cumquat are relatively slow , stocky - acquire trees that can reach up to 3 m tall . In the garden , they are wonderfully decorative with lush , glossy green foliage disperse with colourful pint - sized fruit and fragrant white flowers .
The cumquat or kumquat ( the name come from the Cantonese for “ golden orange ” or “ golden tangerine tree ” ) now falls into the genusFortunella , though most of us still recognize it as a type of citrus .
Among the refer varieties , keep an heart out for the ‘ Nagami ’ cumquat , with decorative teardrop - mold fruit , and ‘ Meiwa ’ , the classic one shot and bright bleached variety .
you may deplete the small yield , rind and all , in just one bit . In fact , the edible skin is quite sweet and a lovely equilibrium to the more or less off flesh .
Cumquats also make wonderful marmalade and immix beautifully with dark chocolate in red-hot desserts . And if you ’ve never tastedcumquats inebriate in brandy , then you ’re truly lose out .
With their orderly habit and decorative , eatable fruit , kumquat tree are the perfect choice for can and small gardens .
Bring a Mediterranean air to the garden with kumquat in grownup terracotta pots , train them into topiary or standards or espalier them against a court wall .
They are remarkably frigid resistant and adaptable to a wide range of climate . A sunny spot is best .
They also enjoy a rich , well - drain , slightly acidic soil , so toil in plenty of compost before planting or develop them in a good - timber potting mix .
Cumquat Facts
vulgar name : Cumquat or kumquatBotanical name : Fortunella japonica(syn . Citrus japonica)Family : RutaceaeAspect & soil : Sun ; well - drained soilBest climate : Most areasHabit : Evergreen treePropagation : Seed , cutting , graftingDifficulty : Easy
HARVEST
Cumquats are dripping with yield from belated autumn to other spring . Remove yield from young plants for the first couple of twelvemonth to help establish a strong , healthy plant .
The yield turns from dark-green to a bright orange tree when ripe and holds well on the plant life .
CARE
Cumquats enjoy a whole banquet of food , so eat them regularly throughout the growing season with a complete organic fertilizer .
hold a good stratum of mulch to assist conserve moisture ; just be sure to keep it away from the stem of the plant .
Keep the water up to plants , particularly when young yield is developing , and cut back plants to shape after pick your crop .
DID YOU KNOW?
kumquat tree originate from China , where the yield is a symbol of successfulness .
