Calamondin Citrus × microcarpa (F)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Not blooming

🍪 Edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

Calamondin is an evergreen shrub. It is a hybrid of the kumquat (Citrus japonica) and mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata).
Calamondin has small fruits, usually about 1 inch in diameter and weighing about 1 ounce. They are round or slightly flattened. The peel of the fruit is shiny and thin, and can be eaten with the pulp. Indeed, the rind is sweeter than the fruit itself.
The Calamondin fruit is green when unripe, then turns a greenish-orange color and turns completely orange as it ripens. But because Calamondin can take up to a year to ripen, they are mostly used unripe.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Rutaceae
- Synonyms
  Calamondin, Calamondin orange, Panama orange, Philippine lime, Philippine lemon, Calamansi
- Common names
  × Citrofortunella mitis, Citrus × mitis, Citrus madurensis, Citrus × mitis, Citrus calamondin, Citrus citrofortunella, Citrus × microcarpa, × Citrofortunella microcarpa, × Citrofortunella mitis
Toxicity
- To humans
  Citrus trees produce phototoxic compounds called psoralenes, as well as linalool and limonene. But these compounds are safe for humans.
  The fruits of Calamondin are even edible. However, if you have just purchased the plant, it is not recommended to eat as plants are preventively treated for parasites and diseases in nurseries.
  However, like all citrus fruits, is a strong allergen. If you have allergic reactions to other citrus fruits, it is not recommended to eat Calamondin fruit either.
- To pets
  Citrus plants are toxic to pets if eaten. A small amount can cause mild stomach upset, a large amount can lead to diarrhea, irritation, vomiting, and even central nervous system depression.
  However, most animals cannot stand the smell of citrus and rarely volunteer to eat it.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  White
- Height
  1,5 - 13 feet
- Spread
  1 - 8 feet
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  8
- Native area
  South China

Benefits

General Benefits
This fruit is high in vitamin C, a substance that can help strengthen your immune system.
May contribute to healthy skin.
It has a pleasant sour-sweet taste with a slight bitterness. It is used as a food by itself or made into jam and used in baking.
It has a very decorative appearance.
The plant won the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Medical Properties
Fruits contain large amounts of vitamin C, providing more than 20% of the daily requirement. Also contain small amounts of iron, calcium, vitamin B6, thiamine, potassium, etc.
They can help prevent the formation of kidney stones.
Not used as a stand-alone treatment.
Other Uses
In India, Calamondin fruit is often pickled to increase its shelf life and then added to dishes to enhance flavor.
Calamondin zest and juice are common ingredients in desserts and baked goods.
This citrus fruit can also be used in savory dishes and to flavor alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Outside the kitchen, Calamondin fruit is used as a natural cleaning agent and to neutralize odors. Some studies show that they have antimicrobial properties.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
Orange, lemon or lime trees bring luck and good fortune to your home according to Feng Shui.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
LEO
Leos love to be the center of attention, and the bold scent of Calamondin is definitely made to stand out. This warm, fragrant note touches the warmth of the playful Leo and will help energize the sign in moments of low energy. In addition, Leo's character is as vibrant as the color of this plant's fruit.
Plant Symbolism
The Calamondin fruit symbolizes a fruitful and abundant year.

💧

2-3 times a week

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

40%

Humidity

🪴

Once every 1 - 2 year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring - early summer

Propogation

✂️️

Late February - early March

Pruning

Water
Do not overwater Calamondin. Allow the soil to dry to a depth of 1 inch before watering.
You can increase the amount of water in spring and summer, especially when the weather is warm.
In winter, it is recommended to reduce the frequency of watering, but increase the humidity.
It is recommended to water 2-3 times a week.
Light
Calamondin prefers bright light for intensive growth and fruiting. Therefore, choose a well-lit windows on the East, West or South side.
On hot days necessarily shade the tree from direct sun.
In winter, the plant should be supplemented with phytolamps.
Temperature
For the care of the Calamondin tree, the most suitable temperature between 70-90 °F.
Any temperature below 55 °F will have a negative effect on its growth.
Pruning
Calamondin needs shaping. The procedure is done from late February to early March. It is not only a decorative but also a sanitary measure. Old and diseased leaves, branches and fruits are also removed at this time. Note that it is acceptable to remove up to 30% of the growth. Later, in the summer, by pinching, shorten the long shoots. After that, the plant is not cut back (except in cases of emergency) until the next spring.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Use a peat moss potting soil mixture with perlite and vermiculite added for rapid drainage. Citrus trees do not like to have their roots in excessive moisture.
Soil pH should be between 6.1 - 7.
Repotting
Until the tree is 8 years old, it needs regular annual replanting.
Older shrubs needs to be replanted less frequently. To be exact, once every 2 years.
Mature, healthy plants do not require replanting. Only a periodic replacement of the old soil with new.
Humidity & Misting
Keep the leaves dust-free to prevent mite and scale infestation, and provide a moderate humidity of 40-50%.
To increase the humidity, you can use a humidifier, put wet moss on the soil or place a tray of wet pebbles nearby.
In hot weather, it is recommended to spray the plant 1-2 times a day.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  All year round
- Outdoor
  Can be outdoors if the temperature is above 55 °F.
  Be careful as Calamondin does not like temperature extremes. If the plant is exposed to the wrong conditions, it may become sick or even die.
- Hardiness zone
  9 - 11 USDA
Life cycle
For fruiting, the plant must be pollinated. A soft brush can be used for this purpose.
If the plant is grown from seed, the first fruits should not be expected until 2-3 years after planting.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring - early summer
- By CUTTINGS:
  It is recommended that cuttings be harvested in the last weeks of spring, shortly before flowering. Branches that are in the upper part of the crown are best. On each cuttings should be 2-3 buds.
  The cuttings should preferably be immersed for some time in a rooting stimulant. For rooting, it is planted in a pot filled with soil and create a greenhouse effect (for example, cover the top with a glass jar or a plastic bag).
  The container is placed in a well-lit place and provide it with regular ventilation, which is carried out twice a day.
  Roots should appear after 20-30 days. Flowers and fruits will not appear on Сalamondin until the second year of growth.
  By SEEDS:
  Propagation of Сalamondin by seeds is quite popular among growers.
  Since their germination is low, you will need a large number of seeds.
  Sowing is carried out in March. Just before planting, it is advisable to place the seeds in a growth-promoting solution for 2-3 days.
  Drop the seeds into a box filled with soil to a depth of 0.5 to 0.8 inch. Cover the seeds with glass or plastic and the container in a dark and warm place (about 83 °F). Ventilate the pot twice a day.
  The first seedlings should appear after about 4 weeks. At this time, the pot is moved to a well-lit place. The cover is removed 7 days after sprouting. Once the seedlings have 3 or 4 real leaves, they are planted in individual containers.
  Flowers and fruits will appear 2-3 years after planting.