How to grow a stone kumquat at home?

Kumquat is considered a native of China, introduced to the European and American continents in the nineteenth century. It is now native to many countries and is often referred to as the Japanese orange.

The evergreen citrus tree kumquat, which many growers dream of growing at home, attracts attention with its exotic appearance. It belongs to the Fortunella family and is called by the Japanese kinkan, that is, "golden orange", and by the Chinese - kumquat, which means "golden apple". In shops, the fruits of this tree can also be found under the name "Chinese mandarin".

Outwardly, it looks like a miniature orange, but it tastes like a tangerine, only with an edible peel.

general description

Kumquat, planting and caring for which at home is not too difficult, enjoys well-deserved popularity among amateur flower growers.

The woody shrub of the kumquat is distinguished by its compact-miniature size with a well-developed crown and medium-sized leaves due to dense tillering. The plant blooms with pinkish white fragrant flowers, giving abundant fruiting.

The skin of the kumquat fruit is quite sweet, and the flesh has a sour taste. Therefore, it is recommended to eat them whole at once, so that the taste is mixed and balanced. The easiest way to grow this crop is by grafting onto another citrus, such as lemon, or by grafting. When propagated by seeds, fruiting occurs only after ten years, therefore, growing a kumquat from seeds at home is a rather laborious, but interesting business that requires care and patience from the grower.

Cultivars

Kumquat lends itself well to crossing with other citrus fruits, therefore there are widely known interspecific and interspecific hybrids:

• limequat (lime with kumquat);
• calamondin (kumquat with tangerine);
• oranjevat (tangerine with kumquat) and others.

Due to its small growth, the plant is often used to form a bonsai-kumquat.

Growing at home this room culture is suitable for all varieties, as well as for its hybrid with tangerine sour. But more often than not, amateur growers use the more resistant varieties Nagami and Marumi with orange fruits similar to olive, Meiva with round sweet berries and Indio Mandarinquat with large bell-shaped orange fruits.

Growth and flowering of kumquat

In a room near the trees of this culture, growth begins in late April-early May, and, depending on the conditions of detention, lasts from thirty to fifty days. An adult plant has one growth period, and a young plant has two (with an average growth of six to ten centimeters). Under the conditions of a room, a one and a half meter kumquat can grow, cultivation at home for this reason, for full development, should be carried out in a fairly large container.

The flowering of the plant begins in mid-summer and lasts until the end of August. After the first wave of flowering is over, after a couple of weeks, as a rule, the second begins.

The bisexual white small flowers of the plant, collected in a brush, allow it to be cross-pollinated, but the process of self-pollination can also occur.The flowering of a crop must be regulated for good fruiting. Thirty-gram fruits of bright orange or golden yellow color, round or oval, up to five centimeters in length and up to two centimeters on the cut appear from the beginning to the end of winter, within almost three months.

Kumquat: growing at home, care

The plant is demanding on light and moisture. For good development in the summer, he is provided with a place with diffused sunlight, it is better if it is outdoors. In winter, the kumquat must be kept on the south side at a temperature of about fifteen degrees Celsius in a bright room. If it is not possible to reduce the temperature, then for the good development of the tree it is necessary to increase the length of daylight hours.

Watering the culture should be carried out only with warm water, and in winter it should be moderate, and in summer - abundant, but without drying out and waterlogging of the earth. From using cold water for watering, the plant sheds its foliage.

In hot weather and during the heating season, it is necessary to regularly spray the kumquat with warm water or wipe the leaves with a damp cloth.

In order for the fruiting process of such a plant as kumquat to go well on the windowsill, the conditions for growing necessarily imply systematic feeding, maintaining the ambient temperature and the correct formation of the crown. For the latter, in the spring, after pinching, all lateral shoots are pruned, while leaving three to four young shoots on each lateral branch.

Transplant and soil for the plant

In late winter - early spring, before shoots begin to grow, a fruiting kumquat is transplanted. Growing at home requires doing this once every two to three years.

The transplanting process itself is carried out by the transshipment method, without damaging the earthen coma and roots. In this case, it is necessary to completely change the drainage. The gaps between the clod and the walls of the new pot are filled and compacted with fresh soil. Then the tree is abundantly moistened and placed in a warm, dark room for a couple of weeks. At this time, it is necessary to regularly spray the crown with warm water.

