| 1. Growing temperature: summer - 18 - 24 ° C, winter - 12 - 14 ° C, a cool dormant period is necessary for the onset of flowering, and also so that the plant is not affected by the lack of light in autumn - winter. |
| 2. Lighting: light shade from direct sunlight during the daytime, sunbathing in the morning and evening daily. |
| 3. Watering and humidity: in spring and summer, water in such a way that the top layer of soil 3-5 cm thick dries out with honey. In autumn and winter, significantly reduce the frequency of watering if the bush is given a cool dormant period. Once a month, add a few drops of lemon juice or grains of citric acid to the water for irrigation. Humidity is high. |
| 4. Peculiarities: for the onset of flowering, competent formative pruning is needed, and for fruiting - artificial pollination. Timely pinching of the tips of young shoots causes the plant to form lateral stems. |
| 5. Priming: very loose and rich in organic matter with a lot of nutrients and an acidic pH. |
| 6. top dressing: Feed with a liquid citrus plant fertilizer every 2 weeks in spring and summer. Feeding is not carried out in autumn and winter. |
| 7. reproduction: seeds - stones sown in spring, stem cuttings in spring and summer, grafting. |
botanical name: Kinkan.
Kumquat home - family . Rutaceae.
Where does it grow. The homeland of the plant is Asia.
What does a kumquat look like and what is it? or kinkan or fortunella - an evergreen, slowly growing tree 2.5 - 5 m high, stems often have spines.
Leaves simple, arranged alternately on short petioles, lanceolate, dark green, thick, leathery, glossy, 3-8 cm long. Leaf blades have small teeth along the edges, the underside is lighter than the top. 
Flowers white, star-shaped, solitary or in small axillary inflorescences up to 4 pieces, with a pleasant aroma and 5 wax petals, 1 - 1.5 cm in diameter. Each bush has both male and female flowers, so self-pollination often takes place.
Fruit oblong - oval or round, up to 5 cm in diameter; green, when ripe become golden yellow, juicy, contain small seeds.
Like other plants of the Rutovye family, buds, flowers, ovaries, green and ripening fruits can be located on kumquat at the same time, which only gives it an additional decorative effect.
Height. Dwarf species of kumquat reach 3m. With pruning, you can maintain a height of 90 - 120 cm.
2. Growing homemade kumquat
2.1 Care, trimming
Caring for this plant is not very difficult. Kumquats are more hardy than most citrus fruits.
During the summer, take the indoor kumquat out of the house to fresh air.
Most house plants are self-pollinating, but some types of kinkan require artificial pollination with a clean, dry brush.
spring cut too long stems to keep the plant compact and neat.
Remove weak and damaged shoots.
Tips of young shoots pinching for better branching.
For the onset of fruiting and simply the harmonious development of a citrus tree, it is very important to correctly form a crown plants.
The first pinching of rooted cuttings or plants obtained from seeds is carried out when they reach a height 20 cm.
Shoots extending from the main trunk of a tree are called first-order shoots - they are pinched when they reach a length of about 20 cm.
This procedure, like the rest, makes sense to carry out when the branches are still soft - so you can just pinch them off and the plant will not even notice it.
In the place where shoots of the 1st order were pinched, a fork of shoots of the 3rd order usually appears - they are shortened when they also reach the length 20 cm.
Accordingly, branches of 4 orders will form at their tops - they are left with a length of about 10 cm.
First bloom will come on the shoots of 4 and 5 orders.
Trim old and diseased branches in a timely manner - all work should be done only sharp sterile secateurs and, if necessary, sprinkle the cut points with crushed activated charcoal.
Do not place plants near heating systems- they will react in autumn with abundant leaf fall.
Periodically, the leaves will fall off - this is a completely normal process, because each leaf lives about 2 years.
If at the end of winter - the beginning of spring the leaf fall is plentiful and the plant is very bare of branches - lower the temperature of the content or increase the length of daylight hours with the help of artificial lighting.
2.2. When the kumquat blooms
Mostly flowers In spring and summer, but individual flowers may appear at any other time of the year.
2.3. Reproduction, cuttings, growing from seed
Kumquat breeding is carried out bones- Seeds sown in the spring.
- Landing is carried out in loose nutrient soil.
- The surface of the substrate is pre-moistened with water from the sprayer. room temperature.
- The seeds are covered from above with a layer of soil about 2 cm thick and sprayed again.
- Kumquat seedlings are covered with a transparent plastic cap or glass to maintain moisture.
- For germination, seedlings are placed in a warm place with a temperature of about 21 ° C.
Remember that seedlings should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
When the first shoots appear, the shelter from the seedlings will need to be removed.
will bloom such plants after 4 - 5 years. The fruiting of plants derived from seeds is sometimes delayed up to 10 - 15 years.
Kumquats often instill to less whimsical rootstocks.
Possibility of vegetative propagation by means of cuttings taken in spring and summer. The lower leaves from the cuttings are cut off and the base of the cutting is immersed in rooting powder.
