Kumquat Trees
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Nagami Kumquat Tree
Fortunella margarita The Nagami Kumquat is a very attractive citrus tree that produces small, orange colored, oval shaped fruit. Its' tart flavor makes them great for use in cooking, and they are often eaten with the skin to balance the sweet ...
Kumquat Trees produces small orange citrus fruit that is eaten with the skin peel to be sweet and tart at the same time. Kumquat trees are considered very ornamental because of the tiny colorful flowers and prolific fruits multiple times per year. Dwarf Kumquat trees are often potted and placed in symmetry near entrances and doorways.
Botanically known as (Fortunella japonica syn. Citrus japonica), Kumquat trees are evergreen, native to Asia, and can reach heights of 6-15 feet tall. They have a nicely rounded canopy and are self-fertilized, meaning a pollinator is not as they can grow in slightly colder winter climates than other citrus trees, known to withstand temps as low as 18 F, however, we do not suggest planting citrus in areas with less than 30 degrees F. where the temps do not drop below 30 degrees F.
Care requires soil to be kept moist, but not wet or soggy. Generally, deeply water newly planted fruit trees 1x/ per week between Fall-Spring and 2x/per week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more frequently, while clay soils may require less. The frequency of the water will also depend on the plant’s health, temperature, wind, and humidity collectively contributing to the evapotranspiration rate.
User citrus food fertilizers with adequate NPK. Use a formula with more nitrogen in the spring and summer to promote growth, and fertilizers with more phosphorus and potassium in the Fall and Winters. Laying mulch over the area above the roots of the tree will help reduce evaporation from the soil, keep the soil moist and reduce weeds by preventing seedlings from getting sunlight. Manure can be used in the winter while the weather is cool.
Kumquat trees do not need to be pruned very much. They grow relatively slow and do not become very large. Remove suckers when they pop up, and pruning to shape should be done after the fruit is harvested, before spring blossoms.
PLEASE NOTE: WE DO NOT SHIP CITRUS TREES OUTSIDE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Plant Care Information
How To Water
Newly planted trees should be watered about twice per week. Adjust the frequency based on weather conditions and soil type. Create a water well or basin around the drip zone to collect the water for the tree’s roots. Provide enough water to saturate the entire root zone. To give enough water run a sprinkler for 20 minutes. A bubbler system can provide enough water in 6 minutes while a drip system would run for 2 hours to saturate the soil.
Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition
Fertilize citrus trees with a balanced fertilizer. Use the manufacturers general recommendations. Organic sources of fertilizer include manure and blood meal. Bone meal is a great source of phosphorus. Potash is often used as an organic potassium input in agriculture. Specialty fertilizers that contain a balanced amount of NPK are commonly available and often sold as citrus food.
Winter Pruning and Summer Thinning
Prune fruit trees in the Winter to maintain size and shape to prepare for Spring growth. Thin the tree in the Summer, and remove excessive fruits. Remove any dry twigs and branches. Cut off any new growth below the graft or very low in the tree, this will direct the plant’s energy to its main branches. Thin your trees during the Spring and Summer seasons to ensure the plant’s energy is directed as desired. If the plant provides an overly large quantity of fruits for that branch. Reduce the quantity of fruit so that what remains grows larger. This will also prevent broken limbs. Harvest ripe fruit to prevent undesired pests.
Harvesting and Pest Management
The basics of integrated pest management is cleanliness and the use of a combination of methods. This means we use of organic pesticide when the pest population reaches a threshold that requires action. Horticultural oils such as Neem oil is an organic pesticide that controls tiny, soft bodied insects. Use organic Bordeaux and Liqui-cop to manage fungus causing diseases such as powdery mildew, rust, and leaf-curls.
Keep a clean environment, free of weeds and dropped fruit that host insects or attract animals. Harvest when fruit reaches size and store indoors. Use repellants and bird netting to protect your harvest from other animals.