Description
The Meiwa Sweet Kumquat tree has glossy, dark green foliage and white fragrant blooms that occur singly or in clusters on the leaf axils. Meiwa Kumquats are large and well-known for their sweet, edible rind and flesh that has minimal seeds. The Meiwa Sweet Kumquat tree gives off an amazing citrus fragrance.
The Kumquat tree is a small, evergreen fruit tree of the family Rutaceae classified as genus Fortunella; Kumquat trees are historically classified as a citrus tree (genus Citrus), but the Swingle system of citrus taxonomy placed them in their own genus.
Meiwa Kumquat trees are a natural hybrid of Marumi and Nagami Kumquats. They were first brought to Japan during the Meiwa period 1764-72, hence the name. Kumquat trees were introduced to Europe by Robert Fortune in 1846 and shortly after to North America. Kumquat trees are divided into multiple species and one of them is the sweet Meiwa Kumquat tree (Fortunella crassifolia).
A Kumquat tree can grow as tall as 4’-8’ ft with dense branches that are relatively thornless. This citrus tree has glossy, dark green foliage and white fragrant blooms that occur singly or in clusters on the leaf axils.
Standard and Dwarf Kumquat trees do not grow well from seeds and are generally cultivated and propagated using rootstock of another citrus fruit. It is better to buy your Kumquat trees instead of growing them from seeds. Like most citrus fruits, Kumquats are self-pollinating but much hardier.
Meiwa Kumquat trees produce bright colored round to oval shaped sweet fruits with an edible rind & flesh with soft seeds in the interior.
Citrus Tree Care
Kumquat trees are easy to grow. They are low maintenance, and great for beginner home growers and gardeners.
Soil
Just like other citrus trees that are on trifoliate orange rootstock, Kumquat trees need a slightly acidic soil with pH 5.5 to 6.0 while those on their own root like an alkaline soil with pH 6.0 to 6.5. Make sure to plant the tree in well-draining soil since Kumquat trees do not like wet feet.
Light Requirement
Meiwa Kumquat trees thrive in full to partial sunlight and are cold hardy plants that are suitable to USDA plant hardiness zones 8 to 11 and tolerate cold weather with temperatures as low as 10°F. They can also be planted in pots in colder USDA growing zones 4 to 7.
Water
Deeply water the young Kumquat tree regularly, the soil around them should be kept moist but not wet. Before the next watering, make sure that the top 2-3 inches of soil has dried out. Once a healthy root system has been established you can cut back on watering and water only during extended periods of drought, when the flowers are in bloom and when fruits are developing.
Pruning
When still young, pinch back the growing tips and shoots to make it full and bushy and to establish a sturdy well-branched structure for future fruiting loads as this tree bears fruit to a point of breaking the limbs in some cases. Established kumquat trees should be pruned regularly to keep its shape.
Snip away diseased and dead branches to keep the tree looking tidy and prevent spread of disease. Prune top branches that are too tall but leave out the inner and side growth to not lose the following years’ fruit yield.
Weeds
Dredge out weeds that are near the trunk of the kumquat tree as they compete for nutrients and water that growing citrus trees need. You can also mulch around the tree to retain the moisture and kill off weeds, but be sure to keep it away from the trunk as a wet trunk can attract diseases.
Citrus Tree Fertilizing
Growing Kumquat trees need fertilizer for citrus trees during the active growing season, about every six weeks or as indicated by the label of the citrus tree fertilizer you have chosen. Citrus tree fertilizer can augment flower production, boost fruit yield and increase the kumquat trees’ overall health.
Fruit & Harvesting
Fruit
Meiwa Kumquats are large and well-known for their more rounded than oval shape and their notably sweet, edible rind and flesh that has minimal seeds. They have a somewhat thick, golden-orange, smooth oily rind that gives off an amazing citrus fragrance. The flesh is not overly juicy but is sweet and flavorful. Meiwa or Sweet Kumquats are available in late winter to early spring.
Kumquats are entirely edible. You can pop the entire fruit (the rind, flesh including the few soft seeds) in your mouth to enjoy the perfect sweet-tart flavor the Meiwa kumquat offers.
Because of its versatility, Kumquats can be used for both sweet and savory dishes and beverages. It is best eaten fresh but can also be juiced or used as an ingredient for making desserts and drinks. You can pair it with shellfish, pork, apples, and vanilla ice cream.
You can also use kumquats as garnishings or decorative toppings just like when they were first introduced to North America and used entirely as ornamental citrus fruits.
Harvesting
Kumquats are in season from November to March. It takes about a month for the fruit to turn from green to orange and are best when firm and golden-orange in color.
When harvesting the Meiwa Kumquat tree look for a fruit that is brilliantly orange, plump and firm to the touch. Use sharp scissors or knife to snip the fruit from the tree to avoid damaging the branch.
Once harvested, you can eat the fruit fresh or it can last stored in a fridge for approximately 2 weeks.
If the yield is more than what you can eat or give away, you can always make it into a delicious marmalade.
Advice
Meiwa Kumquats trees can grow up to 4’-8’ when planted in the ground, but just like other citrus trees, when planted in a pot, they tend to stay smaller. Kumquats usually bloom in summer and yields fruit in winter. It needs heat for the fruit to sweeten and should be protected when the temperature dips below 10°F.
Pests and Diseases
There are some citrus tree diseases and insect problems you have to look out for when growing Kumquat trees.
- Scales, spider mites and mealybugs are common and attention must be given when moving your kumquat tree inside the house in late summer or early fall. You can spray neem oil two times a week throughout winter to prevent infestation.
- Overwatering can cause root rot or attract fungus. These two can cause leaves to become moldy, have blacked veins and fruits to have yellow-brown spots. Copper fungicide is an effective treatment for common fungus problems while adequate soil drainage can prevent root rot.
- Citrus scab is a fungal disease that leaves scab lesions on fruits. Infected fruits will have wart-like outgrowths that would make them look distorted. Copper fungicide spray is best to control this disease.
- Greasy Spot causes leaves to drop off the kumquat tree. When there is defoliation, fruit production decreases and makes the tree more susceptible to cold damage and other pest infestations. Copper fungicide and horticultural oils are needed to eliminate greasy spot.
- Nutritional deficiencies like Nitrogen, Magnesium, Zinc and Iron deficiency are common to fruit trees and they cause leaf drop or defoliation leading to tree decline. To prevent this problem, use citrus fertilizers on your Kumquat trees to keep it healthy and properly fed. You can purchase citrus fertilizers from your local gardening store or the nursery where you got your dwarf citrus tree.