2.4. How to transplant
Try to transfer only if necessary when the plant has outgrown the size of the pot or the soil needs to be changed.
The transplant is carried out spring, with the first signs of new growth.
This citrus tree blooms more profusely in slightly cramped conditions.
Young plants need to be transplanted 1 - 2 times a year, adults - once every 2 - 3 years.
In large plants, you can simply change the topsoil annually.
2.5. Diseases and pests
- The leaves are turning yellow with an excess of moisture, they become brown and dry - with prolonged drought and too dry room atmosphere.
- With poor drainage, plants rot.
- The yellowing of the leaf plates (the veins remain green at the same time) indicates the onset chlorosis- feed the plant with iron chelate.
- If a tips sheet plates, especially in winter months, become fragile brown and dry, it is possible that the plant is overflowing - for such specimens it is necessary to reduce the frequency of watering.
- From fungal diseases, plants can be susceptible to anthracnose when kept in a too warm and very humid room.
- Scab may appear as ugly, pinkish-yellow spots on fruits and small yellow spots on young kumquat leaves.
- sooty fungus appears as a black coating on the leaves and shoots of the tree.
- With too frequent and abundant watering, as well as with insufficient drainage, the plant can affect root rot.
- With the onset of rot, the trees will drop their leaves.
- If the citrus tree is located too deep and its root collar is sunk into the ground, then the plant may be subjected to gommose, which manifests itself in the form of the appearance of small transparent drops of resin on the branches.
- powdery mildew affects the kumquat when kept in too cool humid conditions.This disease looks like a white fluffy coating on the leaves.
- Deformation of leaf plates, a change in their color and general inhibition of the plant may indicate the appearance viral diseases. Trees that have been affected by the virus are subject to complete destruction.
- If small, round, brown spots appear on the fruit, surrounded by a lighter, yellowish circle, then the plant may have citrus cancer.
From pests the most common are mealybugs, aphids and spider mites. Spider mite attacks can be recognized by the thin, almost invisible web that appears on the plant.
Insects - pests
| insect name | Signs of infection | Control measures |
| Mealybug | The surface of the leaves and shoots is covered with a fluffy cotton-like white bloom. Plants lag behind in development | Folk remedies: spraying with soapy-alcohol solution. Infusion of tobacco, garlic, cyclamen tubers, alcohol treatments, and pharmacy tincture of calendula performed well. Chemicals : green soap solution, Aktellik, Fitoverm. |
| Inconspicuous cobwebs on the leaves, yellowing and falling of foliage with extensive damage. The surface of the leaf plates becomes dead and covered with small cracks. Plant development slows down. | Folk ways. Plants can be washed in the shower and left in the bathroom in a humid atmosphere for half an hour. Irradiation with an ultraviolet lamp every week for 2 minutes. Chemicals based on pyrethrum, sulfur powders, Fitoverm, Aktellik. | |
| Aphid | Sticky droplets appear on the leaf blades, leaf blades curl and deform, tender buds and young leaves wither. On the tops of the shoots, buds or the underside of the leaf plates, insect colonies can be seen. The flowers of an aphid-infested plant may become misshapen. | Folk ways: nettle infusion, decoction of rhubarb leaves, wormwood, soap solution, tobacco and dandelion infusion, onion, marigold, yarrow, tansy, dusting with wood ash. Chemicals: Sulfur powders, treatment with green potassium soap of green mass without getting into the ground, Decis, Aktellik, Fitoverm. |
2.6. Watering
The frequency of watering depends on the temperature of the content.
Summer water kumquat plentifully completely wetting the soil. The top layer of the substrate should dry out between waterings.
In winter, just keep the soil from drying out too much. This watering regimen will help you grow healthy, strong citrus.
2.7 Temperature
The optimal temperature range for growing kumquat is from 18 to 24°C during the whole year.
In winter, can be placed in a cool place, but not expose to temperatures below 10°C. A cool winter will promote rest, and next season this will allow the tree to bloom and bear fruit profusely.
Plants are able to withstand short-term frosts down to -12°C if kept in dry ground.
2.8.Kumquat fertilizer
Feed your kumquat every two weeks liquid fertilizer during the growing season. Stop fertilizing in autumn and winter.
The kumquat responds well to organic top dressing.
During bud formation and flowering, use a fertilizer rich in potassium.
2.10. Kumquat in a pot - soil
Adapts to most soil types with good drainage.
The bush is also not picky about the pH level of the soil.
The flower prefers soil, rich in organic nutrients.
2.11 Spraying
fox flower sprayed soft water at room temperature.
You can place the pot on pallet with wet pebbles for many years in room culture.
2.14.Hydroponics
Citrus fruits can be grown hydroponically, but they will do best in soil.
