How to Grow Bergamot: Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods and Precautions

Bergamot is what we usually call finger citron; when the fruit ripens, the carpels separate to form slender, curved segments shaped like fingers. So, how do you grow bergamot?

1. Soil

Bergamot thrives in loose, fertile, well-drained acidic soil. You can mix leaf mold, river sand and peat soil in a 6:3:1 ratio, then add a little cake fertilizer or bone meal as a base fertilizer to help it grow.

2. Light

Bergamot grows in places with plenty of light. You can put it in a sunny spot to receive long hours of light. However, it is rather afraid of strong light, so in summer it needs appropriate shading to avoid dehydration caused by scorching sun.

3. Watering

Bergamot likes a relatively moist environment. Besides watering promptly, you also need to maintain fairly high air humidity. In summer it needs more water to keep the soil from drying out. If the weather is dry, you can spray water on the leaves.

4. Fertilizing

Along with watering, apply a light nitrogen fertilizer once a week. For supplementary fertilizing, mainly use a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer. During the flowering and fruit-setting period, you can spray Zhuangguadiling at the appropriate time.

5. Pruning

After bergamot is potted, it first focuses on vegetative growth, with the terminal bud growing continuously and no self-pruning habit; therefore, pay attention to pinching the main shoot to promote branching and dwarf the crown. Thin out dense and weak branches, and use propping, pulling and hanging methods to adjust the tree posture and beautify the tree form. After fruiting, according to growth and fruit development, carry out spring and summer bud removal, pinch the terminal shoots of fruiting branches, and thin flowers and fruits, to promote balance between shoots and fruits in each period and prevent alternate bearing.

6. Pest and Disease Control

The main disease of bergamot is sooty mold, caused by saprophytic fungi, which covers the branches and leaves with a dense pale black mold and affects leaf photosynthesis; it can be controlled with 50% Tuzet 800-times solution or carbendazim. The main pests are aphids and scale insects. In May to June and August to September, when aphids harm the tender leaves at the tips of bergamot flowering branches, use 50% Sevin 500-times solution. In June to July, in dry and hot weather, red spider mites easily harm the leaves; after discovery, spray 40% dimethoate 1000-times solution for control.

In addition, bergamot has poorer cold resistance than ordinary citrus. When it encounters low temperatures, it will drop a large number of leaves and its branches will freeze and wither, affecting flowering, fruit setting and growth in the coming year. Therefore, after bergamot is brought indoors in winter, increase the indoor air temperature and humidity to enhance the tree's resistance.