Kumquat trees are the most cold - hardy of the citrus family . Some varieties can live on temperatures down to 10 degree F , but they do command a red-hot summer . Believed to have spring up in China , the kumquat tree is generally acquire in Florida , California and Texas . The kumquat tree tree provide a fruit that can be rust sore or preserved in sugar syrup . It is a shrubby , tardily - growing tree that is 8 to 15 feet improbable . The most common kumquat specie with edible fruits are Meiwa , Hong Kong , Nagami and Marumi . The yield is commonly harvested in January . In USDA Zones 8 to 11 , kumquat trees can produce alfresco in the ground . If you be in Zones 4 to 11 , kumquat Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree need to be mature in a pot as a patio plant and moved indoors during the cold winter months . Because kumquat tree are drouth - tolerant and plague - resistant , they are rather easy to plant and develop .
Planting in the Ground Outdoors
Step 1
implant your healthy , new kumquat Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in the solid ground if you live on in zone 8 to 11 . Add Mycorrhizal fungi to the territory at the time of planting to enable your kumquat Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree to access more of the nutrients in the soil and to maximize fruit product .
Step 2
Place some branding iron pad in the ground around the tree diagram if your territory ’s pH stratum is smashing than 7.0 . This will prevent iron deficiency .
Step 3
Plant your cumquat trees in full or fond sun , roughly 8 to 10 invertebrate foot asunder . Kumquat trees will adapt to many different well - drained soils . The Nagami kumquat tree does well in sandy stain , however .
Step 4
Keep the ground clear of weeds about 3 human foot around the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
Planting in a Container
Plant your kumquat tree in a container if you know in Zones 4 to 11 . utilise a sand - based potting mix . Make certain you utilize a big enough container to give your kumquat tree elbow room to grow and a container that has adequate drainage muddle .
Put a layer of crushed rock on the bottom of the container to help oneself provide good drain . Allow the top 1 - inch of filth to dry before water your tree and avert over - lachrymation .
Place the container in bright sun , preferably in a windowpane with southern exposure . you may post your kumquat tree outdoors in a cheery pip during the warmer summer month .
Tip
Prune your kumquat trees carefully . If your cumquat tree diagram are planted in the ground , pruning is not usually necessary , but you may postulate to prune away branches damage by cold or freeze . Observe the damage branches for a few week prior to pruning to ensure that you do n’t remove a part of the branch that could recuperate by itself . Avoid planting kumquat Tree from seed , unless you are extremely patient . It can take 10 year to see the first fruit on a tree planted from seed , as opposed to grafted plant , which will comport fruit in only three years .
Warning
Do not over - water your kumquat tree tree . Citrus trees continue to grow through the wintertime and are more prone to freeze damage than deciduous trees . essay to protect your tree diagram during periods of severe common cold by track them with blankets .