3.Grades:
3.1. Kumquat Margarita or Nagami - Fortunella margarita
A small evergreen tree that in its natural habitat reaches a height of 2 to 4 m. The leaves are dark green, glossy, oblong, lanceolate, on short petioles. The leaf blades of this variety are slightly bent along the central vein. The flowers are collected in small, few-flowered inflorescences in the axils of the leaves, cream or white, up to 1.5 cm in diameter, and has a sweetish orange aroma. The fruits are orange, oblong, up to 3.5 cm long and about 2.5 cm wide.
3.2. Kumquat Meiwa - Fortunella crassifolia, kumquat "Meiwa"
Evergreen fruit bush height from 3 to 6 m. with abundantly branching shoots. The leaves are glossy, entire, lanceolate, slightly bent along the central vein, entire. The flowers are small, white, fragrant, collected in few-flowered inflorescences. The fruits are round, orange, reminiscent of tangerines and have a very pleasant, sweet taste. The fruits of plants are used for food both fresh and for the preparation of jams and candied fruits.
3.3. Kumquat Fukushi or Obovata - Fortunella obovata ‘Fukushu’
evergreen fruit tree height from 2 to 5 m. with upright, branched shoots. Leaves, oval, hard, dark green, glossy, on short petioles. The flowers are small, fragrant, white, with waxy oblong petals. The pods are rounded, slightly flattened, with a thin, edible peel, reaching a diameter of 2 to 5 cm. The fruits resemble tangerines in appearance.
3.4. Kumquat Marumi or Fortunella japonica - Fortunella japonica
Neat, dwarf, evergreen fruit tree. In height, plants often do not exceed 2.5 m. The leaves are glossy, narrow, lanceolate, entire, on short petioles. The flowers are white, fragrant, axillary, solitary or in small inflorescences. The fruits are round, edible, orange, with a pleasant sour taste.
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Have you tried the kumquat yet? What is this fruit? Sweet delicious citrus will surely surprise you with its taste and aroma. I want to tell you about it, as well as about how kumquat is useful, where it comes from, how to grow a seed tree at home.
My sister always treats me with all the outlandish fruits when she comes to visit from the Black Sea coast. She also introduced me to kumquat, bringing dried fruits. For a long time I could not understand what kind of fruit it was, what it looked like. The taste of citrus, sweet, with a slight bitterness. I didn’t immediately realize that I was eating it along with the peel, since it didn’t look like it was there at all. But I ate the present with lightning speed, as much as I liked it.
What is kumquat
The photo above shows the same fruit - fresh, in syrup and dried. What fruit does it most resemble? At first glance, it resembles a small orange (outwardly), but when you try it, you will discover completely new flavors. Its fruits are very small, their length is approximately 5-6 cm, and the diameter - no more than 3 cm.
If we compare all the citrus fruits known to us, then according to taste data, it is most similar to sweet tangerine. In China, it is called the "golden orange" not only because of its external resemblance, but also because of the benefits it brings to our body.
Kumquat is low in calories, so you can eat it fresh without fear for your figure, 70 kcal per 100 g of product is an indicator of the calorie content of fresh citrus fruits. However, you should be aware that dried or dried fruits are more high in calories, in a 100 g bag, which are usually sold in stores, there are approximately 280 kcal.
Another interesting question related to its names. This representative of the root family has two more names that are quite widely used in colloquial speech and on the relevant thematic forums. One of them is fortunella, and the other is kinkan. In China, in the homeland of the plant, it is often called kumquat, the Japanese call it kinkan. It is called Fortunella because it belongs to an independent genus, while citrus is the general name of this culture.
Kumquat in vivo Fortunella fruit is 80% water, contains potassium - it is the most in the composition of the fruit, it also contains a lot of carbohydrates and organic components (monosaccharides). Calcium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, iron and sodium are also on the list of minerals present in this little sunny fruit. Vitamin C in kumquat is the most (almost 50%), slightly less vitamin A, E, B3 and B5, R.
The list of useful components can be continued for a long time: antioxidants, essential oils, fatty acids (unsaturated and saturated, polyunsaturated), lutein, carotene, pectin. This citrus has one notable feature, noteworthy - wherever it grows, it will not “pull” nitrates from the soil, respectively, it will not accumulate them in the peel or pulp.
By the way, about the peel - it is incredibly useful, along with the pulp of the fruit.
Where does kumquat grow? Today, this evergreen member of the citrus family grows in almost all countries. Its homeland is China, and in the 19th century it was brought to America and Europe. In southern China, the Middle East, Japan, Southeast Asia, it grows as a wild tree, and is also grown for commercial purposes on an industrial scale.
He loves heat and humidity, sunlight. In many countries it is grown as a home potted crop.
Kumquat - how to eat it?
It is quite common to come across this question. For those who try it for the first time, the answer will be somewhat unexpected - it can (and should) be eaten right with the peel! Take a fresh kumquat, wash it well, take a bite and enjoy the sweetness, juiciness, aroma of this amazing citrus. It is believed that you can fully taste the fruit only when you eat it whole. Different flavors of peel and pulp are mixed, forming the perfect tandem. Here is the answer to the question of how kumquats are eaten - with or without a skin. This is the only citrus fruit that can be eaten with the skin on. It is sweet, sometimes with a touch of light spicy bitterness, thin, sometimes even sweeter than the pulp (in some varieties, the pulp may be sour). It is also officially considered the smallest representative of the citrus family.
