Cultivating a citrus paradise in Goa is easy when you know how

The citrus clan of the Rutaceae family is a collection of well-rounded personalities like the huge pummel (pomelo), the medium sized grapefruit, the smaller limes (both sweet and sour), and the tiny kumquats.

The citrus genus has a very high inter-species compatibility and naturally occurring hybrids make nomenclature difficult. One botanist put all the citrus fruits into a few genera and was labelled as a ‘Lumper’, while another botanist named Tanaka added numerous genera and was called as a ‘Splitter’.

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Notwithstanding that controversy, it is still difficult for a lay person to tell a lime and a lemon apart. The ganvtti lime is said to be Citrus latifolia, similar to the Persian lime or Tahiti lime.

For the sake of convenience, horticulturists call the fruits with a prominent nipple as lemons, and the ones that are flat tipped or have a depression as limes.

Thus, one reads about a Seville lemon or of sweet limes and kagzi limes. The Urdu word, kagzi, means ‘paper-like’ in reference to its thin rind.

Thus, one reads about a Seville lemon or of sweet limes and kagzi limes. The Urdu word, kagzi, means ‘paper-like’ in reference to its thin rind.

GETTING STARTED

Land preparation for limes, lemons and pummelos begins with the selection of the place to plant it. Citrus plants thrive in a sunny spot in subtropical to tropical climates. So, choose a location that receives full sunlight, for at least six hours every day.

Plant in areas protected from strong winds, which can damage trees and fruit. If growing in a pot, find a similar spot to place it.

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Citrus plants prefer well-drained, sandy, loam soil that has good drainage. Optimal soil pH is between 5.5 and 7.0, and almost all soils in Goa meet this range.

Incorporate organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil structure and fertility, whether it is on the ground or in a pot.

Remove any weeds, stones and debris from the planting area. Ensure that a water source is available throughout the growing season for irrigation and crop regulation.

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The first step in growing a healthy citrus plant in a pot is choosing the right pot. The pot should be large enough to accommodate the root system when the plant reaches fruit bearing stage.

The pot should be at least half a metre (18-24 inches) diameter.

A clay, or terracotta, pot is ideal because it has good air circulation, but a plastic pot is cheaper, lighter and easier to lift or move to another location. It should have adequate drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.

Choose a healthy, disease-free citrus budling (commonly known as a graft) from a reliable plant nursery. Dig a hole in the ground that is twice as wide and deep as the root ball of the saplings in the nursery bag or pot.

Refill the pit with a mixture of soil and compost to half its depth. Place the saplings in the holes so that the root crown is slightly above ground level to prevent root rot. Then, remove the nursery bag or pot and plant the sapling in the ground with the soil mixture.

Do the same when planting in a pot with a well-draining potting mix.

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Maturity of citrus fruits is often assessed by size and firmness rather than colour alone. The fruits are used in lemonades, juices, cocktails, mocktails, marinades, dressings, seasonings and garnishes besides making marmalades and squashes.

(The author is the former Chairman of the GCCI Agriculture Committee, CEO of Planter's Choice Pvt Ltd, Additional Director of OFAI and Garden Superintendent of Goa University, and has edited 18 books for Goa & Konkan)