Kumquat, "golden orange" or kinkan - an attractive indoor plant with tropical fruits orange color. Kumquat at home looks aesthetically attractive, reminiscent of a small tree or bonsai with an evergreen crown. The beneficial properties and taste of the fruit are in no way inferior to well-known citrus fruits. If necessary, the plant can be given the shape of a bush, the height of which will depend on the size of the flowerpot. At home, an exotic tree will delight the eye if it is provided with suitable conditions.
Description of the plant
The kumquat first appeared in China, and later became widespread in Europe and America. IN wildlife the size of the tree reaches 4.5 m, in room conditions– no more than 1.5 m.
The dense crown is highly branched, the branches are densely covered with small smooth leaves dark green. When growing kumquat at home, the flowering period begins in April or late May and lasts up to 50 days. The flowers have a pleasant aroma and are colored White color with a soft pink tint, can be located both in inflorescences and individually.
60–90 days after flowering, the plants begin to bear fruit. Full ripening of the fruit occurs by early spring. During this period, the tree looks especially attractive. The fruits look like small oranges weighing up to 30 g, the peel is thin and has a bright orange color. The flesh tastes sour, and the skin is sweet, so you don’t have to remove it.
Kumquat varieties suitable for home cultivation
Almost all varieties of kinkan that grow in nature are suitable for independent cultivation. Several varieties are most popular among specialists and amateurs.
Nagami
The most common type, which is actively used by designers and flower growers. Brings sweet fruits, similar in size and configuration to olives. Nagami has several subspecies:
- Variegatum. Distinguished by original stripes on the fruits after ripening decorative effect disappears.
- Nordmann. A seedless variety of plant.
Nagami is often used in the art of bonsai.
Marumi
Japanese variety kumquat is a small thorny shrub. The fruits are oval in shape and golden-orange in color. They have a noble, sweet taste. Marumi tolerates frost well, so in the southern regions it can be grown outside.
Maeva
Dwarf variety, with high decorative properties. Quite large yellow-orange fruits are similar to lemons, the taste is slightly sour. The plant is not tall, has oval leaves and a dense crown, which can decorate any interior.
Fukushi
This variety is characterized by the largest and sweetest fruits with a thin skin. The dense branched crown is an excellent option for use in greenhouses and winter gardens.
Before you buy a tree, you need to know how to care for a kumquat. Not only varieties of kinkan are suitable for growing indoors, but also various hybrids of some citrus fruits and kumquat: with tangerine (), (lemonquat), lime (limequat) and others.
Kumquat at home: growing and care
Proper maintenance of the plant requires care and work. Like any citrus fruit, it reacts very sensitively to unfavourable conditions, therefore it needs increased attention and regular care. The capricious kinkan is attractive and bears a lot of fruit. Despite all the difficulties, growing kumwat at home will be a fun and enjoyable experience.
Location and lighting
To install the flowerpot, select the most sunny place in the apartment there are window sills located on the west or south side. When placed near a window facing east, the tree will live, but develop slowly and bear little fruit. IN summer time the plant will need diffused light and protection from direct rays. You can take it out onto the balcony or outside.
Suitable temperature indicators in summer are 25 - 28 degrees, in winter time+10 – +12. Intense heat or, conversely, hypothermia should not be allowed. IN cold period the plant should be kept at rest. To do this, it is located in a cool place, while watering is reduced. This will help prepare the home kumquat plant for further development, flowering and crop formation.
If the wintering place is warm, the tree will need more light. A warm microclimate combined with poor lighting will lead to leaf fall. After this, the plant is difficult to restore.
Humidity and watering
The tree loves high humidity, grows faster and bears fruit better in the presence of favorable conditions. It is enough to place it in a wide tray with wet expanded clay, spray it with water or use special air humidifiers. It is useful for adult plants to take a shower from time to time, as well as wipe the leaves with a damp sponge.
Caring for kumquat at home is not complete without regular, abundant watering. The water should be settled and soft. Hard running moisture will have to be slightly acidified 1 - 2 days before watering, so that all harmful salts precipitate. It is important to monitor soil acidity levels, which should be almost neutral.
The frequency of watering depends on the time of year: summer heat the plant needs moisture more often, in winter - much less often. The need can be determined by the condition of the soil. If it has dried more than 4 cm, it’s time to use soft or acidified water. In cold weather at temperatures up to +10 degrees, watering is done once a month.
The tree does not tolerate both deficiency and excess moisture. Flooded roots are prone to rotting; overdried soil will lead to the death of the kinkan. Excess water that has leaked onto the pan is completely drained after half an hour.
