Detailed Guide to Citron Cultivation Techniques: Scientific Planting and Management

Citron Cultivation Techniques

(1) Overview

Also known as citron. It is the plant Citrus medica L. of the genus Citrus in the family Rutaceae, and its fruit is used as medicine. It lowers qi and resolves phlegm, and relieves chest tightness. It mainly treats qi pain, cough, vomiting, chest and abdominal distension and fullness, and other conditions. It is distributed in Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, Sichuan and other provinces.

(2) Plant Characteristics

Small tree or shrub, with oblong leaves. Inflorescences are terminal or axillary clusters, 3-10 flowers clustered together, with more unisexual male flowers; the inner side of the petals is white, and the outer side is light purple; the fruit is large, broadly oblong, about 10-22 cm long, with small protruding bumps on the rind, yellow and fragrant when ripe; in cross-section the flesh (the white mesocarp) is thick, the juice is slightly bitter and sweet, the segments are small, about 10-13 segments, and the juice is sour.

(3) Growth Characteristics

It is suitable for growing in warm and humid climates with abundant rainfall; for soil, well-drained and relatively fertile loam, sandy loam, and clay loam are all acceptable.

(4) Cultivation Techniques

The citron is very closely related botanically to the fingered citron (Buddha's hand), and its cultivation method can refer to that of the fingered citron. Generally, cuttings are mostly used. Select robust, dark green, glossy one-year-old branches, with the middle section being the best, and this can be done in conjunction with pruning branches around the summer solstice. After selection, cut them into 12-15 cm lengths, remove the leaves, leaving only the petioles, insert about half into the soil, then earth up, burying the top of the cutting 1.5 cm into the soil, and then gently press firm with the hand. They can also be cut into 18-20 cm lengths and inserted into plain sandy soil, buried about 15 cm deep, pressed down, and watered. After cutting, pay attention to management work such as intertillage, weeding, and fertilization; after 2-3 years of cultivation, they can be transplanted. Wild citrons in various places in the south of our province can be used as rootstock for grafting. Some also propagate by seed; seeds can be sown and seedlings raised around the Jingzhe solar term, and transplanted and planted in spring or the rainy season when about 30 cm tall.

(5) Harvesting and Processing

In autumn, when the fruit has reached its final shape but the rind is still dark green, pick it. After picking, cut it straight into thin slices 2 cm thick, and spread them in the sun or dry them over a heated kang.