We have already found out how to eat fresh kumquat, the question immediately arises: how else can you use this tasty and valuable fruit in cooking? And here the widest field of activity for a gourmet opens! From the fruits of kinkan, jams, maremelades, jams are cooked, various sauces are made (spicy, spicy, sweet or sour). These sauces are in perfect harmony with meat dishes, pilafs, vegetable purees. Kumquat is cut into circles and baked with poultry, fish, put in a variety of salads, added to cereals, desserts, puddings.
Kinkan-kumquat can be stewed with vegetables, added to biscuits, decorated and put in cakes. And how delicious and fragrant the invigorating Moroccan tea with the addition of this fruit turns out! It also skillfully sets off the taste of seafood and is used as an additive to nut mixtures. Candied fruits made from kinkan are very good; according to their taste data, they are much better than the usual caramels and candies. They make delicious homemade ice cream with it, it is a fashionable snack for alcoholic drinks (vermouth, liqueurs, wines, etc.). It is canned and made into juices and syrups.
So the answer to the question: how to eat a kumquat and with what, will be unambiguous - as you like and with anything.
Photos of various dishes using Fortunella:
kumquat fruit salad cream sauce 
Salad of king prawns in spicy sauce with avocado and kumquat 
Pancakes with kumquat jam 
Shortbread with kinkan 
Meat salad with spinach leaves and kumquat In addition to eating, it is used in the preparation of face masks, as an ingredient in various cosmetic creams. Pure juice whitens the skin, age spots. Kinkan essential oils are used for aromatherapy and in soap making.
When buying a fresh kumquat, make sure that it is firm, has a rich orange color, and is free of any spots. It can be frozen, in this form it can be stored for about six months. If you buy dried (dried), also pay attention to its color. High-quality fruits should not have a pronounced bright red tint (this indicates their artificial tinting). Choose light, slightly brownish or amber fruits, ideally they have a light citrus aroma.
Dried kumquat, photo:
Kumquat - benefit and harm
Even in ancient China, doctors noticed its bactericidal effect. Fungal diseases have long been treated with juice and gruel, this tradition has survived to this day. In addition, the use of these fruits helps to quickly cope with bronchitis, coughs and even hangovers (due to the high content of vitamin C). It optimizes the functioning of the liver, promotes accelerated breakdown of fats. The positive effect of kumquat on the immune system and the work of the digestive tract has already been mentioned above. The pronounced calming effect is due to the presence of essential oils in the composition of the fruit. To do this, they are eaten, brewed into tea, and simply fruit fragments laid out on a hot battery can cheer up those present in the room. In addition to aromatherapy, essential oil is used to treat stretch marks on the skin, smooth out shallow scars.
Kumquat - what is useful:
- It has an anti-cold and antiviral effect - inhalations with essential oil, as well as crushed fruits with honey, help get rid of coughs, relieve inflammation of the respiratory tract.
- Promotes the removal of toxins from the body, normalizes the digestive system.
- It is an ideal product for a diet, low in calories, helps to cope with overweight(fiber helps cleanse the intestines).
- It has a beneficial effect on the nervous system as a whole, stops the feeling of irritability, normalizes the emotional background - aromatherapy, teas, decoctions or infusions of finely chopped fruits.
- Improves heart function, normalizes blood pressure, is a good prevention against vascular diseases.
- Bactericidal effect in various skin diseases, fungi.
- Optimizes brain function.
As mentioned above, in their composition, the fruits contain active ingredients, which help to cope with a hangover (that is, they are an effective natural antioxidant). With nausea and heaviness in the stomach, you can also eat kumquat - you will immediately feel better. Even pregnant women can use it, but only at the beginning of pregnancy and after consulting a doctor! It will help to cope with toxicosis, give strength, and have a positive effect on the emotional state.
As for the harm from the use of fortunella, then with certain gastric diseases it can not be eaten. This is due to the presence of acids in the composition, which can provoke an exacerbation of an ulcer (if any) or gastritis. With an inflamed intestine, kumquat should also be discarded. If there are renal pathologies, then it can act as an irritant, cause an exacerbation of existing diseases. It should not be eaten if you are allergic to citrus fruits. Diabetics should use it with great care as it contains glucose. In this case, consultation with a doctor is also necessary.
Dried kumquat: useful properties
O useful properties dried kumquat we can say the following:
- It is no less useful than fresh. When dried, biologically active components and useful qualities are preserved in the fruits.
- Eating dried kinkan compensates for the lack of vitamins and mineral compounds, improves immunity.
- From drying, the peel of the fruit becomes more valuable, its bactericidal qualities are enhanced. This delicacy can be a real cure if you have a cold or just feel bad.
