Kumquat Growing Guide

Fortunella margarita, Fortunella crassifolia, Citrus japonica

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

Very limited. Kumquats are semi-tropical trees or bushes with little tolerance for cold. The popular ‘Nagami’ and ‘Meiwa’ varieties are hardy only to about -7°C (20°F).

Feeding

Feed twice a year by spreading rich compost or a high nitrogen organic fertiliser over the root zone of the tree.

Spacing

Single Plants: 3,00m (9' 10") each way (minimum)
Rows: 3,00m (9' 10") with 3,00m (9' 10") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Most kumquats are grafted to improve vigour and pest resistance. Purchased plants of better cultivars start bearing two to three years after planting. Set out purchased plants in late winter or early spring, setting the plant so the root ball is 2cm (1 inch) above the soil line. In areas with mild frost plant in late spring in a sheltered area and protect in winter until well-established. Water deeply every 10 days during periods of dry weather. If planting in containers, use the largest planter you can manage. If you live in a cold climate where the plant will be brought indoors in winter, put wheels on the container.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Native to China and a symbol of good luck in several Asian cultures, kumquats are the smallest and most cold hardy of edible citrus. The best-tasting varieties have edible skins and flesh, and they are sweet enough to eat fresh. Ripening in winter, kumquats make wonderful marmalade, or they can be candied and preserved whole. The ‘Meiwa’ round kumquat is sweeter than most, and easy to grow in home landscapes. A kumquat can be grown as an indoor-outdoor houseplant if you have a warm, sunny place for it to spend the winter. Kumquats need little pruning beyond snipping out injured branches after the fruits are harvested. In areas where they grow well, kumquats are sometimes pruned into topiary.

Harvesting

Kumquats bloom and set fruit over several weeks, so the crop does not ripen all at once. Most kumquats turn bright orange as they ripen, with overripe fruits falling from the plants. Refrigerate harvested fruits until you can preserve them.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Kumquat

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail