Calamondin (Цитрофортунелла)

Calamondin (another name: цитрофортунелла) ― is a hybrid of kumquat and mandarin.

In home conditions, calamondin is grown on bright windowsills, in winter gardens and greenhouses, sometimes trained as a standard or as a bonsai.

It is an evergreen compact plant with small glossy dark-green leaves that have a pleasant fragrance. The flowers are white and very fragrant. The fruits are small, resembling tiny tangerines, with a thin orange fragrant peel.

The plant is ornamental, flowers and fruits abundantly, and grows well indoors. Calamondin looks especially beautiful when fruits and flowers appear at the same time.

Care. Tolerates both cool overwintering and warmer conditions equally well. For growth and flowering it needs good light, with shading from direct sun. Water generously without waterlogging, with periodic feedings. In summer the plant can be taken out onto a balcony. During spring repotting it is advisable to trim the branches to give the plant a bushy shape.

Temperature. Summer +18-+26, winter +4-+12 (can tolerate higher temperatures as well). Can withstand short-term temperature drops down to -6

Misting: regular; in summer once a day, in winter 2-3 times a week

Soil: well-drained, fertile

Watering: as the root ball dries out; avoid both drying out and overwatering. In winter, when growth slows, be especially careful to avoid soil over-moistening. Watering frequency: winter - 2-3 times a month. In spring and summer during the growing season plants need more water, so water 1-2 times a week.

Fertilizers: It is recommended to feed citrus only during the active growth period (mid-February – mid-September); during the plant's winter rest it does not need feeding. Complex citrus fertilizers are rich in potassium, boron and zinc, help maintain all vital processes of the plant at the required level, and are suitable for all citrus. Foliar feeding is beneficial.

The first feeding is carried out 3-4 months after repotting, since fresh soil contains the amount of mineral nutrients the plant needs.

Pruning and shaping. Major pruning is done early in spring at the time of repotting, removing overcrowding, damaged and old branches. A pruned shoot will set fruit only the following year. In summer shorten long shoots by cutting with garden shears above a node.

Propagation by cuttings or grafting. Cuttings are taken in early summer, immediately after fruiting; to speed up root formation they can be treated with a rooting hormone.

Overwintering. Optimal overwintering temperature +4-12 С, but they can also overwinter in a warmer room. Supplemental lighting is necessary: on cloudy days — throughout the day; on clear days — in the evenings, so that the total daylight hours amount to 12 hours.

Pests and diseases: Pests: whitefly, mealybugs, scale insects, spider mite, aphids

Uses. The fruits of calamondin are edible; the pulp has a slight bitterness, the peel is sweet. Fresh calamondin fruits can be stored in the refrigerator at + 8-10°С for 2 weeks. Fruits are used to make jam, marmalade, jam preserves, candied fruits, desserts, drinks, sauces, and to flavor dishes.

In countries where it is cultivated, the juice is prepared in large volumes for sale — this is the main use of the fruits. It is later added to drinks and dishes or drunk on its own. Pectin is obtained from the remaining peel. Calamondin is used in wine and baking production; essential oil is obtained from the peel. It substitutes for lemon and lime and is also considered a natural sedative and antidepressant.