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Calamondin yellow spots on the leaves. Growing and propagating citrofortunella at home. Growing problems

Citrus calamondin micro is a self-pollinating plant, characterized by abundant fruiting. In apartments, a tree is grown to decorate the interior as a trunk or bonsai. It is worth looking at the photo of the plant and it becomes clear why it is so popular lately in indoor floriculture and not only. Calamondin, or Citrofortunella microcarp, is a plant that flower growers are very fond of for delicate flowers and bright fruits, which, by the way, are edible, because calamondin is a musky lime, a relative of another bright citrus - calamansi. Both fruits are very popular in the Philippines where they are used to add a citrus flavor and aroma to food and drink. So, let's see how to keep him at home, how is his wintering in room conditions why it can fall leaves and much more.

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. The natural habitat is Southeast Asia. Grows as a branched shrub or small evergreen tree. In nature, it grows up to 7 m, the maximum height room calamondin 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 in summer are 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 well cleans the leaves of accumulated dust, serves as a prevention of the appearance of spider mites. 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. Large drainage holes are made at the bottom. 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

1. Prepare a nutrient soil mixture. It is made up of fertile land, sand and peat.
2. Pour the soil into the container, spread the seeds on the surface, sprinkle them with a layer of 1–2 cm of earth.
3. 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.
4. 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

1. Cuttings are cut, the cut is dried for an hour.
2. The lower part of the cutting is treated with a phytohormone solution, placed in light soil. Buried into the soil bottom sheet.
3. The container with the handle is covered with a jar. Maintain a temperature of about 24-28°C.
4. 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

1. The lower leaves and branches are removed from the rootstock, cut at the selected height.
2. The stock is cut vertically to a depth of about 2 cm. The bark is separated from the wood.
3. Choose a suitable branch for the scion. A cut is made on the underside of the cutting.
4. A cutting is placed in a vertical incision, clamped and wrapped with insulating tape.
5. The junction is tightly wrapped with plastic wrap.
6. 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 of 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 the 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.

It is popular among flower growers for its undemanding care and attractive appearance and aroma.

But there are still nuances in its cultivation.

Conditions for citrofortunella

Citrofortunella, or calamondin, in everyday life is often called a tangerine tree or home. This is a beautiful, low, up to one meter, fairly branched. Dark green leaves with some brilliance, as well as small white flowers, from which the aroma peculiar to this tree emanates, add special appeal to it. With proper care, bright orange or yellow fruits appear on the tree with big amount seeds, sour in taste and with rather thin skin. There is also a variety of citrofortunella, fruiting small so-called

Did you know? Calamondin spread throughout the world from South-East Asia.

very warm and hygrophilous, and to create such conditions in our climate is rather troublesome. But if calamondin, when grown at home, is able to provide everything necessary, then it is able to please with its fruits. all year round.

One of the most important steps in the care of calamondin is its systematic pruning. A bole up to 25 cm will help to form the correct crown: the main branches are on top, then the process of forming branches of the next order follows; after the appearance of branches of the fourth order, it is considered that the crown is formed. Pruning of branches is carried out mainly in February, and in the summer it is simply possible to remove very long shoots. Calamondin, like every plant, needs regular repotting.

Lighting and location

The most suitable for citrofortunella is a place in bright room with diffused lighting, but never in direct sunlight- the condition of the plant in this case deteriorates significantly. IN winter period for calamondin is not only allowed, but also extremely necessary artificial lighting. It will also grow in the shade, but in this case one cannot count on fruits. The best place for growing Citrofortunella is an eastern or western place in warm and sunny times, and a northern one in winter.

Important! So that the roots of the plant do not overheat, it is advisable to place the pot in a white pot or wrap it with white sheets of paper. Calamondin has difficulty adapting to a new place, so it is better for a few weeksafter acquisitiondo not transplant, but often at this time spray and keep in the most lit place.

Remember to rotate the calamondin little by little to create an attractive and symmetrical tree shape.

Temperature and humidity

loves warmth and moisture. Suitable temperature for its cultivation in summer time- +22–25 °С, and in winter - +15–18 °С. This winter temperature drop is necessary for the continued effectiveness of the flowering and fruiting process.

Citrofortunella also needs regular and sufficient hydration by spraying the crown, but watering is necessary as it dries. For irrigation and spraying, the water must be warm enough, it must be defended or filtered. In winter, Citrofortunella does not need watering so often, and the need for spraying increases, because the heating period contributes to a greater dryness of the air in the room.