Pruning and replanting
Trees and shrubs grown from seeds are sometimes tall and branched. To form a beautiful crown and maintain its presentable appearance, kumquat is pruned. The procedure is repeated annually in spring. The tips of the shoots are carefully removed so that the crown takes the shape of a semicircle. Pruning is performed not only for aesthetic purposes, but also activates the growth of new branches, which has a beneficial effect on productivity.
A kumquat that bears fruit needs to be replanted once every 2 to 3 years. It should be done before new shoots begin to grow - at the end of winter or at the very beginning of spring. The process involves transferring the plant along with a lump of soil, while it is important not to touch the fragile root system.
After transplanting, the pot is placed in a place sheltered from the sun. Kumwat is sprayed with water every day.
Fertilizer application
Without a regular supply of nutrients, the plant will not bear fruit, so it is important to consider this aspect care Based on several factors, the frequency of fertilizing is determined:
- age and condition of the kinkan;
- characteristics of the soil in which the tree grows;
- flowerpot sizes.
If the pot is small, then fertilizers need to be applied more often. At the stage of active growth, phosphorus fertilizing is applied every 10 days. In winter, the procedure is reduced to 1 time per month.
Fertilizers are important for the normal development of kinkan, as well as for high yields. A suitable amount per 1 liter of water is considered to be:
- potassium chloride – 1/8 tsp;
- ammonium nitrate – ¼ tsp;
- simple superphosphate - 0.5 tsp.
Some gardeners who are dealing with the problem of how to grow kumquat at home note a positive effect after adding an infusion from wood ash.
Plant propagation
Kumquat propagation is carried out by several methods:
- bone;
- cuttings;
- ringing sprouts;
- vaccination.
The last two methods are difficult to implement, so only experienced gardeners can do it. Beginners are advised to pay attention to two other methods. Let's look at each of them in more detail.
Reproduction by bone
It is considered the most accessible and popular method. Growing a kumquat from a seed at home is a completely realistic task, but the tree will take a long time to grow, and the first fruits will appear on it only in the 10th year.
The fresh seed is soaked in a root solution for several days, then planted in the central part of the pot to a depth of 1.5 - 2 cm. A universal soil consisting of sand and black soil is suitable for planting. The seed is watered big amount water, the excess of which is drained from the pan. The pot is covered with a piece of glass or plastic film, then placed in a well-lit, cool place.
After a couple of months, shoots with 4–5 leaves appear. After this, the plant is transplanted into a larger pot. It is necessary to care for citrus kumquat, as well as for mature trees.
Cuttings
To carry out the procedure you will need a 10-centimeter branch. healthy plant. There should be several leaves on the cutting; the cut is made from top to bottom along an oblique line. It is worth doing this in April, before the flowers appear. Otherwise, the seedling will take a long time to take root and get sick.
For effective reproduction kumquat cuttings, the twig is covered with a special growth stimulator. The surface of the lower cut is sprinkled with wood ash, then the cutting is planted in a suitable container with soil and covered with a glass vessel. The flowerpot is located in a well-lit place; ventilation and watering are carried out periodically. After 2 months, the plant will be fully prepared for rooting.
Layerings
To create layering when growing kumquat at home, you need to select a shoot up to 20 cm long on an adult plant. In the middle of the sprout, two cuts are made in the bark at a distance of 1 cm from each other. The bark is carefully removed, resulting in a bare area on the branch. round shape. The foliage under the ring is removed and a piece of bark is placed in the soil.
For layering you will need a plastic bottle or paper bag. The container should be cut into two parts, and a hole should be cut at the bottom corresponding to the diameter of the shoot. The branch is placed inside the bottle, and both parts are secured with tape. A wet mixture of peat and sand is poured into the container. It is important to ensure that the soil does not dry out.
Over time, a new rhizome will form on the branch, and after a couple of months the shoot can be cut off and the bottle removed. The kumquat is being transplanted into a new flowerpot.
Graft
This method will require plant seedlings that have reached a thickness of 1 cm. Experts recommend grafting kumquat onto the rootstock of poncirus or grapefruit.
The procedure is carried out at the stage of active growth and movement of juices along the shoots. After 1.5 months, the eyes take root, and the shoots located above the grafting are cut off to fully develop the crown.
Kumquat grown in this way begins to bear fruit a little later, but the development of the tree occurs much faster. Grafted plants are highly resistant to various negative factors.
Pests and diseases
Kumquat suffers from the same diseases as all citrus fruits. The main pathological signs include:
- the appearance of spots on the leaves;
- blizzard frequency of escapes;
- change in color and shape of foliage;
- formation of growths;
- drying out.
