emergency plant transplant is necessary. In this case, it is imperative to remove the rotten roots and treat with phytosporin.
Reproduction of home tangerine
Like others fruit trees, homemade tangerine can be propagated both by grafting on a stock, and by growing a plant from cuttings, as well as growing from a seed.
Of course, all these methods require some preparation, and most importantly - patience and time.
An orange seedling with strong roots who is not afraid of drought.
Reproduction of calamondin with a bone
The method of growing homemade tangerine from seeds is perhaps the easiest.
To do this, it is necessary to make small greenhouses for the grains: each bone is planted in a separate cup with well-moistened soil, deepening it slightly, and covered with a jar on top or covered with a film, not forgetting to ventilate the greenhouse daily.
To achieve good germination, it is necessary to regularly apply fertilizers to the soil that stimulate growth. When watering, it is necessary to ensure that there is enough moisture, but at the same time not to allow waterlogging, so as not to kill the sprouts.
Reproduction by seeds is a rather lengthy process. It takes about ten years before you can wait for the fruits. Yes, and not always with this method of reproduction, it is possible to preserve parental characteristics, so there is a large share of risk here.
Reproduction of calamondin by cuttings
To obtain positive result when cuttings of calamondin, it is necessary to purchase some kind of growth stimulator - root, for example. Without the use of phytohormones, waiting for the roots to appear is very problematic.
Cuttings are harvested by cutting off a branch with 4-5 well-developed leaves from the top, and then keeping them in a growth stimulator for a day.
The cuttings are planted in the prepared soil at an angle of 45 degrees, deepening to the level of the lowest leaf. After that, it is imperative to close the cuttings on top with a bag or a jar, making a small greenhouse in order to maintain the greatest humidity.
Every day it is necessary to arrange airing for half an hour, and it is more convenient to water it by pouring water into the pan.
The stalk usually takes root within a month.
Today, in many apartments you can find a variety of decorative trees. At home, the kumquat tree and calamondin take root perfectly. To grow such a tree at home, you need to know the basic rules for caring for it.
Conditions of detention
Caring for calamondin at home involves organizing optimal conditions for the plant.
Lighting
Citrofortunella loves well-lit places. A diffused light should fall on the tree, so in the summer on hot days it is better to shade the plant. To form a uniform crown, a pot with a tree during the day must be turned to the sun in different directions.
Temperature
For the normal growth of this variety, a moderate temperature is required - + 20–25 ° C. In winter, this figure should be lowered to + 12–15 ° C. At the same time, the hybrid does not tolerate drafts well, so in winter it is best to keep the pot on a glazed loggia or balcony.
Humidity
The plant grows well at low humidity (about 70%). To protect the hybrid from dry air, its leaves must be sprayed with water every day. It is important to wet the underside well leaf blade. You can also place a container of water next to the pot. During the evaporation process, the moisture will increase the humidity in the room.
Irrigation Features
Citrus calamondin needs abundant watering, especially from spring to autumn (growth period). The main thing here is to avoid the situation of stagnation of water in the pan, otherwise root system will start to rot.
The introduction of water is carried out when the soil in the pot has become dry. During the winter months, watering is done once a week. For irrigation, filtered or boiled soft water is used.
Pruning and propagation
Pruning of shoots is carried out in February. In the summer months, very dense or excessively long stems are to be removed.
Since it was used to create this hybrid, reproduction here will be carried out in a similar way. IN this case such a procedure is a rather laborious process. Reproduction in citrus fruits of this species occurs in several ways:
- bone. It is planted in specially prepared soil. Also, fertilizing should be regularly applied to the soil to obtain a sprout, which will stimulate the bone to germinate and actively grow;
- through vaccination. It is usually carried out on orange seedlings;
- cuttings, which should have at least 2-3 buds.
To carry out the reproduction of calamondin at home with cuttings, you must adhere to the following rules:
- The stalk is taken with a top, on which there are mature leaves and a pronounced internode.
- The tip of the cut cutting is placed for a couple of seconds in a growth stimulator (for example, in Kornevin).
- In the prepared ground, the prepared cutting is lowered to the level of the bottom sheet.
- The sprout should be covered from above glass jar to maintain high humidity. Every day the plant needs to be aired for 20 minutes.
If everything was done correctly, then the cutting will take root in 3 weeks. Then calamondin requires the usual care at home.
Disease prevention
The best prevention of diseases of this hybrid is to follow the rules of care, especially temperature and water regimes. Also, the plant can be sprayed with special solutions.
Knowing what kind of care calamondin requires when grown at home, you can get a beautiful decorative tree which will be a great decoration for your home.
Video "Care for calamondin at home"
From this video you will learn how to properly care for calamondin at home.