- In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (in a non-aggravated form), it is also recommended to use dried kumquat, which normalizes the functioning of the digestive system.
In terms of energy value, dried fruits are ahead of fresh ones, so they are recommended to be eaten during the recovery period after illness, to increase vitality.
How to grow a kumquat from a bone at home?
There were seeds in the dried fruits that my sister brought me. Very small, chewed easily. Naturally, amazed by the pleasant taste, I decided to sprout a few seeds. But it wasn’t there ... Not a single seed sprouted ... Then I already learned that it was possible to grow a kumquat from a stone, but seeds from fresh fruit. But first things first.
is one of the plants of the family called rue, in Latin the name of this plant is as follows: Fortunella margarita. As for the very name of this family, in Latin it will be like this: Rutaceae.
Description of kinkan oval
It should be noted that the oval kinkan can hardly be called a particularly whimsical plant to care for, however, it is recommended to carefully observe some growing features. Throughout the summer period, it is important to ensure moderate watering for this plant, and it is recommended to maintain air humidity at an average level. As for the light regime, both penumbra and sun are acceptable. life form kinkan oval - an evergreen tree.Kinkan oval can be found not only in winter gardens, but also in bonsai culture. As for the cultivation of this plant in indoor conditions, it is recommended to select bright windows, with only bright windows becoming an exception. In height, the oval kinkan can reach up to about two meters.
Description of the features of care and cultivation of oval kinkan
As already mentioned, the oval kinkan is not particularly whimsical in care, but you should not drastically change the conditions for keeping this plant. The plant needs repotting approximately every two to three years, for this you should use pots of standard proportions. As for the soil soil, to prepare such a land mixture, one part of leafy soil and sand should be mixed, as well as two parts of soddy land.It is important to remember that excessive waterlogging of the soil can have an extremely negative effect on the development of this plant: in this case, the roots of the oval kinkan may rot. You should also not allow low humidity, otherwise the leaves of this plant will not only turn yellow, but also fall off. In some cases, the oval kinkan is attacked by rust, spider mites, mealybugs and scale insects.
Throughout the dormant period of this plant, experts recommend providing the oval kinkan with the next optimal temperature regime: from ten to fourteen degrees of heat. This plant will also need moderate watering, and standard air humidity is needed. Such a dormant period under the conditions of growing this plant in room culture will be forced. The dormant period begins in the month of October and lasts until February, and the reasons for the onset of the dormant period will be both low air humidity and insufficient illumination.
Reproduction of the oval kinkan can occur through cuttings, while ensuring a rooting temperature of about twenty-five degrees Celsius. In addition, the reproduction of the plant is also permissible by sowing seeds, however, it should be borne in mind that the seedlings will not bloom at all soon.
It is important to remember that the crown of this plant should be formed using pruning. Not only flowers and fruits are endowed with decorative properties, but also the leaves of the oval kinkan. The leaves of this plant are colored in green tones, they are leathery, and in shape these leaves will be ovate-oval. This plant flowers in both spring and summer. The flowers of the oval kinkan are axillary, they can be either single or two to four flowers. The fruits will be about the size of a plum, their flesh is sweet and sour in taste, while the peel of the kinkan oval fruit will be sweet. The fruits are orange in color, and the fruiting period falls on both summer and autumn. The stem of this plant is not endowed with thorns, and the plant itself has a particularly pleasant aroma.
The kumquat plant captivates with its exoticism. Growing and propagating this fruit is possible at home. By planting it and providing proper care, you can not only grow a very decorative tree, as in the photos presented, but also enjoy the exquisite taste of its fruits.
The kumquat is native to China. From there, the plant was later introduced to America and Europe. Its name translates as "golden orange". In Japan, another name for the fruit is Kinkan (golden apple).
Kumquat is a very beautiful plant with delicious fruits. The plant is a small tree. At home, it grows up to 1.5 m, and in the wild - up to 4.5 m. The kumquat crown is strongly branched, dense, densely leafy. The leaves are small, smooth, dark green. The kumquat blooms with white fragrant flowers with a rose. Flowers are arranged singly or in inflorescences. The fruits are somewhat reminiscent of tangerines, only much smaller. Their weight does not exceed 30 g, the skin is thin, bright orange. The taste of kumquat fruits is balanced, thanks to the fragrant sweet skin and sour pulp.
2-3 months after flowering, the tree begins to bear fruit. The fruits ripen in late winter - early spring. During this period, the kumquat becomes more decorative, as can be seen in the presented photos.
Kumquat Nagami Varieties and varieties of kumquat
Most often, when grown at home, the Nagami kumquat is found. Outwardly, it is a very decorative plant and is used in the design of bonsai gardens. Its crown is compact and completely strewn with bright orange fruits during the fruiting period. There are garden forms of Nagami kumquat:
- Nordmann Nagami- a stoneless subspecies, outwardly similar to Nagas.