The plant often suffers from a bacterial or fungal infection, but it is quite possible to cure it. Existing fruits and buds are removed so that the kumquat does not lose its vigor. After this, repeated processing is carried out fungicidal preparations. At the treatment stage, it is important to provide the plant with proper care and attention so that it quickly restores its vitality.
Trispezia viruses, xyloporosis and some others cannot be cured. In the presence of an unfavorable microclimate, the tree is subject to attacks by spider mites, aphids, scale insects and other pests. You can fight them using special means.
Kumquat is an attractive plant suitable for growing at home. With proper care, it will please the eye and bring useful fruits with exquisite taste.
Fashion for growing compact plants in an apartment exotic trees and bushes, among the lush greenery of which bright fruits ripen, is gaining momentum. Homemade lemons, grapefruits and oranges will no longer surprise anyone. But the genus of citrus fruits is not limited to them, and many of its other representatives are yet to win the hearts of lovers indoor plants. One of these mysterious strangers is the kumquat.
Its homeland is distant China, where the name of the plant sounds like “golden orange”. Among the Japanese, this crop is better known as kinkan, or “golden apple.” Another name often found in the scientific literature is fortunella. This evergreen citrus is unpretentious; it looks great in winter gardens, greenhouses, and greenhouses. A spectacular tree can be successfully grown at home.
Requirements for conditions of detention
Kumquat loves light very much. Its deficiency will negatively affect the decorativeness of the plant. Fortunella leaves will turn from rich green to pale, and the shoots will become thinner and very elongated. The tree also needs light to produce buds. If sun rays The kumquat does not have enough, it will not bloom or bear fruit.
On summer days, he needs to provide bright but diffused lighting. When exposed to direct sun, the leaves of the plant may become scorched. Therefore, in the hot midday hours, kumquats are protected from it. At home, you can use various materials for this:
- tracing paper, newspaper or parchment;
- tulle;
- floral film;
- roller blinds;
- solar curtains.
In the mornings and evenings, it is better to remove the thick paper cover. At this time, direct rays of the sun will not harm the kumquat, but will only be beneficial. The same is done in cloudy weather so that the plant does not suffer from excessive shading. In winter, Fortunella will not need sun protection. Moreover, daylight hours will have to be artificially extended by additionally illuminating the tree with a lamp at home. They begin such care in mid-autumn, and stop it with the arrival of spring.
In the life cycle of a kumquat, some time is devoted to a dormant period. In order for the plant to develop normally, it is important to observe temperature regime. In summer, the air in the room where the pot with Fortunella is located should warm up to 24-30°C. On winter days, a comfortable temperature for her is within 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 room temperature does not rise above 10°C and the plant receives enough light, it will be possible to enjoy kinkan berries collected at home only in spring or even summer.
The indoor kumquat responds well to “walks”. When the weather is warm, it is recommended to place the container with it on the balcony or in the garden.
Features of planting seeds
Fortunella can be grown in different ways:
- from a seed;
- from layering;
- from cuttings;
- by grafting kinkan onto another citrus tree.
When planting seeds, you will have to wait 1 to 2 months for seedlings to appear. Trees grown in this way will bloom only in 8-10 years. Planting material obtained from ripe fruits. The seeds are washed, then dried and placed in a solution of a growth stimulator. A drainage layer is placed at the bottom of the container - pebbles, small stones, shards, expanded clay. Fertile soil is poured on top.
The substrate for growing Fortunella 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:
- turf soil (you can replace it with peat);
- garden soil;
- leaf humus or compost;
- sand.
The first 3 components are taken in equal quantities. Sand is needed to lighten the soil and make it loose. Sometimes it is replaced with perlite. The amount of substance determines the age of the kinkan. If seeds, layering or cuttings are placed in the soil, take more sand (1 part). When transplanting an adult Fortunella, it will need half as much.
Plant the seeds to a depth of 2 cm, then cover them with film, creating greenhouse conditions. Place 2-4 seeds in each container. When the seedlings grow and 4 true leaves appear on them, the young kumquats are carefully transplanted into separate pots.
Watering rules
Fortunella is a moisture-loving plant. But the frequency of watering and the volume of liquid applied depend on the time of year. In winter, the soil in the pot is moistened rarely and little by little (1-2 procedures per week will be enough), in spring and autumn - moderately and every other day. In summer, when it’s hot, watering is carried out more often, even daily. You need to focus on the condition of the top layer of soil. If it's dry, it's time for another moisturizer. To prevent the plant roots from overheating, moss is placed under the pot. You can replace it with wet sand.
