Yuzu plant small
These small yuzu trees are seedlings of about 2 years old in a 12cm pot and about 30cm high.
The trees are suitable for growing indoors or outdoors in pots. After 3-5 years after purchase they can also be planted in the open ground. Because these trees are seedlings and not grafted it will take several years before they flower and bear fruit.
When they are old enough they flower in the spring and bear fruit in the autumn.
The yuzu tree is a hybrid between a sour tangerine and the lemony Ichang papaeda. Yuzu is the one best known of the Japanese citrus fruits, the taste and aroma is a combination of grapefruit and mandarin. The skin of the fruit is very aromatic. Yuzu is an essential seasoning in Japanese cuisine and is used as an additive in Japanese ponzu, soy sauce and miso. Chefs use both the juice and the skin in dishes with fish, white meat, as well as in sorbets, ice cream and cocktails.
Yuzu Grow Guide
Planting
Plant the tree outdoors in a sunny, south-facing, sheltered spot. Provide loose soil. Clay soils should be mixed with sand to allow for proper drainage. Water once or twice a week in dry conditions. The yuzu tree does not like constant wet feet.
Use free-draining compost in a pot, extra perlite or bark to improve drainage. Repot the plant every 1-2 years. Do not repot too quickly into a pot that is too large.
Caring
To promote growth and health, we recommend feeding citrus or olive tree. If you choose a liquid variant, you will administer food more often. Granules need to be administered less frequently. Apply granules in the spring and again in the summer. These are the period when the plant is most active.
The most common pests are aphids and mites. Natural enemies will be sufficiently present in a garden with many other plants. In addition, you can spray the plant with water and a few drops of dish soap if these pests get too out of hand.
If flowering starts well in the first two years, it is recommended to remove some of the smallest fruits so that the remaining fruits are more likely. The first and second year normally around 12 fruits arrive.
Watch out for the sharp spines. These can be removed if they pose a hazard.
Trees can sprout below the point where they were grafted. These must be removed for optimal growth.
Harvesting
Very fragrant, small white flowers appear with spring. In this summer fruits appear that are green at first and then turn yellow in color after year. Just in time for fresh yuzu at Christmas dinner.
The fruits are ripe when it is bright yellow. Dark spots on the skin are normal and are also a sign that they are ripe. The unripe green fruits also fall off. These have a more acidic taste but are also great to use. The peel of both ripe and unripe yuzu is added to soups, dressing, cocktails and used as a topping for sushi and fish. You can also freeze the peel and juice for later use.
