Kumquat: description.
The genus Fortunella (Latin Fortunella) has two subgenus. Among all kinds of kumquat, two are most popular: Japanese kinkan (Latin F. japonica) and citrus margarita (Latin F. margarita). In addition, today there are a large number of hybrids of kinkans and citrus plants, obtained both artificially and naturally. Among them:
- calamondin, orangequat (kumquat and mandarin);
- limequat (kumquat and lime);
- citrumquat (Japanese kumquat and citrus trifolate);
- tsitranshdin (a hybrid of mandarin and kumquat and a hybrid of orange and trifolate);
- citranquat (kumquat, orange and citrus trifoliate), etc.
Kumquat has a number of advantages that make it very popular among plant growers growing plants at home. Firstly, this tree is distinguished by its compact growth and diminutiveness. Secondly, kumquat - plants bushy, having a dense beautiful crown and small leaves. Thirdly, the tree is very beautiful and aromatic blooms and abundant fruit. The flowers of kumquat are white with a slight pink tinge. In addition, kumquat - houseplants, of which often create bonsai. For kumquat to grow compactly, it is necessary to limit the size of the pot.
For cultivation in an indoor environment, absolutely all varieties of kumquat are suitable, as well as a hybrid of kumquat with sour mandarin. The length of a tree grown in a room can reach 1.5 m, which means that for a normal growth it needs a large container. Florists usually choose the following plant varieties: "Nagami" (orange fruit in the form of olives), "Marumi", "Maiva" (round and sweet fruit), "IndioMandarinquat" (fruit in the form of an orange bell, the largest among all varieties of kumquat ). These varieties are the most stable and do not freeze at a temperature of -10-12C.
The period of growth of kumquat at home is the end of April, the beginning of May, and it lasts for 30-50 days. The length of the period is determined by the conditions of detention. The adult plant has only one growth period, and the young one has two, unlike the other citrus plants. For each period the plant adds 6-10 cm in length.
Flowering period kinkana - July-August. Usually flowering lasts from 5 days to a week, but after 2-3 weeks there are cases of repeated flowering. Flowers plants of both sexes, they are pollinated usually in a cross way, but sometimes self-pollination occurs. Flowering of kumquat should be regulated, as, however, and all the other indoor citrus. The fruit bearing period of the tree is December-January.
Kumquat: leaving.
In the hot season, kumquat needs diffuse sunlight. In winter, the plant needs to provide access to direct sunlight and natural light, so the pot with the tree should be placed on the southern window. In addition, it is possible to light kumquat and artificially.
The optimum temperature for kumquat in summer is 25-30C, in winter - 15-18C. In the summer the tree is best kept outdoors. Keep kinkan from overheating during the day and from hypothermia at night. Also, do not allow the tree to dry out and overheat, by placing kumquat in a container filled with moist peat, moss, sawdust or sand. You can also prikopat box with a plant for the summer in the garden garden, whiten the pot from the outside or cover it with any insulating material. The soil from above is best mulched with peat, manure or grass. During periods of flowering, tying buds and fruiting, it is necessary to keep kumquat at a temperature of 15-18C. The same temperature should be the soil.
Kumquat plants love moist air. If the air is dry (especially in winter), then the plant can discard the leaves. Also increases the risk of invasion of pests: spider mite and scab. To prevent drying, you can spray the plant with warm water and put water-filled pots next to the tree.
Watering kinkana should be sufficient and regular. In summer the tree is watered daily, in the spring - every other day, and in winter - no more than twice a week. Water for irrigation should be stationary and not below room temperature. Watering with cold water provokes yellowing and falling leaves.
When feeding kumquat, several factors should be considered. The frequency of application of fertilizers depends on the size of the pot and the size of the plant: the smaller the pot and the larger the kumquat, the more often the fertilizing. Fruit-bearing kinkan from March to September is fertilized 2-3 times a month, from September to March - once a month or slightly less often. For fertilizer use a solution of mineral fertilizers: dissolve in a liter of water ammonium nitrate (2-3 g), sodium chloride or potassium salt (1-2 g), simple superphosphate (4-6 g). It is desirable sometimes to feed kumquat dissolved in water with wood ash. In summer and in spring it is best to alternate mineral fertilizers (not containing chlorine) with top dressing of slurry (cow manure and water in the ratio 1: 10).
Transplant fructose kumquat should be every 2-3 years (or less) in late February or early March. Transplanting a tree in a larger container is transshipped. But make sure that the earth's braided roots are not damaged. With each transplant, update the drainage. So, at the very bottom of the container lay a shattered side up shards of shards, on them 3-4 cm of coarse-grained sand and only then the soil mixture. Also, it is necessary to partially replace the earth in an earthen coma, not allowing damage to the roots. The soil mixture between the walls of the pot and the earth coma is compacted. Transplanted kumquat should be poured abundantly, placed in a shaded place for 10-15 days and sprinkled with the crown every day.
For kumquat, a mixture of turfy ground, structural fertile garden soil, medium-grained sand, sheet humus or reparted manure is suitable (2: 1: 0.5: 1). Adult kinkans need heavier soil than young, that is, for them the amount of garden and turf land is increased by 1.5-2 times.
These houseplants are propagated by seeds, layers, cuttings and grafting.