How to plant Buddha's Hand
Today's sharing: This article introduces the relevant contents of how to plant Buddha's Hand and the cultivation techniques and management of Buddha's Hand fruit, with the site editor introducing to netizens.
Buddha's Hand is a perennial evergreen shrub or small tree of the Rutaceae citrus family, also known as Buddha's Hand citron, fingered citron, fingered kumquat, etc. When the fruit ripens, the carpels separate, forming long and curved segments resembling fingers, hence the name Buddha's Hand. It is grown as an ornamental plant because of its unique fruit shape. Ripe golden Buddha's Hand has a golden color and constantly emits a fragrant aroma, eliminating odors, purifying indoor air, and inhibiting bacteria.
Buddha's Hand is a tropical and subtropical plant that prefers warm and humid environments with plenty of sunlight. It is not耐 cold, afraid of frost and drought, but tolerant of shade, poor soil, and flooding. It is suitable for cultivation in areas with abundant rainfall and no frost in winter. The optimal growth temperature is 22-24℃, overwintering temperature above 5℃, annual precipitation of 1000-1200 mm is most suitable, and annual sunshine hours of 1200-1800 hours are ideal. It thrives in deep, loose, fertile, humus-rich, well-drained acidic loamy, sandy loamy, or clay loamy soil.
I. Buddha's Hand propagation methods: Buddha's Hand can be propagated through cutting, grafting, and air layering.
1. Cutting propagation: Buddha's Hand is mainly propagated by cuttings, which can be done in spring (February to March) and autumn (August to September), with autumn cuttings being the best. The method involves selecting healthy branches from the previous year, about 20 cm long, and inserting them into sandy soil, with about two-thirds of the cutting inserted into the soil. The cuttings are spaced 15-17 cm apart and should not be inserted upside down. Usually, about 12,000 to 15,000 cuttings are needed per mu. After planting, cover the soil and press it down, leaving one bud tip exposed. Water when the soil is dry, keeping the soil moist after planting. It takes about two months to root, and after 9-10 months of cultivation, when the seedlings reach about 30 cm in height, they can be transplanted.
2. Air layering: This is usually done in late spring and early summer, selecting vigorous branches 2-4 years old on the Buddha's Hand tree. At a distance of 20-30 cm from the base branch, half to two-thirds of the bark is removed in a ring shape, then the wound is wrapped with a mixture of fertile soil and kept moist with plastic film. Air layering is usually done in early spring (February to March), and by August to September, white roots can be seen through the plastic film. The pressure bundle is cut off 3-5 cm below the ball, and the cut-off pressure bundle must be immediately planted in a false position.
3. Grafting: Grafting is done in spring and autumn. Citron or lemon are good rootstocks. The rootstocks are usually propagated by cuttings or seeding. Grafting methods include approach grafting and cut-grafting.
Approach grafting: This is done in early September. The method involves planting the scion and rootstock plants separately in pots, bringing them close together, cutting them to create two similar-sized surfaces, and then joining them with plastic film to seal the wound. Once the graft is successful, the upper part of the rootstock and the lower part of the scion above the graft are cut off, resulting in a grafted seedling.
Cut-grafting: In mid-March, the rootstock is cut flat 5-7 cm above the ground, smoothed with a grafting knife, and a diagonal cut is made 1-1.5 cm deep in a smooth part with some wood. The scion should have 2-3 buds and the lower end is cut into a 1-1.5 cm long wedge shape. The cut edge of the rootstock is aligned with the scion cut and inserted tightly into the rootstock cut. The wound is wrapped with plastic film, and the graft usually heals and sprouts in half a month. At this time, the soil should be loosened and weeds removed. After 45-60 days, new shoots appear, and the wrapping material should be removed, otherwise the new shoots may bend.
II. Potting cultivation: It is best to use clay pots for cultivating Buddha's Hand, with the potting soil needing to be loose, fertile, and rich in organic matter. First, place broken tiles and coarse sand at the bottom of the pot, then fill in the cultivation soil, place the Buddha's Hand seedling in the center of the pot, spread the roots, fill the soil to half the pot, gently lift and shake the plant to compact the soil, and plant it not too deep, deep enough to keep the rootstock level with the pot opening. If it is too shallow, it will affect survival, and if it is too deep, it will affect the growth of Buddha's Hand after transplantation. After planting, water thoroughly. After planting, keep it in a shaded environment for about a week, then move it to a sunny place after the roots have recovered.
III. Management: After potting, regularly water to prevent the soil from drying out. After moving out of the room during Guyu, place it in a sheltered, sunny spot. In spring, when new shoots grow to 15-20 cm, pinch the tips to promote sturdy branch growth and有利于花芽分化. After flowering, avoid excessive dryness or moisture. In the early stage of fruit setting, slightly control watering and avoid over-frequent watering to prevent fruit drop. Nitrogen fertilizer should also be used sparingly. After the fruit expands, strengthen fertilization and watering. Water once a week with a thin cake fertilizer solution, keeping the potting soil moist to promote fruit development. In late autumn, when the fruit is completely golden yellow, it can be picked and placed indoors for appreciation. After October, do not apply fertilizer, and the soil can be slightly drier in winter. When the soil freezes in winter, move it indoors for care, controlling watering to keep the soil slightly moist. Move it outdoors before new leaves sprout in spring, prune dense or weak branches, and strengthen fertilization and watering after sprouting to promote flowering.
The above sharing of how to plant Buddha's Hand and the complete content of Buddha's Hand fruit planting techniques and management hope to help you and also look forward to everyone visiting more green plant experience and common sense!