Dwarf tree kumquat or kinkan many grown at home as a fruiting citrus indoor plant ... The kumquat looks very attractive, it looks like a bonsai or mini-tree in a pot with an evergreen crown and small golden orange fruits.
The fruits of indoor kumquat can be eaten, unlike most citrus fruits they are eaten with the peel, it is soft, sweetish, with a strong refreshing aroma. Some of us in the winter, during the ripening period of kumquat, prefer to buy small fruits of this citrus instead of juicy sweet oranges and tangerines, which are not inferior to other citrus fruits in terms of the content of vitamins and nutrients. Kumquat fruits contain a lot of vitamin C, essential oils and pectin substances, thanks to which this fruit will protect you from colds, cure coughs, relieve tension, stress, tone up and improve the digestion process.
Growing kumquat at home will give you not only aesthetic pleasure, but also useful fruits. The homeland of the kumquat is Southeast China. WITH Chinese the name of this plant means "golden apple".
Genus Kumquat or Fortunella (Fortunella) includes only 5 species of small trees or shrubs with an evergreen crown. When grown in a house, kumquat does not exceed a height of 50-60 cm. The leaves of a kumquat have an elongated oval shape, dark green in color, have glands filled with essential oils, therefore, when rubbed, they emit a refreshing aroma.
Kumquat blooms in late summer or autumn... Numerous small white flowers have a pleasant aroma. Kumquat fruits ripen 5-6 months after flowers, they look like large grapes ranging in size from 2 to 5 cm. Ripe fruits acquire a bright orange color.
When growing kumquat from cuttings taken from a fruiting tree, a new plant will begin to bear fruit in the second year of life. Among flower growers, kumquat is highly valued, the indoor tree grows quickly, forms with a dense beautiful crown... During the flowering period, the kumquat is completely covered with fragrant flowers, and by the end of winter, bright orange small fruits ripen on a green tree.
V at home, the species is often grown - kumquat Margarita... This indoor tree can reach a height of up to 1 meter. Leaves are light green, shiny, up to 7 cm long. Flowers are collected in axillary inflorescences. The fruits ripen and turn golden yellow.
Japanese kumquat grows like a short tree, sometimes with small thorns. The leaves of this species reach a length of 10 cm. Japanese kumquat is distinguished by its yield. Kumquat bloom lasts from spring to summer, and orange fruits up to 3-4 cm in size ripen in autumn and winter.
There are hybrids of kumquat with mandorin - this is calamandin, kumquat with lime - limequat and others. V room culture kumquat varieties are widespread - Nagami, Meiva.
The kumquat has a short growing period, regardless of the variety.... New shoots and leaves grow for a month or two, usually in April and May, during this time the growth of shoots at the crown is only 7-9 cm. Then comes the period of flowering, formation and ripening of fruits. After the fruits turn bright orange, a rest period begins. Kumquat blooms in summer in July - August, it can bloom again in early autumn. The kumquat produces female and male flowers, so the plant self-pollinates., when adjacent to other citrus fruits, it can be cross-pollinated. Kumquat fruits ripen 5-6 months after flowering, usually in winter.
Kumquat care at home:
Lighting and temperature. When grown at home, it is important to keep the kumquat tree in a well-sunlit place. It is best to place the citrus plant pot on the south window. In summer, it is preferable to keep the kumquat on fresh air by moving it to the balcony or garden. But in hot weather, the kumquat should be protected from the midday sun.
So that the root system does not suffer from the heat, and the soil in the pot does not dry out quickly, the pot is placed in a planter big size, and the space between the walls is filled with wet moss, peat or sawdust. If you place the kumquat in the garden in the summer, then it is better to dig the pot into the ground, and cover the surface with humus or peat.
When the kumquat blooms, an air temperature of 15-18 degrees is favorable for fruit setting and high humidity, so in summer it is not advisable to put the kumquat on an open sunny place, but keep in diffused light and spray often.
In nature, the kumquat can withstand temperatures as low as -10 degrees, but at home the plant is kept at + 15 ... + 18 degrees in winter, and + 25 ... + 30 degrees in summer.