For planting a kumquat, a soil mixture containing the following components is best suited: medium-grained sand - half a part; leaf humus or rotted manure - one part; fertile garden land - one part; turf soil - two parts.

For younger plants, a soil mixture is needed that is lighter in composition, and for fruit-bearing trees, the proportion of garden or sod land is increased by one and a half to two times.

Kumquat: growing at home from the bone

Despite the complexity and duration of the process, many growers still try to grow kumquat from seeds.

This process can be described step by step as follows:

1. Seed collection. Seeds should only be harvested from fresh and well-ripened fruits. After extraction, the seeds are washed and slightly dried.
2. Preparing for landing. Before planting, the seeds are soaked in any antiseptic stimulant. Tall flower pots up to eight centimeters in diameter are prepared for seedlings, and they are also disinfected. Drainage from expanded clay is laid at the bottom.
3. Prepare a mixture of river sand and garden soil in equal proportions or buy a soil mixture for citrus fruits. The earth prepared with your own hands must be calcined in the oven.
4. Planting seeds. The seeds are planted in moistened soil with a depth of 2 cm, three pieces in a pot, covered with foil and placed in heat (+20 ° C).
5. Picking. Seedlings will appear in about a month and a half. After four real leaves sprout, the seedlings dive into separate pots.

Despite the fact that the best seed germination is given by the kumquat Nagami, growing it and other varieties at home should be done in several pots, since not all seeds will sprout.

Fertilizers for kumquat

The fertilizer application schedule and their amount depends on many factors: on the composition of the land, on the age of the tree and its condition, on the size of the planting capacity, and more.

If a large plant grows in a small pot, then you need to fertilize it more often.

Fruiting plants are fed from March to September three times a month, during the dormant period - no more than one. The composition of the mineral solution for fertilization should be as follows: ammonium nitrate - 2.5 g; potassium salt or potassium chloride - 1.5 g; simple superphosphate - 5 g; water - 1 l.

Top dressing with wood ash diluted in water will also be useful for the plant.

Cooking use

For consumption, the skin of the berries is not cut off. Kumquat fruits are amazingly tasty not only fresh. Marmalade, candied fruits, jams and preserves cooked from them are healthy and tasty. Kumquat berries add an amazing taste to yoghurt and cottage cheese desserts, as well as to the refreshing sweet and sour juice made from them.

Also, the fruits of this plant are used as seasonings for salads, sauces for animal and poultry meat, fish, as well as an ingredient in fruit salads. Cold and hot dishes, sandwich skewers, cocktail glasses are often decorated with these beautiful fresh berries on festive tables.

Such fruits are also good as a snack for alcoholic spirits: cognac, whiskey, vodka and others. In cocktails with martini kumquat successfully replaces orange juice, and in gin and tonic - lemon.

Healing properties

The beneficial and medicinal properties of kumquat are due to the high content of all kinds of substances and essential oils in its peel. The fruits effectively help in the treatment of colds and respiratory diseases, as well as for skin lesions with fungal infections (thanks to furacumarin).

The fruits of this plant have a calming effect, normalize digestion, and help overcome apathy and depression. Berries contain a large amount of potassium and calcium, vitamins A and C, and have an anti-alcohol effect.

The fashion for growing compact exotic trees and shrubs in an apartment, among the lush greenery of which bright fruits ripen, is gaining momentum. Homemade lemons, tangerines, grapefruits and oranges are no longer surprising. But the citrus genus is not limited to them, and many of its other representatives have yet to conquer the hearts of indoor plant lovers. One such mysterious stranger is the kumquat.

Its homeland is distant China, where the name of the plant sounds like "golden orange". Among the Japanese, this culture is better known as kinkan, or "golden apple". In the scientific literature, another name for it is often found - fortunella. This evergreen citrus is unpretentious, it looks great in winter gardens, greenhouses, greenhouses. A spectacular tree is successfully grown at home.

Requirements for the conditions of detention

The kumquat is very fond of light. Its deficiency will negatively affect the decorativeness of the plant. The leaves of fortunella from rich green will become pale, and the shoots will become thinner and strongly elongated. The tree also needs light for planting buds. If there is not enough sunlight for the kumquat, it will not bloom and bear fruit.

