LIMEQUAT

CITROFORTUNELLA MICROCARPA

The limequat, calamandarin, calamondin orange, calamonding, China orange, Chinese orange, golden lime, kalamansi lime, musk lime, is a citrus tree and the result of a cross between the lime and the kumquat. It is a member of citrofortunella.

It is a small tree that grows into a contained bushy form. The leaves are characteristically citrus-like. The limequat produces an abundance of fruit even at a young age. The fruit is small, oval, greenish yellow and contains seeds or pips. It has a sweet tasting skin and a bitter sweet pulp that tastes similar to limes. The fruit can be eaten whole or the juice and rind can be used to flavour drinks and dishes. It has considerable amounts of vitamin C and is strongly acidic.

Originating in China, this plant is now grown in Japan, Israel, Spain, Malaysia, South Africa, Armenia, the United Kingdom and the United States in California and Florida. The fruit can be found, in small quantities, during the fall and winter months in the United States.

There are three different varieties of this fruit, Lakeland, Eustis, and Tavares, with Eustis being the most common.

Care

Limequats can be grown indoors or outdoors providing the temperature stays between 10°C to 30°C (50°F to 86°F). They are fairly small and can be planted in containers or pots. Plant limequats in a well drained fertile soil. Incorporate a good compost with some gravel or sand. Adding mulch or compost on top of the soil can be very beneficial. Plant

anytime of the year, watering it well. Water when nearly dry and add fertilizer occasionally. It can be pruned to keep a shape.

Plants grow fairly slowly and flower and fruit between 5-7 months and rest for 7-5 months.

Singapore Locations: Usually available during Chinese New Year, imported from China, Malaysia

NParks FloraWeb:

Description

FormThey are slow-growing, evergreen shrubs or short trees, from 2.5 to 7.5 metres tall, with sparse branches, sometimes bearing small thorns.

LeavesThe stalked, alternate leaves are elliptic to obvate, 3 – 8 cm by 1- 4 cm leaf blades, which have shallowly toothed margins, and dark glossy green.

FlowersThe fragrant flowers are pure white, similar to other citrus flowers, borne singly or clustered up to 3, in the leaf-axils. Each flower has 5 white petals that are 1 – 2 cm long, and numerous stamens with their filaments joined in a tube.

FruitThe edible fruit closely resembles that of the orange (Citrus sinensis), but is smaller and is often round 2 – 4 cm wide, yellowish green to reddish orange when ripe, with numerous oil glands in the thin rind, which surrounds the 6 – 10 segments containing the orange, juicy flesh. Each fruit has 0 – 11 egg-shaped seeds.

Trunk

FLOWERING TIMINGS

J F M A M J J A S O N DLeavesFlowers X XFruits X X

UsesTo the Chinese, the limequat is an important Chinese New Year ornament. A pair of heavily fruiting plants placed at the front door of the house is extremely beneficial as they symbolise general prosperity, great good fortune, happiness and wealth.

Its main economic value is its refreshing, acidic fruit juice that is drunk fresh, bottled or diluted from bottled concentrate. Its freshly squeezed juice is a flavor enhancer for seafood or meat, a deordourant, stain remover, skin bleach and shampoo for hair.

The fruit is preserved in syrup or made into marmalade or chutneys.

Medincinally, the juice is used for treating skin irritations, coughs, laxative, phlegm expulsion or reducing inflammation. The oil, distilled from the leaves, is used to treat flatulence.

In horticulture, it is used as rootstock for lemons and as a graft for oval kumquats.

Growing from Seeds

1. Purchase fresh, firm fruits from fruit vendors or collect from the plants, especially around Chinese New Year period

2. Remove the outer flesh. Clean away all flesh from seeds

3. Soak in water for 10 - 14 days. Change water daily

4. Plant when roots start to appear

5. Fill bottom of pot with LECA

6. Fill with potting mix

7. Arrange seeds on the top

8. Cover with thin layer of potting mix

9. Water with sprayer daily. Seeds will germinate in 7 – 10 days

10. Add diluted liquid fertilizer once a month

11. Can last for 2 to 3 years