Practical
Plants

Citroncirus

Citrumelo

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Citroncirus genus in the family Rutaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rutaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked. Very acid but it can be used in the ways that lemons are used.

Plant part
Fruit

Environment

Range
A hybrid of garden origin, Poncirus trifoliata x Citrus paradisi.
Habitat
Not known in the wild.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The following notes are based on Citrus species. They are probably applicable here as well, even though this is a bi-generic hybrid, since any seed might be produced polyembrionically. The seed is best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it ripe after thoroughly rinsing it[2][4]. Sow stored seed in March in a greenhouse[6]. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 13°c. Seedlings are liable to damp off so they must be watered with care and kept well ventilated. The seed is usually polyembrionic, two or more seedlings arise from each seed and they are genetically identical to the parent but they do not usually carry any virus that might be present in the parent plant[4]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least three growing seasons before trying them outdoors. Plant them out in the summer and give them some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Layering in October.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moderately heavy loam with a generous amount of compost and sand added and a very sunny position[1][4]. When growing plants in pots, a compost comprising equal quantities of loam and leafmould plus a little charcoal should produce good results[5]. Do not use manure since Citrus species dislike it[5]. When watering pot plants it is important to neither overwater or underwater since the plant will soon complain by turning yellow and dying. Water only when the compost is almost dry, but do not allow it to become completely dry[5]. Reasonably cold resistant, dormant plants can tolerate temperatures down to about -10°c, especially if they are grafted onto a Poncirus trifoliata rootstock[4]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. A group of hybrids of garden origin, Poncirus trifoliata x Citrus paradisi[3]. Generally, these hybrids combine the qualities of cold hardiness and bitterness from Poncirus trifoliata with the larger fruits of the grapefruit, Citrus paradisi[3]. They are occasionally cultivated for their edible fruit, but more usually for their use as a rootstock, there are some named varieties[3][4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

    ↩

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