Air humidity. Kumquat comes from the humid tropics, therefore, when grown at home, it often sheds leaves, flowers, ovaries, and is also affected by insect pests - scabbard and spider mites.
You can increase the humidity around the plant by frequently spraying the crown, or by placing the plant pot on a wide tray filled with damp moss.
Watering the kumquat depending on the season: in spring and summer, regularly every 1-2 days, so that the soil in the pot is always moist; and in autumn and winter, with a cool content, watering is carried out less often after the upper layer of the substrate dries out after 4-5 days.
Fertilize kumquat during the growth of shoots and leaves in the spring, it is useful for organic matter, an infused mullein, which is diluted in water for irrigation 1:10. In summer, during flowering and fruit setting, a complex fertilizer with a low nitrogen content and the main elements - phosphorus and potassium - is required for kumquat. Top dressing is done twice a month, in autumn and not more often in winter, once a month. Kumquat responds well to tree ash feeding.
Transplant kumquat depending on the age of the plant. Growing trees are transplanted annually, gradually increasing the volume of the pot, by transferring an earthen coma without damaging the root system. Adult specimens are transplanted after 2-3 years.
The transplant should be done before the start of the growth period of new shoots - at the end of February - in March. The land for planting kumquat is made up of equal parts of sod and leafy land, humus, peat and coarse sand. Drainage must be poured at the bottom of the pot.
Reproduction. For home cultivation, kumquats are mainly propagated by rooting cuttings. The tops of the shoots are cut into cuttings in summer or autumn, 5-8 cm long with three leaves. The cuttings should be green and flexible, not lignified, in order to speed up the process of root formation, the lower cut is powdered with Kornevin. The bottom cut should be at a 45 degree angle under the kidney at a distance of 1 cm.
Cuttings are planted in a mixture of peat and sand and covered glass jar or a package. For the rooting of cuttings, a constantly humid atmosphere and a temperature within 20 ... 25 degrees must be maintained. Kumquat cuttings take root quickly, in 3-4 weeks, as soon as new shoots appear, transplant the cuttings into small pots with a nutrient mixture. If the cuttings were taken from a fruiting plant, then your kumquat will bloom in 1-2 years.
Kumquat or Golden Orange, Dwarf Orange, Japanese Orange, Golden Apple, Kinkan - these are all names for the same citrus plant(Citrus japonica) from the subgenus Fortunella. Kumquat appeared relatively recently on the shelves of shops and markets. Although it has been familiar outside of Russia for a very long time because of the diminutiveness and extraordinary fruits that are eaten with the peel. The kumquat was brought to Russia back in Soviet time, however, due to low productivity, they were practically not grown.
Nowadays, there are few flower shops that do not have an extraordinary small kumquat tree, strewn with golden fruits. The cost of a homemade kumquat ranges from 6,000 rubles to several tens of thousands, depending on the variety.
However, with enough patience, it is possible to become the owner of an exotic fruit at no extra cost. It is not difficult and fascinating activity growing kumquat at home. It is enough to purchase a few kumquat fruits and remove the seeds. And after some time your own kumquat will grow in your apartment, growing at home can become a real hobby for the whole family!
Types of kumquat for home cultivation
Home kumquat - looks great in the interior. There are varieties from 1.5 meters in height to 4.5. Kinkans Fortunella of low-growing varieties are used for art bonsai - miniature trees, dotted with golden fruits. Recent times decorative varieties appear with colored leaves and fruits or fruits - berries. Here are the main varieties of kumquat that are suitable for growing at home:
- Nagami - has an elongated fruit with a delicate aroma and delicate taste without bitterness. Kumquat tolerates transportation and storage well. We can buy it at the market or in the store.
- Japonica or Meiva - fruits similar to lemon with a bright yellowish orange and slightly bitter taste. Frost resistant. In addition to decorative fruits has small spikes ..
- Fukushi is a rounded and very tasty and sweet fruit.
- Nordmann Nagami is a subspecies of the Nagami kumquat, but seedless.
