Poncyria trifoliata Poncirus trifoliata is a beautiful exotic tree that can be successfully grown in western Poland. It is a close relative of lemon and orange. It comes from the northern regions of China and Korea.It is a tall shrub or small tree, 2-6 m tall, although in Poland it usually does not exceed 2.5 m.Green shoots are armed with sharp and hard 1 centimeter spikes. The leaves are composed of three oval leaflets and unfold in mid-April. The flowers are white, with white petals and yellow anthers, they smell very nice and intensely. They unfold just before the leaves.
After pollination, a fairly large berry (3-5 cm in diameter) with a mossy skin develops.Initially green, it gradually turns yellow in September. Then, the leaves turn yellow-orange. The fruits of poncyria, although they smell nice, are unlikely to be eaten.They have a lot of seeds, they are hard, sour and unpalatable, although they are said to be made into jams.
Poncyria is very resistant to frost, it can withstand a temperature drop to -18 ° C, but in the first years after planting it is good to protect it from freezing. It is best suited to a sunny and sheltered location. There are no special requirements for the soil, as long as it is not clay and waterlogged.Before planting, it is worth enriching it with compost and, if necessary, loosening it with sand.Trifoliate poncyria can be planted as a solitaire or in an uncropped hedge with barberry . He does not like pruning very much, just enough to give it a shape and to cut dry, sick and frozen shoots.
Reproduction of poncyria
The easiest way to get new poncyria is by sowing seeds in a pot in the fall.We keep them in a fairly warm place (16-18 ° C).After three weeks they will start to sprout, then we provide them with a large dose of light and careful care throughout the winter.When they are about 10 cm tall, we plant each plant separately in a pot. In May, after hardening, we put them on the balcony or in the garden.
We store them over the next winter in a sheltered room, put them into the ground only in the spring of the following year, when they are sufficiently mature.Vegetative reproduction by semi-woody cuttings taken in summer is also possible. Let's use a rooting agent to speed up the root development process.
