Loquat Tree Planting: Learning About Growing Loquat Fruit Trees
Ornamental as well as practical, loquat trees make excellent lawn specimen trees, with whirls of glossy foliage and a naturally attractive shape. They grow about 25 feet (7.5 m.) tall with a canopy that spreads 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 m.) —a size that is well-suited to home landscapes.
Large clusters of attractive fruit stand out against the dark green, tropical-looking foliage and add to the tree's visual appeal. Learn more about growing and caring for a loquat tree to see if this interesting addition would make a suitable option for you.
What is a Loquat?
You may be wondering exactly what is a loquat. Loquats (Eriobotrya japonica) are trees that produce small, round, or pear-shaped fruits, rarely more than 2 inches (5 cm.) long. Sweet or slightly acidic in flavor, the juicy flesh may be white, yellow, or orange with a yellow or orange-blushed peel.
Loquats are tasty when peeled and eaten fresh, or you can freeze the whole fruit for later use. They make excellent jellies, jams, preserves, cobblers, or pies.
Loquat Tree Information
Loquat trees are sensitive to cold weather. The trees can tolerate temperatures as low as 10 F. (-12 C.) without serious damage, but temperatures below 27 F (-3 C.) kill the flowers and fruit.
Some varieties are self-pollinating, and you can get a good yield from just one tree, but there are several cultivars that must be pollinated by another tree. When planting one tree, make sure it is a self-fertile type.
Loquat Tree Planting
Caring for a loquat tree properly begins with its planting. When growing loquat trees, you should plant the trees in a sunny location at least 25 to 30 feet (7.5 to 9 m.) from structures, electrical lines, and other trees.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
When you remove the sapling from its container, rinse off some of the growing media so that when you plant the tree, the roots come in direct contact with the soil. Plant the tree so that the soil line of the tree is even at the level of the surrounding soil.
Water the tree twice the first week after planting and keep the soil lightly moist around the tree until it begins to put on new growth.
Caring for a Loquat Tree
Growing loquat fruit trees and their care focuses on good nutrition, water management, and weed control. Fertilize the trees three times a year with a lawn fertilizer that does not contain weed killers.
In the first year, use a cup (453.5 g.) of fertilizer divided into three applications spread over the growing season. In the second and third years, increase the annual amount of fertilizer to 2 cups (907 g.). Scatter the fertilizer on the ground and water it in. Water a loquat tree when the blossoms begin to swell in spring and two to three more times when the fruit begins to ripen.
Apply the water slowly, allowing it to sink into the soil as much as possible. Stop when the water begins to run off. Young trees don't compete well with weeds, so maintain a weed-free area that extends 2 to 3 feet (60 to 91 cm.) from the trunk of the tree.
Take care when cultivating around the tree because the roots are shallow. A layer of mulch will help keep weeds at bay.
Jackie Carroll has written over 500 articles for Gardening Know How on a wide range of topics.
-
Climate Change And Pests: Do Warmer Winters Mean More Pests?
Warmer climates can result in an increase of some pests and decrease of others, which isn’t always a good thing. Here's how to protect your garden.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
What Is A Water Wick? How To Use One To Keep Houseplants Hydrated While You’re Away
A water wick for plants will give you a worry-free break if you need to leave your plant babies for a while. It’s easy to set up and pretty much runs itself.
By Amy Grant
-
Fire Blight Of Loquats – Learn How To Treat Fire Blight In Loquat Trees
In order to control loquat fire blight, it is crucial to learn how to identify fire blight of loquats. The following information will help to identify the disease and provide tips on how to treat fire blight in loquat plants. Click here to learn more.
By Amy Grant
-
Loquat Leaf Drop: Reasons A Loquat Is Losing Leaves
Loquat trees are prone to a few issues, namely loquat leaf drop. Don?t panic if the leaves are falling off your loquat. Click this article to find out why the loquat is losing leaves and what to do if your loquat is dropping leaves.
By Amy Grant
-
My Loquat Tree Is Dropping Fruit – Why Are Loquats Dropping Off Tree
It is particularly sad when you notice premature loquat fruit drop. Why is my loquat tree dropping fruit, you may ask? For information about loquats dropping off trees in your orchard, click on the article that follows.
By Teo Spengler
-
Growing Loquat Seeds – Learn About Loquat Seed Germination
Planting loquat from seeds is easy, although because of grafting you can't expect to get a tree that produces the same fruit. If you're growing loquat seeds for ornamental purposes, though, you should be fine. Learn more about loquat seed germination here.
By Liz Baessler
-
Fruitless Loquat Tree: Getting A Loquat Tree To Bloom And Fruit
As with any fruiting tree, there may be a year of a fruitless loquat tree. Often this coincides with a loquat tree that won't flower. No loquat blossoms equals no fruit. Why is the loquat not blooming and are there any tricks to help? Find out in this article.
By Amy Grant