Q.
Just this last year we have had very little fruit on our Kumquat whereas prior
to that the tree was ample with fruit. The tree appears to be healthy, just no
fruit. The only difference I can think of is that in previous years I covered
the tree whenever the temperature was below freezing. However, this past year I
only covered it when the temperature fell to the upper 20’s.
Just this last year we have had very little fruit on our Kumquat whereas prior
to that the tree was ample with fruit. The tree appears to be healthy, just no
fruit. The only difference I can think of is that in previous years I covered
the tree whenever the temperature was below freezing. However, this past year I
only covered it when the temperature fell to the upper 20’s.
A.
Kumquat is a very winter hardy citrus and can survive most winter temperatures
here without any problems provided it is in a sheltered spot. It is considered
one of the most cold tolerant of the citrus. The key question you have to ask
yourself is whether it produced any flowers or not this past year. No flowers
equals no fruit.
Kumquat is a very winter hardy citrus and can survive most winter temperatures
here without any problems provided it is in a sheltered spot. It is considered
one of the most cold tolerant of the citrus. The key question you have to ask
yourself is whether it produced any flowers or not this past year. No flowers
equals no fruit.
The
major reasons for early fruit drop are temperature and irrigation problems. If
we have freezing temperatures or if the plants become water stressed from not
enough water, they tend to drop fruit and flowers if they were produced. Flower
buds and fruits are much less hardy to freezing temperatures than the plant
itself.
major reasons for early fruit drop are temperature and irrigation problems. If
we have freezing temperatures or if the plants become water stressed from not
enough water, they tend to drop fruit and flowers if they were produced. Flower
buds and fruits are much less hardy to freezing temperatures than the plant
itself.
Kumquat
may produce fruit all through the year but tend to produce fruit in the spring
and fall months and through the winter. If it does get some winter damage, you
would have seen plant dieback.
may produce fruit all through the year but tend to produce fruit in the spring
and fall months and through the winter. If it does get some winter damage, you
would have seen plant dieback.
When
dieback occurs, the plant will regrow to the height it was before it had damage
and produce very few flowers. Once it reestablishes its previous size it will
then begin to flower again and produce fruit.
dieback occurs, the plant will regrow to the height it was before it had damage
and produce very few flowers. Once it reestablishes its previous size it will
then begin to flower again and produce fruit.
If
there were some spring freezes the flower buds would be killed before anything
else would show any damage. This would tend to minimize fruit production. If
the plant receives a lot of fertilizer, particularly nitrogen, it may tend to
put on new growth with few flowers and of course very little, if any, fruit.
there were some spring freezes the flower buds would be killed before anything
else would show any damage. This would tend to minimize fruit production. If
the plant receives a lot of fertilizer, particularly nitrogen, it may tend to
put on new growth with few flowers and of course very little, if any, fruit.