Immediately after acquiring calamondin, you need to see if the soil in which it is located is not dry: young plant should grow in well-drained soil.

Important! Oversaturation of the soil with moisture, lack of sunlight, creating conditions for drafts, very high air temperatures can cause calamondin to drop its leaves. It is imperative to understand what the cause is and eliminate it. But you need to be very careful, because these same signs can be with some

Reproduction by cuttings

Reproduction of citrofortunella is a process that requires effort. There are several ways to propagate calamondin: with the help of seeds, and grafting, for which orange seedlings with well-developed roots and easily tolerated drought are best suited. But the best among these methods is reproduction using cuttings.

When and how to prepare

For propagation of citrofortunella by cuttings, it is necessary to pick up a cutting with two or three buds and mature leaves from the top and cut it off.

rooting process

The tip of the cut cutting must be immersed for a few seconds in a product that is growth stimulator. Plant the stalk in the soil to the bottom sheet. A sprout planted in the ground should be covered with a glass jar or a plastic bag for preservation. high level humidity necessary for better engraftment and rooting of the cuttings. The sprout takes root approximately three weeks after planting. The process of rooting calamondin is quite complex and unpredictable, so it would be more rational to plant several cuttings at a time.

landing care

Above the handle you need to ventilate every day for 20-30 minutes. The optimum temperature for rooting cuttings is + 24–25 ° С.

Important! The process of pollination of calamondin at home occurs manually: a dry brush is carried out in the center of the flowers and thus pollen is transferred frommaleflower for women.

Growing from the bone (from seeds)

Although the process of growing calamondin from or seeds is quite lengthy, some gardeners consider it simpler.

Choosing seeds

Seeds of fresh, not dried, ripened fruits are suitable for reproduction. When dried, the seeds quickly lose the properties necessary for reproduction and germination.

Substrate preparation

For planting, it is necessary to prepare a special earthen mixture of fertile nutrient soil, sand and

Calamondin is an ornamental tree obtained by crossing a kumquat (fortunella) and an ordinary tangerine. Homemade mandarin is the “folk” name of the hybrid, citrofortunella is the scientific name.

The tree has a compact size - the height reaches a meter. The leaves are dark green, glossy. The flowers are small, white, exude a pleasant aroma.

Is it possible to eat the fruits of calamondin?

In place of flowers, small yellow, bright orange ones appear. They are edible, but taste sour, more like lemons, and have many seeds.

Decorative mandarin can be grown even by novice growers. He has bright appearance, pleasant citrus aroma, easy enough to care for, which makes it very popular.

motherland homemade tangerine is southeast Asia. In order for the fruits to appear, you need to provide warmth and light in abundance. If you do everything right, fruiting will last all year round. Flowering begins at 3-4 years of age.

Calamondin after purchase

Due to its exoticism, pleasant aroma and the presence of fruits, calamondin can be a pleasant gift. If you were gifted with such a tree or you decide to purchase it yourself, be calm: you can’t call it capricious, so caring for the plant will not be difficult.

Adaptation

In the first two weeks after the appearance of citrofortunella in your home, it must be sprayed daily, provide good lighting. The soil also needs to be moistened. It is recommended to transplant the plant after 2 weeks.

Having moved from the store to your home, the indoor tangerine begins to adapt to new conditions. In the early days, the leaves may fall off. In this case, you need to increase the humidity by simply covering the tree with a plastic bag. Do not forget to ventilate daily.

In a flower shop, capsules with growth stimulants are often injected that provide active vegetation and flowering, but this may not be compatible with the conditions of the house / apartment - perhaps the tree will begin to wither before our eyes. An emergency transplant will help here.

Transfer

2 weeks after purchase, indoor tangerine is a must. Need to repot in a pot bigger size with new soil. If you find rotten roots, be sure to cut off the damaged areas. In general, you should try not to damage the roots, otherwise the plant may die: it is better to carefully roll over the tree without violating the integrity of the earthy coma.

Overheating of the roots should be avoided: plant immediately in a white pot or wrap the container with a sheet of paper; it is not recommended to immediately put it in a sunny place. When re-transplanting, it is better to save the earth lump as much as possible, adding only a new layer of soil from above, removing a little old one.

