Among the abundance of houseplants cultivated by their lovers, several varieties of citrus are some mansions. They are united under the common name Citrus Fortunella, and in our area usually grow two subspecies: margarita and Japanese fortunella.
The attitude of the inhabitants of the lands from which this tree came to us is remarkable: in Japan it is called the "golden orange" ("kinkan"), and in China, which is its homeland, it is called the "golden apple" ("kumquat"). It is the Chinese name that is better known to our breeders, sometimes who have never heard of any fortunella at all.
What does indoor citrus look like?
First of all, it refers to evergreens, and therefore is suitable for home growing. You must admit that few people will be glad to rake fallen leaves from the carpet every autumn. The kumquat itself is quite miniature and does not grow a lush crown taking its place. The Japanese often use kinkan for bonsai - you just need to know how to care.
Citrus Fortunella is planted in a not very large pot, and it stops growing. If you want the tree to grow tall, put it in a large container (or transplant it regularly in a larger pot) - in a home "greenhouse" it can reach one and a half meters.
The kumquat crown is dense, formed by small oblong leaves. It blooms in mid-summer for about a week, and the fruits ripen in winter - somewhere in December or January.
What Kinkan loves
How beautiful and healthy he grows depends on how to care. Citrus Fortunella prefers indirect, ambient light in the summer. But in the winter he does not have enough sun. Sometimes, even placing a tree in the southern part of the room, you have to arrange for him to highlight.
In summer, the plant is best taken outside. There is a garden - it’s just wonderful, because the pot can be buried in the ground: so the soil in it and the roots will not dry out. If you have a “balcony walk” of plants, you will have to change the way you care. Citrus fortunella is placed in a box with sawdust, sand, peat, or at least its pot is whitened. The earth in it will need to be covered with mulch.
Equally important for kumquat is air humidity. On dry days, it becomes vulnerable to pests and diseases, can begin to lose foliage and stop growing and flowering. There are several options for how to care. Citrus Fortunella is regularly sprayed in the summer with standing warm water. Next to the plant it will be useful to put bowls with it. In winter, the same containers can be put on radiators, but the best solution is to buy a humidifier.
Watering Citrus Fortunella depends on the time of year: in spring and autumn - once every two days, in summer - every day, in winter - a couple of times a week (depends on the quality of heating in your apartment: cool - and once is enough).
If you want to share the joy
Home Kinkan is usually propagated by cuttings. The April grafting most successfully proceeds. Autumn shoots are cut into pieces from 5 to 10 cm long. Each should have at least two buds. So that the lower sections do not rot, they are sprinkled with charcoal.
Medium-sized drainage is placed in the pot, sphagnum above, and only then the earth. Cuttings are planted in it (optimally - 3 pcs., But it is possible to 5), the surface is sprinkled with clean sand, and the whole structure is closed by a can. Try to find glass: plastic poorly transmits light and, when heated in the sun, releases substances that are not at all useful to the plant. In warmth and with regular watering with warm water after 2-3 weeks, plants can be transplanted to a permanent "place of residence".
And here he is - the harvest
Most people grow indoor citruses nevertheless precisely because of their fruits. The same applies to trees of the Citrus Fortunella subspecies. Can I eat them? Not only possible, but necessary! Their taste is unusual, but very pleasant. And you can eat them whole without cleaning - the skin is thin, aromatic and tastes good. Such "citruses" are used both as an appetizer for alcohol, and in fruit salads, and as an addition to baked fish and meat, and for making candied fruits.
So, in addition to the aesthetic pleasure of this beautiful tree, it also brings quite utilitarian benefits.