Citrus hybrid (Citrus junos) YUZU

Yuzu is a unique and ancient citrus fruit originating and growing wild in Tibet and central China. This natural hybrid is more cold-tolerant than many other types of citrus. Originally introduced to Japan and Korea, the yuzu tree is now commercially cultivated in these regions. However, in recent years, it has been gaining popularity in other parts of the world as well. The yuzu fruit resembles a yellow mandarin and is highly appreciated for its extraordinary fragrant rind and tart juice. This makes it a popular ingredient in Japanese and Korean cuisines, as well as in perfumes and aromatherapy. Yuzu tree can be grown in open ground in regions with mild winters. However, in areas with harsher winters, it is best to grow the tree in a pot and bring it indoors during the winter period to protect it from the frost.

Origin: central China. Yuzu (Citrus junos) is an F1 hybrid. It was created by crossing of mandarin orange subspecies called "mangshanyeju", i.e. the wild mandarin "ju" (Citrus mangshanensis) from the Mangshan region of the Nanling mountain range in China with a seedling of the Ichang papeda (Citrus ichangensis).
Crossing scheme: Citrus mangshanensis x Citrus ichangensis, the result is Citrus junos
Vigour: growth is slow, particularly during the first few years. Yuzu forms an upright shrub or small tree with an open habit. Its branches are very thorny. The evergreen, dark-green leaves with large, leaf-like petiole are heavily scented with a citrus aroma. Mature trees can reach heights of 2-4 meters and widths of 1.5-3 meters. Yuzu can also be successfully grown in containers, reaching height of 1.2-1.8 meters.
Rootstock: to shorten the duration to fruiting, it is often grafted onto Trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata). Grafted trees will begin to bear fruit at around 3-4 years of age.
Blossom: Yuzu is self-fertile and its white, fragrant flowers are pollinated by insects and bees. Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer.
Fruits: uniquely fragrant and aromatic, slightly flattened fruits resemble a yellow mandarine. Typically range between 120-150 g in weight and 5.5-7.5 cm in diameter. Their thick rind with slightly bumpy texture is initially green and turns yellow when ripe. The zest is extremely aromatic with notes of mandarin, lime and especially a characteristic yuzu smell. The fruit can be picked when ripe for complex and delicate aromas or green for a zesty kick. The zest is a popular ingredient in Japanese and Korean cuisines, adding a unique flavor to dishes, dressings, and sauces. It can also be transformed into marmalade, candied peel or candied with salt. In addition to its culinary uses, yuzu is also used in perfumes and aromatherapy for its delightful fragrance.
Flesh: yellowish and translucent, very juicy, with numerous seeds. The tangy juice is also delicious and can be used as is or in sweet or savory preparations.
Flavor: very acidic flavor is a combination of grapefruit and mandarin, with subtly spicy notes borrowed from citron and lime
Harvest season: yuzu fruits mature slowly and are typically harvested from September to November-December, when they are yellow and their essential oil content is at its peak. Fresh yuzu can be kept in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. For longer storage, yuzu can be frozen whole, or the rind, flesh, and juice can be frozen separately.
Yield: yuzu trees only produces between 15 to 20 kg of fruit per tree in open field cultivation. However, the fruit yield can vary significantly from year to year, especially in older trees. The juice extracted from a yuzu fruit is usually around 18 to 20% of its total weight.
Disease resistance: hhile generally disease-free, yuzu trees may be susceptible to pests like citrus red spider mites, glasshouse red spider mites
Frost resistance: yuzu is unusual among citrus plants in being more frost-hardy, due to its cold-hardy Ichang papeda (Citrus ichangensis) ancestry, and can be grown in regions with winters as low as −9 °C to −12 °C where more sensitive citrus would not thrive. Like many Citrus ichangensis hybrids, its leaves may fall off during cold periods, but the tree is later able to recover completely. In a fully dormant state, it tolerates frosts down to -12 °C and possibly lower.
Planting and care: yuzu can be grown in a pot, but it can also be planted in the ground in regions with mild winters in a sheltered location. The trees thrive in sunny locations with well-draining soil, preferably slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5). They need consistent moisture, watering deeply once a week during the growing season and reducing frequency in winter to prevent root rot. Fertilizing with citrus-specific fertilizer throughout the year, as well as pruning and repotting as needed, contributes to healthy growth.  Yuzu can be grown in pots, and the pot size should be appropriate for the tree's size. Small trees can start in smaller pots and be moved to larger ones as they grow. Ensure the pot has drainage holes and use well-draining potting mix, such as a peat-free, loam-based compost with added grit. In colder climates, trees can be moved indoors during the winter and placed in a bright, cool spot.