Chinese Lemonis a perennial climber with decorative fruit. By greening the walls and pergolas, it creates a shield against wind, dust and sun. Its effective fruits are rich in sugars and amino acids, and medicine has been usingthe healing properties of citrus for yearsThanks to these advantages,Chinese lemonappears more and more in our gardens. See what thecultivation of Chinese citrus in Poland looks likeand learn about the bestrecipes for processed citrus fruit
Chinese lemon - fruit
Chinese lemon - properties
Chinese Lemon(Schisandra chinensis) is an ornamental climber from the Far East with valuable healing properties. It grows up to 10 m, and the annual increments are about 1 m. Its seasonal leaves, up to 10 cm long, broadly elliptical and obovate, are dark green and shiny. They turn yellow in autumn.The flowering of the Chinese Schizandraoccurs in the period May - June. The flowers are yellowish white to pale pink in color 1.5 cm in diameter and have an intense fragrance.
Lemon can be mono or dioecious. ForChinese citrus fruit , male and female specimens must be planted. The female flowers develop spiky, fleshy clusters up to 15 cm long, composed of up to 40 spherical, juicy, scarlet-red berries, similar to pepper. The fruit appears in the period from August to September, usually 4-6 years after planting.
In addition to its decorative qualities, thehealing properties of Schisandra are highly valuedThe fruits, seeds, leaves and bark of the Schisandra are used for medicinal purposes.Chinese lemon juicecontains sugars, organic acids and vitamin C. Dry seeds, in turn, contain tonic substances - schizandrins, schizandrol, vitamin E and fat. The most important of them is schizandrin - a strengthening substance, increasing the excitability of the central nervous system, stimulating the activity of the heart and respiratory system.
The medicinal properties of lemongrassmake the scope of its use very wide:
- helps with states of physical and mental fatigue,
- protects the liver, accelerating its regeneration and recovery of functions after partial excision of the organ,
- raw material lowers high cholesterol, has antihaemorrhagic and antiallergic properties,
- Numerous studies have shown anti-cancer effects.
Chinese lemonis also used in perfumery because of the lemon scent emitted by the fruit, bark, leaves and stems.
Chinese lemon - flowers
Chinese lemon - cultivation in Poland
Chinese lemondoes not have excessive cultivation requirements. Likes a sunny position to slightly shaded, warm, sheltered from winds. It prefers fertile, well-drained, moist, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Schisandra does not tolerate dry and nutrient-poor soils. Requires supports on which he will be able to climb while growing. Initially, we let it grow freely, and after 2-3 years, two or three of the strongest shoots are attached to the support so that they climb upwards (shoots that run along the ground do not bloom and do not produce fruit). Growing citrus in Polandis possible because it is fully frostproof. It tolerates frosts down to -30 ° C, and sometimes even more.
Chinese citrus seedlingsare not widely available in garden stores, but we can order them online. The offer of the store that we recommend includes very good-looking seedlings in the pots of the self-pollinating Chinese Schisandra variety 'Sadova No 1' (it produces fruit even if we only plant one plant). This variety of lemongrass from Ukraine is recommended by the Polish Nurserymen Association.
Lemon tree should be plantedat least 50 cm from the base of trees or walls, about 1 cm deeper than it was growing so far, preferably in groups of 2-3 plants at intervals of 1 m. Before When planting Schizandra at the bottom of a hole dug for the plant, it is worth laying a drainage layer, e.g. made of pebbles, and then provide composted, well-distributed manure, which will provide the plant with nutrients for a good start.
Caring for the Chinese Schnauzermainly consists of watering as needed, mulching and fertilizing at the beginning of the season (in April). The soil mulching treatment will protect the plant against moisture loss and weeds.
Chinese lemon - cutting
Regularcutting the Chinese Schnauzeris not necessary, but it is worth doing so that the plant does not grow excessively. The recommendedpruning date for Chinese citrusis the end of winter or early spring (preferably March to early April). There shouldn't be frost anymore, but the pruning has to be done before the leaves and flowers start to develop.
Duringtrimming Chinese Schizandrayou can limit yourself to translucent cutting, i.e. cutting old, dry shoots , thin and weak. We also cut out shoots that are creeping on the ground, with no flower buds, flowers and fruit. If necessary, shorten last year's side shoots above 12-15 well-developed buds (counting from the root). As a result, the bush will branch out nicely, bloom profusely and bear fruit.
Chinese lemon - diseases and pests
Chinese citrus diseasesare very rare. Compared to other ornamental plants, it is also relatively rarely attacked by pests.
Occasionally, however,spots may appear on the leaves of the Schizandra chinensisThese are symptoms of anthracnose. Round spots, gray at first, turning brown with time, also appear on the stems. Infected shoots break easily and leaves die. Fight the fungus after noticing the first symptoms with the preparations Switch 62.5 WG, Topsin M 500 SC. Repeat the spraying 3 times at intervals of 7-10 days.
The spider mite may be a threat frompests attacking citrus . The insect is difficult to see with the naked eye. At the beginning of summer, necrotic spots appear on the infected leaves, which become larger with time. Fine cobwebs are visible on the underside of the leaf. High temperature favors the development of the pest. From the moment of observation, we spray with spider mites, e.g.Catane 800 EC, Magus 200 SC.
Recipes for citrus preserves
Extremely tasty and he althy fruits are also used in gastronomy. He althycitrus fruitis used, among others. for making jellies, jams, cooling drinks, tinctures or candy fillings. Aromatic tea is also prepared from the leaves and bark. Here are some interestingrecipes for citrus preserves
Schisandra Tincture
To make a lemon juice tincture you will need: ripe citrus fruit - 1 glass, 1/2 glass of sugar, 1 glass of spirit, 1 glass of spring water
Sugar should be poured with water, boiled and set aside to cool. Pour the prepared solution over the citrus fruit, then add the spirit. The jar should be tightly closed and set aside for 4-6 weeks, shaking from time to time.
Another interesting alternative is to add lemon juice and spirit to the fruit - 1 liter of milk, 3 vanilla pods, 3 cloves, anise stars and a few leaves of citrus .The leaves will add a characteristic spicy-lemon aroma.
Chinese Schisandra tincturecan be consumed even in small amounts (1-2 glasses) every day. Remember about moderation and the medicinal purpose of the drink!
Chinese Schisandra Jam
Ingredients: 500 grams of citrus fruit, 1 kg of pear fruit, 1 kg of sugar. Peeled pears, cut into cubes, add the washed citrus fruit and sugar. Fry the fruit on a slow fire for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Pour the jam into jars and pasteurize it.Chinese citrus jamcan be added to tea or used as an addition to cakes, pancakes, bread.
Citrus jelly
Ingredients: 750 g of citrus fruit (you can also mix with other red fruits: cherries, currants, blueberries), 500 ml of water, 1/2 vanilla pod, 4 tablespoons of potato starch, 4 tablespoons of sugar. into the pot.Next, add the vanilla pod and sugar to the fruit. Pour water over it and cook over low heat for about 2 minutes. Mix the potato starch with a little water. Add to boiling fruit. After about 1 minute, a jelly should form.
Chinese Schisandra kisselcan be served alone or with whipped cream or sweet sauces. It goes well with yoghurt or pudding.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
