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Citrus plant advice

 Hi Guys

I have a Kumquat plant that is about 2 years old.

When I purchased it it had fruit on but has never produced fruit since the first year.

I read up about them and took the advice to bring it indoors for the winter. It was in a bay window that gets plenty of light but as UK winters produce little sun it was no doubt lacking this element!

Throughout the winter it lost all its leaves and I thought that it was probably dead or dying! Not wanting to give up on it, I managed to get use of a greenhouse during most of this year and it made a bit of a comeback to the level it is at now. 

Unfortunately, I had to move it out of greenhouse 3 weeks back. Not wanting to shock it by now putting it outside, I have had it residing indoors again, however, a couple of leaves have already fallen off! There is a new shoot that has come through over the last month or so.

I am fearful that I am going to be back to square one again with a plant with no leaves. I am in a dilemma of keeping it indoors or putting it outside. I live in Jersey in the Channel Islands.

It has a number of fungus gnats residing in it which I am trying to clear using biological soap, vinegar and water in little bowls. I have read that the gnats will not do the plant any harm, however, they are annoying!!

I have attached some photos of the kumquat in its current state.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks

Chris

Posts

  • This comes up quite regularly.  Inside the house is too warm , dry and lacks light.  Given where you live I think you could keep it outside but it will need protection.  I  am in North London and have 2 Lemons that sit on a S facing patio all year. In winter I put a home made lean to frame round them that is "glazed " with twin wall polycarbonate.  Before I adopted this regime I  had the same trouble as you, they lost all leaves in winter and they spent all summer recovering. 
     I now get fruit all year round. 

    Hope this helps. 

    AB Still learning

  • I'm FAR from any expert, but use a citrus feed on my kumquat, each time I water it.  I bought Vitax feed, which has a winter and summer version.  I can't say it will help yours, but mine currently has fruit from a 2nd flush of flowers after I repotted it this summer.
    Coastal Suffolk/Essex Border- Clay soil
  • Many thanks to you both for your guidance!

    Do you think that a glass cloche would do the trick if I placed the pot outside?

    Unfortunately, I do not have the room for a lean to frame or similar in the garden🙁
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