- Variegated or Variegata - the fruits and leaves of this homemade kumquat variety are distinguished by the presence of discoloration. When the fruit ripens, the color gradually disappears.
- Marumi (Marumi Kumquat) - used more often than other varieties in home bonsai and growing in a pot.
- Hong Kong (Hong Kong Kumquat) - exclusively decorative variety kumquat, distinguished by dry fruits, the size of a pea and large, often spaced thorns.
Features of planting seeds
Growing a homemade kumquat from a bone is not difficult if certain conditions are met. This is a long process that requires a lot of effort.
- Stage one - preparing the soil for seedlings. Sand and garden soil in equal proportions are disinfected and filled with a layer of 10 cm for drainage.
- Stage two - soaking the kumquat seeds in Epin or heteroauxin - this will accelerate germination. It is advisable to soak several dozen seeds at once.
- Stage three - sowing seeds into the prepared soil. The bones are slightly buried in warm, moist soil. It is important to create a "greenhouse effect", for this container with seeds is covered with cling film. With an airtight layer on top, watering is carried out from below, visually determining the moisture content of the substrate. After 10 weeks, the first shoots should be expected.
- Stage four - the joint cultivation of young kumquats continues until the fourth leaf appears. Plants are transplanted into individual containers with preliminary diving - removing 0.5 cm of the main root. This procedure is necessary for the growth of the root system.
After the fourth stage, the seedlings of homemade kumquat grow independently in accordance with the requirements of care. Kumquat trees don't just tolerate a haircut well, they need it. Pinching the shoots will allow you to shape the crown and size of your home plant.
Temperature and lighting
Kumquat is a thermophilic and evergreen... However, it requires a lot of care in terms of lighting and temperature. Only some varieties tolerate a drop in air temperature to negative values. For fortunella, it is also important to have a dormant period - from March to June, after the harvest.
Primary requirements:
- Diffuse light or partial shade
- Lack of drafts - the kumquat sheds its leaves with constant intense air movement. However, he is supportive of living in summer time on a balcony or terrace in a quiet location. In this case, control the night and day temperature drops, preventing hypothermia of the home kumquat.
- During the growing season: ToC - 20-30oC
- During the rest period: ToC - 10oC
Watering and humidity
Kumquat is a subtropical plant and does not tolerate dry air - it sheds leaves, becomes vulnerable to pests and diseases. Ideally, he needs a micro-irrigation system, but regular spraying and the proximity of Bromeliad plants may well keep the moisture level needed by the kumquat.
Watering fortunella is regular, however, you should not abuse it. It is enough not to allow the soil to dry out. Water for irrigation is warm, settled. It is good to add Fitosporin-M or wood ash to the water. It strengthens the immune system home tree and, at the same time, feeds him.
Transplant, soil, top dressing
Like all citrus trees, the home kumquat is picky about the soil. Ideally, for growing kumquat at home, you need to purchase special soil mixtures. However, they can be successfully compiled by ourselves. This will require:
- Coarse sand
- Neutral peat (pay attention to the acidity of peat: it can be different)
- Humus
- Garden land
For an adult homemade kumquat, all four components are taken in equal proportions, for a young one, the amount of sand is doubled. Before planting, the components of the mixture must be thoroughly mixed and subjected to heat or chemical treatment to get rid of pests.
Chemical soil treatment: potassium permanganate, insectoacaricides, Fitosporin - M.
Very effective sharing Fitosporin with Aktara or Aktellik. It is not recommended to use permanganate with Fitosporin.
Heat treatment of the soil:
- Annealing in the oven - 1 hour at 180 ° C
- Microwave - 10 min at maximum power
- Calcining on open fire- 2 hours with constant stirring
- Water bath - 1.5 hours
When disinfecting thermal methods wood ash is added to the prepared soil at the rate of 30 gr. by 2 kg of soil before processing. After processing and complete cooling, bacterial fertilizers are applied - Baikal EM, Fitosporin - M or brewer's yeast. The latter are not used when growing citrus fruits.
