How to Plant a Kumquat Tree
Kumquat trees are the most cold-hardy of the citrus family. Some varieties can endure temperatures down to 10 degrees F, but they do require a hot summer. Believed to have originated in China, the kumquat tree is generally grown in Florida, California and Texas. The kumquat tree provides a fruit that can be eaten raw or preserved in sugar syrup. It is a shrubby, slow-growing tree that is 8 to 15 feet tall. The most common kumquat species with edible fruits are Meiwa, Hong Kong, Nagami and Marumi. The fruit is usually harvested in January. In USDA Zones 8 to 11, kumquat trees can grow outdoors in the ground. If you live in Zones 4 to 11, kumquat trees need to be grown in a pot as a patio plant and moved indoors during the cold winter months. Because kumquat trees are drought-tolerant and pest-resistant, they are rather easy to plant and grow.
- Kumquat trees are the most cold-hardy of the citrus family.
- In USDA Zones 8 to 11, kumquat trees can grow outdoors in the ground.
Planting in the Ground Outdoors
Plant your healthy, young kumquat tree in the ground if you live in Zones 8 to 11. Add Mycorrhizal fungi to the soil at the time of planting to enable your kumquat tree to access more of the nutrients in the soil and to maximize fruit production.
Place some iron tablets in the ground around the tree if your soil’s pH level is greater than 7.0. This will prevent iron deficiency.
Plant your kumquat trees in full or partial sun, approximately 8 to 10 feet apart. Kumquat trees will adapt to many different well-drained soils. The Nagami kumquat does well in sandy soils, however.
- Plant your healthy, young kumquat tree in the ground if you live in Zones 8 to 11.
Keep the ground clear of weeds about 3 feet around the tree.
Planting in a Container
Plant your kumquat tree in a container if you live in Zones 4 to 11. Use a sand-based potting mix. Make sure you use a large enough container to give your kumquat tree room to grow and a container that has adequate drainage holes.
Put a layer of gravel on the bottom of the container to help provide good drainage. Allow the top 1-inch of soil to dry before watering your tree and avoid over-watering.
Place the container in bright sunlight, preferably in a window with southern exposure. You can place your kumquat tree outdoors in a sunny spot during the warmer summer months.
- Keep the ground clear of weeds about 3 feet around the tree.
- Make sure you use a large enough container to give your kumquat tree room to grow and a container that has adequate drainage holes.
Tip
Prune your kumquat trees carefully. If your kumquat trees are planted in the ground, pruning is not usually necessary, but you may need to prune away branches damaged by cold or freezing. Observe the damaged branches for a few weeks prior to pruning to make sure that you don’t remove a part of the branch that could recover by itself.
Avoid planting kumquat trees from seed, unless you are extremely patient. It can take 10 years to see the first fruit on a tree planted from seed, as opposed to grafted plants, which will bear fruit in only three years.
Warning
Do not over-water your kumquat trees.
Citrus trees continue to grow through the winter and are more prone to freeze damage than deciduous trees. Try to protect your trees during periods of severe cold by covering them with blankets.
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References
Tips
- Prune your kumquat trees carefully. If your kumquat trees are planted in the ground, pruning is not usually necessary, but you may need to prune away branches damaged by cold or freezing. Observe the damaged branches for a few weeks prior to pruning to make sure that you don't remove a part of the branch that could recover by itself.
- Avoid planting kumquat trees from seed, unless you are extremely patient. It can take 10 years to see the first fruit on a tree planted from seed, as opposed to grafted plants, which will bear fruit in only three years.
Warnings
- Do not over-water your kumquat trees.
- Citrus trees continue to grow through the winter and are more prone to freeze damage than deciduous trees. Try to protect your trees during periods of severe cold by covering them with blankets.
Writer Bio
Sarah Terry brings over 10 years of experience writing novels, business-to-business newsletters and a plethora of how-to articles. Terry has written articles and publications for a wide range of markets and subject matters, including Medicine & Health, Eli Financial, Dartnell Publications and Eli Journals.
