Planting and caring for the Buddha's hand citron. Buddha's fingers (or hand) is an amazing plant that drives away evil spirits
Buddha fingers or finger citron
Citron is the very first of the citrus plants that came to the Mediterranean as early as 300 BC, with the army of Alexander the Great. And in Mesopotamia they knew about citron 4 thousand years BC. which was confirmed by excavations of Ancient Nyiprus and Babylonia.
Buddha's hand, Citron, cedrat ( Citrus medica) also has names: "Corsican" - Corsican lemon, "Diamond" - Sicilian citron, "Ethrog" Israeli spindle-shaped citron, fingers (or hand) of Buddha, called "fu shou" in China, "bushukon" in Japan, "Liamau Yari ", "Jerek tangan", "Layamau lingtang kerat" in Malaysia, "Dhiruk tangan" in Indonesia, "som mu" in Thailand, "Phat cht" in Vietnam.
The citron is notable for the fact that it has huge and very fragrant fruits, bears fruit well, but is very heat-loving and does not tolerate cold well. IN room conditions reaches up to 1.5 meters. Has large, slightly wavy, eleptic, shiny, dark green leaves. The flowers are large, solitary or in inflorescences, white with a reddish tint, bisexual or functionally male. Of all citrus fruits it has the most large fruits– their length is 12-40 cm. Oblong, yellow, sometimes orange with a very thick peel 2.5 - 5 cm. In shape, the fruits are oblong, reminiscent of a bunch of bananas with a ribbed surface. All parts of the plant, flowers and fruits, are unusually fragrant.
At its core, the Buddha's hand is an unusual type of lemon, which very often contains nothing but the peel. This fruit is attractive not only for its unusual appearance, but also with aromatic properties: tea is brewed from it, jam, marmalade and perfume are made. Candied fruits are prepared from citron peel.
Citron acid clears the complexion and reduces freckles. The prepared ointment helps in the treatment of lichen. Due to the fact that citron fruits have bactericidal effect, decoctions and lotions can be used to treat various infections. A decoction of leaves and flowers has a tonic effect on the scalp and hair follicles, which gives the hair a healthier color. If you hold the citron peel in your mouth for a while, it will freshen your breath and give it a pleasant smell.
But in China, Buddha's fingers are kept at home as a talisman that brings good luck, happiness, longevity and drives away various evil spirits from the house.
Citron (Citrus medica), cedrat, Buddha's hand, as it is also called, is an exotic citrus fruit. Not everyone has heard what it is. Also, not everyone has had the opportunity to try it. Moreover, the unusual-looking citron has an equally unusual history.
The citron plant belongs to the genus of citrus fruits of the rutaceae family. It is known that approximately 4000 BC. e. it grew in Mesopotamia, Southern China and India. Today, citron is cultivated almost throughout the tropical and subtropical zones.
Citron is mentioned in the Bible; the great ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastus and the great Roman poet Virgil wrote about it. It is believed that not the taste (at that time citron was not considered edible), but the medicinal and aromatic properties of the fruit were appreciated by Alexander the Great himself. Actually, the great conqueror contributed to the spread of cedrate beyond the Tigris and Euphrates valleys.
An exotic fruit has given its name to another plant. Very beautiful hybrid tea rose Citron has amazing flowers that change shade from lemon to strawberry pink. Their aroma covers the entire local area.
There are different varieties of citron:
- C. limonimedica Bicolor - the fruits of this fruit are colored in two colors: green and dark purple. The bicolor variety is sometimes called red citron.
- Citron piretto - the leaves of the plant exude a lemon-like aroma, while the fruits are yellow, pear-shaped, reaching 20 cm in length.
- Citrus ethrog - the fruits of this variety have a very dense, bumpy skin.
Of course, I would like to pay special attention to the most unusual variety of citron - Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis. Because of its fruit, which is shaped like a human hand, it is called the hand of Buddha throughout the world.
You should pay attention to its characteristics.
- On plantations, the height of a citron plant can be about 3-4 meters. It takes the form of a bush or tree. Homemade cedar grows up to one and a half meters.
- Citron has shiny, deep green leaves. They are large and elliptical in shape. There is a very rare subvariety of Buddha's hand - variegated, the leaves of which acquire a variegated color due to a beige or pinkish border along the edges.