How to care for calamondin at home

Location selection

A place for citrofortunella should be chosen with good diffused lighting. The sunny side of the house (east or west) is suitable so that the plant does not suffer from burns; enough light penetration through transparent curtain. In winter, the mandarin will miss the natural light. The pot must be placed on north side and apply artificial lighting. From proper lighting fertility depends.

Air temperature and humidity

The air temperature should be moderate. In summer, for calamondin, the temperature regime is comfortable no higher than 25 ° C, in winter - about 18 ° C. A decrease in temperature in winter corresponds to the habitat conditions of the tree in nature, which will contribute to abundant flowering and subsequent fruiting.

Spray calamondin foliage regularly. Water as soon as it dries upper layer soil by about 0.5 cm. Water for irrigation immediately from the tap with an increased concentration of harmful impurities is detrimental to the plant. Water with warm boiled or filtered water.

In winter, air dryness increases, the number of sprays should be increased so that the beautiful crown does not dry out, but reduce watering.

Crown shaping and pruning

The beautiful rounded shape of the crown contributes to the daily rotation of the pot with the plant literally a few millimeters clockwise. Immediately rough unroll tangerine tree opposite side to the light is impossible, it can greatly harm him.

The tree will need timely regular pruning:

• To form a beautiful spherical shape, you need a bole (part of the trunk from the ground surface to the crown) about 25 cm long.
• Start forming from the skeletal branches (the largest ones that make up the skeleton of the crown), reaching the branches of the fourth order.
• You need to start the procedure from February, level up until the summer, and in the summer cut off only extra protruding branches.

Bonsai from Calamondin

• To form from indoor tangerine, you need to leave a few branches on one central trunk, and cut and pinch the rest so that they do not grow further.
• The trunk can be beautifully bent using improvised materials: you can tie ropes to branches and fasten them at the base of the pot, as if pulling them down.
• You can use a thick wire for the same purposes: winding it around the branches and the trunk, carefully make bends in the right direction.
• When the trunk and branches become woody and take the desired shape, the accessories are removed.

top dressing

Like other plants, during the flowering period, calamondin needs additional minerals and nutrients. In the period March-September, you need to fertilize in 1-1.5 weeks. The rest of the time, monthly top dressing is enough. Feeding mixes can be purchased at any gardening store. "Citrus humus" is especially popular, you can use formulations intended for indoor flowering plants.

Scheduled transplant of homemade mandarin

Young citrofortunellas are transplanted every spring, it is enough to disturb adult specimens every 2-3 years.

• You will need big pot, because the root system of the mandarin develops well and the tree can reach quite large sizes.
• The root neck should be placed at the same level as it was before transplantation.
• An earthen ball should not be destroyed much.
• Be sure to arrange drainage at the bottom of the pot, its layer should be about 3 cm. Next, lay the earth mixture of soddy soil, manure and sand in a ratio of 2: 1: 1.
• Carefully transfer the tree from the old pot to the new one, filling the sides with soil and lightly pressing it with your hands.
• Pour a small amount of water, be sure to drain the excess from the pan.

Within 1.5 months after transplantation, the tree is not needed, because the new soil is quite rich in essential substances.

Reproduction of calomondin

Calomondin can be propagated in the following ways:

• Inoculation.
• Growing from the bone.
• Cuttings.

Any method of reproduction is complex, requiring the expenditure of many forces.

An orange seedling with strong roots who is not afraid of drought.

Growing citrofortunella from seed

• seeds in a pot are considered the easiest way, but in order for them to hatch, the ground must be regularly fertilized with special compounds that promote growth (growth stimulants). It is better to plant one bone at a time in separate cups, be sure to provide drainage: make holes in the bottom if there are none.
• The germination process takes a long time until the seeds germinate, it is better to cover them with a bag and air them daily.
• When the seeds germinate, the bag is removed.
• You need to water regularly, but without fanaticism: excess moisture is fraught with the death of plants.

Cuttings of homemade tangerine

The task is not the easiest, but perhaps the most acceptable for beginner flower growers. Propagation by cuttings has its own nuances.

• You need to choose an apical cutting with large internodes and developed leaves.
• Carefully cut off the cutting, hold for several hours, or even a day, in a special root formation stimulator (zircon or root).
• The stalk must be placed in the ground to the level of the petiole of the bottom sheet.
• Top with a cut-off jar to maintain high humidity. plastic bottle or transparent package.
• Within 30 minutes it will be necessary to ventilate daily.
• It is better to water through the pan.
• With proper care, the cuttings will take root in a month.

