Calamondin Tree

Calamondin Tree Care

Citrofortunella Microcarpa

What is the plant

Calamondin is called by an incredible amount of names, including calamonding, calamondin orange, calamansi, calamandarin, golden lime, Philippine lime or Panama orange… It is a shrub or small tree growing to 3–6 m (9.8–19.7 ft), characterised by wing-like appendages on the leaf stalks and white or purplish flowers. The fruit of the calamondin resembles a small, round lime, with center pulp and juice the orange colour of a tangerine with a very thin orange peel when ripe. The plant is sensitive to prolonged and/or extreme cold and is therefore limited outdoors to tropical, sub-tropical and the warmer parts of warm temperate climates. In regions with cooler climates, potted plants are brought into a greenhouse, conservatory, or indoors as a houseplant during the winter periods.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

min -6°C

Hardiness zone

10 - 11

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Water Calamondin orange trees regularly after transplanting, aiming to keep the soil moist. After the tree is established, water only when the soil is dry at a depth of 1 inch. Either too much or too little water can kill this tree, but more citrus die of excess water than drought
Pruning
Prune the little citrus infrequently. Trim off dead or damaged branches when you become aware of them. Prune to reduce citrus size and to clip low-hanging branches in spring. Branches touching the ground allow insects direct access to the Calamondin.
Fertilizer
Feed the Calamondin orange with a balanced, water-soluble citrus fertilizer every five weeks but use it half strength in the winter. Incorporate a slow-release, general fertilizer into the tree's soil in early spring. Apply a 4-inch layer of organic compost as mulch over the soil beneath the tree canopy in spring and fall to keep it moist. This also serves to reduce weeds and regulate the soil temperature.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Plant a Calamondin orange in part to full sun
Soil
These citrus need soil that does not hold water. If your soil in heavy clay or sand, spread a 2-inch layer of compost on a 5-foot-square area and rototill thoroughly.
Temperature
Plants are not very hardy in Britain but they do tolerate a few degrees of frost, so it should be possible to grow them in selected areas in the mildest parts of the country. So long as the temperature falls gradually over a period of several days to allow the plant to become dormant, this species can tolerate short periods where temperatures fall to about -6°c