To water the kumquat, it is better to take the first half of the day and use settled water. 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 air humidity. Its dryness will cause the leaves on the tree to wither and fly off. This often happens at the beginning heating season. To kumquat all year round remained beautiful, it is regularly sprayed, and the leaves are wiped with a damp cloth. Experienced gardeners advise bathing it in the shower every week during a difficult period for a plant at home. Following 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, showering kumquat is contraindicated, and its leaves should be sprayed with caution. Excess moisture in the soil and 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 - place a saucer filled with water near the pot with Fortunella.
Fertilizer and pruning
During the period when the kumquat is actively growing, it needs frequent feeding. Suitable for him and organic fertilizers, and complex mineral preparations that contain a lot of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. On summer days, additional nutrition is provided to Fortunella 2-3 times a month. IN spring-autumn period the number of feedings at home is reduced to 1-2 per month. In winter, when the plant enters the dormant stage, it does not need fertilizer.
Kinkan responds well to foliar feeding. But during flowering, you need to spray the leaves of the tree with a nutrient solution carefully. Drops liquid fertilizer should not get on buds and petals. Before carrying out root feeding, 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 seed can be quite tall - up to 1.5 m. To increase the decorative value of the tree, its crown is shaped, giving it a semicircular appearance. They do this in the spring, leaving 2-3 shoots on the branches and pinching them. Pruning is needed not only to form a kinkan. It causes active growth of young shoots and increases the yield of kumquat.
Secrets of the professionals
In order for Fortunella to delight with its beauty and bright fruits with an unforgettable taste, it will need to be given time and attention. There are several conditions under which its cultivation will bring only positive emotions.
- Before planting the plant, you need to heat treat the pot and nutrient substrate. They may contain harmful microorganisms that will die when exposed to high temperatures.
- Kinkan is afraid of drafts. If the pot with it is on the windowsill, you need to open the windows with caution. Taking the plant outside in warm weather, you should take care to protect it from cold winds.
- 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 be. To get a powerful, tall kinkan, you will need to take a large pot.
- Every 2-3 years, kumquat needs replanting. It is carried out in early spring, transferring the plant to a new container. This is done 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. After watering the transplanted tree abundantly, it is placed in a warm place. For 2 weeks, the kumquat will need partial shade and daily spraying of the leaves.
- There is no need to throw away Fortunella if its growth has stopped and its leaves have fallen off. If you properly care for the tree at home, water it and feed it, it will turn green again.
- When all the fruits on the kinkan ripen and fall off, it is recommended to trim the plant to awaken the dormant buds.
Kumquat will decorate any room, filling it with a fresh and pleasant citrus aroma. It is effective at any stage of its life cycle. In autumn, it is made elegant by delicately fragrant white and pink flowers that literally cover the tree. In winter, there are fruits ripening on its branches, standing out as bright spots against the background of dark greenery. And in spring and summer you can admire its dense semicircular crown, which is formed by large shiny leaves.
There is nothing complicated in caring for an exotic kumquat. Even beginners in the business of growing indoor crops can grow an elegant tree in an apartment. Sufficient lighting, regular watering and fertilizing are the three pillars on which Fortunella’s agricultural technology is based.
An evergreen tree of the genus Fortunella, called "kumquat" by the Chinese, which means "golden apple". The Japanese call it “kinkan”, which means “golden orange”.
An evergreen tree of the genus Fortunella, called "kumquat" by the Chinese, which means "golden apple". The Japanese call it “kinkan”, which means “golden orange”.
Small spool but precious
The plant was brought to Europe in the 19th century. And now this plant, attractive due to the abundance of small orange fruits, can be found in the homes of lovers of exotic plants. There are also many naturally and artificially bred hybrids with other citrus fruits - lime, tangerine, orange. Kumquat fruits are the smallest among all citrus fruits.
The kumquat tree has many advantages: it is quite compact and miniature for indoor growing, has a decorative dense crown with medium-sized leaves, blooms beautifully in white and pink and actively bears fruit. How can you not love such a plant!
Kumquat fruits are very tasty and fragrant, they contain many vitamins and essential oils. So the benefits of this plant are obvious.
Less is more
At home, a kumquat tree can reach 1.5 m. To keep the plant compact, you need to limit the size of the container. In indoor culture, you can grow all varieties of the plant, and you can also grow a hybrid with tangerine. The most common varieties are Nagami, Meiwa, and Marumi. These varieties can withstand temperatures down to -12 C.
Encore bloom
Kumquat blooms in July-August and lasts up to 7 days. Repeated flowering may occur in 2-3 weeks.
Kumquat flowering, like other citrus fruits, should be regulated. The fruits ripen in winter, by January.
Lighting
In summer, the kumquat tree must be protected from active and direct sunlight. In winter, on the contrary, it is necessary to strive for maximum natural light and direct sunlight.
