Caring for citrus fruits is easier than you might think, if you follow a few basic principles. We propose the following care guide for citrus fruits - lemon, mandarin - calamondin, kumquat, orange or limequat - in pots.

Placement: next to a window or another well-lit place. A good exposure to the sun favors the flowering and harmonious development of the plant, but the "accustoming" of the newly purchased plant to the sun should be done gradually, to avoid shocks.

In the warm season, the plants can be kept and grown outside, taking into account the intensity of the sun and the size of the pot. Small plants will have a small pot - which implies a very fast drying of the substrate and the need for frequent and abundant watering, if they are grown in direct sun during the summer.

It is essential that in the cold season the plants are protected from sources of heat (e.g. radiator) or sources of cold (e.g. a window that is opened often, cold air currents).

Watering will be adapted according to the microclimate (especially the ambient temperature) and substrate. Ideally, irrigation is done when the substrate is completely dry. Too frequent watering leads to rotting of the roots and irreparably damaged plants. Watering too infrequently leads to yellowing and drying of the leaves - a plant that needs water shows visibly left/dehydrated leaves.

Fertilization:

• correct fertilization is needed for the plant to thrive, develop and produce fruit;
• during the growth period, from April - May to September - October, it will be fertilized weekly, using a fertilizer designed for citrus fruits . For the rest of the year, one fertilization per month is enough - or fertilizations can be stopped completely - this aspect will be evaluated according to the microclimate of the space where the plants are grown over the winter.

Pruning :

• pruning citrus fruits will be done according to the need and the stage of the plant, avoiding disruption of the natural cycle of flowering and fruiting. Pruning is aimed at rejuvenating the plant and the appearance (both aesthetic and practical) of the plant.
• pruning should be done when the plant is in vegetative rest, or when it shows dry parts/affected by pests.

Replanting:

• despite the fact that citrus fruits require little care, replanting in the spring can help maintain the health of the plant;
• there are two approaches - either replanting in a larger pot, or simply replacing part of the initial substrate (refreshing the soil) from the pot in which the plant is already (preferably with minimal intervention on the roots). During this process, decayed roots (if any) can be removed. Moving to a larger pot requires choosing a pot approximately 2-3 cm larger than the original one - the new container will provide more space for the development of the root system. Then fresh substrate is placed at the bottom of the pot or balls of clay, enough for the plant to be raised to the correct level from the top. Finally, add substrate around the edges, pushing it gently with your fingers. Remember: do not compact the new substrate too much - it must remain permeable, so as to allow the development of new roots.
• when replanting, a special substrate for citrus fruits will be used

The general guide for replanting is available here: Replantare - Repotting. When and how to do it

Pests:

Among the possible pests are aphids, turtle lice, woolly lice, thrips and mites (the red spider, being the most common and aggressive). A full range of insecticides/acaricides can be found here: Plant treatments

There are also biological or homemade treatments, but their effectiveness is debatable or scientifically unproven.

A periodic check of the plants will do wonders - examine the leaves regularly and immediately apply the necessary phytosanitary treatment in case pests appear. The earlier they are identified, the greater the chances of getting rid of them, without permanent/significant damage to the plants. In the early stages, they can be removed by manual picking or by cleaning the leaves with a jet of water - but this is a temporary solution, until the appropriate phytosanitary treatment is applied.

Tips and tricks:

• citrus trees tend to lose fruit and a large part of their foliage when they experience poor fertilization or an unsuitable/aged substrate (with too little or too much water retention, lacking minerals, etc.). In general, the fruits are lost when the plant shows a lack of iron or serious care deficiencies.
• some articles and some breeders claim that the incorporation of simple iron nails in the pots ensures citrus fruits a natural intake of iron, with gradual release. Such a theory could not be proven - while this procedure cannot harm the plant, we still recommend you to use a fertilizer designed for citrus , instead of relying on "baby remedies".
• at each replanting, place a layer of clay balls, pumice stone or simple gravel on the bottom of the pot, for better drainage;
• plants grown indoors can be pollinated using a fine brush, with which you will touch the center of each flower. Citrus fruits do not necessarily need such a procedure, being generally self-fertile - but this effort can improve the harvest (the amount of fruit);

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