- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- heyday
- fruit
- use
- Edible
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- refine
- sowing
- cuttings
- Loquat in pot
- balcony
- watering loquat
- Fertilize loquat properly
- Cut loquat correctly
- How do I plant correctly?
- hibernate
- Diseases
- pests
- fungus
- brown leaves
- sorts
Loquats attract attention with their huge leaves. When the trees bear fruit in spring, it is like a botanical sensation. In the right location, the exotic plant blossoms without any problems. Good care is essential for fruit to develop.
The loquat not only bears edible fruits but also beautiful flowers
Table of Contents
Show all- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- heyday
- fruit
- use
- Edible
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- refine
- sowing
- cuttings
- Loquat in pot
- balcony
- watering loquat
- Fertilize loquat properly
- Cut loquat correctly
- How do I plant correctly?
- hibernate
- Diseases
- pests
- fungus
- brown leaves
- sorts
- stunted flowers and fruits indicate a lack of water
- water sufficiently even in winter
- There is no fruiting when there is a drought in winter
- Roots grow out of the substrate
- Substrate is completely rooted
- Fine roots protrude from the drainage holes
- Root ball must not dry out
- Water sparingly so the soil stays slightly moist
- fertilize very little
- Coppertone: Compact growth. Flowers pink, pleasantly scented. Reaches heights of growth between 700 and 900 centimetres, growing lower in pots.
origin
Among the loquats, the Japanese loquat with the scientific name Eriobotrya japonica is the most important ornamental and useful plant. It belongs to the rose family and is found in central China and southern Japan. The wood is not only cultivated in Southeast Asia but also in Europe since the 18th century. Here it thrives in regions with mild winters. Loquats planted in the Rhenish areas regularly produce fruit.
growth
Japanese loquat grows as a tree with a height of between seven and twelve meters. The evergreen trees and shrubs are offered as bushes or standard trees.
leaves
The leaves of the loquat have a simple design. They are dark green in color and shiny on the upper side, while the underside appears silvery-white due to woolly hairs. They are divided into a very short petiole and a blade that is up to 30 centimeters long and appears somewhat leathery.
The leaf margin near the base is smooth. The leaves are serrated at the upper end. On the leaf blade, the nerves are recognizable as distinct indentations. The fresh shoots are also hairy, which gives the wood an additional decorative aspect.
blossom
The pome fruit plants develop panicle-shaped inflorescences, which are composed of numerous individual flowers. They reach a diameter of two centimeters and are bordered by five rust-brown hairy sepals. The petals are free and enclose 20 yellow stamens.
heyday
The Japanese loquat flowers between September and October. The fragrant flowers are colored white.
fruit
Loquats develop pear-shaped pseudofruits called nespoli or loquats between February and May. The outer skin is very thin and light yellow in color. It peels off easily revealing the yellow to orange flesh. Depending on the variety, it has a firmer or softer structure. Because of the juicy and refreshingly sweet and sour taste, ripe fruits are used for juices and jams.
use
The shrubs are only suitable for planting outdoors in regions with mild winters. Because of their low tolerance to low temperatures, loquats are cultivated in tubs. They adorn pot gardens and fit perfectly into Mediterranean arrangements as decorative flowers and fruit plants. Cultivation in the conservatory offers the plants optimal growth conditions.
Edible
The fruits of the Japanese loquat are used raw or cooked for fruit salads, jellies, cakes or juices. They develop a particularly aromatic flavor when steamed with the skin on. In their original area of distribution, the seeds are ground and used as a spice or coffee substitute. Since they contain small amounts of amygdalin, similar to apricot kernels, large amounts should not be consumed raw. The substance is converted in the digestive tract into the harmful hydrocyanic acid. Cooking volatilizes the amygdalin.
Which location is suitable?
Eriobotrya japonica prefers sunny to partially shaded locations. Cultivate the shrub in a location that is protected from rain and cold winds. A south-facing house wall or a sunny corner on the terrace is ideal. A slight draft ensures sufficient ventilation and prevents pests and diseases.
What soil does the plant need?