- variegated- his distinctive feature are yellowish or cream-colored leaves. The fruits first have longitudinal green stripes that disappear when ripe.
variegated kumquat - Kumquat Marumi(Marumi Kumquat) is distinguished by the presence of thorns on the branches. The size of the tree of this species is somewhat smaller. The fruits are golden-orange when ripe, with small seeds. The plant is conditionally winter-hardy. In the southern regions it is able to grow in open ground.
Kumquat Marumi - Less known species kumquat Meiva(Meiwa Kumquat) bestows fruits with the brightest taste. The tree is very decorative, dwarf, with a dense crown and small hard leaves. The fruits are relatively large, outwardly resembling a lemon. The peel is golden, sometimes with shades of yellow.
kumquat meiva - The variety boasts the largest fruits Fukushi(otherwise Changshu, lat. Fucushii Kumquat). The tree grows a meter or a little more in height, while its crown is sprawling, dense. Its leaves are larger than those of other members of the genus. Fruits can be both oval and pear-shaped. Dessert flavored juicy pulp is surrounded by a thin, very sweet orange skin.
fukushi kumquat - Kumquat Hong Kong(Hong Kong Kumquat) is characterized by dry fruits, the size of a pea. The fruit of this kumquat is practically not eaten. On its branches are numerous long prickly thorns.
kumquat hong kong - There is another type of kumquat that is not grown at home - Malay(Malayan Kumquat). At home, it is grown as green hedges. It is distinguished by its impressive size and large golden fruits.
In addition to varieties of kumquat, there are a number of interspecific hybrids:
- calamondin - a hybrid obtained by crossing a kumquat with a tangerine;
- limequat - a hybrid of kumquat with lime;
- orangequat is a hybrid of kumquat and orange.
Planting and caring for kumquats
The growth period of kumquat lasts 1-2 months, starting in April. The annual growth is up to 10 cm. A young plant gives two growths per year, which distinguishes the kumquat from other representatives of citrus fruits. The tree blooms in the middle of summer for a week. Flowering may occur again after 2-3 weeks. At home, the flowering of the tree must be normalized. By the end of winter, exotic fruits ripen on the kumquat.
At proper care in winter the tree will bear fruit Location. Kumquat needs to highlight the most sunny place in home. In summer - create conditions for diffused lighting, you can take it out to the street or balcony. In winter - as much direct sunlight as possible and, if possible, cool air.
Attention! In order for the kumquat to have a miniature size, a small container is taken for planting. For the full development of the tree, voluminous pots are used.
The soil. For planting kumquat, a soil mixture of turf and garden soil, leaf humus and river sand is used.
Kumquats need to be watered abundantly Watering. Kumquat loves watering. They should be plentiful and regular, but without stagnant moisture. In the summer heat and the period of central heating turned on, the plant needs frequent spraying and wiping the leaves with a damp cloth. With excessively dry air, the tree begins to hurt and shed its leaves. It would also be useful to “take a shower” with a kumquat that imitates natural rain.
Attention! Watering should be carried out only with warm water. Otherwise, the tree will shed its foliage.
pruning. Spring is the period of kumquat crown formation. To do this, 2-3 shoots are left on the main branches, the rest are removed. The left shoots are shortened a little, thereby stimulating the growth of young shoots.
Transfer. Once every two or three years, the plant needs to be transplanted. They do this by transshipment so as not to disturb the earthen clod. The soil and drainage layer in the pot must be changed to new ones.
Attention! Transplantation is carried out in early spring before growth begins.
Feeding and fertilizing
Without regular fertilizing, the kumquat will not bear fruit. The frequency of fertilization depends on many factors:
- the age of the tree and its condition;
- soil used for growing;
- pot sizes.
So, if the kumquat pot is small, you need to feed more often.
During the growth period, kumquats are fed every ten days with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. During the dormant period, the number of dressings is reduced to once a month.
Fertilizers are also necessary for fruiting and normal plant development. The optimal composition of complex fertilizer (per 1 liter of water):
- ammonium nitrate - 1/4 teaspoon;
- potassium chloride - 1/8 teaspoon;
- simple superphosphate - 1/2 teaspoon.
Responsive kumquat and the introduction of infusion of wood ash.
Diseases and pests
Kumquat is affected by many diseases inherent in citrus fruits. Symptoms of discomfort can be:
- spots on the leaves;
- change in the shape and color of the leaves;
- panicle shoots;
- drying out of the tree;
- growth formation.
Spotting on kumquat leaves Fungal and bacterial diseases (anthracnose, warty, gommosis, etc.) can be cured. If the plant has buds or fruits, they must be removed to save the kumquat's strength. Further, repeated treatment with fungicides is carried out. During this period, it is important to properly care for the tree, restoring its vitality.
Advice. To prevent the development of fungal and bacterial diseases, kumquat can be treated with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture 2-3 times during the growth period.
A tree affected by a virus (xyloporosis, trispeza, etc.) cannot be cured.
