Since the kumquat is not frost hardy, it is particularly suitable for planting in a bucket. So she can stand outside in a warm summer and easily move into her winter quarters in the fall.

The right location

The kumquat likes it sunny and warm, then it also bears beautiful flowers and later juicy fruits. Ideal locations are sun-drenched rooms, conservatories, balconies or terraces on the south side of the house. Drafts should be avoided at all costs.

Propagating the kumquat tree

You can grow a kumquat tree relatively easily from seed, but then you have to wait a few years for the first fruits. Ideally, use a heated propagation box in a bright, not too sunny location.

The best potting soil

The kumquat needs very nutrient-rich soil, preferably mixed with plenty of compost. She doesn't like lime at all. Therefore, be sure to check the lime content of the soil used. For this you need test strips, which you can buy in the pharmacy or drugstore.

It is advisable to add coarse leaf soil or a peat substitute so that the substrate is well permeable to water, because the kumquat does not tolerate waterlogging. Nevertheless, it can be poured when the soil is still damp. From spring to autumn it needs quite a lot of water.

Plant the kumquat tree

Since the kumquat tree is not hardy, it should not be planted in the garden, but in a bucket or large plant pot. In its homeland, it can reach a size of up to five meters, but as a container plant it grows more like a shrub and hardly gets taller than one and a half meters.

You only have to repot your kumquat when the root ball almost completely fills the planter. Then choose a slightly larger container than the previous one so that the roots have enough space again.

The best planting time

The best time to plant or repot your kumquat is in spring after hibernation. Ideally, the plant has not yet sprouted new leaves. It is best not to repot your kumquat after flowering has started.

The essentials in brief:

  • large plant pot
  • permeable soil
  • no waterlogging
  • repot in spring

tips and tricks

Do not plant your kumquat in the garden, it is not frost hardy.

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