On summer days, he needs to provide bright, but diffused lighting. The leaves of the plant can be burned under the influence of direct sun. Therefore, in the sultry midday hours, the kumquat is protected from him. At home, you can use various materials for this:

• tracing paper, newspapers or parchment;
• tulle;
• floristic film;
• roller blinds;
• sun-protection curtains.

In the mornings and evenings, it is better to remove a dense paper shelter. At this time, the direct rays of the sun will not harm the kumquat, but will only be useful. The same is done in cloudy weather so that the plant does not suffer from excessive shading. Fortunella will not need sun protection in winter.Moreover, daylight hours will have to be extended artificially, at home additionally illuminating the tree with a lamp. They begin such care in the middle of autumn, and stop it with the arrival of spring.

In the life cycle of a kumquat, some time is allotted to a dormant period. In order for the plant to develop normally, it is important to observe the temperature regime. In summer, the air in the room where the pot of fortunella is located should warm up to 24-30 ° C. On winter days, the temperature is comfortable for her in the range of 14-18 ° C. If these conditions are met, the fruits on the tree will begin to ripen during the period of cold weather and snow. If in winter the temperature in the room does not rise above 10 ° C and the plant receives enough light, it will be possible to eat kinkan berries harvested at home only in spring or even summer.

Advice

Indoor kumquat responds well to "walks". When the weather is warm, it is recommended to put the container with it on the balcony or in the garden.

Features of planting seeds

Fortunella can be grown in different ways:

• from the bone;
• from layering;
• from the cutting;
• grafting kinkan onto another citrus tree.

When planting seeds, the emergence of shoots will have to wait from 1 to 2 months. Trees grown in this way will bloom only for 8-10 years. Planting material is obtained from ripe fruits. The seeds are washed, then dried and placed in a growth stimulant solution. A drainage layer is laid at the bottom of the container - pebbles, small stones, shards, expanded clay. Fertile soil is poured on top.

Fortunella growing medium can be purchased at the store. A soil mixture for citrus plants is suitable for her. But you can prepare the soil yourself by mixing 4 components at home:

• sod land (you can replace it with peat);
• garden land;
• leaf humus or compost;
• sand.

The first 3 components are taken in equal amounts. Sand is needed to lighten the soil and give it looseness. Sometimes it is replaced with perlite. The amount of substance determines the age of the kinkan. If bones, cuttings or cuttings are placed in the ground, take more sand (1 part). When transplanting an adult fortunella, it will take half as much.

Seeds are planted to a depth of 2 cm, then covered with a film, creating a greenhouse conditions. Place 2-4 bones in each container. When the seedlings grow up and 4 true leaves appear on them, young kumquats are carefully transplanted into separate pots.

Watering rules

Fortunella is a moisture-loving plant. But the frequency of watering and the amount of liquid applied depends on the season. In winter, the soil in the pot is rarely moistened and little by little (1-2 procedures per week will be enough), in spring and autumn - moderately and every other day. In the summer, in the heat, watering is carried out more often, you can even daily. You need to focus on the state of the topsoil. If it's dry, it's time for another moisturizing. So that the roots of the plants do not overheat, moss is placed under the pot. You can replace it with wet sand.

Advice

For watering the kumquat, it is better to take the first half of the day and use settled water at room temperature. If it is cold, the leaves on the tree will turn yellow and fall off.

Growing fortunella in an apartment will not be successful if you do not monitor the level of humidity. Its dryness will cause the leaves on the tree to wither and fly around. This often happens at the beginning of the heating season. To keep the kumquat beautiful all year round, it is regularly sprayed and the leaves are wiped with a damp cloth. Experienced flower growers advise bathing it in the shower every week during a difficult period for the plant at home. Compliance with this recommendation will help protect the tree from spider mites, the risk of infection with which in warm and dry air increases many times over.

At low temperatures in winter, a kumquat shower is contraindicated, and its leaves are sprayed with caution. Excess moisture in the soil and in the air in this case can cause the development of fungal diseases.There is another solution that will help provide the tree with comfortable conditions for it - to put a saucer filled with water near the pot with fortunella.

Fertilizing and pruning

During the period when the kumquat is actively growing, it needs frequent feeding. Both organic fertilizers and complex mineral preparations, which contain a lot of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen, are suitable for it. On summer days, additional nutrition is provided to fortunella 2-3 times a month. In the spring-autumn period, the amount of dressings at home is reduced to 1-2 per month. In winter, when the plant enters the dormant stage, it does not need fertilization.

