Buddha's Hand, a variety of citron, is renowned for its unique finger-like sections and intense citrus fragrance. In regenerative agriculture, it serves as a valuable component of a food forest, occupying the shrub layer. It provides habitat and nectar for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, enhancing biodiversity. Historically, it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and as a symbol of happiness and longevity in cultural rituals. In agroecology, it can be paired with nitrogen-fixing plants like clover to improve soil fertility and with aromatic herbs such as rosemary to deter pests.
Growing Details
Buddha's Hand thrives in a sunny location with well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Prior to planting, enrich the soil with organic compost and mulch with straw or wood chips to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Companion planting with marigolds can help deter nematodes. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Prune regularly to maintain shape and remove any dead or diseased wood. Harvest the fruit when it is fully yellow and fragrant. Store in a cool, dry place to extend shelf life.
The map shows known occurrence points of <strong>Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis</strong> recorded in scientific biodiversity databases.
Source: <a href="https://www.gbif.org" target="_blank">GBIF.org</a> โ Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Location & Timing
native geo location: Native to the Himalayan regions of India and
applicable geo region: Subtropical regions
language used: en
Flowering:
beginning
of April for 30 days
Harvest:
beginning
of September for 90 days
Seed Start:
?
Indoor Start:
Transplant:
Uses & Benefits
Edible Rating:
(3/5)
edible uses: The aromatic rind of Buddha's Hand is used to flavor dishes, desserts, and beverages. It is often candied or used to infuse liqueurs and spirits. The fruit is not typically consumed fresh due to its lack of pulp.
Medicinal Rating:
(2/5)
medicinal uses: Traditionally, Buddha's Hand has been used in Chinese medicine to treat digestive issues, improve circulation, and alleviate respiratory conditions. The fruit is typically dried and used in teas or tinctures. Caution is advised as it should not be consumed in large quantities without professional guidance.
health concerns:
other uses: The fruit is highly valued in perfumery for its strong citrus fragrance and is often used in potpourri.
Scientific Literature
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Botanical data
specie: Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis
common names: Buddha's Hand; Fingered Citron; Fo Shou
family: Rutaceae
sub family: Aurantioideae
tribe: Citreae
sub tribe: Citrinae
genus: Citrus
Growing Conditions
area needed: 4.0 m
spacing: 3.0 m
growing difficulty: Medium
Deciduous / Evergreen:
Seed Temp (Opt/Min/Max): 0ยฐC / 0ยฐC / 0ยฐC
Plant Temp (Opt/Min/Max): 25ยฐC / 5ยฐC / 35ยฐC
water demands: Medium
humidity:
light demands: High
root type: Medium
frost tender: High
hardness:โโโโโโโโโโ(9/10)
first harvest: 3 years
life span: 50 years
succession: Mid
growth rate: Medium
max height: 3.0 m
max width: 2.0 m
soil preference:
Medium (Loam)
pH preference:
Neutral
flower type:
Hermaphrodite
growth details: Buddha's Hand thrives in a sunny location with well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Prior to planting, enrich the soil with organic compost and mulch with straw or wood chips to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Companion planting with marigolds can help deter nematodes. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Prune regularly to maintain shape and remove any dead or diseased wood. Harvest the fruit when it is fully yellow and fragrant. Store in a cool, dry place to extend shelf life.
Potential Disturbances: Common pests include aphids, citrus leaf miners, and scale insects. Introduce beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control aphid populations. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap for scale insects. Planting garlic or chives nearby can help repel pests naturally.
Growth Timeline
Recipes Using This Plant
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