How to Grow Finger Citron: Detailed Guide to Planting Methods and Precautions

Finger citron is relatively uncommon in our daily lives, because finger citron is a tropical or subtropical plant that generally prefers to grow in environments with ample sunlight and a warm, humid climate. The shape of the finger citron resembles a human hand, and it is deeply loved by everyone for its unique and distinctive form. Now let's learn about finger citron growing techniques together with the editor!

How to Grow Finger Citron

Promote vegetative growth of the seedlings so they become established plants as early as possible. In the second and third years, when repotting in spring, apply cake fertilizer, hoof pieces, and bone meal as base fertilizer, and at the same time carry out one

Finger citron prefers acidic soil, and the pH value should be maintained at around 5.3; the potting soil ratio is 60% humus soil, 30% river sand, and 10% peat soil or furnace ash residue. A thin fertilizer solution can be applied once every ten days to half a month. Excess water easily causes root rot, so the method of watering by testing soil moisture should be adopted: do not water when the surface layer of the potting soil is dry, and water thoroughly each time, all year round.

The most suitable humidity for finger citron is 70%-90%. For this reason, during dry seasons, water should be sprayed on the leaves 1-2 times a day, and water can also be sprinkled on the ground to increase air humidity. The suitable growing temperature for finger citron is 15-30℃. In high-temperature seasons, it should be moved to a cool, ventilated, and shaded place. When the temperature is below 5℃, protection against cold is necessary

Finger citron does not easily set fruit, so various methods must be used to promote fruit set. During the bud stage, before flowering, and after flowering, organic fertilizer must be applied as a top dressing, and a thin organic liquid fertilizer should also be applied once a week. Then thin the buds: deformed buds and diseased or weak buds must all be removed, and too many buds should not be kept. Only two or three buds near the top of the branch with the best growth should be kept, and excessive fruit set should not be required.

Finger citron is prone to yellow leaf disease and leaf drop. When yellow leaf disease occurs, a 1% ferrous sulfate solution can be poured on it. If root rot occurs, immediately repot, remove the plant from the pot and rinse the roots, remove the rotten roots, disinfect them, and plant them in disinfected plain sandy soil for care, so that they gradually recover their vitality.

Finger Citron Planting Methods and Precautions

1. Planting Methods:

1. Temperature and Light

The optimal growing temperature for finger citron is about 22-24℃, and as long as the temperature is above 5℃, it can overwinter safely. It is best to ensure that the annual sunshine hours for finger citron are between 1200 and 1800 hours.

2. Watering Conditions

The humidity for finger citron is generally 70%-90%. The root system of finger citron is shallow, so it needs frequent watering. The high-temperature period in summer is exactly the vigorous growth period of finger citron, and the water requirement is relatively large, so it should be watered in both the morning and evening, while also using spray misting to increase the humidity of the surrounding air. After the beginning of autumn, the amount of watering should gradually be reduced. In late winter and early spring, the temperature is relatively low, and because indoor evaporation is slow, watering should not be too frequent. Generally, it can be watered once every three to five days to keep the potting soil moist. In the initial stage of flowering and fruiting of finger citron, watering should not be excessive, to prevent a large amount of flower and fruit drop.

3. Fertilizer Conditions

Spring is the period when finger citron sprouts new shoots, and at this time fertilization should be light. It is best to apply a thin nitrogen fertilizer once a week in combination with watering. In summer, finger citron has abundant flowers and fruits, requires a large amount of fertilizer, and the fertilizer concentration should be increased. In early autumn, a compound fertilizer of phosphorus, potassium, and calcium should be applied, which is beneficial for increasing the fruit-setting rate. After picking the fruit, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied promptly to supplement the plant's nutrients, so as to restore its growth vigor and lay a good foundation for flowering and fruiting the next year.

4. Soil

Choose loose, fertile, well-drained acidic loam for growth.

2. Precautions

The main pests and diseases of finger citron include leaf miner, red spider mite, rust mite, scale insect, and anthracnose, etc. The principle of “prevention first, comprehensive management” should be adopted. Once pests or diseases occur, corresponding measures should be taken promptly, daily care measures should be adjusted, and chemical control should be carried out.

Generally, repotting should be carried out once every 2-3 years, and it can be done in February-March or September-October, while adding new nutrient soil. While repotting, finger citron can also be pruned appropriately. After repotting, place it in a semi-shaded place for a period of care, after which normal care can be resumed.

How to Prune Finger Citron

Reasonable pruning helps the growth and development of finger citron and its flowering and fruiting.

In principle, when pruning finger citron, excessively dense crossing branches and overlapping branches should be cut off, and diseased branches, weak branches, and dead branches should be removed. Pruning is best carried out in combination with repotting. The general goal of pruning finger citron is simply to achieve uniform branches, reasonable distribution, and the requirements of ventilation and light transmission.

How to Propagate Finger Citron by Grafting

This is generally carried out in early August and September. For the selection of rootstock, it is best to choose a robust 4-5-year-old plant, with a stem diameter of 2-3 cm being optimal. Cut off the branches below part of the branches at the stem base, keeping only one, then shave off some cortex downward, and then select a one-year-old branch from spring or autumn as the scion, with a length of about 5-7 cm and a thickness roughly the same as the rootstock. Likewise, shave off a portion of the cortex below, then place the cut surface of the rootstock against the cut surface of the scion, fitting them tightly together, and bind the middle tightly with plastic film. After about a week, they can heal. After that, the rootstock portion above the joint can be cut off.

Finger citron has a strange form and is golden yellow. It has extremely high ornamental value, and also very high medicinal value! Its roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits can all be used as medicine, so it can be said to be a treasure all over! Friends who like it, do not wait any longer, hurry up and start growing it!