Despite the funny name, the kumquat (Citrus japonica) is a seriously easy plant to grow with both health and landscaping benefits.
A native to China, these fruit-bearing evergreen trees tolerate the cold better than their larger citrus relatives (oranges, lemons and limes). In fact, kumquat trees, while suitable to USDA plant hardiness zones 9 and 10, can withstand winter temperatures as low as 18F (-8C). They also tolerate seaside conditions.
Additionally, you don’t need a lot of space to grow a kumquat tree. They do amazingly well in containers, and, like kumquat trees planted directly in the ground, will eventually produce small citrus fruit throughout the year.
Before the fruit set, kumquat trees throw out showy fragrant white flowers in the spring.
As an added bonus, attractive kumquat trees (which can grow 8-12 feet high), are self-fertile. So you only need one tree to produce fruit.
Kumquat fruit has a very different taste than other types of citrus. Kumquats are sweet and tart at the same time. That’s because the fruit is eaten whole — peel and all. The peel is sweet and the juicy flesh is tart.
Many people like to pop kumquats in their mouth as a healthy snack. Kumquats are a low-calorie fruit that contains tons of beneficial nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins, flavonoids and metallic minerals.
Kumquats have been associated with glowing skin, anti-aging properties, controlling blood sugar, helping with digestion and dissolving gallstones.
Due to the high fiber content of kumquat fruit, there’s evidence that kumquats may encourage weight loss. Four to five kumquats can supply close to 40% of the recommended daily allowance for fiber for an adult. High fiber makes your stomach walls stretch. The stretching of the stomach walls, in turn, has an adverse effect on the production of leptin and ghrelin, which are the hunger hormones of your body.
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HOW TO GROW KUMQUATS
Light
If planted in the ground, be sure your kumquat tree has full sun for at least six hours a day.
Indoor plants need as much light as possible. Many people place indoor potted kumquats in a sunny window, but you need to be careful. Too much direct sun can burn the leaves.
Bright, indirect sun can also keep a kumquat thriving indoors. Placed under grow lights fitted with one warm bulb and one cool bulb will also work.
Soil
Soil that is a little acidic is best, although kumquats will do well in just about any soil pH. The important thing is avoid planting kumquats in dense clay soil. You want good drainage. If you choose to grow them directly in the ground, add a high-quality potting soil to enrich the soil and improve drainage.
A potting soil designed for cactus or citrus is ideal for growing kumquats in pots, but any general-purpose potting soil will work. For more protection against root rot, add a layer of pebbles or gravel to the planting hole (outside) or to your planter.
Water
For potted plants, keep soil moist but not wet. If the soil feels dry, water your plant until you see water run out of the bottom of the pot. It’s also a good idea to use pot feet so your plant doesn’t sit in water.
For in ground trees, consider spreading a thick layer of mulch over the root zone to help with moisture issues. Mulch helps preserve soil moisture. Once established, kumquat trees usually only require deep watering when the weather is particularly dry.
Temperature
Even though kumquat trees are more tolerant of cold than other citrus varieties, it’s – well – still a citrus. For potted plants, be sure to bring them indoors for the winter in zones 8 and below.
If your plant is indoors, particularly in winter when the heat is on, misting the leaves with water will go a long way to help keep your kumquat tree happy.
Feeding
For the first few months after planting, don’t fertilize. Also avoid feeding during winter.
During the growing season, give your tree regular applications of a diluted liquid fertilizer, such as liquid kelp, fish emulsion, or a seaweed and fish emulsion combination. Water well before and after applying fertilizer to prevent burning the plant.
The Harvest
The olive-sized kumquat fruit is ripe when their skin is a deep orange color and the fruit is slightly soft to the touch.
Most horticulturists recommend using scissors to cut off the fruit so you don’t risk damaging the plant by pulling off a larger piece than intended.
Looking for an unusual but attractive table decoration? Cut off the orange kumquat fruit with a small piece of branch with leaves attached.
(Source: thespruce.com)