A homemade kumquat is transplanted as it grows by the transshipment method, while maintaining the main earthen coma. Drainage is poured onto the bottom of the pot with a layer of 1.5 - 2 cm. It can be expanded clay or medium-sized pebbles. In the case of kumquats, pebbles are preferred because they make the pot heavier and more stable. Next, soil is poured with a thickness of 2 cm and a lump is placed, cleared of the outer layer of soil. The pot is selected in such a way that when planting between the walls of the pot and the lump there is no more than 3 cm, and for the deepening of the plant - 1 cm. The empty space is filled with earth, slightly tamping it. Fresh soil is poured on top. It makes sense to mulch the surface with clean peat or disinfected wood mulch.
Young kumquats are transplanted two to three times a year when the old pot becomes small. Adult houseplants are transplanted no more than once a year. It is considered optimal to transplant an adult kumquat during the dormant period, after harvesting, two years later to the third.
Kumquat transplant disinfection technologies are also applied to the drainage and to the pot. Ceramic pots are sterilized over steam for 20 minutes, plastic ones are thoroughly washed with laundry (!) Soap. A water bath is also suitable for disinfecting expanded clay, and pebbles are thoroughly washed with soap.
For industrial and agricultural purposes, kinkan propagation by seeds does not make sense, and here's why:
- Long waiting period for fruiting
- High likelihood of obtaining a home plant with lower flavor and fruiting rates
This is due to the laws of genetics. In this case, they use other methods of breeding kumquat:
- Grafting and stock
- Layers
- Cuttings
All three methods are suitable for breeding a domestic kumquat, and if you have the opportunity to use one of them, do not miss it.
Fruiting kumquat
Kinkan, grown from seeds, begins to bear fruit from the sixth year of life. Do not be alarmed and do not worry if the first two to three years after the beginning of fruiting, flowering does not end with the formation of fruits. This seems odd since the kumquat flowers are bisexual and self-pollinate. But scientists say that in plants with self-pollinated flowers in the early years of flowering, the functions of one sex in the flower are suppressed. If the plant is on personal plot, this is not noticeable, since insects are involved in pollination. You can help your pet start bearing fruit by gently transferring pollen from one flower to another with a soft brush. For successful fruiting of kumquat, it is advisable to have several plants.
Do not under any circumstances expose home plant to the balcony - insects from the street can infect kumquats or become carriers of dangerous pests!
Kumquat bloom begins in July - August. It is noteworthy that after the completion of flowering, the plants bloom again after a couple of weeks. Small fruits ripen late in late winter - early spring, compared to other citrus fruits - this is a late ripening species.
Diseases, pests and growing problems
The main problem of growing kumquat at home is the demand for temperature, air humidity, as well as intolerance to drafts. Nevertheless, like other citrus fruits, kumquats are prone to characteristic diseases and pests. Before starting treatment for kumquat, you should first determine the nature of the lesion or pest.
Citrus pests are insects that happily feed on your pet. They amaze root system, bark and trunk, leaves and young shoots. The first thing to do when intruders are found is to grab a home tree and bathe abundantly, thoroughly washing the leaves, twigs and trunk and leave it in quarantine in a closed room. For example, bathroom or kitchen.
You need to fight pests comprehensively, using abundantly folk remedies together with chemical insectoacaricides.
Folk recipes:
- A decoction of hot peppers: chopped pepper pods (100 g fresh or 10 g dry) pour 1 liter of water, boil for 30 minutes and leave for 2 days. Before use, 1 tablespoon of the concentrate is diluted with 1 liter of water, adding 1 tablespoon of grated laundry soap... After 2 hours, the kumquat is washed with water. Spraying is carried out every 2 weeks until the pests disappear.
- Tobacco-alkaline mixture: pour 1 tablespoon of tobacco dust with a glass of boiling water and leave for 6 days. To the resulting infusion add 10 g of laundry soap (shavings) and spray the kumquat 3 times with an interval of 6 days.
- Alkaline solution with ash: 20 g wood ash and 50 g of laundry soap, pour 10 l hot water, mix well and process the plants. chemicals: Actor, Aktellik and Fitoverm.