In an unfavorable indoor climate, kumquats are attacked by aphids, spider mites, scale insects and other sucking pests, which are controlled with special preparations.
Kumquat breeding
Kumquats can be propagated in several ways:
- seeds;
- cuttings;
- rooting layering;
- rootstock vaccinations.
Grown from seeds, young plants do not retain maternal qualities, they begin to bear fruit late. This method is mainly used by breeders to develop new varieties and grow rootstocks.
kumquat seedling At home, propagation by cuttings is most acceptable. Cuttings are cut in the spring, picking up short young shoots of the last year on a fruit-bearing kumquat. The leaves are cut in half. Root cuttings in wet sand, covering the container with glass or film. An impromptu greenhouse is opened from time to time to ventilate the seedlings.
Advice. For the speed of rooting cuttings, planting material can be treated with any growth stimulant.
Rooted cuttings are planted in pots with earth. Further care for the seedling is carried out as for an adult plant.
It is quite possible to grow a kumquat at home, providing it with proper care. As a result, you will get not only an elegant decorative tree, but also tasty, healthy fruits.
Growing kumquat: video
For many flower growers, having a plant that not only pleases the eye, but also bears fruit is a fixed idea. One of these fruit-bearing plants, which has gained immense popularity recently - kumquat, it is a citrus plant that can be grown at home.
Did you know? Kumquat means "golden apple" in Chinese..
Description of the kumquat, how it appeared in our area
So, kumquat, what is it? It is an evergreen tree from the citrus family. Kumquat has gained considerable popularity among gardeners. China is considered the birthplace of the kumquat.
In the twentieth century, it was brought to the American and European continents, now it grows in almost all countries, and they call it - japanese orange. In the wild, the kumquat grows in southern and southeastern China.
The domestic kumquat shrub is very miniature and compact, with a well-developed ball-shaped crown (due to dense tillering) and small leaves. Kumquat blooms with pink and white flowers with a pleasant persistent smell, which give abundant fruiting.
The maximum plant height is 1.5 m, leaves are up to 5 cm long, have a rich in green, the flowers are small, have a strong citrus smell. The main value of kumquat are fruits. They are small, do not exceed 5 cm, have an oval shape, orange in color and very bright.
Outwardly, the kumquat looks like a small orange, but it tastes like a tangerine with only one difference - the kumquat has an edible peel. The skin is very sweet, but the flesh is slightly sour. It is customary to eat a kumquat with the whole peel, so the sour pulp and sweet peel will mix and give a pleasant, balanced taste.
How to choose a place to plant a kumquat (kinkan)
In order for the kumquat to grow well and give a big harvest, he needs to find the right place. Let's see how to care for a kumquat at home?
What should be the temperature and lighting
In the summer, diffused sunlight will be quite enough for the kumquat. If the weather is not particularly hot, then direct sunlight will do. It is also recommended to take it out to the balcony, to the garden or to the vegetable garden, so that the tree is saturated with street freshness.
In winter, the plant needs a lot of light, so it is better to put it on a well-lit windowsill. If possible, the kumquat can be additionally illuminated with lamps.
Air temperature plays an important role in plant development. In summer, the kumquat needs a temperature of 25-30°C for good growth, and in winter, about 18°C will be enough for him.
Air humidity and kumquat cultivation
Kumquat is a plant that prefers growing indoors with high humidity. If the air is too dry, it will quickly shed its leaves. Often this happens after the start of the heating season, when the air temperature rises sharply in the apartments.
To prevent such troubles, you need to spray the plant from the spray gun as often as possible. If there is an opportunity and desire, then you can arrange a kumquat once a week for a “bath day” and wash it in the shower.
Important! If in winter the kumquat is in a room with a low temperature, then you need to exclude the shower and spray the plant less often. Due to high humidity and low temperatures fungal diseases may appear.
How to prepare the soil for planting
When asking the question: “How to grow a kumquat at home?”, You should first of all be interested in the composition of the soil for the growth of this plant.
The first thing to know about kumquat soil is that it should be equal parts garden soil and river sand. Before mixing, the sand is well calcined in the oven.
Then the treated and mixed soil is poured into a pot no more than 8 cm in diameter, but high. Previously, drainage in the form of coarse-grained sand or expanded clay is poured into the bottom of the pot.
Kumquat planting rules
So, how to plant a plant in order to grow a beautiful and strong kumquat at home? It is necessary to plant it in a soil mixture of sand and soil, for better nutrition of the roots, you can add a little humus.
It is better to put a pot with a plant on a sunny windowsill, where it will "bath" in the sun's rays, grow and grow stronger. Next to the kumquat is to put a container of water to increase the humidity. You can place kumquat among other plants, then they will nourish each other with moisture.
Kumquat care, how to grow a citrus tree
Kumquat is a very demanding plant that needs special conditions to grow. In order for it to grow well, it needs to create a favorable microclimate.
Watering the plant
Kumquats need moderate watering in autumn and spring, while watering should be reduced in winter. But in the summer it is necessary to water the kumquat as often as possible.