- Citron blooms with large white or white and red flowers, solitary or collected in inflorescences. The Buddha's hand flower is bisexual or functionally male.
- The cedrate fruit is the largest of all citrus fruits. In the Buddha Hand variety, it is finger-shaped and can be from 15 to 40 cm in length. The fingers are oblong, shaped like a banana, with a ribbed, dense peel. It is noteworthy that citron fruits are valued not only for their exotic appearance, which can be appreciated from the photo. Their aroma is very unusual, citrus-floral. They also have pronounced medicinal properties.
How to plant citron at home
Due to its heat-loving nature, cedrate has not taken root in Europe; outdoors it cannot withstand temperatures dropping below 10 °C. And here’s how it’s like a tub indoor plant he feels quite comfortable.
The soil
Any citrus substrate is suitable for citron. Good drainage must be ensured.
Lighting
This plant is light-loving, but prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can harm it.
Temperature
Citron thrives in warmth; even in winter the temperature in the room should be at least 15 °C.
Watering
In summer the Buddha's hand needs abundant watering, moistening the leaves, in the shower or wet wiping. In winter, watering frequency is reduced.
Top dressing
Complex fertilizer (nitrogen-potassium or phosphate) is applied three times a month from March to November. There is no need to feed the plant in winter.
Useful properties and uses of citron
Like bitter orange or lemon, Buddha's hand is used in the food, perfume, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.
Cedrata fruits have pronounced antiseptic and antibacterial properties; their juice is used topically for disinfection and wound healing. In Asia, expectorants, digestion-stimulating, and immune-strengthening drugs based on this plant are used.
IN fresh Buddha's fingers are bitter, so after pre-soaking them in salt water, they are often used to make jam, marmalade, and candied fruits. They are also used to make seasonings and tea.
Many perfume manufacturers use the aroma of cedrate in the bouquet of their perfumes and eau de toilettes. The essential oil of the fruit is smoked indoors to disinfect and freshen the air in it.
It is also believed that dried Buddha fingers, kept at home, protect the home from evil forces and bring good luck.
Buddha's hand citron (lat. Citrus medica sarcodactylis) belongs to the citrus subfamily of the rue family. In Europe it is also known as Sicilian citron or Corsican lemon.
The Chinese believe that it brings good luck in trade, and storing or cultivating its fruits as a house plant scares away evil demons and guarantees a long and happy life.
In the Middle Ages, it was widely used to treat dizziness, seasickness, and diseases of the lungs and digestive organs. The ancient Greeks mixed its juice with wine and used it as an antidote.
Peculiarities
The fruits have an oblong shape, reminiscent of a bunch of bananas. Their surface is ribbed, the peel is thick from 2 to 5 cm. The fruits are yellow, sometimes Orange color. Their length varies from 12 to 42 cm, diameter - 8-30 cm, and weight can reach 4-5 kg.
Inside the fruit there is low-juiciness, slightly bitter pulp with a sweet and sour taste, usually white. Citron has a pleasant piquant aroma and is widely used in perfumery and for culinary purposes, mainly for the production of candied fruits and soft drinks.
The Buddha's hand citron is common in the Mediterranean, Western India and Asia. IN natural conditions It is a shrub or small tree up to 2.5-3 m high with dense, large, oblong-oval hard leaves. The branches are characterized by the presence of single axillary spines 3-5 cm long.
Care
At home, the height of the plant does not exceed 1.2 m. Already in the third year it begins to delight with its exotic fruits. The flowers are large, purple-white, and have a pleasant, delicate scent.
In spring and summer, it is better to keep citron outdoors in places protected from the wind. The plant is tropical and loves a lot of sun and moisture, but direct sunlight in hot summers can negatively affect its well-being.
In winter, watering is moderate; water only when a dry crust forms on the surface of the soil.
Transplantation and propagation
Citron is usually replanted every year. in early spring, after 10 years it is better to leave the plant alone. The soil used is usual for citrus plants.
Seeds are sown in an earthen substrate in March-April. On the 20th day, the first shoots begin to appear. It is advisable to keep seedlings in well-lit places without drafts.