Act strictly according to the instructions in compliance with safety rules!
The compact and low Kumquat tree is very popular with flower growers all over the world. The plant belongs to citrus fruits, comes from China and has several names. At home, it is called the "golden orange", in Japan, kinkan or "golden apple".
Citrus became widespread in Europe after 1846, when the famous English botanist, traveler and collector Robert Fortune brought a small tree from China to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. In his honor, a new genus of citrus fruits was named - Fortunella, to which the plant belongs.
Some of the most popular varieties that are often found at home are the Nagami Kumquat and Rotondo, as well as the Fukushi variety with large, juicy and tasty fruits and the Hong Kong kumquat with inedible and very small fruits.
In cultural floriculture, you can find natural and artificial citrus hybrids kinkana and one of them, the well-known Calamondin, obtained from crossing with mandarin.
At home, the kumquat grows up to one and a half meters. The plant has a dense branchy crown and small dark green shiny leaves. The stems are usually thornless or not very large.
The period of fragrant flowering occurs in July-August. As a rule, flowering lasts 5-7 days, but there are also re-flowering specimens, on which flowers bloom again after 2-3 weeks. After flowering, fruits are tied on the tree, which ripen in December-January.
If the plant is purchased for edible fruit, then the flowering must be regulated, since a large number of flowers weakens the tree and reduces the number of quality ovaries.
In turn, if there are a lot of ovaries, then they also need to be cut in order to get beautiful full-fledged fruits. Kumquat fruits are small golden yellow or orange, oval or pear-shaped, rich in valuable nutrients.
Care features
Kumquat, like all citrus fruits, is a rather difficult crop to grow. For good growth and flowering he needs to create comfortable conditions... But the result of increased care and attention will be a magnificent exotic tree that will delight you with tropical fruits.
Young plants have two growth periods, and adult specimens have one. It begins in late April or early May and lasts approximately 30-50 days. During this time, the growth of the tree is 6-10 cm.
Lighting
Citrus is a sun-loving culture, therefore optimal location- this is the south side. However, in summer period the kinkan needs to create conditions of bright diffused lighting.
But in winter, direct sunlight is needed, and if there is a lack of lighting, it is advisable to use a phytolamp. The warmer it is in the room, the more light the plant needs and vice versa.
How to water a kumquat at home
In the spring-summer period, the golden orange requires abundant watering. warm water, on cold water the plant reacts by dropping its foliage. The soil should always be slightly damp, but not wet, so be sure to pour excess water in the pan after 30 minutes.
Limit watering in winter, but do not let the earthy coma dry out. You can determine the time of the procedure by the soil - the top layer should dry out by 4 cm, this is about once a week. Water with soft, settled or artesian water.
A tropical tree needs high humidity air, especially when high temperatures Oh. You can increase the humidity using a spray bottle or a bowl filled with water with wet expanded clay, which is placed next to the pot. Adult plant responds gratefully to a warm shower and wiping the leaves with a damp cloth.
Temperature regime
The optimum summer temperature is 25-30 ̊С. In winter, it must be lowered to 12-16 ̊С. A cool dormant period promotes the formation of flower buds and abundant fruiting in the next season. In the absence of a cool period, the kumquat reacts with the loss of foliage in the future.
It is useful to take the tree out into the open air in warm weather, but at the same time protect it from drafts, too high temperatures during the day and from hypothermia at night. Sharp drops temperatures negatively affect the plant, weakening it, and can lead to death.
Transfer
Young specimens need to be transplanted 2 times a year in spring and late summer after flowering. Middle-aged trees are transplanted every 1-2 years, but an adult kumquat is transplanted no more than once every 2-3 years. The need for transplanting is indicated by the roots that peep out of the drainage holes.
The procedure is carried out at the end of February or at the beginning of March by transferring into a slightly larger pot (2-3 cm), at the bottom of which a high drainage layer of expanded clay is laid, about a quarter of the volume of the pot. The tree trunk is deepened to the same level, not higher! Otherwise, the citrus can get sick and even die.