The pot with the plant is placed on the south window. Artificial lighting will also be useful.
Temperature
The temperature regime favored by kumquats ranges from very hot in summer to cool in winter. But you should still protect against severe overheating during the day and hypothermia at night. In summer, kumquats are often moved into the garden and kept in fresh air.
To protect against overheating, dig the pot into the ground, mulch with grass, peat or manure, and use insulating material.
Humidity
Kumquat prefers wet air. If the air is too dry, it can shed leaves or get sick. Air humidity is maintained by constantly spraying the crown with water at room temperature, installing it next to heating devices containers with water or installing a humidifier.
Watering
Watering should be regular to maintain soil moisture: in spring - once every two days, in summer every day, and in winter very moderately, once a week. Water only warm water. Otherwise, the leaves turn yellow and may fall off.
Feeding
The plant should be fertilized 2-3 times a month from spring to autumn; in winter, once is enough. But, nevertheless, the timing of feeding should be compared with the size of the container, the size and age of the tree. For fertilizing, a solution of mineral fertilizers, a solution of wood ash is used, and in the summer, when in the garden, a solution of slurry.
Transfer
Kumquats are replanted once every 2-3 years by transferring them into a larger pot. Drainage is required. After transplanting, water thoroughly and place the plant in a warm, slightly shaded place. The soil mixture for kumquat is made up of turf soil, fertile soil, rotted manure or leaf humus and sand. For young plants, a lighter soil mixture is used, and for fruit-bearing plants, a heavier one is used. published
Kinkan is often involved in hybridization; its natural and artificial intergeneric and interspecific hybrids with lemon, tangerine and other citrus fruits are known: Calamondin, Limequat, Orangequat.
4. Medicinal effects of kumquat
You can talk about the beneficial properties of kumquat for hours, since its amazing antibacterial, anti-alcohol and gastronomic properties deserve true respect. Kumquats are eaten raw or cooked, without removing the peel, since it contains a huge portion of the nutrients. Packed with an incredible amount of essential oils and substances, kumquat peel can provide benefits even separately from the fruit. It is laid out at home as an effective antibacterial agent that fights bacteria and viruses. In many Asian countries, it is kept near an open fire, in the belief that this helps to expand the spectrum of action of beneficial substances. And in addition to curing acute respiratory infections and colds, beneficial features kumquat are also used in the treatment of fungal infections. This is explained by the fairly high content of furakumarin.
Like most citrus fruits, kumquat relieves nervous tension, helps with apathy, depression and normalizes digestion. Kumquat fruits are rich in calcium and potassium, vitamins C, A. And thanks to the anti-alcohol effect, this wonderful fruit is useful to consume after heavy libations. Just a few fresh kumquat fruits, and life will delight you again with its bright colors! Kumquat pleases flower growers not only appearance a slender and fluffy tree, but also wonderful-tasting, very aromatic fruits containing a large amount of essential oils, vitamins and nutrients. Dessert and very spicy fresh fruits of kinkan are eaten whole, without peeling, because they have a very thin skin, slightly tart, tightly adjacent to the sweetish or sour pulp. The sour fruits of kumquat are good as a snack for strong drinks. Kinkan fruits are also used in cooking: they are used for table decorations, added to fruit salads, sauces made from them, baked with meat and fish, jam made from them, candied and whole candied fruits made. Since ancient times, the bactericidal fruits of the kinkan have been used in Eastern folk medicine to treat fungal infections, respiratory diseases, and even to relieve hangovers.
Care is similar to that of other citrus fruits.
The plant is light and moisture-loving. It needs a sunny location; in summer it is advisable to place the plant outside. open air. In winter, they are kept in a cool, bright room at a temperature of 4-6 degrees Celsius. If it is impossible to reduce the temperature, then for the normal development of the plant it is necessary additional lighting. Watering in summer is plentiful, in winter moderate, avoiding waterlogging or drying out of the substrate, and only with warm water. As with other citrus fruits, watering cold water causes leaves to fall. It is necessary to spray the plant regularly, especially in dry air in the heat and with steam heating, and often wipe the leaves. For fruiting, regular feeding is required, the temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius and correct formation crowns All side shoots prune in spring, leaving no more than 3-4 young shoots on each side branch. Propagated by cuttings at a temperature of 25-28 degrees Celsius, grafting and seeds. At vegetative propagation Already in the 2nd year, the plants can be harvested.
Lighting:
In the summer, the kinkan tree should be kept in a diffused sunlight. In winter, on the contrary, you should create the maximum daylight and access to direct sunlight by placing the pea plant on a south window. Artificial lighting is also practiced in winter.
