How to grow finger citron flowers? A complete guide to cultivation methods and precautions

Finger citron is very popular among flower enthusiasts. It has no obvious dormant period, and it is also a flowering plant; the small flowers it produces are especially unique. At first they are wrapped by the surrounding green leaves, and only when the leaves open do the flower buds appear. The flowers are yellow, and the flowering period is in summer. This article mainly introduces how to care for finger citron.

I. Care of finger citron flowers

Finger citron can sprout shoots throughout the year, but in the north it mainly sprouts three times: in spring, summer and autumn. Spring shoots emerge in February to March. Because less nutrients are produced in winter, spring shoots should not be used as fruiting mother branches and should be pruned away in time.

Summer shoots sprout after the plant is moved outdoors at "Grain Rain", around the time of "May Day". At this time, apart from being kept as nourishing branches, these shoots can basically all be pruned off. Autumn shoots are the shoots that sprout after "Start of Autumn". The branches and shoots that sprout at this time are rich in nutrients, grow thick and strong, and have firm tissue. Apart from cutting off thin, weak and poorly developed branches, the rest should all be kept as fruiting mother branches for the following year.

Therefore, autumn shoots must be managed intensively and protected carefully; this is one of the keys to finger citron flowering more and setting more fruit. Preserving leaves is most important. Finger citron is an evergreen ornamental plant. The lifespan of a leaf is generally 1-1.5 years, and leaves in different positions fall alternately. Therefore, preserving the leaves on autumn shoots and summer shoots and keeping them growing vigorously so they can produce and accumulate more nutrients is another factor in flowering more and bearing more fruit. If the branches and leaves grow too vigorously and affect ventilation and light penetration, appropriate measures should be taken to thin out the branches.

II. Cultivation and management methods for finger citron flowers

Finger citron originated in the tropics. Its growth and development require relatively high temperatures. It likes warmth and is not cold-tolerant; this is its first characteristic. According to many years of observation, if the temperature is below 3 degrees, it will suffer cold damage, and the leaves will curl or fall off. In North China, potted finger citron cannot overwinter outdoors. Before Frost's Descent it must be moved indoors, and the room temperature must be kept at 5-15 degrees. Only after the late frost period, that is, after Grain Rain, can it be moved outdoors. It begins to grow at 12 degrees, 25-26 degrees is most suitable, and growth stops at 37 degrees. The second characteristic of finger citron is that it likes a humid climate. North China has a continental climate with low air humidity, so it is often necessary to spray water on the leaves, and in winter spray 10°C warm water. Third, finger citron likes sunlight: whether indoors or outdoors, it should be placed in a sunny place, and indoors attention should be paid to ventilation. Fourth, finger citron likes acidic soil. According to measurements, the soil pH should be 5.5-7.0, slightly acidic, which is suitable. The pH value of loess, lianghe soil and lianhua soil is 7.0-7.2. Well-drained sandy loam (loess) or clay loam can both be used to cultivate finger citron. The soil in eastern Henan has relatively high alkalinity, so more cinder should be mixed into the potting soil. Because the water used for irrigation also contains alkali, black alum water (ferrous sulfate) needs to be added when watering to change the pH value of the potting soil.

III. What to do if finger citron leaves turn yellow

1. Too much watering easily causes young finger citron leaves to turn yellow, or lower leaves to curl, wither and fall. Potted flowers should be watered according to the principle of "water when dry, stop when wet", and there must be no standing water in the pot. Sometimes, young leaves of potted flowers turn yellow because they lack a certain nutrient. If the leaves turn yellow but the veins remain green, it is caused by iron deficiency. At this time, some ferrous sulfate can be applied. Using 3 parts sandy soil plus 1 part commercially available decomposed nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizer can also be effective.

2. Old finger citron leaves turn yellow and new leaves grow very small; this is due to a lack of nitrogen or phosphorus and potassium nutrition in the potting soil. Nutrients can be supplemented by applying commercially available flower fertilizer tablets. If the tips of young leaves scorch, check whether it is caused by dry potting soil or overly strong light.

3. New shoot tips shrink, tender leaves turn pale yellow, and old leaves turn dull yellow; this is mostly caused by waterlogging in the potting soil, lack of oxygen, and root rot. Immediately loosen the soil, stop fertilizing and control watering. If the color of the new leaves at the growing tip is normal, but the lower leaves gradually dry, yellow and fall off or scorch from bottom to top, then it is due to lack of water.

4. Scorched leaf edges are often caused by too much fertilizer or improper watering. The potting soil can be rinsed several times with clean water so that the fertilizer dissolved in the water flows out through the drainage holes.

Finger citron is an excellent choice for indoor decoration. Placing a pot beside a desk or table in a study or living room, or on a balcony, can truly let one appreciate a great deal of charm. Because the name "finger citron" contains the character "Buddha", it often makes people associate many things. "Spirit wanders with things," as if from the vast void a Buddha's hand with boundless power truly reaches out, so that one experiences a kind of transcendence in which worldly thoughts suddenly vanish and the mind is calm and the body at ease, and further comprehends a certain philosophy. The strange and beautiful fragrance contained and released by the finger citron makes one feel as if placed in an orchid palace and osmanthus hall, suffusing the body and filling the chest, and one cannot help but feel relaxed and invigorated.

Suffusing the body and filling the chest, and one cannot help but feel relaxed and invigorated.