The small but plentiful fruits of Calamondin Orange, a hybrid between a Tangerine and a Kumquat, can be pickled, added to chutney, turned into marmalade, or used as a substitute for limes. Their zesty, tart juice is perfect for desserts and beverages.

In most of the United States, these plants must be grown indoors, at least during the winter. Fortunately, their dwarfing rootstock will keep them a manageable size (to no more than 4-5ft in a container), so they can summer on the patio and spend the winter in a greenhouse, an enclosed porch, or near a sunny, south-facing window. Move the plant outdoors in late spring if you'd like, but wait until the weather is warm and settled.

Gardeners in Zone 10 and warmer can grow Calamondin Orange outdoors. Set the pot outdoors in a sheltered, lightly shaded spot, increasing the exposure to sun and wind each day. Check the moisture of the potting mix and water thoroughly if it's dry. At the end of one week (give or take a day or two), your plant will be ready to go in the ground. Choose a spot for your plant that receives full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sun each day) and is protected from drying winds. Planted in the ground, our Dwarf Citrus will grow approximately 8ft tall.

Whether in the ground or in a container, Dwarf Citrus need steady moisture. Water when the soil is dry an inch deep. Don't let the tree dry out. If it does dry out, there's a good chance it will drop leaves, fruit, or both. If excessive drying is due to wind outside, move the tree to a more sheltered location. Mulch with bark chips or gravel around the base of the tree (keep it back a few inches from the trunk) to conserve moisture.

Dwarf Citrus are also heavy feeders: Feed lightly all year long, with a fertilizer that has an N-P-K (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) ratio of 3-1-1 plus micronutrients, including zinc, iron, and manganese. Miracid (30-10-10), which is widely available, works well (refer to the manufacturer's instructions for concentration). Leaf yellowing generally indicates insufficient fertilizer or poor drainage.

Prune Dwarf Citrus at any time of the year except winter. Pinch growing tips and cut back leggy branches to help a spindly tree fill out. Suckers (shoots growing from below the graft or emerging from the soil) should be cut back as soon as they're noticed.