Temperature:
Kumquat loves hot summers (25-30 degrees) and cool winters (15-18 degrees). The tree really likes summer maintenance in the fresh air, in the garden. Kinkan should be protected from excessive overheating in daytime and from hypothermia at night. To prevent overheating of the kumquat roots and to avoid rapid drying out of the soil in the pot, place it in a box with damp moss, peat, sand or sawdust, or dig the pot into the soil of the garden for the summer, or whiten the outside, or cover the container from sunlight with insulating material. The top of the soil in the pot is mulched with manure, peat, grass, etc. During the period of budding, flowering and fruit setting of the kinkan, the optimal air and soil temperature is 15-18 degrees.
Air humidity :
Kinkan loves moist air. When the air is very dry (especially in winter), the kumquat often sheds its leaves and is attacked by pests (scale insects, spider mite). Relative air humidity can be increased by regularly spraying the kinkan crown with settled water at room temperature, as well as by installing bowls with water on heating radiators or next to the tree in winter.
Watering:
It is important to maintain sufficient and regular watering of the kumquat. In spring, a kinkan tree is usually watered every other day, in summer - daily, maintaining optimal humidity soil. In winter, kumquats should be watered rarely and moderately (1-2 times a week). To water the kinkan, it is better to use settled water at a temperature not lower than room temperature; from cold water Kumquat leaves turn yellow and fall off.
Feeding:
The timing of application and the amount of fertilizer, their ratio depend on the size of the container, the nutritional value of the soil, the age and condition of the plant, the time of year and other factors. How smaller size pot and larger plant, the more often it is fertilized. From March to September, fruit-bearing kumquat trees are usually fed 2-3 times a month, and in the rest of the period - no more than once a month. The kinkan tree is fertilized with an aqueous solution of mineral fertilizers at the rate of: 2-3 g of ammonium nitrate, 1-2 g of potassium salt or potassium chloride and 4-6 g of simple superphosphate, dissolved in 1 liter of water. Feeding kumquat with a solution of wood ash is useful. In spring and summer, it is useful to alternate fertilizing with mineral fertilizers (without chlorine!) with the application of slurry (1 part cow manure to 10 parts water).
Transfer:
Fruit-bearing kinkan is replanted in late February-early March (before shoots begin to grow) no more often than after 2-3 years. Kumquat transplantation from a smaller container to a larger one is carried out using the transshipment method, while avoiding damage to the clod of earth entwined with roots. When replanting, the drainage is completely renewed; As drainage, fragments of shards are placed on the bottom of the container with the convex side up, on top of which coarse sand (3-4 cm) is poured. A layer of fertile soil corresponding to the increased height of the pot is placed on the drainage. Partially, avoiding damage to the roots, replace upper layer soil in an earthen coma. The resulting side gaps between the walls of the new pot and the lump of earth with roots are filled with fresh soil mixture, compacting it along the walls. The transplanted kinkan tree is watered abundantly and placed in a warm, shaded place for 10-15 days. During this period, daily spraying of its crown with lukewarm water is useful.
The soil:
To grow kumquat, use a soil mixture consisting of turf soil, fertile and structural garden soil, rotted manure or leaf humus with the addition of medium-grained sand in a mixture (2: 1: 1: 0.5). For young plants, a relatively light soil mixture is required, and for fruit-bearing kumquat trees, a heavier one is required (the amount of turf or garden soil is increased by 1.5-2 times).
Reproduction. Kinkan, like all citrus fruits, can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, layering and grafting:
By seeds:
Kumquat seeds are planted in a pot with a mixture of garden soil and river sand. The first shoots usually appear after 30-40 days, and sometimes after 2 months. Kinkan seedlings dive in the phase of 4-5 leaves; they react painfully to the transplant. Beforehand (10-15 days before picking), without removing the plants from the soil, their tap roots are pruned - without such pruning they do not branch, but grow in length and curl into rings at the bottom of the pot. The root cutting operation is carried out with a knife at a depth of 8-10 cm, inserting it into the soil at an angle of 45° at a distance of 8-10 cm from the plant. When picking, kumquat seedlings are carefully removed from the pot and transplanted into individual pots.
Plants grown from seeds do not retain varietal characteristics, begin to bear fruit late (after 10 years and later). The seed propagation method of kinkan is used only for breeding purposes and for growing rootstocks.
Cuttings:
When kept indoors, kumquats are propagated mainly by cuttings.
Kumquat cuttings can be carried out throughout the year, but the best results are obtained by carrying out this work in April. Pre-planting treatment of kinkan cuttings with a growth stimulant (for example, an aqueous solution of the drug KANU at a concentration of 100-150 mg/l throughout the day) accelerates the process of root formation, helps to increase the number of established cuttings and better development roots.