Use commercially available potting soil and improve it with some fresh compost. Provide the wood with ideal growth conditions with high-quality potting soil.
refine
Since the propagation of cuttings takes a long time, cultivars of the loquat are cultivated by grafting. In order to produce true-to-variety plants, the rootstock and precious wood must have a similar genetic make-up. Loquats are often grafted onto quinces. Shoots of varieties are used that are characterized by a special fruity taste. A new plant is formed by fusion.
sowing
Loquats are mainly propagated by seeds. If your plant does not develop fruit, you can purchase seeds from specialist shops. The cores are placed about a centimeter deep in potting soil and covered with substrate. Moisten the soil and place the jar in a bright spot out of direct sunlight. It takes about six to eight weeks for the seeds to develop roots. Young plants are placed individually in pots from a size of eight centimeters.
cuttings
Slightly woody shoots are used to propagate cuttings. These should be eight to ten centimeters long and have some leaves. Remove the foliage from the lowest nodes and stick the shoot into a sandy substrate. The soil must be kept constantly moist. Roots emerge after several weeks.
Loquat in pot
Loquats grow to heights of between two and three meters in tubs. Choose a large pot with a low center of gravity, because the trees become top-heavy with age and can easily tip over. A pot made of clay or terracotta regulates the moisture in the substrate. There should be drainage holes to prevent water from pooling in the pot.
balcony
During the summer months, the Japanese loquat likes to be outside on the balcony. Bright but partially shaded conditions are ideal. A few hours of sun in the morning or afternoon promote healthy growth. You should avoid direct sunlight. If the plant wilts, you should place the bucket in a sunnier location. Make sure you have a canopy so that the wood is not exposed to the rain. In combination with poor ventilation, precipitation promotes the spread of fungal diseases.
watering loquat
During the growth phase, the water requirement of loquat is high. Keep the substrate constantly moist between spring and autumn. During long periods of drought, you should check the soil's moisture level several times a day. If water collects in the trivet, you should drain it off immediately. The sensitive roots do not tolerate waterlogging. Short dry periods are tolerated provided the plants do not dry out more frequently. Use low-lime water for watering.
Good to know:
Fertilize loquat properly
The wood is in growth between May and August. During this time, the loquat enjoys fertilization every two weeks. Use a liquid container plant fertilizer that is moderately concentrated. A lack of nutrients causes plants to stop growing. The leaves no longer develop their full size and turn yellow.
Cut loquat correctly
Young plants are regularly pruned between May and August. They develop branches below the cutting points and grow densely bushy as a result. Older plants can be cut back between February and March. If you get out of shape during the spring, you can do a corrective pruning after fruit picking.
How do I plant correctly?
You should treat your loquat to a larger pot about every two to three years. Transplanting is done in early spring. When choosing the bucket, use the diameter of the plant ball as a guide. If this does not yet reach the edge of the pot, a change of substrate is sufficient.
When to repot loquats:
hibernate
Loquats tolerate light frosts and temperatures down to -8 degrees Celsius, provided the bucket has been protected with fleece. Outdoor plants can grow in the garden for many years if winters are particularly mild. A severe winter can cause severe damage if the tree is not wrapped up warm.
It is therefore advisable to overwinter the plants in a cool room from November. You can put the wood in the conservatory or in an unheated room. The temperature here is ten degrees Celsius and bright conditions prevail. With a lack of light, the loquat prematurely sheds its leaves and wilts.
This is how loquats survive the winter:
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Diseases
Occasionally, loquats are attacked by fire blight. The bacterial disease is manifested by completely black shoot tips. Fire blight occurs during spring and summer when the weather is warm and humid. All pome fruit plants are at risk. Affected areas should be generously removed. To prevent the bacterium from spreading further, plant parts are disposed of with household waste or burned.
pests
The loquat is rarely attacked by sucking insects such as aphids or mealybugs. They are more likely to occur in dry winter quarters and should be controlled with an oil-based spray solution. Weakened plants are attacked more often than healthy growing trees.
fungus
When summer is too wet and cool, Eriobotrya scab spreads on the leaves. This fungus leaves green spots on the leaves, which over time turn brownish in color and expand greatly. The leaves dry up and fall off prematurely. Black dots can be seen on the fruit. Pay attention to a rain-protected location. The bucket should be placed under a roof during long periods of rain.
brown leaves
When the plant balls dry out more frequently during the summer, loquats develop brown leaves. Leaf discoloration is often caused by excess salt in older plants. Make sure you water evenly and don't overdose the fertilizer. Repotting into a larger pot also helps, as the storage for water and fertilizer is expanded.
tips
Refined loquats grow faster and, with good care, bear fruit in the spring. If you are less interested in growing and more interested in harvesting, a grafted tree is the right choice.