Plant ID card |
|
|---|---|
Botanical name |
Citrus hystrix. |
Common name |
Combawa, combava. |
Origin |
Indonesia. |
Dimensions |
Combava is a shrub that measures 3 m high maximum. |
Foliage |
Combava has oval, evergreen leaves of a beautiful bright green color. |
Bloom |
In spring, the foliage of the kaffir lime is adorned with small, fragrant white flowers, tending towards pink. |
Fruiting |
The kaffir lime flowers then give way to small, round, green fruits with a cracked surface. They measure approximately 6 cm in diameter and are harvested in autumn, in October or November, when they take on a dark green hue. |
Exposure |
As kaffir lime appreciates heat and light, reserve it a location in full sun and sheltered from the wind. |
Ground |
To grow well, kaffir lime must be planted in soil that is rich, light and well drained. |
Rusticity |
-5°C. |
Thanks to its decorative foliage and its fruits which stand out both for the originality of their appearance and for their delicious zest, kaffir lime is an unusual citrus fruit. It easily brings a beautiful touch of exoticism to an interior or a garden.
Where to place a combava
Location:
if you live on the Côte d'Azur and want to plant a kaffir lime in the ground, the ideal is to reserve a place for it in the sun and sheltered from cold winds.
In autumn and until the end of winter, mulch its base and do not hesitate to protect it with a winter cover when temperatures start to drop.
In a pot:
in all other regions of France, it is preferable to plant it in a pot to be able to shelter it when it is too cold.
As it is a plant that overwinters, provide it with a cold room where the temperature does not exceed 10°C during this rest period.
Combava also thrives when planted alone, whether in a pot or in the ground in a region where the climate is mild enough to allow it.
Soil:
to grow properly, kaffir lime prefers soils or substrates that are rich, airy and well-drained.
How to maintain a kaffir lime tree?
Watering:
summer and winter, combava needs to be watered regularly.
A good guideline is to ensure that the soil in which it is planted is never dry.
If it is planted in a pot, do not let water stagnate in the saucer, kaffir lime does not like humidity.
Pruning:
you can remove the dead wood and clear the center of the kaffir lime after harvesting the fruits at the end of November.
Diseases and parasites:
especially when placed in a greenhouse during the wintering period, kaffir lime can be targeted by red spiders, scale insects, aphids or even whiteflies.
Also read: 12 aesthetic and tasty citrus fruits to grow indoors or outdoors!
When to plant kaffir lime?
Combava is not prized for its fruits, whose pulp is acidic and not very juicy.
On the other hand, its zest with a very subtle flavor is reminiscent of mandarin and lemongrass.
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Combava is planted in
spring
, when the cold has disappeared and the risk of frost has passed.
To do this, keep the seedlings made in a heated room before transplanting the plants individually into larger pots.
How to use combava in cooking?
Unlike the lemon, kaffir lime is not prized for its fruits, whose pulp is acidic and not very juicy.
On the other hand, its zest with a very subtle flavor is reminiscent of
mandarin and lemongrass.
It deliciously enhances desserts.
Its leaves, for their part, are useful for giving a delicate flavor to simmered meats, sauces or even rice by mixing them with the cooking water.
They are generally dried before being used.
Combava is often found in Asian cuisine due to its geographical origin.