To cut kinkan cuttings, autumn shoots harvested from healthy fruit-bearing plants are used. Green, flexible, not yet sufficiently lignified shoots are cut into cuttings 5-8 cm long with two or three buds. The lower perpendicular cut of the cutting is made 0.5 cm below the bud, the upper (oblique) cut is 1 cm above the last bud. The leaf blades of the cuttings, depending on their size, are cut by a third or 2/3. The lower sections of the cuttings are covered with charcoal powder to avoid rotting.
Rooting of kumquat cuttings is carried out in a pot under glass jar. But the bottom of the pot is laid with drainage (sand, gravel), covered with thin layer sphagnum moss, a layer of fertile soil is poured on top and slightly compacted, then covering it with a layer of washed river sand 3-4 cm thick. 3-5 kumquat cuttings are planted in a pot with a diameter of 7-9 cm to a depth of 1.5-2 cm, covered with glass jar and place the pot in a warm place, in diffused sunlight.
Caring for kumquat cuttings consists of maintaining optimal air temperature (20-25 degrees) and regular watering, the temperature of which should be 2-3 degrees above room temperature. If these conditions are met, roots will form in kinkan cuttings in 15-20 days, and the buds will quickly begin to grow. Rooted plants are planted in pots with a diameter of 10-12 cm with a soil mixture consisting of 2 parts of turf soil, 1 part of leaf humus or decomposed manure and 1/2 part of river sand.
Reproduction by layering:
When propagating kumquat by layering on a fruit-bearing plant in the spring, an annual shoot or branch 20-25 cm long and 0.5-0.6 cm thick is selected. Above 10 cm from the base of the branch, two ring cuts are made in the bark (every 0.8-1 cm each from a friend) and remove the ring of bark. All kinkan leaves located 5 cm above and below the ring are cut off. Small plastic container(7-8 cm in diameter) are carefully cut lengthwise in the center; on the bottom halves, two semicircles are cut in the center according to the thickness of the branch (shoot). The container is tied to a kumquat branch (shoot) so that the place where the bark is cut is located in the center of the container. The halves of the container are fastened with wire and filled with peat-sand mixture (1:1); the substrate is periodically moistened. After 20-30 days, roots form above the circular cut in the bark. After about 2 months, the shoot (branch) of the kumquat below the bottom of the container is cut off, the halves are carefully separated, the new plant with a lump of soil is transplanted into a pot with a diameter of 12-15 cm. The rooted kinkan is regularly and abundantly watered, placed for 10-15 days in a shaded place, and then exposed to diffused sunlight.
Reproduction by grafting:
When kumquat is propagated, the grafting of the rootstock is usually its seedlings, which have reached a thickness of 0.6-0.8 cm at the base. It is also recommended to graft kinkan shoots onto the rootstock of Poncirus trifolia or grapefruit. A frequently practiced method of grafting is with a shield on the butt or the usual budding with the eye of a cultivated variety on the bark. Kinkan grafting is carried out during the period of sap flow and active growth of shoots on the scion and rootstock. After a month and a half, when the eyes have taken root, the above-ground part of the kumquat seedlings is cut off to the grafting site and they begin to form a crown from the growing shoot. Wild growth on the stump is removed.
Kinkans grown from cuttings and layering begin to bear fruit somewhat earlier than grafted plants, but develop worse and are more affected by gum growth. Grafted kumquats are more hardy and resistant to unfavorable growth factors.
Citrus Fortunella has oblong, pointed leaves and smooth green shoots. The plant blooms in spring and summer.
Flowers small light pink. In autumn, closer to winter, Fortunella produces fruits called kumquat. Literally from Chinese, kumquat means “golden orange”.
Fruit have a pleasant aroma. They are eaten both raw and processed. The skin is also edible and has a sweet taste. The pulp is sour. More often, jams, preserves, and marmalade are made from kumquat.
The fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals (vitamin C, zinc, phosphorus, calcium). "Golden Orange" contains essential oils that are used as remedy and in aromatherapy.
These substances strengthen the immune system and can help the body cope with infections, fungal infections and bacteria.
Fortunella is not capable of rapid growth. After a few years, the tree grows only a meter or a little more.
Photos
Kinkan: photo of the plant and its fruits.
Home care
Kinkan: care and cultivation at home.
Care after purchase
After purchasing the plant, it is placed in a room with good lighting. It is advisable to choose a window facing south.
