Yuzu
Citrus junos
Yuzu oranges (6459456959) by Nikita (CC BY 2.0)
Full Sun
Moderate care
Moderate watering
Half-hardy
H6-H3
RHS hardiness
-20°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
7m | Max | 5m |
4m | Min | 3m |
4 years to reach maturity
Fruiting
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
Harvest fruit toward the end of autumn, earlier than many other citrus fruit. Pick the fruit with clippers to prevent the skin from tearing.
Yuzu Overview
Yuzu is an evergreen shrub or small tree. The edible fruit is relatively rare, and highly prized in the Orient, where the plant has been known and cultivated in China for 2,000 years or more. It is also grown in other areas, particularly Japan and Korea. Essential oils extracted from the plant are used in perfumes, lotions, and soaps.
Common problems with Yuzu
Susceptible to aphids, citrus white fly, orange dog caterpillars, thrips, soft brown scale, citrus bud mite, red mite and snails.
Yuzu Companion Plants
Citrus trees, fall prey to insects easily, thus some of the best citrus tree companions are those that either deter or draw away harmful bugs. Marigolds are an excellent companion crop for almost any plant because their smell drives away so many bad insects, petunias and borage will do the same. Nasturtium, on the other hand, draws aphids to it, they will choose the nasturtium rather than your citrus tree. Sometimes, companion planting under citrus trees has more to do with attracting the right bugs, some love to eat the things that love to eat your plants. Yarrow, dill, and fennel all attract lacewings and ladybugs, which feed on aphids. Lemon balm, parsley, and tansy attract tachinid fly and wasps, which kill harmful caterpillars. Another good set of citrus tree companions are legumes, such as peas and alfalfa. These plants leach nitrogen into the ground, which helps very hungry citrus trees. Let your legumes grow for a while to build up nitrogen, then cut them back to the ground to release it into the soil.
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How to propagate Yuzu
Seed
Seed is best sown in containers as soon as it is ripe, wash properly first, germination takes place 2 - 3 weeks at 13°. Water with care and keep well ventilated to prevent damping off.
Cuttings
Take cuttings of semi-ripe wood during summer, root in a cold frame. Cuttings root easily on warm windosill too.
Special features of Yuzu
Attracts useful insects
Bees pollinate the flowers.
Other uses of Yuzu
Edible
Used as a substitute for lemon and lime, the rind and juice are used for their distinctive, refreshing fragrance and flavour in Japanese-style dishes, also used in drinks and flavorings.
Fragrance is extracted for use in perfumes, lotions, and soaps.