Kinkan responds well to foliar feeding. But during flowering, spray the leaves of the tree with a nutrient solution carefully. Drops of liquid fertilizer should not fall on buds and petals. Before carrying out root dressing, the soil in a pot with kumquat must be moistened. Otherwise, the underground parts of the plant will get burned, and it will begin to hurt.

Fortunella grown from a stone can be quite high - up to 1.5 m. To increase the decorative effect of a tree, its crown is formed, giving it a semicircular appearance. This is done in the spring, leaving 2-3 shoots on the branches and pinching them. Cropping is needed not only to form a kinkan. It stimulates the active growth of young shoots and increases the yield of the kumquat.

Secrets of the professionals

In order for fortunella to delight with beauty and bright fruits with an unforgettable taste, she will need to devote time and attention. There are several conditions under which its cultivation will bring only positive emotions.

1. Before planting the plant, you need to heat the pot and the nutrient substrate. They can contain harmful microorganisms that will die under the influence of high temperatures.
2. Kinkan is afraid of drafts. If the pot with it is on the windowsill, you need to open the vents with caution. Taking the plant outside in warm weather, you should take care of its protection from cold winds.
3. A pot for fortunella is chosen depending on what kind of tree you want to get in the end. The smaller the planting capacity, the more compact the plant will have. To get a powerful tall kinkan, you will need to take a voluminous pot.
4. The kumquat needs a transplant every 2-3 years. It is carried out in early spring, transferring the plant to a new container. They do this carefully, trying not to injure the roots that are strongly intertwined with each other. Fresh drainage must be placed at the bottom of the pot. Watering the transplanted tree abundantly, it is placed in a warm place. Within 2 weeks, the kumquat will need partial shade and daily leaf spraying.
5. You do not need to throw out the fortunella if its growth has stopped, and the leaves have flown from it. If you properly care for the tree at home, water and feed it, it will turn green again.
6. When all the fruits on the kinkan are ripe and fall off, it is recommended to trim the plant to awaken the dormant buds.

Kumquat will brighten any room, filling it with a fresh and pleasant citrus scent. It is effective at any stage of its life cycle. In the fall, delicately fragrant white-pink flowers make it elegant, literally covering the tree. In winter, fruits ripening on its branches, stand out in bright spots against the background of dark greenery. And in spring and summer, you can admire its semicircular dense crown, which is formed by large shiny leaves.

There is nothing difficult in caring for an exotic kumquat. Even beginners in the cultivation of indoor crops will be able to grow an elegant tree in an apartment. Adequate lighting, regular watering and feeding - these are the three whales on which Fortunella's agricultural technology is based.

Citrus plants are quite popular among domestic florists. Many would like to have an evergreen shrub in their home, and not only grown by their own hands, but also bearing fruit.This is a plant called kumquat. What kind of plant is it and how to provide care for a kumquat at home - such questions should be considered by every self-respecting florist.

Description of the plant

This evergreen tree came to us from China. When it was introduced to Europe and America in the 20th century, the popularity of this plant grew rapidly. Another characteristic name for the flower is Japanese orange. Now anyone can grow a kumquat from a stone, since such a plant is no longer a rarity in our country. It looks like a compact shrub. It does not differ in its large size. When the tree blooms, it is dotted with white or pink inflorescences that exude a pleasant aroma.

Orange fruits resemble oranges, but are oval in shape. These citrus fruits are highly valued not only for their taste, but their use will have a beneficial effect on your health. Interestingly, the core of the kumquat is more like a mandarin. But such a mix is ​​not the only highlight of the fruit. It can be eaten with the peel, which is another plus.

Content requirements

You can grow a kumquat at home from seed without much difficulty. But there are two key rules, without which the care of such a plant will not be complete - these are lighting and moisture. How to care for a tree at home? To begin with, remember that the kumquat should not be placed in the part of the apartment where open rays enter. Lighting should be diffused. But this is with regard to the warm season. In winter, without a twinge of conscience, expose a flower pot with a kumquat in the southern part of your home. Another important nuance related to winter plant care is airing. Fresh air should enter the room from time to time, but avoid drafts.

Landing rules

How to grow a kumquat Nagami - many growers ask a similar question. The main thing is to ensure the planting of the kumquat and its full-fledged cultivation at home. The first thing you should pay attention to is the quality of the land. The best choice is to plant the plant in a mixture of sand and soil. If you want the root system to take root faster, you can stimulate it by adding a little humus to the soil mixture. Otherwise, the planting rules are no different from the process of rooting other indoor plants.

