Citrus belongs to the Rutaceae family, and has about 15 species. The homeland of citrus is Southeast Asia, and for many centuries it has been cultivated in the tropics and subtropics for its edible fruits. The leaves are ovoid to lanceolate, and are rich in essential oils. The shoots have thorns.
When flowering, white flowers appear on the shoots, from which fruits are formed (depending on the type - orange, tangerine, lemon, grapefruit, etc.). Citrus leaves are quite large, so you should not make the tree too small (preferably not less than 50 cm). If you plan to grow fruits, then choose types that have small berries.
Soil:
Acidity - pH less than 7. Use a mixture of turf soil, clay soil, sand and pickling soil in a ratio of 2:1:1:1.
Renew the soil each time you replant.
Lighting:
Citrus requires a southern exposure, that is, bright light with direct sunlight, with the exception of midday sun in the middle of summer. In winter, additional lighting is required. In summer, the trees feel good in the garden or on the balcony.
Temperature:
In summer 15 - 22° C; provide good ventilation. In winter not below 10° C. The plant does not tolerate drafts and sudden temperature changes.
Watering:
For watering, use rain or tap water at room temperature. In summer, a lot of water is required, do not let the soil dry out. In winter, water moderately, allowing the soil to dry out almost completely between waterings. Good drainage is necessary.
Top dressing:
Fertilizing begins in early spring and ends in late autumn. Use organic fertilizer for bonsai. There is no need for fertilizing in winter.
Formation:
When forming a young plant, you can use everything styles. Perennial trunks are very difficult to shape, but it is possible to obtain some styles (for example, Broom (hokidati)) by pruning, without using wire.
When the shoots reach 10-15 cm, cut them off, leaving two or three leaves.
Purchasing a plant:
It is possible to grow from seeds, but it is necessary to keep in mind that such plants bear fruit only after many years. Nowadays it is not difficult to find a miniature citrus tree that has small fruits. Already formed bonsai of this species are very rare.
Pests and diseases:
In winter, when kept in rooms with low humidity, spider mites often attack. Also, scale insects can be found on citrus plants.