What is the hand of Buddha, where can you find a plant with such an interesting name? Chemical composition And beneficial features fruit, contraindications for use. Can be used in cooking and Interesting Facts about citron.
The content of the article:
The Buddha's hand is a citron or tseddrat from the large Rutaceae family. In Western Asia, India and the Mediterranean, from where this prickly plant spread throughout countries with a tropical climate, it was credited with divine origin. The plant is up to 3 meters high, protected by thick thorns. The fruit is huge compared to other citrus fruits and is shaped like a banana bunch. Its dimensions are impressive: length - up to 40 cm, diameter - up to 30 cm. The weight of the Buddha's hand can reach 400-500 g. The peel is thick, the seeds resemble pumpkin, the pulp is yellow-orange, sweet-sour or sour-bitter, the juice secretion is insignificant - In this, the citron is inferior to its smaller “colleagues” in the family. It is valued not so much for its nutritional properties as for its healing qualities and pleasant aroma - the fruit is used in the perfume industry.
Composition and calorie content of Buddha's hand
Like all citrus fruits, one of the main components of citron is ascorbic acid- vitamin C.
The calorie content of Buddha's hand per 100 g is 34 kcal, of which:
- Proteins - 0.9 g;
- Fats - 0.1 g;
- Carbohydrates - 3 g;
- Dietary fiber - 2 g;
- Ash - 0.5 g;
- Water - 93.5 g.
Vitamins per 100 g:
- Vitamin B3 (PP) - 0.1 mg;
- Beta-carotene - 0.01 mg;
- Vitamin A (retinol equivalent) - 2 mcg;
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0.04 mg;
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - 0.02 mg;
- Vitamin B5 ( pantothenic acid) - 0.2 mg;
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) - 0.06 mg;
- Vitamin B9 ( folic acid) - 9 mcg;
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) - 40 mg;
- Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) - 0.2 mg;
- Vitamin PP (Niacin equivalent) - 0.2 mg.
- Calcium - 40 mg;
- Magnesium - 12 mg;
- Sodium - 11 mg;
- Potassium - 163 mg;
- Phosphorus - 22 mg;
- Chlorine - 5 mg;
- Sulfur - 10 mg.
- Iron - 0.6 mg;
- Zinc - 0.125 mg;
- Copper - 240 mcg;
- Manganese - 0.04 mg;
- Fluoride - 10 mcg;
- Molybdenum - 1 mcg;
- Boron - 175 mcg.
To evaluate aromas, special coefficients have been introduced - for all types of citrus fruits its value is greater than one. The smell is not only emitted essential oils, but also acids and sugars, the aroma is exuded by the outer tissues, the peel, and the inner ones - the pulp.
Europeans are unlikely to be able to taste the slightly oily, dryish citron pulp by purchasing the product in a store - its shelf life is limited, and its beneficial properties are not preserved. But in tropical countries it is successfully grown - in most cases for industrial purposes.
Useful properties of Buddha's hand
At the beginning of our era, the citron was credited with divine origin: supposedly Buddha himself left a palm print on the tree and gave it sharp thorns to protect itself from “looters.” But this did not stop the fruit from being used for medicinal purposes.
The Buddha's hand has the following beneficial qualities:
- Eliminates heartburn and pain caused by damage to the oral mucosa, larynx and esophagus.
- It has an analgesic effect, most pronounced for headaches.
- Increases the body's immunity, quickly stops inflammatory processes in the body during diseases from the ARVI group and colds.
- It is an antioxidant and prevents malignancy at the cellular level.
- Ensures healthy teeth and gums, and stops the development of anemia.
- Prevents the accumulation of fat deposits and promotes the dissolution of existing ones.
- Reduces the possibility of developing arterial hypertension, normalizes arterial pressure- reduces it, prevents coronary vessel diseases.
- Eliminates bad smell from mouth.
- Reduces the amount of menstrual flow and eliminates painful sensations during the cycle and for inflammatory diseases of the gynecological organs.
- Increases blood clotting and accelerates skin regeneration, quickly stopping the development of edema. For wounds on the skin and after insect bites, the pulp and peel can be used externally.
