Limequat

Limequat Care

Citrofortunella

What is the plant

Citrofortunella. Citrofortunella are a large group of commercial hybrids that cross the kumquat with other citrus. In the system of citrus taxonomy established by Swingle, kumquats were placed in a different genus, Fortunella, from Citrus, which included citron, mandarin orange, pomelo and papedas. The limequat is a citrofortunella hybrid that is the result of a cross between the Key lime and the kumquat, hybridized by Walter Tennyson Swingle in 1909.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

4°C - 15°C

Hardiness zone

8 - 11

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Plant your tree directly in the ground or in a container, and water deeply every other day for the first several months to ensure good root development. After that, water only when the top inch (2.5 cm.) of soil is dry – every week or so. Reduce watering even more to once every two weeks in winter.
Pruning
Your limequat will not require pruning except for minor cosmetic pruning to remove dead wood in late February to early March, and to remove any new growth from below the bud union. Although a relative of the cold-hardy kumquat, your limequat needs to be protected on the coldest winter nights.
Fertilizer
Chemical fertilizers for citrus contain nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium in varying percentages. For instance, an 8-8-8 food is good for young limes that are not yet bearing but a mature fruit bearer will need more nitrogen so switch to a 12-0-12 formula.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Limequat trees enjoy full sun, at least 6 hours daily, so place your tree where it can receive as much sun from morning to late afternoon.
Soil
Limequat trees perform well in most types of soil.
Temperature
A limequat (Citrus x floridana), as previously stated, is a fruiting tree that is a hybrid between a kumquat and a key lime. It is more cold tolerant than most lime trees, but a little less so than most kumquats. It can usually survive temperatures as low as 22 F. (-6 C.), and it can sometimes survive as cold as 10 F. (-12 C.).