Diseases and pests of calamondin

This indoor culture may be subject to diseases such as anthracnose, gommosis, and soot fungus.

Anthracnose

In which the leaves become covered with yellow spots, which leads to the necrosis of some parts of the plant. If calamondin is not treated in time with a solution of copper sulfate (copper sulfate), then a complete shedding of the leaves will occur.

sooty fungus

It appears as a black film covering the leaves, shoots. The affected areas must be mechanically cleaned of plaque (wipe with a damp sponge). Be sure to treat with infusion of ash, a solution of colloidal sulfur or a special preparation - Fitosporin.

Gommoz

Full yellowing of foliage, fruits are covered brown spots and lose their taste. All affected parts must be cut out, treat the “wounds” with copper sulfate or Bordeaux mixture.

Pests

Indoor tangerine: aphid, spider mite, false shield, scale insect, whitefly. On initial stages you can defeat pests with a simple flush warm water, but in advanced cases, it is necessary to use insecticides with repeated processing.

Calamondin sheds leaves What to do?

From drafts, lack of lighting, high temperature and dry air, calamondin can shed its leaves.

You need to find a lack of care and eliminate it, then the plant will recover:

• Move the plant away from windows and open doors.
• Place a humidifier nearby.
• Maintain room temperature without sudden changes.
• Provide additional lighting with phytolamps if the room is dark.
• Make an urgent transplant by checking the condition of the roots (if you regularly flooded the plant, it may be affected by rot). Remove all affected areas, treat the plant with a fungicide (for example, phytosporin).

Varieties of Calamondin Citrofortunella microcarpa

Indoor tangerine itself is bred as a hybrid and a large varietal diversity does not have. Breeders have created only a few varieties with bright foliage and various forms fruits.

Most popular varieties found in flower shops:

1. Variegated - the edges of the leaves have a border in the form of an uneven strip of a whitish hue.
2. Brindle - the leaves are framed by a thin strip of golden color.

Home tangerine in interior design

Calamondins are good in full size, but they can also be shaped like a bonsai.

The fruits are edible. Interestingly, the citrus pulp itself is sour, and the skin is sweetish. You can add dried peel to tea.

A piece of the sun on the windowsill - this is how the graceful evergreen calamondin tree seems to many flower growers. Growing this green pet at home has some features. Knowing them, you will not only acquire a plant with a spreading crown and fancy flowers, but also get a bright hybrid with juicy fruits. So, for all citrus lovers - interesting information, facts and care tricks.

Let's get to know each other a little closer! This compact tree or shrub differs from other flowering plants in its small bright green leaves and glossy surface. Even at the slightest touch, the shoots reproduce a fresh citrus aroma. Citrofortunella - this is another name for this bright representative of the rue family. He came to us from the countries of Southeast Asia and firmly secured the honorary title of "golden orange".

Calamondin is an evergreen plant obtained by hybridization of mandarin and kumquat. The first buds in the form of small white flowers appear on it 3–5 years after planting. After about 6 months, they are replaced by small tangerines, bringing warmth, light and indescribable delight into the house. With proper care, they will appear throughout the year, raising the mood and evoking memories of a sunny summer.

It is interesting, but on the branches of calamondin, both bright orange, ripened fruits and blossoming buds along with the emerging green “oranges” can simultaneously be accommodated. Very often, many novice flower growers are interested in whether they can be eaten. Yes, the fruits of calamondin are edible, but they cannot be called especially tasty. Its fragrant, sweet rind is combined with bitter-sour, slightly astringent flesh.

Features of growth and development

A few words about the "Asian Mandarin"! This evergreen, standard tree in nature grows to a height of 5 m. In a home flower garden, it reaches a maximum of a meter. Citrus calamondin - fast growing shrub With lush crown. Thanks to its elegant appearance, abundant flowering and fruiting, he has earned the title of guest of honor in many greenhouses, winter gardens, offices and home flower beds.

Interesting! Freshly ripened calamondin fruits contain a huge amount of useful substances. But it's important to be careful here. Oversaturation of the body with vitamin C threatens strong allergic reactions. Therefore, it is advisable to add pieces of this hybrid to tea, make jam or candied fruits from it.

In conditions wildlife Calamondin lives incredibly long and 50-100 years is not the limit for him. In normal home environment it is also developing rapidly, however, it is important to follow the norms and rules of qualified care. This indoor citrus feels great on the balcony, loggia and easily tolerates dry air.

