Kumquat trees (Citrus japonica) are easy to grow and produce a delicious fruit. This citrus tree is the most beautiful one with its dark-green, glossy leaves.
Kumquats are often grown as both an ornamental and edible tree. The fruit can stay on the tree for a long time, making them good trees to have in the garden. While dwarf varieties are ideal for growing in pots or containers, so in cooler climates they can be moved indoors during the winter.
The kumquat tree is a small evergreen shrub that produces small, sweet and tart citrus fruits. The skin of kumquats, which are also known as cumquat, is thin and sweet. The flesh of the fruit is sour. A kumquat is a small, oval citrus fruit that is eaten whole, skin and all. When you bite into a kumquat, the flavor is an exciting explosion on your taste buds!
The trees native to eastern Asia are relatively small and beautiful. To grow healthy tomatoes in your backyard, follow these care tips! Our guide will teach you how to take care of a kumquat tree so that it will grow healthy and strong.
Kumquat Varieties
There are many types of kumquats, and botanically, many of them are classified as their own species, rather than just a cultivar. There are four more kumquat varieties that are commonly known and grown, with Meiwa and Nagami being the most popular varieties grown in the US. There are many hybrid varieties of grape grown throughout the world.
- Nagami: The most popular variety, also known as oval kumquat, which can stay on the tree for an extended period of time. Nagami kumquat is a favorite variety for many home gardeners.
- Meiwa: Large round kumquat, a hybrid of ‘Nagami’ and ‘Marumi’. The fruit is sweet with both the skin and flesh tasting sweet and is commonly known as the sweet kumquat.
- Marumi: Round kumquat, similar to Nagami though it has round fruit with thinner and sweeter skin.
- Hong Kong: A native version, often growing in hilly or mountain regions of China.
No matter which type of kumquat tree you choose, they all produce fruit that is either round, oval-shaped, or bell-shaped. The most popular Nagami kumquats are oblong and have juicy fruits that can be eaten whole or used to make marmalades.
You only need to grow one self-pollinating kumquat tree. The plants need moist soil to prevent the roots from drying out, so they need plenty of water. Kumquats can tolerate both frigid and hot temperatures.
Planting a Kumquat Tree
Growing a kumquat tree is very easy. This attractive evergreen tree can be planted at any time of year, in any location. For best results, follow these tips:
When to Plant
The best time to start a new kumquat plant from seed is in the spring. The best time to grow kumquats is in the spring when the weather is mild and there is a higher chance of rain. The best time to transplant a sapling kumquat is early spring.
Where to Plant
Plant in a place where there’s full sun. As long as they get well-drained soil, you can plant them in your backyard or outside on your patio. The plant will do better if it is planted in the ground rather than in a pot. If you’re growing them in a container, try using an Air Pot. They’re designed to help the roots stay healthy. The best place to plant your tree is in an area where it will be protected from strong winds.
How to Plant
Purchasing a kumquat tree from a local nursery is better. Although kumquat can sprout from seed, the plant is not very strong. Choose a sunny spot and plant the tree in spring so that the kumquat becomes well-established before winter arrives.
Steps To Planting A Kumquat Tree
- Step 1. Dig a hole twice the width of the kumquat tree container and slightly deeper than the container. The planting hole can be filled with some homemade compost, but not fertilizer as fertilizer can burn the kumquat trees sensitive roots.
- Step 2. Next, remove the kumquat from the pot and very gently tease out the bottom roots.
- Step 3. Then place the kumquat tree in the hole, ensuring it is planted in the ground to the same level as it was in its pot. This is important because burying the trunk any deeper can cause the kumquat to root.
- Step 4. Next, fill the hole around the kumquat with soil and gently but firmly pat it down.
- Step 5. Now it’s time to water the kumquat tree. Watering will help to settle the roots in the soil.
- Step 6. Finally use an organic mulch with a cover of 1-2inches (3-5cm) thick. Mulching will help retain moisture and protect the soil. It is important to leave a small gap around the trunk to ensure the mulch does not touch the trunk of the kumquat tree which could otherwise cause the tree to rot.
Kumquat Tree Care
The nagami kumquat tree is relatively easy to grow. Although it is possible to neglect citrus trees and they will still survive, it is not something that is recommended. Make sure to take care of the tree when planting it. Once the kumquat tree begins to bear fruit, the journey becomes extremely rewarding. Here is a summary of how to take care of it.
Sun and Temperature
As mentioned before, full sun is necessary for a kumquat tree to be healthy. In order for plants to have healthy root development, they need at least 6-7 hours of sunlight every day. 8-10 hours of sunlight is even better. If you are growing tomatoes indoors, make sure to place them near a window where they will receive maximum sunlight, or provide a grow light to mimic the effects of sunlight and help them to stay healthy.
They prefer a position that is sheltered from the wind.
Watering
Watering is the most important factor in growing citrus fruit trees. Kumquats need to be watered regularly, especially when they are young. For the first year, you will often need to water them 2-3 times a week. Do not overdo it for older trees.
