Kalamondin is a very pretty houseplant from East Asia. It appeared as a result of crossing the tangerine with kumquat, which is why it is often called the "golden tangerine" or "citrofortunella." The plant belongs to the Oral family. It is distinguished by lush greenery and plentiful fruiting. In addition to aesthetic pleasure, the tree is beneficial, because the fruits of calamondine can be eaten.
Plant description
Kalamondin is an evergreen perennial tree or branched shrub. Under natural conditions, its height can be 3-7 m. Domestic plants do not exceed 60-150 cm in height.
Calamondin (citrofortunella) has a developed root system. Thin roots quickly lignify and entangle an earthen lump in a dense bundle. The surface of the roots and stems is covered with a light brown rough bark. The stems branch from the very bottom and are almost completely leafy. Spherical dense crown consists of small shiny leaves. The leaf plate has an oval or ovoid shape and is slightly bent along the central vein. The length of the leaves is 4-7 cm, they are attached to the branches with short dense petioles.
On young branches at the end of spring, axillary inflorescences are formed, consisting of 2-3 snow-white buds. In a fragrant flower there are 5 petals. The diameter of the opened bud is 2.5 cm. Citrus calamondine is capable of self-pollination and within a few weeks small orange fruits with a diameter of up to 4.5 cm appear on the branches. Juicy flesh has a bitter-sour taste, but the skin is sweet. Not everyone will like the fruits, but they can be added to tea or to various dishes.
Varieties of Calamondin
Mandarin calamondine is a hybrid species and does not differ in great variety variety. Breeders bred several varieties with bright foliage or fruits of various shapes. Today, in addition to classic calamondine, the following varieties are popular in flower shops:
- variegated - the edges of the leaves are outlined by an uneven whitish border;
variegated - tiger - leaves summed up along the edge of a thin golden strip.
tiger
Breeding rules
Kalamondin at home reproduces quite difficult. Usually use vegetative methods.
Reproduction by cuttings is considered the most convenient. In spring, the tops of branches should be cut with 3-4 internodes. Slices are dipped in the root stimulator. Cuttings are rooted to the bottom sheet in moist sand and peat soil. Plants need to be covered with a film or glass jars and put in a warm place. It is necessary to ventilate the seedlings daily. Roots are formed within 2-3 weeks, after which calamondine is ready for transplantation to a permanent place.
Some gardeners prefer to propagate calamondine by vaccination. Such a plant has good drought tolerance and endurance. A stock can be any citrus seedling. The grafts usually take root well and the next year we can expect fruiting.
It is also possible to grow calamondine from the bone. But such a plant either does not produce fruit at all, or they will have to wait 6-7 years. For planting seeds, use a mixture of garden soil and sand. The bones are deepened by 1.5-2 cm in moist soil. The pot must be placed in a bright room with an air temperature of + 20 ... + 25 ° C. Sprouts appear within 3-6 weeks. Seedlings grow quite slowly and need a moist and warm environment. After the appearance of 4 real leaves, they are carefully planted without diving in separate pots.
Adaptation and transplantation
After buying calamondine, it should be transplanted. Stores often use tight pots with a small amount of peat soil. In it, citrus will dry up and overheat. Choose a larger pot with drainage holes at the bottom. First, lay out large material for drainage, and then pour the earth. The soil should include:
- turf land;
- leaf humus;
- rotted manure;
- river sand.
You can buy a ready-made mixture for citrus fruits. The transplant is done by the method of transshipment of an earthen coma. After the procedure, calamondine should be moved to a shaded place for several days and moderately watered.
Sometimes after the first transplant, calamondine begins to actively drop leaves. Even if only bare branches remain, you can try to save the tree. All fruits and part of the shoots should be cut. The cut points are dipped in crushed activated carbon. The plant continues to be kept in a bright room. It is necessary to spray the growth every day with any treatment solution. Moisten the soil very carefully. After a few weeks, young shoots can be found on the branches.
Place selection
Kalamondins at home are grown in a bright room. With a lack of sun, the number of flowers and fruits decreases. However, on hot days it is necessary to shade the crown from direct sunlight or to air the room more often. From a sunburn, the leaves of the calamondine begin to dry and fall off. In the summer, it is recommended to take the tree to the garden or balcony. Even in winter, the plant needs a long daylight hours, it is convenient to use special lamps for illumination.
In summer, calamondin needs warmth. The optimum air temperature is + 20 ... + 25 ° C. The plant does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature and drafts. In the fall, the temperature in the room begins to decrease to + 12 ... + 15 ° C. A cool winter will provide more abundant flowering and fruiting.
High humidity for citrus is also very important. In a dry room, the leaves begin to die and the appearance of the crown deteriorates. Spray the tree daily with soft water and place nearby trays with wet expanded clay. It is important that the soil does not come in contact with moisture. If the house has an aquarium or a fountain, it is recommended to put the flower closer to it.
Daily care
Calamondin needs regular watering. Only the top of the soil should dry. With cooling, watering is reduced. At low temperatures, dampness contributes to the development of root rot. Water for irrigation should be defended and acidified, the plant reacts poorly to alkalization of the soil.
From April to the end of September, calamondine is fed twice a month with mineral fertilizers. In stores you can find special nutrition for citrus fruits.
In order for citrus to have an attractive appearance, it must be cut periodically. Pruning is carried out in early February. You can remove up to half of the entire crown to get a symmetrical plant. Until flowering begins, it is recommended to regularly rotate the flower relative to the light source. During the flowering and fruiting period this cannot be done, otherwise the buds will dry out and begin to fall off the branches.
The main pests of calamondin are scale insects, whiteflies and spider mites. If at least one insect is found, the crown must be treated with an insecticide. According to the instructions on the drug, another 2-3 treatments are carried out to get rid of the insects themselves and their larvae.
