Hi. Can anyone advise me how to care for a kumquat plant that I have been given. It already has lots of fruit.Any advice will be greatfully received Thankyou
I have a limquat - lemon version. I keep it in the polytunnel all winter so it has plenty of light but is protected from frost. Once night time temperatures are reliably above 10C I move it along with a yuzu and a Meyer lemon to a south facing position against our house wall till nights get cool again.
In winter they need a special feed for citrus plants - phosphates, magnesium, iron and trace elements which maintain and promote flowering and fruiting - and then from spring thru to autumn they need occasional nitrogen feeds to maintain their foliage.
I have just re-potted mine into a specialist compost for citrus fruits which appears to have plenty of loam in it. First time I've seen it so no idea how effective it will be. I water them sparingly in winter and frequently in summer, especially in heatwaves. We get loads of limquats and lemons but, as yet, the yuzu is young and yet to flower.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Thanks so much for that advice ObeliXX. Unfortunately I don't have a greenhouse or polytunnel. Do you have any advice on keeping it indoors until the weather improves?
Keep it in a well lit position that doesn't get cold at night and mist the foliage between waterings. Being too dry indoors can leave it prone to red spider mite. Give it an occasional rinse in the shower if you can to keep the foliage dust free.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
In the next month or two you should have flowers. If you can't put it outside by day to get pollinated by insects you can use a soft, clean make-up or paint brush to do the job. If you can't find specialist citrus fertiliser give it some tomato feed, both slow release granules and an instant tonic in liquid form.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
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In winter they need a special feed for citrus plants - phosphates, magnesium, iron and trace elements which maintain and promote flowering and fruiting - and then from spring thru to autumn they need occasional nitrogen feeds to maintain their foliage.
I have just re-potted mine into a specialist compost for citrus fruits which appears to have plenty of loam in it. First time I've seen it so no idea how effective it will be. I water them sparingly in winter and frequently in summer, especially in heatwaves. We get loads of limquats and lemons but, as yet, the yuzu is young and yet to flower.