The space around the earthen coma is covered with new soil and tamped down. After the procedure, the plant is well watered for several days and placed in warm place with diffused light. During this period, it is also useful to spray the crown of the tree with warm water every day.
For transplant, use a universal garden soil with the addition of sand (perlite) and pieces pine bark in a ratio of 2: 1: 1.
Top dressing
There are several factors to consider when fertilizing. V different time kinkan needs different types nutrients and different frequency making.
From March to September, top dressing is applied once every two weeks, from mid to March, once every one or two months is enough. During the period of growing green mass, top dressing is used with big amount nitrogen, in the budding and flowering phase, phosphorus-potassium fertilizer is used. Only potassium is added in the fall.
Sick and weakened plants are not fed immediately after transplanting and when the temperature drops in winter, since the procedure will either be ineffective or damage the citrus.
Reproduction
You can grow a kumquat at home from a stone, using cuttings, ringing or grafting shoots. The last two methods are quite laborious and suitable for experienced florists.
Fresh seeds are sown in a pot with a mixture of soil with the addition of coarse sand... Before planting, the bones are soaked in water with the addition of a hormone for better rooting. Cover the seed pot with foil to create greenhouse conditions. The soil should be moderately moist at all times, but not wet.
Grown up bone kumquat The first shoots appear after a month, and sometimes even after 2 months. At the stage of 4-5 leaves, they are dived and planted in separate pots with a part of an earthen coma, since the roots are fragile and the seedlings are painfully transplanting. When the trees grow up a little, then pinch the top.
Kumquat grown from seed does not retain the varietal characteristics of the parent plant and blooms only after 10-15 years. A more productive method that guarantees fruiting is propagation of kumquat by cuttings. The best time for the procedure - April.
The length of the cuttings is 10 cm.They are taken from young flexible shoots, cutting off at a level of 1 cm above the upper bud, and Bottom part the cut should be 5 mm below the kidney. From below, the cutting is sprinkled with crushed coal and buried in sand (3-4 cm layer), which is poured on top of the universal soil. A drainage layer is also needed at the bottom of the container. In a container with a diameter of 7-9 cm, you can plant 3 kinkan cuttings to a depth of 2 cm.
To create greenhouse conditions, the cuttings are covered with a jar and or plastic bottle and the soil is kept moist. The container is placed in a warm place with diffused light. If the temperature is 2-3 degrees higher than room temperature, then after two to three weeks roots begin to form.
After the first shoots appear, the shelter is removed for several minutes a day, gradually increasing the time and then completely removed. Grown young plants are planted in separate pots with a diameter of 10-12 cm.
Growing problems
A kumquat at home is susceptible to attack by a scale insect or spider mite... Inaccuracies in care, such as over-watering, lead to the development of bacterial and fungal infections: root rot, anthractosis, chlorosis. The plant is also characterized by diseases inherent in the representatives of citrus fruits, for example, malsecco - infectious drying of shoots or homoz - the release of liquid - gum from the branches.
There are also problems not related to pests and diseases. If the tips of the leaves dry on the tree and appear yellow spots, then the reason is an excess of fertilizers, which led to a chemical burn. The soil must be washed with abundant watering and stopped feeding for a month.
Falling leaves after a purchase indicates the inevitable stress in this case. Treat the citrus crown with any of the growth biostimulants and cover with a transparent bag for 10-14 days.
An evergreen tree of the genus Fortunella, called by the Chinese "kumquat", which means "golden apple". The Japanese call it "kinkan", which means "golden orange".
An evergreen tree of the genus Fortunella, called by the Chinese "kumquat", 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 plant exoticism. 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 compact and miniature enough for indoor growing, has a decorative dense crown with medium-sized leaves, blooms beautifully in white-pink color and bears fruit actively. 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. In order for the plant to be compact, it is necessary to limit the size of the container. All plant varieties can be grown in room culture, and a hybrid with tangerine can also be grown. The most common varieties are Nagami, Meiva, Marumi. These varieties can withstand temperatures down to -12 -C.
