In what kind of environment does finger citron grow best?

Other names for finger citron

Fingered citron, five-finger orange, Feirang, honey luo mandarin, five-finger citron, five-finger mandarin.

Growth habits of finger citron

Finger citron is a tropical and subtropical plant. It likes warm, humid environments with plenty of sunlight, is not tolerant of severe cold, fears frost and drought, and is tolerant of shade, poor soil and waterlogging. It is best cultivated in areas with ample rainfall and no freezing in winter.

The optimum growing temperature is 22-24°C, the overwintering temperature should be above 5°C, the most suitable annual rainfall is 1000-1200 mm, and the suitable annual sunshine duration is 1200-1800 hours. It is suited to growing in deep, loose and fertile acidic loam, sandy loam or clay loam rich in humus and with good drainage.

Distribution of finger citron production areas

Finger citron is distributed in China's Fujian, Guangdong, Sichuan, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces and other provinces. In Guangdong it is mostly planted in open hilly plains at an altitude of 300-500 m, while in Sichuan it is mostly distributed in hilly areas at an altitude of 400-700 m, especially abundantly on hilltops.

Complete list of finger citron varieties

Guangdong large-fruit finger citron: the tree is tall, and the trunk is grayish brown. The branches are green, the branch stems have sharp small thorns, long branches tend to droop after setting fruit, short branches are numerous, and the tips of young shoots are purplish red. The leaves are relatively large, similar to pomelo leaves. The fruit is relatively large, the yield is relatively high, the fruit size is fairly uniform, and when ripe it is light yellow with a distinctive fragrance. It is among the finest of cultivated finger citron varieties.

Nanjing finger citron: the tree is tall, the stem is pale grayish green, the leaves are relatively small, about 8 cm long and about 5 cm wide, the leaf color is green, and the young shoots are green. The flowers are white; in April-May there are more male flowers, and from late June there are more bisexual flowers. The fruit is slightly smaller than the Guangdong large-fruit variety. Fruit drop is severe at the young fruit stage; generally, once the fruit grows to 2 cm long it is no longer easy to drop. When ripe the fruit is pale golden yellow, and fruit sizes vary, with both fist-shaped and open-hand-shaped fruits. This variety has high yield, the alternate bearing phenomenon is not obvious, the tree grows vigorously and readily produces water sprouts and upright growing branches.

Large-type finger citron: the tree is tall, slightly smaller than the Nanjing variety, the branches are greenish gray-brown, there are few small branches, long branches droop easily, and open-field planting requires trellising. The leaves are relatively large, about 11 cm long and about 6 cm wide, the leaves are dark green, and the young shoots are dark purple. The flowers are purplish red and relatively large, slightly larger than those of the Nanjing variety. The fruit is also relatively large; the largest single fruit can reach 1 kg. Most are fist-clenched fruits. The alternate bearing phenomenon is obvious, cold tolerance is poorer than the Nanjing variety, and yield is not high, so it is less planted in production.

Small-type finger citron: the stems are mostly pale gray, the plant is short, and the flowers are white. The fruit is small, the ripening period is earlier, most are clustered fist-clenched fruits, and the fragrance is full. Cold resistance is poor and yield is low. It is generally mostly used for potted cultivation (finger citron potting techniques) and is rarely grown as a crop.

Value and uses of finger citron

Ornamental value: the ornamental value of finger citron is different from that of ordinary bonsai flowers. Its flowers are pure white and full of fragrance, and they open in clusters, making them very endearing. When the fruit ripens, its shape is like extended fingers, a clenched fist, a fist with fingers, a hand within a hand... shaped like a human hand and remarkably lifelike. Finger citron can be used not only for potted appreciation, but also cut for fruit and used to decorate bouquets, giving a distinctive kind of beauty.

Medicinal value: every part of finger citron is useful. The root, stem, leaf, flower and fruit can all be used as medicine; it is pungent, bitter, sweet and warm, and non-toxic; it enters the liver, spleen and stomach meridians, and has various medicinal functions such as regulating qi and resolving phlegm, stopping vomiting and relieving distension, soothing the liver and strengthening the spleen, and harmonizing the stomach.

Finger citron essential oil. The fruit peel of finger citron can be pressed for essential oil. It is fresh and elegant, similar to orange and lemon, with a slight floral note, combining the rich aroma of fruit and flowers, and is one of the most commonly used essential oils in perfume.

Food value: the fruit of finger citron is rich in nutrients. It can be dried and drunk as tea, or used fresh, and has a very good dietary therapeutic effect. The outer surface of the fruit is orange-yellow, yellow-green or brown-green, with wrinkles and oil dots. The flesh is pale yellowish white, with vascular bundles present in dot-like or line-like form. It is hard and brittle in texture, and becomes flexible after absorbing moisture. It is aromatic; the outer part of the peel tastes pungent and slightly spicy, while the inner part tastes sweet and then bitter.

The flower language of finger citron

The flower language of finger citron is auspiciousness and good luck.

Finger citron is highly favored by people in China and abroad, especially the Chisong golden finger citron of Jinhua, Zhejiang, because Chisong Township is the true source place where Huang Daxian attained the Dao and became an immortal, so the people of Chisong call it the "immortal fruit" and offer it to Huang Daxian. Today, friends and merchants from Hong Kong, China, Macao, China, Taiwan, China, Singapore and other places who come here to travel and pay homage to the immortal all regard it as a treasure, taking the immortal fruit home as a gift for relatives and friends to show auspiciousness and good luck.