Citrus x junos, the Japanese yuzu prized by top chefs!
Citrus x junos
- Exposure
- Sun
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 8a (-12.2°C ≤ T° < -9.4°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Rutaceae
- Genus
- Citrus
- Species
- Yuzu Citrus x junos
Other names:Citrus × aurantium subsp. junos, Citrus medica subf. junos
Native to China, the yuzu, or Citrus x junos, is especially popular in Japan, where chefs are fond of its fruit with its unique aromas. Gardeners, for their part, appreciate the evergreen, fragrant foliage of this hardy hybrid of lemon, Citrus maxima, and Mandarin orange tree (Citrus reticulata).
How can you identify Citrus x junos, or yuzu?
Citrus x junos is a very bushy shrub. It grows no taller than four meters and no wider than three meters.
The branches grow low on the branched trunk and are covered with sharp thorns.
The lanceolate, smooth, and leathery leaves have winged petioles. Dark spots stand out against the dark green leaf blade. These are oil glands. When the leaf is crumpled, they open and release their sweet, fragrant scent, typical of citrus fruits.
The flowers are also fragrant. They appear in the spring. When the buds open, they reveal white, star-shaped flowers.
Citrus x junos does not owe its popularity to its leaves or flowers. It is primarily cultivated for its fruit: the yuzu. This flattened sphere measures five to eight centimeters in diameter. Initially green, the thick, bumpy rind turns yellow as the fruit ripens. It contains flesh that is not very juicy and many seeds.
The fruit is edible, and the plant is not toxic to either humans or animals. The zest has been used for centuries in Japanese cuisine and, in recent years, in other parts of the world as well. The Japanese also attribute soothing and medicinal properties to the fruit. During the winter solstice, some people take a hot bath with yuzu. This ritual, known as “yuzuyu,” is believed to prevent colds.
Our care tips
Citrus x junos is one of the few citrus fruits that can be grown indoors. In summer, however, it can be enjoyed on a terrace or balcony to soak up the sun.
Watering
The Citrus x junos like to keep their feet cool, but can't stand soggy soil. Water when the substrate is dry on the surface, for about three centimetres.
To provide your plant with the nutrients it needs, give preference to rainwater. Avoid tap water, which is often too hard. Finally, to avoid damaging the roots, use water at room temperature.
If you use a saucer or planter, remove any stagnant water. It could rot the root system.
Misting
Spray foliage with water at room temperature. Use rainwater or non-calcareous water to avoid the appearance of white spots.
Repotting
Every year in the spring, repot your Citrus x junos to give it more space.
When roots are sticking out of the pot or visible on the surface, it's time to repot!
To prepare your Citrus x junos for repotting, soak the root ball. Then gently loosen the root ball.
Choose a terracotta pot or a wooden planter. Both materials promote water evaporation and reduce the risks associated with excessive watering. Make sure the container has drainage holes to allow water to drain.
Place a layer of clay pellets or gravel at the bottom to aid drainage.
Fill the rest with a rich substrate, such as a special citrus potting mix or general-purpose potting mix. You can make your own mix using:
- one-third potting mix;
- one-third garden soil;
- pozzolan.
Place your shrub in the center. The top of the root ball should be two centimeters below the rim of the pot. Fill in with substrate and firm it down to remove air pockets. When planting, be sure not to bury the root collar.
Fertilization
To promote the growth of your Citrus x junos, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
The Citrus x junos are greedy plants. They need to be fertilized. Feed yours with a special liquid or granulated citrus fertilizer.
Cleaning
Dust sometimes accumulates on the leaves of your Yuzu and interferes with photosynthesis.
You can gently clean the foliage with a sponge or a clean, wet cloth.
If your plant looks dirty, you can add some black soap to the water.
You can gently clean the foliage with a sponge or a clean, wet cloth.
If your plant looks dirty, you can add some black soap to the water.
Prune
Size is not essential. It only helps to control shape and development and improves fruiting. When pruning, always use clean, sharp pruning shears.
Citrus trees flower and fruit on the year's wood. To maintain the compact, rounded shape of your shrub, remove dead branches and shoots growing along the trunk. You can also aerate the center by removing some shoots that have already borne fruit in previous years.
If you want to improve your harvest, you can also carry out a fruiting pruning operation: one month after the appearance of a new shoot, prune it back to a height of 20 centimetres.
Pinch
Pinch your Citrus x junos during its growing season.
Pinch to encourage branching. When new leaves appear, pinch them between your fingers. Snip the leaf with your fingernails.
Planting
When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.
Find them a place sheltered from the wind and isolated from other plants. Citrus plants have shallow roots and don't like to share their space.
Dig a hole 70 centimetres wide and 1 metre in diameter. While you're at it, soak the root ball.
Plant the plant in the middle, with the top of the rootball level with the ground. Take care not to bury the collar.
The Citrus x junos plants thrive in light, well-drained, rich soil. When filling in, add potting soil or citrus soil to your garden soil. Tamp and water.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposure
- Sun
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubs
- Categories
- ShrubFruit tree
- Tags
- Edible fruitFloweryHardy
- Origin
- East Asia
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 8a (-12.2°C ≤ T° < -9.4°C)
- Leaf color
- Dark green
- Flower color
- White
- Fruit colors
- Light greenYellow
Discover plants from the same family
Lemon tree
Citrus x limon
Clementine tree
Citrus x clementina
Mandarin orange tree
Citrus reticulata
Orange tree
Citrus sinensis
Find out more
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