Blooming "for an encore"
Kumquat blooms in July-August and lasts up to 7 days. Re-flowering can occur in 2-3 weeks.
The flowering of the kumquat, 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 plant pot is placed on the south window. Artificial lighting will also be useful.
Temperature
Favorite kumquat temperature regime ranges from very hot in summer to cool in winter. But you should still protect from strong overheating during the day and hypothermia at night. During the summer, the kumquat is often moved to the garden and kept outdoors.
As protection against overheating, they use dropping the pot into the ground, mulching with grass, peat or manure, and the use of 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, installed next to heating devices containers with water or installation of 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 with lukewarm water only. Otherwise, the leaves turn yellow and may fall off.
Top dressing
Fertilizing the plant from spring to autumn should be 2-3 times a month, in winter time one time is enough. But, nevertheless, the timing of feeding should be commensurate with the size of the container, the size and age of the tree. For dressing, a solution is used mineral fertilizers, a solution of wood ash, and in the summer when in the garden and a solution of slurry.
Transfer
Kumquat is transplanted every 2-3 years by transferring it into a larger pot. Drainage is required. After transplanting, water abundantly and place the plant in a warm, slightly shaded place. The soil mixture for kumquat is made up of sod land, fertile soil, rotted manure or leaf humus and sand. For young plants, a lighter soil mixture is used, and for fruiting plants, a heavier one. published
We offer to grow a famous exotic fruit kumquat or kinkan. In their own way appearance the plant resembles a small tree, which can even reach one and a half meters in height. The leaves on the tree are large, rich green. The plant is especially attractive during the fruiting period. Kinkan blooms with small flowers white with pink tint that exude a sweetish aroma.
The tree grows quite quickly periodically, and one of the most active occurs in the last spring months. For a young plant, two growth periods in one season are normal, while mature trees have only one.
The kumquat begins to bloom in early autumn, and ripe fruits will appear only six months later. Many people know that the fruits are quite edible and have a rich vitamin composition.
Kumquat - growing at home
Not everyone knows that a tree can be grown at home from seeds that can be bought at the store. But it is worth knowing that the kinkan will bear fruit only after eight, or even ten years. The stone can also be "obtained" from the purchased fruit, which must be ripe. It needs to be planted in a pot with a mixture of black soil and sand a couple of centimeters deep. It is necessary to maintain the required humidity, for which the earth is watered abundantly, but the excess must be removed from the pallet. It is recommended to cover the container with the seed with foil or glass and transfer it to a bright place at a low temperature.
Now, for one to two months, you just need to water and air it periodically. After this period, a sprout should appear, which can be transplanted into your own pot when the fourth or fifth leaf appears. For further growth, it is better to apply fertilizer, which can be purchased at flower shops.
Some people prefer to propagate the kumquat using shoots that are taken from an adult, already fruiting plant. The sprout should be at least twenty centimeters long, and two cuts should be made in the center at a distance of one centimeter. Remove the bark between the cuts and place in the soil, which must be constantly moist. After a while, roots will appear on the shoot, forming a new root system over time. It will be possible to transplant a sprout with roots in a couple of months.
Cuttings are also practiced to propagate kinkan, which is also taken from an adult plant. It is best to carry out cuttings in April before the flowering period, otherwise it may not take root. The stalk should be at least five centimeters long and two to three leaves. It is best to take a cutting if you treat it with a special solution that stimulates growth. It is better to process the other end of the cutting with crushed charcoal, sprinkle with earth and cover with a glass jar. The resulting greenhouse must be installed in a bright place, while not forgetting to air the cutting from time to time and moisten the soil. As a rule, one and a half to two months is enough for the rooting of the cuttings.
Fruiting
Many are trying to grow it exotic plant to enjoy the fruits of the kinkan. This is quite possible, but certain conditions must be ensured. First of all, the kumkan needs sunlight, so the place should be chosen appropriately. In summer, the plant feels great outdoors, but protect it from direct sunlight. V winter period for the ripening of the fruit, it is necessary to organize additional lighting.