Kumquat care guide

Pets and children

How often to water Kumquat

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Every 2 days

Water a pot thoroughly once the topsoil dries, about every one to two days in summer; letting it dry out while flowering reduces the fruit set.

Autumn (Oct–Nov)

Every 3 days

The fruit is swelling, so avoid drying out; as a guide, water every two to four days once the surface is dry.

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Every 6 days

It carries fruit through winter, so do not let it go bone dry: about every five to seven days after the surface dries.

Light and placement for Kumquat

As a guide, full sun outdoors; short of light it flowers less and the fruit stays small, and being generally compact it suits a pot on a balcony.

Overwintering Kumquat

Overwintering guide: −5°C (23°F) or above

Hardy for a citrus and generally winters outdoors on the Kanto and Kansai plains; because the fruit ripens in winter, repeated frost marks it, so move a pot under a south-facing eave or cover a garden tree with shade cloth.

Fertilizing and repotting Kumquat

Fertilizer

As a guide, slow-release organic fertilizer around March, June and October; a pot generally does better with small monthly doses, plus a little after the harvest.

When to repot

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Common problems with Kumquat

• Picked as soon as it colors, the fruit is still sour.
• Placed near a heater indoors in winter, it drops leaves and fruit.
• Scale insects leave the leaves sticky and sooty.

Tips for growing Kumquat

• It flowers several times in July and August; harvest once the fruit fully ripens in January or February.
• The whole fruit, peel included, is edible and easy to candy or make into jam.
• Prune lightly around March after harvest, just thinning crowded branches.

More fruit tree care guides

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