Holiday-scented lemons, kumquats and limes from your own garden? Why not. Everything is possible in pot growing. Citrus fruits are famous for the wonderful scent of flowers that fills the entire terrace on windless days.The aromatic scent is emitted not only by the flowers, but also by the leaves.
Extremely attractive crowns are made, for example, of mandarins, kumquats and calamonds. These plants can be led in a row, but remember that cutting citrus species requires, above all, experience. Lemon trees have a loose crown.
Who cares mainly about fruit should choose lemon or lime, as their fruits always ripen, even if the summer was not particularly sunny. Citrus bergamia bergamot smells very beautiful. Essential oils of this species are used, among others, for flavoring tea. It is worth knowing that while the orange tree unfortunately produces little fruit, small-fruited varieties, such as kumquat 'Kucle' or lime 'Pursha', often produce hundreds of them.
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Kumkwat Kucle (Photo: Fotolia.com) |
Citrus stands
Citrus can never get too much sun, so the best places to grow plants are places with southern exposure. However, remember that at the peak of summer, the pots themselves (but not the plants) should be in the shade so that the roots do not overheat. In hot weather, water citrus in the morning and / or in the evening.
The root ball should be watered abundantly, but not shed. The next irrigation should be done when the soil in the pot is dry.Medium-hard water is best for watering, not soft, as it was previously thought. We end the weekly power supply at the end of August. Small crown correction cuts can be made at any time of the year, the main cut is in March.
Citrus fruits are suitable for preserving and flavoring beverages. The aromatic Citrus hystrix kaffir leaves are an addition to many Asian dishes. For use in potpourri (fragrant dried flowers with the addition of herbs, pebbles or seashells), the peel of bergamot is perfect.Citrus blooms and bear fruit only when cuttings are taken from already fruiting specimens.Plants grown from the stones enter the ripening period very late and fruiting is then unlikely.
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Papeda Citrus hystrix (Photo: Fotolia.com) |
Citrus wintering
We put citruses in the quarters in the fall, before the first frosts come.They are evergreen plants and therefore also need to stay in bright places in winter.Depending on the amount of light, they can winter either in warm or cool conditions. The accommodation can be both moderately bright and cool with a temperature below 10 ° C, and very bright and warm. Nothing prevents you from wintering citrus in a room or a heated winter garden at a temperature of 15 to 25 ° C.
You have to remember one thing: citrus pots cannot stand on a cold floor, usually a plastic stand is enough insulation.Plants can stand, for example, by the south-facing window, by the patio door or in the attic under the skylight. Plants continue to grow, so also in winter they need to be fed monthly. If the room is dark, it can be illuminated with artificial light. As part of winter plant care, we regularly check them for pests and water them regularly. The colder it is in the quarters, the less often we water it.We reach for the watering can when the substrate is dry.
Citrus for pot growing
Buddha's hand Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis grows mainly in Asia. This species has a wide habit and needs a lot of space.The fruit has an intense aroma and is divided into 5-20 finger segments.
Orange lime Citrus limetta 'Pursha' variety is characterized by a compact habit and a nice, naturally spherical crown, from which grows a lot of spherical acid limes. This variety is considered undemanding.
The Pearl Kumquat Fortunella margarita has dense, luxuriantly branched crowns. The trees bloom and bear fruit profusely. In order for the plants to bear fruit, they must be hibernated in a not too cool quarters. Height approx. 40-50 cm.
Kalamonde Citrofortunella is a cross between kumquat and mandarin. Kalamonde has a filigree habit and produces many fruits that can be used for preserves. Height up to 150 cm, leaves evergreen.