For the first time, calamondin blooms in May-June with small flowers that look like stars. At home, this process continues uninterrupted. Such flowering does not weaken the plant at all. The fruits that have appeared are firmly attached to the branches, pleasing with brightness and beauty for a long time. Overripe tangerines become friable and lose flavor, although they decorative properties are saved.

Comfortable conditions for the growth of calamondin in a home flower garden

Caring for calamondin at home does not involve any special permutations and hassle. It is enough just to show a little attention (provide sufficient humidity, air temperature, drainage, pruning), and the plant will respond lush greenery and year-round fruiting.

Lighting

Calamondin is shade-loving, so an overabundance sunlight destructive for him. The leaves installed on the southern windowsill lose their brightness, elasticity and gradually die off. The optimal place for a hybrid is west or east during the warm season and north during the winter. In summer, calamondin is darkened and taken out to Fresh air. However, here it is important to observe the measure. By constantly and smoothly turning the crown towards the sun, you can achieve uniform growth of the tangerine tree at home.

Important! Calamondin is prone to disease, so any drafts and sudden changes in temperature are completely excluded. It is not necessary to open the window near him. A sharp breath of wind and the movement of cold masses will stress the growing hybrid.

Temperature regime

Calamondin is a heat-loving perennial that easily adapts to heat, cold and any home conditions. Despite this, the place for the pot is chosen very carefully and the following parameters are taken into account. Suitable air temperature at home is 18-25°C in summer and 13-18°C in winter. Please note that even a slight decrease in these values ​​​​by a few divisions increases the flowering and fruiting rates. In this way, the growing conditions of Calamondin are as close as possible to the natural microclimate.

Humidity conditions

Calamondin is a moisture-loving green handsome man, requiring periodic spraying with soft, well-settled water. Excessively dry air affects the condition of its foliage: the shoots begin to wither and dry out. You can correct the situation by installing vessels with water, aquariums, fountains next to the plant.

Watering

When caring for calamondin at home, it is important to prevent the soil from drying out. For irrigation, only boiled or filtered water is used. This cleaning method reduces the content of toxic impurities and alkalis to zero. In the cold season, the number of irrigations is reduced by 2 times and the number of sprayings is increased in direct proportion. Thus, they balance the humidity indicators at home and bring them to stable values.

Young calamondin requires a much larger amount of watering, which cannot be said about adult specimens. As a sprayer, it is advisable to use a spray gun with good pressure. During the flowering period, the buds should be protected in every possible way from contact with water, so spraying them is highly discouraged.

top dressing

To make calamondin feel at home no worse than in nature, and growing season passed easily and painlessly, it is important to compensate for the cost of its energy by regular fertilization. In summer, top dressing is carried out 3 times a month, in the winter months - 1 time. To do this, use complex fertilizers or self-diluted ammonium nitrate (5 g of powder is mixed with 2 g of calcium and 1 liter of water is added).

Attention! It is desirable to apply top dressing to moist soil, which will speed up the process of assimilation of nutrients by indoor citrus.

The soil

As an earthen substrate choose sod land, manure and sand in the ratio 2/1/1. The bottom of the pot is covered with a layer of drainage 2-3 cm thick. Calamondin transplantation in an apartment is carried out annually, with the onset of spring, or at least 1 time in 3 years.

reproduction

The tangerine tree is easy to propagate by cuttings or grafting. In the first case, a part of the stem is cut off from an adult calamondin and lowered for 10 hours into a solution with heteroauxin. Then rooted in the prepared ground and covered glass jar. As new shoots appear, the calamondin cap is removed. The second option involves grafting the offspring to any seedling.

Diseases and pests

There is nothing more annoying than seeing a tree grown with your own hands withering or damaged by fungi and pests. What do unpleasant metamorphoses with a plant testify to and how to identify the causes by external signs?

1. In calamondin, leaves fall or there are no fruits - a serious error in care (lack of minerals, temperature changes, constant drafts, excess moisture).
2. Completely blackened crown - fungal infection. being treated mechanically(ugly spots are removed from the plates).
3. The foliage turned yellow and twisted - a lack of ultraviolet radiation, a deficiency of magnesium in the soil. Feed, choose another place in the house for calamondin.

In addition, improper care of calamondin in normal household conditions can provoke the appearance of pests. Aphids, whiteflies, scale insects, spider mites appear as often as diseases. To destroy, adult insects and larvae, damaged areas are treated special composition. Then the surviving shoots are covered with cellophane and the pot is moved to a shaded place.