Top dressing and fertilization

Growing and caring for a kumquat is easy. Fortunella or kumquat are not too demanding, but when it comes to feeding the soil with nutrient mixtures, you should not neglect the recommendations of experts. The need to introduce certain components into the soil, as well as the time optimal for feeding, depends not only on the age of the plant, but also on the season.

During the period of active growth of the vegetative mass, it is recommended to feed Fortunella at least twice a week. While the leaves are developing exclusively, give preference to nitrogen fertilization. In the future, it is better to switch to potash and phosphorus nutritional mixtures. Few know that in certain cases, fertilizing the soil can only harm the plant. This happens if you feed a green shrub immediately after transplanting or while it is still emaciated after an illness.

Competent watering

Once you've planted a kumquat, it's not too difficult to grow. The main thing is not to miss the basic points of caring for him. It is very important to pay attention to watering. The intensity of soil irrigation and its frequency is influenced by the season. If in summer it is worth doing this more often, then in winter the breaks between watering should not be the shortest. Be sure to warm up the water. Never water the plant with cold water, otherwise it will shed all the leaves.

Plant crown formation

Kinkan or fortunella will decorate any home flower garden.Moreover, the flowering period will be even brighter and longer if you learn how to properly form the kumquat crown. For a lush, healthy plant one day, form one main stem and leave at least four developed buds with leaves. Remember that it is advisable to not only prune the kumquat from time to time, but also ensure the vaccination.

Growing fortunella seems to be a rather laborious process. But for those who will be able to understand its main intricacies, everything that remains will no longer be so frightening.

Diseases and pests

No matter how hard you try to care for the grown fortunella, citrus plants often suffer from various diseases and pests. It is not always possible to prevent a threat. But if you know how to deal with it, you can eliminate both the disease and the colony of parasites in the early stages. Inspect the evergreen shrub regularly. It's time to sound the alarm if you notice the following symptoms:

• spots on the leaves;
• modification of the shade of the leaf;
• drying of shoots;
• the formation of various growths.

All this signals an impending danger. Often the plant is exposed to fungal diseases. They can be cured by applying special fungicides. But since the shrub was affected by such pests, it is recommended to remove the fruits or inflorescences of the kumquat. In the future, it is better to resort to preventive measures so that such a threat does not befall you anymore. Dilute Bordeaux liquid with water and spray the shrub several times during active growth.

Remember: the greatest danger to kumquat is caused by viral diseases. They often cannot be eradicated. That is why it is better to learn how to protect a house tree from adverse environmental factors. Take care of your home plant and get a true decoration for your home!

Video "Homemade kumquat"

This video will show you how you can grow a kumquat yourself.

Many amateur flower growers want their green pets not only to be pleasing to the eye, but also to bring practical benefits, for example, to produce edible fruits. One of these fruiting plants, which have recently become quite widespread - kumquat: one of the few home-grown citrus fruits.

Kumquat has many names:

• fortunella - the name comes from the genus of the plant,
• kinkan - this is what the kumquat is called in Japan,
• Chinese mandarin, golden apple - popular names for kumquat,

and belongs to the genus Fortunella or Citrus of the Rutaceae family.

In the wild, kumquat is found in southeastern and southern China, and the fruit is grown commercially throughout China, Hong Kong, Japan and virtually all other countries in East Asia.

In its natural environment, kumquat is a tree-like shrub with a dense ball-shaped crown, reaching up to 4 meters in height. When grown at home, the kumquat looks like a small tree with a dense crown, its maximum height is 1.5 meters. The leaves of the kumquat are compact (about 5 cm in length), deep green in color, the flowers are medium-sized, white or cream in color, with a characteristic citrus smell. The fruits, the main value for which Fortunella is grown, are small (about 5 cm), oval, bright orange. The pulp of the fruit is edible, juicy, with a bright citrus taste. The rind of the kumquat is also edible and has a pleasant sweet taste.

