A Detailed Guide to the Economic Value and Cultivation Techniques of Finger Citron

What are the economic value and cultivation techniques of finger citron? Let's take a look below~

I. Growing methods

Temperature and light

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

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, when water demand is relatively high, so it should be watered in both morning and evening, and at the same time sprayed with water to increase the humidity of the surrounding air. After the beginning of autumn, the amount of watering should be gradually reduced. In late winter and early spring, when the temperature is relatively low, 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 early stage of flowering and fruiting of finger citron, watering should not be excessive, to prevent a large amount of flower and fruit drop

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, and its fertilizer demand is high, so the fertilizer concentration should be increased. In early autumn, a compound fertilizer of phosphorus, potassium and calcium should be applied, which is beneficial for improving 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 following year.

Soil

Choose to grow it in loose, fertile, well-drained acidic loam.

II. Precautions

Pest and disease control

The main pests and diseases of finger citron include citrus leafminer, red spider mite, rust mite, scale insects, anthracnose, etc. A “prevention first, integrated management” approach 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.

Pruning work

Finger citron grows rapidly and is much branched, so pruning and shaping work must be done well every year to keep the tree growing vigorously and the branches evenly distributed. During the peak flowering and fruiting period, pruning is generally carried out after budding begins in March and after the fruit is harvested in autumn and winter. After fruit harvest and before budding in March, pruning and shaping should be carried out, cutting off crossing branches, dead branches, diseased branches and leggy branches. Short branches should be retained as much as possible, because many short branches are fruit-bearing mother branches; except for individual ones needed to expand the tree canopy, all the rest of the summer shoots should be cut off.

Repotting work

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. At the same time as repotting, finger citron can also be moderately pruned. After repotting, place it in a semi-shaded place for a period of care, after which normal care can be resumed.

III. The economic value of finger citron

The main preparations made from finger citron include: finger citron dew, finger citron and pinellia tea, finger citron and patrinia decoction and finger citron pills, finger citron pain-relieving pills, jade finger citron stomach-soothing powder, eastern Fujian health medicated leaven, etc. Therefore, finger citron has very high economic value, and its development prospects are promising.