Harm and contraindications to using the Buddha's hand
Buddha's hand is a citrus fruit and, like all fruits of this group, can be a strong allergen. If you are allergic to any citrus fruit, this fruit should not be consumed.
Also, the contraindications for using the Buddha's hand are as follows:
- Digestive disorders, regardless of etiology.
- Low blood pressure.
- Rehabilitation process after diseases of the gastrointestinal tract of infectious etiology - dysentery, typhoid fever, etc.
Recipes for dishes with Buddha's hand
Buddha's hand is rarely eaten fresh, as the pulp is dry and the taste is more bitter than other citrus fruits. But the zest of the peel is often added to dishes as a seasoning, and the fruit itself is used as a semi-finished product for making alcoholic beverages. Cooks in China and India make dishes from the fruit itself, and not just desserts.
If you still want to try it, the dish will turn out successful only if making the right choice fetus There should be no spots or changes in color on the peel - this is evidence of the beginning of decay. You need to judge the quality of the fruit by the peel - it should be dense, despite its natural relief, and when pressed with a finger, there is an oily feeling.
Recipes with Buddha's hand:
- Porridge. It is prepared not only as a hearty tonic breakfast, but is also included in a therapeutic diet for diseases of the stomach and spleen. Pour 200 g of round grainy quick-cooking rice for 10 minutes cold water and for now they are leaving. Boil pieces of zest, without removing the peel, in boiling water, pouring enough water so that later there will be enough to cook the rice. The cedar is removed from the liquid, and washed rice is placed in water and cooked until tender. To improve the taste, add crystalline sugar, salt or honey.
- Candied citron peel. The peel of the fruit is removed, washed clean, and cut into “fingers.” Place in a saucepan, add cold water and place on high heat until it boils as quickly as possible - cook at high boil for 10 minutes. Rinse with cold water, put back in the pan and bring to a boil again. Immediately add salt - a teaspoon per 2 liters of water, and cook again for 10 minutes. Rinse. The boiling and salting procedure is repeated 1-2 more times - this helps remove the bitterness. Next, boil the sugar syrup - water-sugar 1 to 2. Dip the citron peel into the syrup, bring to a boil and leave on low heat until the syrup thickens so much that the “fingers” form a single whole. Just before turning it off, pour in citric acid, focusing on your own taste, and place the candied fruits on a sieve to remove excess sugar. Do not leave them to drain - they may stick together. Distribute one at a time, and then roll in granulated sugar and leave to dry.
- Lemonade. To make lemonade, combine citron with sweet orange. To make lemonade, peel the skin from the citron, trying to remove inside white skin. They also try to remove more films from the pulp and completely clean out the seeds. Dry the peel and pieces of citron - you can blot it with a paper towel, since the fruit is already low-juicy, mash everything in a blender, adding a little water. Then place the pan on low heat, bring to a boil, add sugar, and let it simmer for 5 minutes. When the liquid has cooled, add orange juice and cool in the refrigerator. Citron lemonade is less sweet than regular citrus lemonade and quenches thirst well.
- Jam. Ingredients for the dish: ginger root, peel from one citron, juice of 1 lemon or orange, granulated sugar - 200-300 g. Ginger root is washed, grated on a coarse grater, and poured with cold water. The citron peels are cut into ribbons, having previously removed the white fibers from the inside, rolled into rolls and also filled with cold water. All bowls are left for 3 days in a cold place, changing the water periodically. This is necessary to remove bitterness. Do not soak the components of the future jam together, otherwise the taste will be spoiled. After 3 days, all the ingredients are placed in a basin in which the jam will be cooked, covered with sugar and the cooking begins. Bring to a boil, boil for 5 minutes, set aside until cool. The readiness of jam is checked in the same way as fruit jam - the syrup should harden as a drop on the nail or spoon. At the last boil, add lemon or orange juice.
- Drink "Health". Buddha fingers are cut crosswise and dried in the shade. Brew like tea.
- Dressing for seasoning dishes. Add a little to fresh crushed citron peels vegetable oil, salt, crushed garlic, thyme, a little lemon juice, beat in a blender until completely smooth. Place in the refrigerator overnight. Suitable for dressing any salad or hot dish.
You should eat dishes from the Buddha's hand with caution - they significantly reduce blood pressure.
