Kumquat - home care

Kumquat (in translation from Chinese "golden apple") or kinkan - an evergreen citrus tree. The enchanting plant has a dense crown with bright green leaves and fragrant white and pink flowers, and in the period of fruiting the kumquat is entirely covered with small orange or yellow fruits.

Especially popular is the kinkan from craftsmen who create bonsai. Those wishing to have such a beautiful plant are interested in the questions: is it possible to cultivate kumquat at home and how to take care of exotic kumquat at home?

Kumquat care at home

Kinkan is pretty picky about growing conditions. For successful vegetation of plants in the conditions of the house it is necessary to create the necessary microclimate.

Lighting

Kumquat prefers scattered light in summer and direct sunlight in winter. If there is not enough light in the winter months, additional artificial lighting should be created.

Air temperature

The optimum temperature of the tree content in summer is + 25 ... 30 degrees, and in winter - not less than +15 degrees. To avoid overheating of the soil, it is recommended that the pot with the plant be placed in sawdust or sand.

Air humidity

It is necessary to provide the plant with moist air by regular sprinkling of the crown with water at room temperature.

Watering

Kumquat loves copious watering. In spring and summer, the tree is watered almost every day, making sure that the soil remains moist. In winter, the number of irrigation is reduced to 1 - 2 times a week. Water is used only on a stand-by basis.

Additional fertilizing

There is a simple rule: the smaller the pot capacity and the larger the size of the plant, the more often kumquat is fertilized. In a warm period of time, feeding is done 2 to 3 times a month, in a cold season - 1 time per month and a half. A solution of mineral fertilizers is suitable for fertilization: 2 grams of ammonium nitrate and potassium salt and 5 g of simple superphosphate are taken per 1 liter of water.

Reproduction of kumquat

At home, kumquat, like other citrus fruits, is propagated by grafting, layers and cuttings. And it is noticed that kumquats grown from cuttings or layers are beginning to bear fruit, but grafted plants grow stronger and healthy.

Kumquat Transplantation

The plant is transplanted at the end of winter until shoots begin to grow, no more often than once in 3 years. For the transplant, a larger container is prepared, a drainage layer is laid on its bottom, then a layer of fertile soil. The roots of the tree are carefully released together with the earthen lump, and the way of transshipment is moving the kumquat into a new pot. Formed cracks between the walls of the vessel and the clod of earth fill the soil mixture, slightly sealing it. For 2 weeks, the transplanted kinkan is placed in a warm shaded area.

How to pollinate kumquat?

Flowers kinkana bisexual, so you can self-pollination of the plant. But for a more efficient cross method pollination, it is better to keep a couple of trees in the house. When moving in the warm period of the plant to a garden site or loggia, it is possible to pollinate with insects.

Kumquat threw off the leaves

In dry air, especially during the cold period, the kinkan sheds leaves. The plant loses vitality and is attacked by pests ( spider mite and scab ). Frequent sprinkling of the crown with water and placement of water containers next to the heating devices will help preserve the health of the plant and presentable appearance. Also, the cause of falling leaves can be watering with cold water. Kumquat should be watered only with real water at room temperature!