Kumquat: growing at home

If you saw a small shrub in the store with fruits that look like small oranges, most likely it is kumquat. Cultivation at home is possible for him and, if you do everything right, he can bear fruit all year round. Those who have already practiced in the cultivation of indoor gardens can safely acquire this plant.

Many-faced kumquat

The subtropical shrub in nature is found in the south of Asia, Europe and the USA, it is grown in China and in the southern regions of Russia. Kinkan and Fortunella - under such names, the plant can be found in stores. It is a small bush with a neat crone of small leaves. Some varieties can have spines on the branches. The plant blooms with white fragrant flowers, which are located separately or with brushes. This also depends on what kind of kumquat. Cultivation at home of this miniature, orange-like tree is possible if it is planted on another citrus plant (lemon) or propagated by cuttings. Try to get an adult plant from seeds, you can, but this process is very time-consuming and can only be done by experienced gardeners.

Little sun

Fruits Fortunella - the reason for which it is often bred - appear three or four months after the end of flowering. These little oranges weigh not more than thirty grams, have a bright orange color and an elongated shape. A healthy tree can bear fruit for about three months, from the beginning to the end of winter.

Kumquat care

Kumquat requires the same care as other citrus fruits. Soil mixture can be bought in a specialized store, it's good to see that it is fresh. You can add peat, sold separately. The most attention of the amateur gardener should be directed to avoid overmoisture of kumquat. Cultivation at home contributes to the formation of excess soil moisture in the pot. They must be timely eliminated or prevented from occurring. Initially, the pot must have good drainage (up to three centimeters), the remaining water should be able to drain into the pan. And, of course, water should be moderate. If you have to leave the plant without watering for a couple of days, do not need to pre-fill it. In this case, it is better to ask the neighbors to look after the kumquat in your absence. After the fruit has been tied up on the tree, it is necessary to introduce fertilizing into the soil.

Magic Seeds

Many people are attracted to the idea of growing a home tree "from scratch." Why not try? First you need to prepare the seeds. You can extract them from the fruit, but they should not lie too long. Care for seedlings begins with the fact that you can remove the glass, which they were originally covered. After the appearance of the second leaf plant the plants in separate containers with a substrate. Again, observe the regularity and moderation in watering. Small plants can be fertilized with biohumus. Enjoy the fruits of your work will be about a year - this is the time to fructification will require kumquat. Caloric content of small oranges is the same as that of other citrus fruits - about sixty calories in one hundred grams. Dried fruits, naturally, are higher. You can cook and jam, if there is enough harvest, which will bring kumquat: growing at home while observing the necessary moisture of the soil can provide this shrub quite a large number of fruits.