The spread of the Buddha's hand can be traced through numerous names. In Corsica - Corsican lemon or Corsican, in Sicily - Diamond or Sicilian citron, in Thailand - som-mu, in Japan - bushukon, in China - fu-show, in Indonesia - dhiruk tangan, in Vietnam - fat-cht. Liamau lingtang kerat, jerek tangan or limau yari in Malaysia and spindle-shaped citron, Buddha's hand, Buddha's fingers or Ethrog in Israel. Not surprisingly, the fruit, which looks like a banana bunch, attracts attention.
The exact origin of this variety of citron has not yet been determined. The seeds were found in a cultural layer during excavations in Mesopotamia; the origin of the cultural layer is dated back to 4000 BC. The first Jewish coins had an image of Buddha's hand on one side.
200 BC The plant began to be grown in Palestine, and in the 3rd century AD. the seeds were brought to Italy. The Spaniards began breeding the crop in 1640, and in America by 1900 they began to actively plant the plant for industrial purposes. Due to severe frosts, the plantations suffered serious damage, and the project was abandoned in 1913.
The plant can still be found growing wild in the northern regions of India.
The qualities of Buddha's hand are closest to pomelo and tangerines. Currently in California, one fruit is valued at 10 euros - for this price you can buy 5 kg of lemons. Court Buddha hands are imported from Australia, although the plants can be grown in this area. However, for some reason they do not have their divine aroma.
It’s interesting that this citrus smells not like the smell of freshness that our noses are used to, but like violets. This is why perfumers value it so much - extracting violet extract from the hand of Buddha is much easier than from flowers.
In China, it is customary to grow a mini-plant on a windowsill - it is believed that such a bonsai brings good luck. It is customary to exchange dwarf fruits for Chinese New Year. Buddhists introduce this fruit into many religious ceremonies.
What Buddha's hand looks like - look at the video:
If you're lucky, you can bring such a bonsai into your apartment - the main thing is that it is warm. The mini-fruit retains all the beneficial properties of the larger one, purifies the air of the home from harmful viruses and bacteria that saturate it, and is a natural flavoring agent.
You are probably already familiar with its description and all its advantages. However, there are quite a lot of varieties existing today, and if you suddenly decide to grow citron on your own, it is better to know their characteristics. The most popular of them will be discussed below.
The Buddha's Hand variety belongs to the group of fingered citrons and is very popular not only in the West, but also in Japan and China, where it is often attributed miraculous properties. For example, many sincerely believe that a person who grows this plant will be able to live happily ever after.
As for specifically botanical description, then it should be noted that this citron is one of the largest representatives and grows up to 40 cm in length.
The fruits have an oblong shape and in appearance strongly resemble a banana brush or tentacles, which is why the unusual name appeared. Inside the Buddha's Hand citron there are seeds similar to , and a ribbed peel covers the top of the fruit.
On average, the weight of the fruit reaches about 400 g, and they themselves, as well as other parts of the plant, are characterized by an excellent aroma. Many people consider Buddha's Hand to be an ordinary citrus, like the same one.
Important! Do not confuse citron with, because in addition to the similarity of plant names on different languages, they are completely different and differ from each other not only appearance, but also the taste properties of the fruit.
Mature plant Pavlovsky citron does not grow higher than 2 m in height, while possessing rather long branches with thorns. The leaves are shiny and large, dark green in color.
The flowers are just as large, mostly white, but pink on the outside. All of them are collected in clusters of 3-5 buds, although single specimens are less common.
Average weight The fruit of an unusual lemon - the Pavlovsky citron - is about 300 grams, and because of the characteristic bumpy skin, it received its second name - “shishkan”. Under the yellow lemon peel there is low-juicy, light and sour pulp, with a slight bitterness. 
This variety of citrons is self-fertile, but after the flowers bloom, it is better to apply pollen to the stigma of the pistils with a soft brush, and it is not necessary to normalize the buds: self-regulating system citrus plant she will do everything herself, as a result of which the most optimal ovaries remain on the branches.
Important! After each growth, it is necessary to perform crown formation.
