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Loquat sapling not growing

CostumedVoleCostumedVole Posts: 257
in Problem solving
A neighbour gave me two small loquat saplings, about a foot high, with three leaves on each back in February. I'd never heard of loquats, but was game for a go. I planted them in pots, made sure they were adequately watered, and waited. I've grown plenty of trees in pots, so I thought they'd be ok. Instead, absolutely nothing has happened to them. They haven't died, but neither have they grown at all. No new growth, and no loss of the old leaves. They are clearly still alive, although the leaves are in a pretty tatty state, as they were when I got them. There is no sign of infestation by anything. They are just fossilised in time. They are unattractive and unresponsive. Is there anything I should do, or should I toss them, since they aren't adding much by way of beauty to the garden?
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  • YnneadYnnead Posts: 250
    Hi they get quite big and are quite hardy. When I lived with my parents in Blackburn up north we had two in the garden outside and they survived winters with snow. Down here in London there used to be a massive one that had fruit. They need warmth to fruit. Do you have any pics? Where are you keeping them?
    London
  • CostumedVoleCostumedVole Posts: 257

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I imagine they're establishing a good root system ... they need to do that before they can support any top growth. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • CostumedVoleCostumedVole Posts: 257
    Ynnead Thanks for your reply. Here are some photos. When I looked closely at them it seems one has new growth at the top, whereas the other tip is brown and clearly not bursting with life, although it does have some shoots coming out of the trunk which I hadn't noticed before. They are in the back garden, but in quite a sheltered spot, albeit with a fair amount of light. I know they are hardy and they clearly survive the Mancunian climate since I think they are offshoots of my neighbour's tree, which I haven't actually seen. I have no expectation of any fruit - I did a bit of research when he handed them over and I know that's a non-starter. I just thought they might be attractive small trees in planters - there are many photos on the internet of nice lollipop-shaped trees with large shiny leaves. As it is, these will have to work a bit harder to earn their keep!
  • CostumedVoleCostumedVole Posts: 257
    Dovefromabove Yes, of course - that makes sense. I have no idea quite why the leaves are in such bad shape. They were like that when I got them. They have all the charm of a battered leatherette sofa on a tip at the moment.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    They're working hard, taking in sunlight and photosynthesising in order to produce energy so the roots to grow ... sometimes the hardest thing to cultivate in gardening is patience  ;)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • CostumedVoleCostumedVole Posts: 257
    You're very right about that. I'm still at the point of wondering if they are a worthy project to expend my patience on!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Well, if all you're expending on them is patience you can do that and hardly notice you're doing it, while you're expending time and effort on other things  ;)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • CostumedVoleCostumedVole Posts: 257
    How very philosophical you are! You are quite right. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    My children will tell you that usually seems to be the case 😇

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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