Kumquat species suitable for home cultivation

Almost all types of Chinese mandarin, cultivated outdoors, are suitable for home cultivation, but flower growers give special preference to several varieties:

Kumquat Nagami (Nagami Kumquat) is the most common cultivar. The fruits are sweet, in size and shape reminiscent of an olive tree, and are eaten with the peel. There are several recently developed subspecies:

• Nordmann (Nordmann Seedless Nagami Kumquat) - seedless form of kumquat,
• Variegatum (Variegatum) - a subspecies with decorative stripes on fruits that disappear after ripening

The Nagami variety is used not only for fruit production, but also as a base for bonsai.

K. Nagami

Kumquat Marumi or kumquat japonica (Marumi Kumquat, Japonica Kumquat) is a small shrub with short thorns on the branches. The oval, tangerine-like golden orange fruits have a refined sweet taste. Kumquat Marumi is a fairly frost-resistant variety, therefore, in the southern regions of Russia it can be grown even in the open field.

K. Marumi

Kumquat Meiva (Meiwa Kumquat) gives its owner yellow-orange, lemon-like fruits with a pleasant taste. The shrub itself is low, with a dense crown and small oval leaves. Even in the absence of fruits, the kumquat Meiva is quite capable of decorating the interior.

K. Meiva

Hong kong kumquat (Fortunella hindsii) - unlike previous varieties, the fruits of this kumquat are not edible, and most of the fruit is occupied by seeds. The Hong Kong kumquat is cultivated exclusively as an ornamental plant.

Malay kumquat (Fortunella polyandra), like the Hong Kong kumquat, is grown only as a green interior decoration. In the countries of Southeast Asia, it is used as a hedge.

Kumquat Fukushi (Fortunella obovata), in contrast to the Malay and Hong Kong kumquats, is completely edible, and its fruits have a delicate sweet taste.

K. Fukushi

In addition to various varieties of fortunella, all kinds of hybrids of kumquat with some citrus fruits can also be cultivated as indoor plants: limequat (lime + kumquat), orangequat (orange + kumquat), lemonquat (lemon + kumquat), calamondin (mandarin + kumquat) and many other nagami ...

How to grow a kumquat at home

We note right away that growing a kumquat at home is not at all an easy task. All citrus fruits, and kumquat in particular, are quite capricious and require care and increased attention from the grower. But the return on them is great: the plants are not only beautiful, but also fertile, and who does not want to try a tropical fruit grown with his own hands. Therefore, despite all the difficulties, kumquat can and should be grown at home, observing several rules for maintaining and caring for a delicate plant.

Temperature and lighting

In nature, kinkan grows in southern countries, in which summers are hot and sunny, and winters are warm enough (about 10-15 ° C), therefore, it is necessary to create similar temperature conditions with room content of citrus. The optimum temperature for the summer period is about 25-28 ° C, in winter the plant will feel comfortable at 10-12 ° C. Extremes (extreme heat or, conversely, a decrease in temperature) must be excluded. In summer, the container with kumquat can be taken out into the open air.

In winter, for the subsequent successful fruiting, it is recommended to arrange a dormant period for the kumquat. To do this, citrus must be placed in the coolest (but not coldest!) Place in the apartment, for example, a loggia, and watering must be reduced. This mode promotes further flowering and fruit emergence on the kumquat.

Advice from flower growers: the warmer the kumquat wintering site, the more light the plant needs. If the kumquat is located in a warm, poorly lit place in winter, leaf fall is likely to begin. In the future, such a plant will be difficult to reanimate.

Lighting is also essential for kinkan cultivation, especially during the cold winter months. In summer, the lighting should be diffused, without direct sunlight. In winter, on the contrary, it is recommended to provide the citrus with intense natural light, and in its absence - to additionally highlight the plant using a phytolamp.

Watering and humidity

The frequency of watering kumquat directly depends on the time of year: on hot days, in summer, citrus should be watered more often, and in winter, on the contrary, watering should be reduced. The need for watering is determined by the state of the earthen clod: if the soil has dried by about 4-5 cm, it is time for watering. Both excess and lack of moisture are equally harmful to kumquat. A flooded plant can get sick with root rot, and completely dried out soil will lead to the death of fortunella.Excess water that appears in the pan after watering should be drained after thirty minutes.

For watering kumquat, you need to use only filtered or settled water at room temperature.

Plants from the subtropics, including kinkan, need humid air all year round. Spraying the kumquat from a spray bottle or placing a container of water next to the bowl will help to increase the air humidity. Adults, healthy fortunella sometimes benefit from water treatments: bathing in the shower and wiping the leaves with a damp sponge.