IN winter time Pavlovsk citron feels much more comfortable than a similar variety of lemon: it not only develops well, but also bears fruit well. However, if you fail to protect it from drafts, the plant may well become ill.
Compared to other citrus fruits, the “Grandis” citron variety (or as it is also called “Pomelo”) has the most large sizes, since the height of an adult tree often reaches 15 m.
Of course, if you wish, you can also find low-growing versions of this variety, often with drooping branches. Thanks to this, “Grandis” can also be grown as an indoor citron, for example, from a seed. 
Its fruits reach a weight of 1 kg, while possessing a pleasant taste and the same characteristic aroma. It is logical that in the wild, the parameters of the plant will be somewhat large, in particular the weight of the fruit is often 8-10 kg.
They all have a rounded pear-shaped shape and differ yellow thick skin and orange flesh. The flowers of the wild "Grandis" are white, and the branches have thorns.
Did you know? In East Asia, the citron is a symbol of happiness, wealth and longevity.
Citron variety "Piretto" is a small, slow-growing tree (or), up to 4 m in height. The growth of the branches varies in intensity, and in the axils of the leaves there are short and sharp thorns.
The leaves are evergreen, have a characteristic “lemon” aroma and an oblong-ovate or ovate-lanceolate shape, reaching a length of 20 cm. The flowers can be either bisexual or only male or female, mostly white, but with different shades.
The oblong or oval fruit reaches 20-30 cm in length and is distinguished by a rough and bumpy skin, which is pale yellow in color when ripe. 
This citron variety prefers subtropical and moderately warm climates, since it is more sensitive to cold than other types of citrus fruits and can lose all its leaves even at a temperature of 0 °C.
The most suitable temperature regime for normal vegetative growth and reproduction of citron it fluctuates between +23...+25 °C, but lowering this value to +4°C often leads to a violation.
The variety is presented in the form of a remontant tree, reaching a height of 3.5 m. The crown is characterized by medium density and drooping branches. The bark is olive-gray, bare shoots are curved and brown.
The leaves have a wide oval shape and are quite large in size and smooth to the touch. The leaf plate itself is smooth, but there are small jagged edges at the end. The diameter of goblet flowers ranges from 2-3 cm, while the size of ovoid and slightly ribbed fruits reaches 150x120 mm.
Their base is more elongated, and the top stands out rather weakly. The peel of the fruit of the Uraltau citron variety is dense and lumpy, and also quite thick, oily and shiny. The main color is greenish-yellow. 
The pulp of the fruit is juicy, sweet and sour in taste and exudes a light aroma. The average weight is about 260 g, although favorable conditions growing this figure often reaches 500 g.
Among positive characteristics cultivation is worth highlighting high stability varieties to diseases and.
It is considered a modern Italian variety, which is distinguished by sour fruits. It was discovered in the second half of the twentieth century in Tuscany and the original name sounds like “Cedrato di Lucca”.
The shape of the fruits is round and they are constricted along the equator. As they ripen, their color acquires a reddish-brown tint, although Bottom part always remains green.
Basically, vertically growing shoots are formed on the bush, and all branches are covered with small thorns. The leaves are shaped more like lemon leaves and are dark green in color. All buds are collected in brushes, and their color is purple or deep pink. 
"Canarone"
Another variety of citron, which in many ways resembles a lemon. It was first described in the 17th century, but was considered lost by the 20th century until Paolo Galeotti discovered living plants while restoring citrus fruits in the Cannero Riviera commune in Piedmont.
The Canarone variety is presented in the form of a powerful bush with heavily thorny branches, growing mainly in the upward direction.
The leaves are pointed and small in size. Young shoots are purple in color and usually collected in groups, although they often grow singly. The buds are collected in brushes and have a purple color.
The fruits are yellow and large, with a clearly visible papilla at the end and a well-defined circle around it.
Citron of the Pompia variety is presented in the form of a fruit with a wrinkled and bumpy yellow skin, quite rough in cross-section (its thickness often reaches 1 cm).
It has no bitterness and has a neutral lemon taste. There are relatively few seeds inside the fruit, and the pulp is juicy and sour, with the smell of sweet lemon caramel when cut. 
Pompia attracts the eye with its unusual shape and protruding pomp, which is why this citron gets its name.