How to Grow a Citron Tree? The Latest Cultivation Techniques and Methods Tutorial

Citron is the collective name for the citron plant and the citron medicinal herb, also known as citron, citron fruit, etc. It is an irregularly branched shrub or small tree of the genus Citrus in the family Rutaceae. It is distributed throughout the Yangtze River basin and areas to the south in China, with relatively more cultivation in Taiwan, China, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Hunan and other provinces and regions. Now let us take a look at the cultivation techniques for citron trees!

Growth Habits of the Citron Tree

The citron tree prefers a warm and humid climate, fears severe frost, and is not tolerant of severe cold. It is best cultivated on sandy loam with deep, loose and fertile soil, rich in humus, and with good drainage. The citron tree is suited to high-temperature and high-humidity environments, clearly originating from more southern regions. In the broad-leaved forests of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, there are citron trees in a semi-wild state.

Propagation Methods of the Citron Tree

1. Seed propagation: For seed propagation of the citron tree, usually in October select mature fruits, cut them open and take out the seeds, wash them clean, dry them in the air, and sow immediately, or store the seeds in layered moist sand and sow in spring. Open furrows at a row spacing of 30 cm, sow the seeds evenly, cover with soil, water, and cultivate for 2-3 years before planting out.

2. Cutting propagation: For citron tree cuttings, select 2-3 year old branches, remove the thorns, cut them into small sections of about 18 cm, and take cuttings in the high-temperature and high-humidity season of spring. Open furrows at a row spacing of 30 cm, with a plant spacing of 12 cm, insert obliquely, leaving 1/3 of the cutting exposed above the ground, cover with soil, press firm, and water. Cultivate for 1-2 years before planting out.

Cultivation Techniques of the Citron Tree

1. Field management: For the citron tree, carry out intertillage, weeding and fertilization 2-3 times each year. From May to September, mainly apply human and livestock manure, and also topdress with dilute cake fertilizer liquid. In winter, additionally apply superphosphate, which can be applied in a ring trench. When pruning, cut off water sprouts and overly dense branches. During the fruiting period, insert supports.

2. Reasonable fertilization: The first fertilization of the citron tree is before bud emergence, and the second fertilization is after the summer solstice. For the second fertilization, 250 grams of urea plus 500 grams of superphosphate can also be mixed with water at 100 times dilution, and a sprayer can be used for one foliar topdressing to promote vigorous plant growth and fruit enlargement.

3. Pest and disease control: The diseases of the citron tree include sooty mold, which damages leaves, twigs and fruits. The insect pest includes the cottony cushion scale, which can be controlled with its natural enemy, the vedalia beetle. It can also be sprayed with rosin mixture, diluted 8-10 times in winter and 20 times in summer. In addition, there are longhorn beetles, red spiders, aphids, etc.