It would be better if you make it a rule to water your kumquat in the morning. Water must be at least room temperature if you water the plant cold water, then all its leaves will simply fall off.
To prevent stagnation of water in the soil, drainage is laid at the bottom of the pot. Drainage in the form of small pebbles can also be added to the soil mixture itself.
Important! In summer, water at least 3 times a week. Check the dryness of the soil to determine the frequency of watering..
Top dressing and fertilization
How often a kumquat needs to be fed, and how much fertilizer a kumquat needs depends on many factors. The composition of the soil, the age of the tree and its condition are taken into account, and the size of the pot in which the kumquat grows is also important.
In the period from March to September, plants that bear fruit need to be fed at least 3 times a month, the rest of the time you can feed once a month and a half. Fertilizers should consist of 2.5 g of ammonium nitrate, 1.5 g of potassium salt or potassium chloride, 1.5 g of superphosphate and a liter of water.
How to form the crown of the "golden orange"
In order for the kumquat to have a presentable appearance and begin to bear fruit faster, you need to form its crown. First of all, it is important to form the correct trunk.
The already grown trunk is cut at a height of 20 centimeters. It is necessary to leave well-developed buds, there should be at least 4 of them. Later, skeletal shoots will form from these buds, which will form the basis of the tree.
These shoots are called "shoots of the first order", they should turn out 3-4, they need to be located on different sides of the trunk. Each next order of shoots is made shorter by 5 centimeters. The last will be the 4th order of branches.
If you do everything right, then your kumquat will begin to bear fruit much faster, and it will appearance will delight you.
Plant transplant
The kumquat should be transplanted before the shoots begin to grow, usually in mid-spring. However, a kumquat growing at home should be transplanted no more than once every 2-3 years.
A kumquat transplant consists in transshipment of an earthen clod and rhizomes without damaging them. The drain is completely replaced with a new one.
Possible gaps between the walls of the new pot and the earthy clod are filled with fresh soil. After that, you need to place the tree in a warm dark place and moisten well.
While the kumquat will stand there, its crown must be constantly sprayed with warm water.
Kumquat breeding
Like all citrus fruits, kumquats can be propagated using: seeds, cuttings, layering and grafting. Let's take a closer look at each type of reproduction.
In order for a full-fledged kumquat to grow from seeds, they need to be planted in a mixture of river sand and ordinary garden soil. You can observe the first shoots after a month and a half.
Seedlings germinate with 4 leaves. When the plant gets stronger, it can be prepared for transplantation. 2 weeks before the planned transplant, cut the taproots of the plant. 
Important! While cutting the roots, the plant must not be removed from the ground..
If you don't trim the roots, they will curl rather than grow in length. To cut the roots, use a sharp knife at an angle of 45 ° at a distance of 10 cm from the plant, pass the knife. "Cropped" seedlings are carefully removed from the pot and seated.
Plants grown from seeds do not retain the characteristics of their variety. For example, they begin to bear fruit after 10 years, or even more.
Kumquat cuttings
This is main way breeding at home cultivation. Kumquat can be cut throughout the year, however top scores received in April.
By treating the cuttings before planting with a special growth stimulant, you will speed up the process of proper root formation, which contributes to the emergence of more cuttings and better development of the root system.
For cutting cuttings, shoots are used, which were harvested from fruit-bearing plants in the fall. Flexible and not stiff shoots are cut into 8 cm cuttings with several buds. The lower sections of the cuttings, so that they do not start to rot, are sprinkled with charcoal.
Drainage is laid at the bottom of the pot, which is covered with moss, soil mixture is poured on top. 5 kumquat cuttings are planted in a pot at a depth of 2 cm. All this is covered with a glass jar and placed under diffused sunlight.
After 2-3 weeks, the cuttings form roots. Rooted plants can be planted in separate pots.
Reproduction by layering
For reproduction by layering, a one-year-old shoot or branch is chosen in the spring for a fruit-bearing kumquat. Above 10 cm, two annular cuts are made on the branch and the ring of bark is removed.
Next, you need to cut off all the leaves that are above and below the incision. The plastic bottle is cut along the center. On each half at the bottom, 2 semicircles are cut out in the center, the thickness should correspond to the thickness of the branch.
The bottle must be tied to a branch so that the cut of the bark is right in the center of the container. 2 halves of the bottle need to be fastened and filled with soil mixture, periodically need to be moistened.
After 2 months, the kumquat below the bottom of the bottle must be cut off, the halves of the bottle should be carefully separated and the resulting plant with an earthy clod should be transplanted into a separate pot. Place the pot where the kumquat grows in your home.
plant grafting
To be able to propagate the kumquat by grafting, you need to have seedlings of the plant that have already reached a thickness of 1 cm at the base. They also recommend grafting kumquat shoots onto a grapefruit or three-leafed poncirus rootstock. Often they practice grafting with a butt shield or simple budding with a cultivar eye.
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