How many years does a finger citron tree generally take to bear fruit?
When the fruit of the finger citron tree matures, the carpels separate, forming slender, curved segments that look like fingers, hence the name finger citron. So, how many years does a finger citron tree take to bear fruit?
1. How many years does a finger citron tree take to bear fruit?
A finger citron tree generally bears fruit 3 years after planting, begins to produce abundantly at 5-6 years, and has a lifespan of up to 20-30 years. The finger citron tree is a vegetatively propagated plant; its seeds are infertile, so it is mainly propagated by cuttings, grafting and similar methods.
2. Propagation methods of the finger citron tree
1. Cuttings
Preparation of cuttings: before taking cuttings, select healthy 7-8-year-old mother trees, cut off vigorous, pest- and disease-free old healthy branches, remove the leaves and tender tips, and cut them into cuttings 17-20 cm long. The survival rate of such cuttings is over 90%, and the seedlings grow very vigorously. Young branches or water sprouts must not be used, because such branches often do not easily bear fruit after planting.
Land preparation and cuttings: for the seedbed, it is best to choose sandy soil with a fairly deep layer, so that the seedlings can be lifted easily later. After the site is chosen, plow deeply and harrow finely, apply human and livestock manure water, and make raised beds 1.3 m wide, with furrow ditches about 30 cm wide and about 20 cm deep. Cuttings can be taken in spring from February to March and in autumn from August to September, with autumn cuttings being the best. Autumn cuttings can grow roots in the same year, and after sprouting in the following spring they grow rapidly. When inserting, open horizontal trenches on the bed with a trench spacing of 23-27 cm; insert the cuttings into the trenches at a plant spacing of 15-17 cm, and never insert them upside down. Usually about 12000-15000 cuttings are needed per mu. After inserting, cover with soil and press firm so that one bud at the tip is exposed above the soil surface; water if the soil is dry.
Seedling-stage management: after inserting, water and irrigate at any time; also build a shed for shade, and do good drainage work when there is a lot of rain. When the seedlings are 7-10 cm tall, remove the clustered weak seedlings, leaving only one strong seedling per plant. Weed in time, and apply light human and livestock manure water or ammonium sulfate 3-4 times; after one year of cultivation they can be transplanted.
2. Grafting
Approach grafting: carried out in early to mid-August to September. For the rootstock, select a vigorous 4-5-year-old plant with a stem diameter of 2-3 cm and a well-developed root system; cut away the branches below the branching point at the stem base, leaving only one branch, then shave off some bark downward on one side of the cut branch area, and then select a branch that grew in the previous spring or autumn as the scion, similar in thickness to the rootstock, 5-7 cm long, and shave off part of the bark on the lower side of the scion as well; then press the cut surface of the rootstock against the cut surface of the scion so that the two surfaces fit closely, bind tightly in the middle with plastic film, and they can heal in about a week. After healing, cut off the rootstock portion above the union.
Side cleft grafting: in early to mid-March, cut the rootstock flat at 5-7 cm above the ground, shave it smooth with a grafting knife, and choose a smooth part slightly into the wood to make a slanting cut 1-1.5 cm deep. The scion should retain 2-3 buds, and its lower end should be cut into a wedge 1-1.5 cm long; then align one side of the rootstock cut with the scion's cut bark and insert it tightly into the rootstock cut, bind it with plastic film, and generally after half a month it heals and sprouts and grows. At this time, loosen the soil and weed. After 45-60 days, it begins to shoot; at this point the binding material must be removed, otherwise the new shoots easily bend.
The mature golden finger citron is golden yellow in color and constantly gives off fragrance, eliminating odors, purifying indoor air, and inhibiting bacteria. The fruit remains on the plant for a long time, as long as 3-4 months, or even longer, allowing long-term enjoyment of the finger citron flowers.