Transplant, soil, top dressing

The frequency of transplanting kumquat directly depends on the age of the plant. Young (0-1 years old) kinkans are transplanted 2 times a year, middle-aged kumquats (2-4 years) - 1 time per year, adult plants no more than 1 time in 1-3 years. The kumquat itself will help to determine the need for transplantation: if roots stick out of the drainage hole, the plant needs to be moved to a new bowl.

It is strongly discouraged to deepen the kumquat more than before the transplant - this can make the citrus sick and die.

The optimal transplant, the least traumatic for the kumquat, is transshipment. In this case, all the old soil, together with the root system, is preserved and transferred to a large container, and new fresh soil is poured and compacted into free places.

If, during the examination of the root ball during transplantation, roots affected by rot are found, the transshipment method will not work. In this case, the decayed parts of the roots must be removed, the cuts must be treated with a root root and, completely replacing the substrate, the plant must be planted.

When choosing a pot for transplanting, do not buy too large. The new container should be only 2-3 cm larger than the previous one. Too much earthen coma can cause root rot and lack of fruit on the kumquat.

The soil, most suitable for planting kumquat, should be slightly acidic, sufficiently loose (air and moisture permeable) and nutritious. For self-preparation of the soil, you need to take two parts of sod land, one part of leafy land and half of sand. From ready-made mixtures, special substrates for citrus are suitable: Garden of Miracles, Vermion, Terra Vita with the addition of sand, perlite, chopped pine bark.

Pay attention to the amount of peat in the finished soil mixture. Too much peat negatively affects the growth and development of the kumquat.

Do not forget about drainage: a sufficiently high layer (about a quarter of the total volume of the pot) will ensure the unhindered drainage of excess liquid and the flow of air to the roots of fortunella.

What fertilizers to use for feeding your home kumquat depends on the time of year and the phase of plant development. So, for example, during the period of kinkan growth, nitrogen fertilizers are best suited, during the flowering period - phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, during preparation for wintering - potash fertilizers. There are also special fertilizers for citrus fruits - Reakom Mikom-Citrus, Garden of Miracles Lemon, Fasco for citrus fruits, Cytovit, the composition of which must be carefully studied before use.

There are situations when feeding a kumquat is not only ineffective, but even harmful:

• citrus disease, weakened plant,
• rooting cuttings,
• adaptation to new conditions after purchase,
• transplanting into new soil,
• dormant period (wintering), especially at low temperatures

Reproduction

Kumquat, like most homemade citrus fruits, reproduces in several ways:

• bone
• cuttings
• inoculation
• ringing shoots

Bone propagation is a method popular with novice florists. Of course, it is quite possible to grow a kumquat from a stone, but it must be borne in mind that the kinkan obtained in this way will grow for a very long time, and flowering and fruiting will occur only in 10-15 years.

In order to grow a kumquat from a stone, you need to take several fresh (not dry!) ​​Seeds, soak them in a root solution for several days and plant them in a universal soil. After the seeds sprout and several leaves appear on each seedling, they can be opened, that is, planted in separate pots. For picking, it is better to take the largest and healthiest seedlings. Further maintenance and care are the same as for an adult plant.

Propagation by cuttings is the best way to guarantee the early development and fruiting of the kumquat.

For grafting, a branch about 10 cm long with several small leaves is chosen and cut obliquely from above and below (the lower cut is immediately after the lower bud, the upper one is 5 mm above the uppermost bud). The lower cut is powdered with root or crushed coal, after which the cutting is planted: a layer of drainage and a universal soil are poured into a bowl, in the middle of which, in a prepared depression, sand is poured. The cutting is planted in the sand, and in the future the roots will grow directly into the ground. The planted stalk is covered with a glass jar and watered regularly. After the appearance of new shoots, the jar can be gradually removed for a few minutes a day, and then completely removed.

Grafting and banding shoots are quite complex and time-consuming methods of kumquat propagation, suitable only for experienced flower growers.

Fruiting kumquat

The main question that worries kumquat growers is how to get citrus to bear fruit.

In addition to general recommendations for growing Fortunella indoors. There are some special tricks for making delicious homemade fruits.

