How to Propagate Citron? A Detailed Guide to Several Common Propagation Methods
Citron, also known as jiu yuan or jiu yuan zi, is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb that soothes the liver and regulates qi, relieves abdominal distension, and resolves phlegm. It is mainly used to treat liver-stomach qi stagnation, vomiting and belching, and cough with excessive phlegm. It grows in Taiwan, China, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and other places in China. So how is citron propagated? Let's take a look together.
1. Growth Habits
Citron prefers a warm and humid climate, fears frost, and is not cold-tolerant. When planting, it is best to choose a sandy loam soil with deep soil layers, loose and fertile texture, good drainage, and rich in humus. Citron generally grows in high-temperature and high-humidity environments. At present, in the Xishuangbanna region of Yunnan, there are semi-wild citron plants, so if you want to achieve high and quality yields when planting, try to choose an environment suitable for its growth.
2. Seed Propagation
The fruit of citron matures from September to October. At this time, pick the fruits, cut them open to extract the seeds, dry the fruit peel in the sun to use as medicine, and after washing and drying the seeds, sow them immediately. You can also store the seeds in stratified storage with wet sand and sow them after the beginning of spring the following year. When sowing, prepare the land and make beds on the plot, open furrows on the bed surface at a row spacing of 30 cm, sow the seeds evenly, then cover with soil and water. After the seeds emerge, carry out cultivation and weeding, thinning and final spacing of seedlings, fertilizing and watering, and other tasks to promote strong seedling growth. After 2-3 years of cultivation, they can be transplanted to the field.
3. Cutting Propagation
Citron can also be propagated asexually. First, select branches that have grown for 2-3 years from healthy mother plants free of pests and diseases, remove the thorns, cut them into small segments of about 18 cm, and carry out cutting in spring when it is hot and humid. Likewise, open furrows on the bed surface at 30 cm, control the plant spacing at 12-15 cm, insert the cuttings at an angle, with the insertion depth at about half or one-third of the cutting, then press the soil firmly with your hands so that it fits tightly, and water. Similarly, after 1-2 years of cultivation, they can be transplanted. When transplanting, control the plant and row spacing at 3×3 m, transplant one plant per hole, cover with soil and firm it, and water thoroughly to settle the roots.
The above is an introduction to how to propagate citron. We hope it helps you. For more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.