These are all the rules that all beginner gardeners should know. They will help you navigate the care of calamondin and achieve excellent results. Good luck!

Wet tropical thickets, high blue skies, endless beaches and the heady aroma of fruits - how you want to keep a piece of the southern sun in our cold apartments. A resident of the southern forests, who has perfectly adapted to the conditions of home maintenance, will help us to fulfill this wonderful desire - calamondin or, as it is also called, citrofortunella.

Calamondin is an ornamental houseplant whose appearance resembles a dwarf tangerine tree. The people called the plant that way - golden orange or indoor tangerine. The homeland of calamondin is the southern and eastern part of Asia, where a hot climate prevails and high humidity. Calamondin belongs to the rue family and is the product of crossing mandarin and. The result is a beautiful evergreen, which at home reaches 1 m in height (at home it grows up to 5 m). Moreover, from citrus fruits he got the appearance and fruits, and from the kumquat he got a sweet peel and resistance to low temperatures.

Against the background of small dark green leaves, bright orange fruits resembling tangerines look very colorful and contrasting. This plant can bloom and bear fruit almost all year round if properly cared for. A feature of calamondin (or citrofortunella) are small white flowers with four petals that emit a pleasant smell and fragrant fruits weighing only 10-12 grams that appear after flowering.

[!] Pollination of flowers will have to be done manually with a brush, then to enjoy fragrant small fruits.

Despite the very appetizing appearance, the taste of calamondin fruits will not please gourmets too much. Under the thin and sweetish peel is juicy and sour pulp with a large number of small seeds. And although there is raw indoor tangerines there are few people who want, but they make excellent, tasty and fragrant jam or jam. Moreover, the fruits usually fully ripen in November and can hang on the tree for another six months.

Attractive appearance makes citrofortunella popular New Year's gift in China. It is believed that this plant symbolizes prosperity and good luck in all endeavors. It is also customary to give calamondin on Christmas holidays in America, the Philippines, Hawaii and even in Europe. Decorativeness and unpretentiousness in care allow it to become a real decoration of any home.

Despite the fact that calamondin grows quickly, branches well and bears fruit abundantly at home, it needs constant care and certain conditions of detention. Let's consider them in more detail.

Calamondin care at home

Lighting

Calamondin needs a lot of light and is not suitable for dark or shady places. Bright and diffused light is optimal lighting for a plant. At the same time, it is desirable to avoid hitting direct sun rays so as not to cause burns on the tender leaves.

In summer, when the sun not only shines strongly, but also warms, care must be taken that the flower is not too hot, otherwise it will begin to drop leaves, flowers and even fruits. For a lush and symmetrical crown, it must be slightly rotated daily towards the light source (literally one degree clockwise).

Temperature

Calamondin - thermophilic plant. Optimum temperature for him, as for a person, the temperature is 20-25 ° C. However, in the cold season, it is useful for a flower to lower the temperature to 13-17 ° C: this way it will better bloom and bear fruit in spring and summer.

In general, calamondin withstands a temperature drop of up to 5 ° C, but, given our domestic climate, it is by no means impossible to take it out to the balcony in winter. During the heating season, care should be taken to ensure that the flower does not overheat when near a battery or heater.

Humidity and watering

The birthplace of citrofortunella is quite wet places, tropical forests of Southeast Asia, therefore, at home, it needs high humidity. To do this, calamondin regularly, especially in the hot season, you need to spray it with water. room temperature. It is best to spray and water with warm boiled and settled water to reduce the content of various impurities, especially chlorine. Watering in the warm season should be plentiful, and in the cold season as needed, when the topsoil dries out.

Soil and fertilizer

For this plant, the composition of the soil is very important. Since citrofortunella constantly bears fruit, it requires a certain amount and ratio of nutrients and minerals in the soil. Optimal is the soil, which includes turf and leaf soil, humus and sand in the same proportion. It is very important to pay attention to drainage, which does not allow moisture to stagnate and rot the root system. It is best to pour pebbles, gravel or expanded clay into the bottom of the pot by 4-5 cm, then add the finished soil mixture.

