Question
Hi Will,
Thank you for the information. Unfortunately, I live in an apartment on the 6th floor. Therefore, I do not have any chance to take my plant outside. It is fall and it is raining a lot in Toronto, Canada now. And also my plants only get direct sun during morning hours. Maybe 1-2 hours. There is not enough sun in the room but it is bright. I have very big windows, so I put the Citrus next to the window.
I hope these negative conditions does not kill the plant.

Can you little bit explain how I can pollinate the flowers. If I just tap on the flowers by hand or blow it, would it work?

If you e-mail me the information about house plant pests, I will appreciate. Thanks
Derya

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Followup To
Question -
Hi Will,
I have got a Citrus Mitis (Calamondin Orange) tree as a gift. This is the first time that I have a plant like this, so I do not know exactly how to take care of this plant.

Can you give me some info about basic needs of this plant (like fertilizing, pollinating, repotting, etc.).

And I would like to know about diseases or pests that may attack the plant. It is almost a week and my plant's tinny fruits started to get yellow and drop down but the big fruits are doing okay. I do not know why it is happining, too. Thanks
Derya
Answer -
Hi Derya,

Calamondin orange (Citrus mitis) is a miniature orange tree grown as a small bush. It must have lots of direct sunlight all year round and benefits from being outside in a protected location in the warmer months or year round in areas that do not get frost. Inside, it should be in a south or west window.

Like most plants, it does best when kept moderately potbound, so don't be in a hurry to repot. Wait until the soil dries out within a couple of days after every thorough watering before moving it into a pot one size larger. Never repot when in flower or fruit.

Fertilize in the spring and summer with an acidic fertilizer, such as Miracid.

When putting out new growth, usually during the warmer months, water thoroughly as soon as the surface of the soil feels dry. In the darker months when growth is reduced, allow the top quarter of the soil to dry out before watering thoroughly. This drier, cooler period in winter will help promote flowers in the summer.

To get fruit, you will have to hand pollinate the flowers yourself if there are no bees about to take care of it.

Watch for scale insects, whiteflies, mealybug, and spider mites. Let me know if you do not know how to identify or treat these pests; I have an article on indoor plant pests that I can e-mail to you.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

If this information has been helpful, please remember to give me an AllExperts rating and nomination.  

Answer
Hi Derya,

Unfortunately, the light that you described is the likely cause of some of the fruit drop. It is also unlikely that there is adequate light for your tree to flower or fruit again. You may have enough light to keep the tree alive, but not to get more fruit.

The flowers have both stamens, which produce pollen, and pistils, which develop into fruit, in the same blossom. You can use a Q-tip to transfer the pollen from the stamens to the pistils.

Good luck!

Will Creed

P.S. I need your e-mail address to send you the pest control article. You can send it to me at [email protected]