• For early fruiting, it is necessary to take kumquats grown from cuttings. In this case, the appearance of the first fruits is possible as early as 5-6 years. If the kumquat has grown from the seed, the appearance of the fruit may be significantly delayed or not at all.
• It is important to regulate the flowering of the kumquat: a large number of flowers weakens the plant and prevents quality ovaries from being produced.
• As with flowers, excess ovaries must also be removed. It is better to leave one large and healthy ovary than several weakened ones. The optimal number of ovaries is one per 10-15 leaves.
• Kumquat is considered a capricious plant that is difficult to grow, which is why experienced growers often graft it on lemon, orange or tripolyate. In this case, fortunella will grow and bear fruit better.
• And finally, the last point is patience. Citrus fruits in general, and kumquats in particular, are not easy to keep in apartments, and their fruiting is the aerobatics of a florist. But with a certain amount of patience and perseverance, it is quite possible to enjoy your own tropical fruit.

Diseases, pests and growing problems

The main pests of kumquat are spider mites and scale insects.

The reason for the appearance of a spider mite is excessively dry indoor air. If the plant is slightly infested, spraying with plain water will help. In the case when the spider mite colony has grown, modern insecticides will come to the rescue.

Damage to the scabbard occurs due to the incorrect content of the kumquat. To combat this pest, mechanical methods are used (collecting scale insects from leaves) and processing with Aktara.

Unfortunately, kumquat is susceptible to many diseases, many of which appear only on citrus plants - malseco, gommosis, xylopsoriasis, and so on. However, the common plant diseases such as chlorosis, root rot, anthracnose and others do not bypass the kumquat. In order to cure kumquat, it is necessary to correctly diagnose the disease and determine the nature of its origin (viruses, bacteria, fungi). And the best prevention of all diseases of the kumquat will be the correct and timely care of the plant.

Let's consider some of the problems that arise when growing kumquat in more detail.

Kumquat is losing leaves:

• Most likely, the plant overwintered in a too warm place; a dormant period with a decrease in temperature was not organized. What to do: place the kumquat in a bright and cool place during the cold season, reduce watering, that is, organize the correct wintering.
• Leaf fall is observed some time after the purchase of the plant. This is an inevitable process associated with a change in the conditions of the kumquat. What to do: remove all fruits, ovaries and buds; examine the roots for rot (if necessary, rinse the soil), treat the kumquat with growth biostimulants (Epin, Athlete, Amulet), place the crown of the tree in a plastic bag for 10-14 days.

The newly emerging kumquat leaves stretch out. The likely reason is the change in the lighting condition of the kinkan after the purchase. What to do: if the leaves do not fall, nothing needs to be done; in the future, the plant will automatically adjust the size of the leaf.

Yellow spots on kumquat leaves, drying tip of the leaf. The kinkan is most likely overfed with fertilizer, as these symptoms indicate a chemical burn. What to do: For a while, completely exclude all feeding and, if possible, flush the soil.

The ovaries of the kumquat are scattered. It's OK. this is a natural process. The plant itself regulates the number of ovaries, as a result, only the healthiest and most viable ones remain.

Kumquat: benefits and harms

The benefits of kumquat are obvious - this is the exquisite taste of the fruit, and the beauty of the tree, and the ability to help with certain diseases. And, if everything is clear with the decorative and taste qualities of the plant, then it is worth talking about its medicinal properties in more detail:

1. Kumquat is used in the prevention and treatment of colds;
2. It is widely used during the diet as a source of essential vitamins and minerals;
3. Large amounts of fiber and pectin stimulate intestinal motility;
4. Helps with fungal diseases;
5. It removes harmful substances and excess fluid from the body.

But, as you know, there is a fly in the ointment in every barrel of honey. The same can be said about kumquat: unfortunately, fortunella is not useful for everyone. Kumquat should not be consumed in the following cases:

1. Allergy to citrus fruits;
2. Increased acidity of the stomach;
3. Kidney disease;
4. Pregnancy and lactation.

Well, in general, kumquat is a wonderful plant that can give its owner magnificent and very useful fruits.

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And finally, a recipe using kumquat.

Kumquat jam

You will need: 1 kg of kumquats, 1 kg of sugar, juice from two oranges and lemons.

Preparation: Cut the kumquats in half, remove the seeds. Cover the prepared fruits with sugar and pour over the juice, leave for 2-4 hours. Boil the resulting mass over low heat for half an hour, cool and repeat the procedure. Arrange the finished jam in sterilized jars.