Calamondin needs constant fertilizer, especially during the flowering period, which begins in March. Therefore, from March to October, the plant must be fed with special fertilizers for citrus fruits. Top dressing is sold in dry form and is diluted with water in the required proportion before use. In addition to fertilizing the roots, it is imperative to pay attention to the aerial part of the tree. To do this, the diluted solution is irrigated under the foliage using a spray gun. Depending on the size and needs, fertilize the plant 2-4 times a month.

Transplant and pruning

This miniature tree has a fairly developed root system, so it must be transplanted into larger pots as needed. Young shoots of calamondin are transplanted annually in February-March, before flowering. When the plant becomes already an adult and its growth is no longer so intense, then change flower pot maybe once every 2-3 years.

The root system is very sensitive to any changes, therefore, during transplantation, it is not necessary to break the earthen ball. Before placing calamondin in another pot, you should inspect the root system and if there are rotten roots, they should be removed. Moreover, it is necessary to plant in new soil at the same level at which root neck was before. After this month, you can not fertilize the flower, as this is not necessary.

In order for the shape of the calamondin crown to be fluffy, uniform and round, you need to periodically cut off the leaves and young shoots. If fat shoots are left, they will not only spoil the symmetrical shape, but also will not give flowers and fruits. Pruning is done annually in the spring.

reproduction

This evergreen plant propagates with the help of seeds or cuttings, but there are a number of nuances. Cutting for this flower is a rather complicated process, so the cuttings take root very hard and require additional measures to care for them. Seeds, on the contrary, sprout quickly and easily, however, in order for the tree to begin to bear fruit, several years must pass.

• Reproduction by cuttings

For cuttings, a young sprout is used. To do this, cut off the shoot, where there are already 4-6 leaves. After that, it must be placed in a solution of indolyl-3-butyric acid, root (25 mg of acid per liter of water) or heteroauxin for 16 or 10 hours, respectively. Then the cutting is planted in ordinary soil and covered with a jar or polyethylene to create a greenhouse effect and increase humidity. To stimulate the root system and the growth of the entire shoot, phytohormones are often used. It is very important that the temperature is 23-25 ​​°C. To do this, cuttings are best done in the warm season (late spring or early summer) or use soil heating.

• Reproduction by seeds

For seeds, bones of still fresh fruits are suitable. Dried fruits are not suitable, as the bones in them quickly lose their ability to germinate. Seeds are planted to a depth of 1 cm in loose soil, for which peat, sand and fertile mixture. For the emergence of shoots, certain conditions are necessary: ​​a temperature of 25-28 ° C and high humidity. Therefore, the surface of the soil is abundantly watered and covered with polyethylene or glass. After one and a half, two months, young sprouts with leaves should appear. When there are more than four leaves on the shoot, they can already be planted in pots with ordinary soil.

Diseases and pests

Citrofortunella, like many houseplants, is prone to various diseases with improper care or attack by harmful insects.

The most common pests for this miniature tree are: aphids, whiteflies, spider mites and scale insects. You can detect these insects by yellowing leaves, white bloom on the surface or the presence of cobwebs. To combat them, special insecticides are used, which are sprayed on top of the plant. After applying these chemical substances, the surface of the flower will need to be washed.

Growing problems

• Calamondin sheds leaves. There can be many reasons. It's either too hot, or too cold, or too much water, or not enough nutrients, or too dry air, or a draft. From the falling leaves, you can immediately see that the plant does not like something in its habitat.
• Calamondin does not bloom. This may indicate insufficient light, nutrition, or moisture.
• Calamondin discards unripe fruits. Most likely, there are not enough nutrients.

Calamondin does not tolerate any sudden changes and adaptations quite well. Very often, after buying this plant, at home, it may begin to shed its leaves. In this case, it is recommended to cut off all the fruits, if any, and wrap the calamondin with polyethylene to increase the humidity.

Sudden changes in temperature, as well as changes in lighting, citrofortunella also does not tolerate well. Therefore, during flowering and fruiting, you can not rearrange and turn the pot with the plant, otherwise the plant will get stressed and begin to drop both leaves and flowers.

If simple care manipulations are done regularly and in a timely manner, then this plant will please its owner. constant growth and bloom all year round. Even with fruits on the branches, calamondin can continue to bloom further.

Calamandin in addition to the bright and original look, has pleasant aroma. Moreover, the smell of freshness with sourness is exuded by leaves, flowers, and fruits of this exotic tree. And small juicy citrus fruits contain, in addition, a number of vitamins that are beneficial to health. Most of all there are vitamins C and P, which are excellent antimicrobial agents and antioxidants.