Yuzu (Citrus × junos) is an East-Asian citrus, thought to be a natural hybrid of Ichang papeda and a wild mandarin, first recorded in China’s upper Yangtze and brought to Japan and Korea more than 1 300 years ago. The 5–7 cm winter-ripening fruit offers a thick, intensely fragrant rind and sharply tart, low-juice flesh that chefs prize for ponzu, yuzu-kosho, desserts and cocktails. Thorn-laden trees grow upright to 4–7 m and tolerate –9 °C, allowing production in cooler zones where other citrus fail. Although juice yield is modest, demand for the premium zest and essential oil is driving new orchards worldwide—including experimental plots in Bangladesh.

Yuzu Lemon (Citrus junos) – Cultivar Profile & Grower’s Guide

Variety Name & Synonyms

Origin & History

• Region of origin: Central China (upper Yangtze) – natural hybrid of wild mandarin (C. reticulata subsp. mangshanyeju) × Ichang papeda.
• Introduction: Carried to Japan & Korea during the Tang dynasty (7th–8th century CE).
• Notable facts: Valued in East Asia for winter flavouring and ritual hot baths (yuzu-yu).

Tree Characteristics

• Mature size: 4 – 7 m tall × 3 – 4 m wide when un-pruned; dwarf rootstocks keep trees ≈ 2 m.
• Growth habit: Upright-spreading, densely thorned.
• Cold-hardiness: Survives –9 °C (15 °F) without protection; mature grafted trees reported hardy to 0 °F (–17.8 °C) in trials.

Fruit Description

Flowering & Harvest Profile

• Flowering: Small white blossoms late March – April in Bangladesh’s subtropics (April–May in temperate zones).
• Harvest windows:
  • Green (“Ao-yuzu”): July – September.
  • Ripe yellow: October – January (peak Oct–Nov).
• Typical yield: 20 – 30 kg (≈ 200 – 300 fruits) per mature tree each season.

Soil & Climate Preferences

• Soil: Well-drained sandy-loam or loam, pH 5.5 – 6.5; avoid water-logging.
• Sunlight: Full sun gives best flavour; tolerates light afternoon shade in hot plains.
• Water: 1 000 mm annual rainfall ideal; irrigate during dry spells to keep soil consistently moist, not saturated.

Planting & Spacing

• Orchard spacing: 4 m × 4 m (standard rootstock) or 3 m × 3 m (dwarf).
• Best planting season (Bangladesh): June – July at monsoon onset; alternate window November – December with supplementary watering.
• Pot culture: Thrives in 50 L (or larger) tubs; choose porous, free-draining mix.

Care & Maintenance

Pest & Disease Susceptibility

Yuzu’s thicker rind provides modest physical resistance, but preventative hygiene is critical.

Propagation Method

• Seed: True-to-type via nucellar embryos; seedlings fruit in 6–8 yrs.
• Grafting: Preferred – scion onto Poncirus trifoliata or rough-lemon rootstock; first crop in 2–3 yrs and improved cold-tolerance.
• Air-layer / cuttings: Possible yet slower to establish commercially.

Culinary & Commercial Uses

• Fresh uses: Juice & zest for ponzu, yuzu-kosho paste, sashimi dips, desserts, cocktails.
• Value-added: Marmalade, syrups, essential oil (fragrance/cosmetics), sparkling beverages.

Suitability for Bangladesh

Yuzu is broadly suited to Bangladesh’s subtropical–tropical monsoon belt because it tolerates both the warm, humid growing season typical of the plains and the occasional cool snaps of the dry season; however, success hinges on siting the trees on free-draining, slightly acid sandy-loam or raised beds to avoid the water-logging that follows heavy monsoon rains, providing at least 6–8 hours of full sun, and using cold-hardy rootstocks such as Poncirus trifoliata that also confer some resistance to soil-borne diseases. Growers in the cooler hill districts (e.g., Sylhet, Chittagong Hill Tracts) will see the highest fruit quality because night-time temperatures there drop enough to concentrate the aromatic oils for which Yuzu is prized, while container culture in Dhaka and other hot lowland cities lets producers shift plants under shade cloth during peak summer heat (>38 °C) to limit fruit drop. With regular irrigation during February–April, balanced citrus fertiliser split three times a year, and vigilant pest hygiene, mature grafted trees can yield 20–30 kg of fruit—valuable for the country’s expanding specialty-food and export markets.

Price & Availability (Bangladesh)

• Grafted sapling: BDT 1,500 – 5,000
• Where to buy:
  • Local specialty nurseries listed in our [Citrus Directory].
  • Online importers (e.g., Desertcart, Citrus & Life – international shipping).

References

1. Givaudan Citrus Variety Collection, University of California Riverside. “Yuzu ichandrin (papeda hybrid) – Cultivar record CRC 1216.”
2. Rieger, M.; Krewer, G.; Lewis, P.; et al. Field Evaluation of Cold-Hardy Citrus in Coastal Georgia. University of Georgia Coastal Gardens Research Farm (extension bulletin PDF).
3. Stellina Marfa. “Is Yuzu Acidic or Alkaline?” (nutritional/acid-content discussion).
4. Engall’s Nursery (NSW, Australia). “Yuzu – 200 mm Pot” (product sheet with tree size & habit).
5. GemTaste. “Yuzu Farming: How This Luxury Citrus Is Grown and Harvested” (modern production, yield & harvest practice).
6. PlantPropagationTips.com. “Yuzu Propagation: Growing Your Own Citrus Orchard” (seed vs graft, rootstock notes).
7. ShunCy.com. “How Do You Fertilize Yuzu Trees” (N-P-K and timing guidance).
8. Froelicher, Y.; et al. “Characterisation of citrus rootstock germplasm introduced as seeds…” Scientia Horticulturae 127 (2010): 594-600 (nucellar/true-to-type insight).
9. PlantPropagationTips.com. “Yuzu Propagation: Common Pests and Diseases to Watch Out For” (canker, scale, greening).
10. Lombardi, E. “What Is Yuzu?” The Spruce Eats (culinary uses, seasonality).
11. Manaker, L. “What Is Yuzu and How Do I Use It?” EatingWell (flavour profile, nutrition, kitchen applications).