A newly planted kumquat tree needs more regular water. Depending on your climate, watering your tree every second or third day for the first couple of weeks will help ensure the tree establishes itself.
The kumquat needs to be watered twice a week in summer and once a week in winter. Again this will be dependant on the climate. Kumquats may not need any more water if it rains often.
A good rule of thumb is to water your plants when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. However, you should water trees that are planted directly in the soil until the soil is moist, but not muddy.
Soil
The ideal soil pH for kumquat trees is neutral, but they can still grow in other soil conditions. The plant cannot grow in areas where the soil is very dense and does not allow water to pass through easily. Ensure your soil easily drains away water. If you’re planting a citrus tree in a container, a potting blend specifically for citrus trees is a good idea. A drainage test should be done first for those growing directly in the ground.
It’s important to have good soil drainage to keep the roots from rotting. While many soil conditions will work well, soil that is very dense and sticky will cause problems. If you don’t have a lot of room for gardening, a raised garden bed or a large pot with good drainage holes might be a better option for you.
Fertilizing
Kumquats need to be fertilized regularly, except during the cold winter months. Feed them every 4 months with a citrus fertilizer. Adding compost and mulching with an organic mulch will help the plant get the nutrients it needs and protect the soil. Do not place mulch directly against the tree trunk.
In the springtime, feeding your plant with a slow-release all-purpose citrus fertilizer will help it to grow. Give the plant diluted liquid fertilizer, like fish emulsion or liquid kelp, on an occasional basis to help it grow. Always water well before applying liquid fertilizers.
Pruning
Although kumquat trees can be pruned at any time outside of winter, the best time to prune them is after fruiting.
It’s a good idea to check for dead branches and remove them after fruiting, as well as pruning off any suckers growing from the base. You should also remove any crossing branches, and a few branches on top to allow more light into the canopy.
Pruning is only necessary if you want to keep the tree small or to give it a particular shape.
Harvesting and Storing
The following is a guide on how to harvest and store kumquats.
The harvesting time for most varieties of oranges begins from November through January, while for others, it’s from December to April. The kumquat fruit is ripe when it is all orange. The fruit will be slightly soft to the touch and have a bright orange color. The fruit is ready to harvest when it has turned orange all over.
Kumquat fruits have a short shelf life because they have thin, delicate peels. To store the berries for a week, keep them in paper or plastic bags that are fully covered and at room temperature. You should store the fruit in the fridge.
Troubleshooting
Although kumquat trees require a lot of care, gardeners rarely have problems with them.
Growing Problems
If your kumquat is exposed to extreme cold, it may lose its leaves. Although they can withstand temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, colder weather can cause this plant to die. You should try to keep your tree protected from excessively cold weather whenever possible. Drastic changes in light can also cause leaf drop.
If a kumquat plant grown in a container becomes rootbound, it may experience twig dieback and loss of leaves. You can avoid this issue by making sure that the pot is big enough to meet your tree’s requirements.
Pests
Despite the long list of pests, problems, and diseases that can affect a kumquat tree, they are generally hardy and low-maintenance citrus trees. It is advisable to visually inspect the tree on a weekly basis to identify any early signs of potential problems.
The following are potential problems that can occur with kumquat trees and how to fix them.
- Stink Bugs including bronze orange bugs – These pests can ravage your kumquat tree, leaving you with poor fruit and a diminished kumquat harvest. But there are some highly effective and natural methods to remove stink bugs from kumquat trees.
- Mealybug – treat with horticultural neem oil.
- Aphids – they look like small white fluffy cotton dots, these insects and can be treated with horticultural soap.
- Leaf miners – citrus leaf miner moth lays her eggs on the citrus leaves. When the larvae hatch, they chew through new leaf growth causing the damage you see in the below photo. There are a number of methods to treat citrus leaf miners naturally including with horticultural neem oil and DIY sprays.
Diseases
Anthracnose is a common citrus disease. To prevent this leaf spot disease, you should spray the tree with horticultural oil three times a year. Most copper-based fungicides will clear up the disease if it appears. If you see alternaria leaf spots, treat them in the same way as you would anthracnose.
Wind-driven rain can cause a citrus blast, a bacterial infection, in some parts of the United States. P Pseudomonas syringae bacteria enter plants through points of damage caused by wind. The plant withers and dies when it contracts the disease. It is advisable to plant citrus trees in an area that is protected from strong winds, and to use a copper-based fungicide to prevent the growth of bacteria. This can be treated with horticultural neem oil.
Phytophthora root rot is another issue that may appear. The root rot is usually caused by a fungus and is the result of wet soil conditions. Plant the kumquat tree in free-draining soil and don’t overwater the established tree.
I welcome low maintenance food-producing trees like kumquats to my home garden. Kumquat trees are small but produce a lot of fruit. They are easy to take care of and will provide you with a bounty of fruit.
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