Watering
Kinkan should be watered regularly: in spring - every other day, and in summer - every day. Watering is intense. In winter, Fortunella is watered much less frequently and more moderately. Once or twice a week is enough.
It is better to use warm water that has already settled.
If you water it with cool or cold water, Fortunella may get sick. This manifests itself in the form of yellowing of leaves and their falling.
Bloom
Fortunella usually blooms in July and August during the week. After the kinkan blooms for the first time, the tree sometimes blooms a second time. Flowers are cross-pollinated, but self-pollination can also occur.
Crown formation
In order to form a crown and speed up the fruiting process, it is necessary trim and pinch plant shoots.
Priming
For Fortunella, a mixture of turf, soil, humus and sand is usually used. The components are taken in the following ratio: 2 parts turf, one part soil and one part humus, half sand.
A lightweight mixture is more suitable for a young kinkan, while a weighted soil is recommended for a mature fruit-bearing tree. In this case, turf or regular soil is doubled.
Landing, transplant
Replant kinkan preferably in autumn. About once every two years. Transplantation is carried out by transferring from an old pot to a larger one.
The process must be careful, you must try to injure the root system as little as possible, otherwise the tree may get sick.
Don't forget about drainage. Sand (four centimeters) is poured onto the expanded clay. And the soil is laid on top. You should try to replace the old top layer of soil with a new one.
The gaps between the earthen lump with roots and the walls of the pot are filled with fresh mixture with slight compaction.
After transplant Fortunela is intensively watered and placed in a dark place with warm temperature air. You can also spray the crown with water.
Reproduction
Kinkan is propagated by cuttings, grafting or layering.
More often, this type of plant is propagated at home. cuttings. This process can be carried out at any time of the year, but still the most favorable time for cuttings is April.
The cuttings are treated with a solution containing a growth stimulator. For cuttings, lignified shoots are taken and divided into cuttings up to eight centimeters long. The cuttings must have at least three buds. It is better to sprinkle the lower part charcoal, and the upper, leafy part is removed by a third.
Root in a pot, covering it with an ordinary transparent glass jar. Drainage is poured into the pot, then moss is laid, and soil goes on top. You can pour a little river sand on it (about 3 cm).
Kinkan cuttings are planted in small pots to a depth of 2 cm and placed in a well-lit, warm place. The cuttings should be watered with warm water. If all conditions are met, roots may appear in two weeks.
When propagating kinkan by layering A shoot about a year old is selected. The length should be about 19 cm. A pair of cuts are made in the bark, in a place 9-10 cm above the base, with a distance of 1 cm. Next, the resulting ring is removed. Foliage that is located above or below is cut off.
Then take a plastic container (about eight centimeters in diameter) and cut it lengthwise. On the resulting parts of the bottom of the container, a pair of semicircles are cut out in the central part, corresponding to the thickness of the shoot. Next, the container is attached to the shoot so that the cut is made in the central part of the container.
Both halves are fastened with wire and filled with a mixture of peat and sand, which should be irrigated regularly. Within a month, roots appear above the incision. After a couple of months, the shoot is cut off just below the bottom of the container. A young plant with the same soil should be transplanted into a pot. Next, you need to moisten the soil well.
The pot does not need to be left in a strongly lit place for the first two weeks.
When propagated by grafting the procedure is carried out during a period of intensive shoot development. Grafted Fortunella is more hardy than kinkan grown from layerings and cuttings.
Growing at home
Kinkan (kumquat) prefers warm air about 30 degrees, but in winter a temperature of up to 15 degrees is more suitable for him. In summer, Fortunella can be taken out into the fresh open air. This type of plant does not like overheating and hypothermia.
Kinkana humid air is more suitable, so the plant needs to be sprayed regularly, and winter period Place small containers of water nearby to humidify the air.
Temperature
During flowering and fruit formation The best temperature for kinkan is 16-18 degrees.
Benefit
Kinkan has a variety of effects on the human body. It stimulates, deodorizes, and also has an anti-inflammatory effect. The fruits themselves contain many useful substances.
Scientific name
Kinkan is more often called Fortunella japonica or "Fortunellajaponica". Fortunella ovalis is called "Fortunella margarita".
Diseases and pests
Main pests citrus mites and scale insects that infect kinkan. Sooty fungus sometimes forms on the products of pest excretion.
If the air is too dry, leaves may fall off. When Fortunella overflows root system undergoes rotting, which leads to the death of the plant.
Fortunella – beautiful plant in the form of a tree, bearing tasty and healthy fruits, which are used both raw and processed. Fortunella requires care and compliance with certain conditions.
The tree not only serves as decoration for homes and premises, but also has properties beneficial to the human body.
And here is a video about citrus Fortunella.
