There are various reasons why a kumquat loses its leaves. In winter this is rarely a cause for concern, but in summer you should take appropriate measures so that you can enjoy your exotic plant for a long time to come.
Why is my kumquat losing its leaves?
A kumquat usually loses leaves due to incorrect watering, high lime content in the water or low humidity. Check the amount of watering, water quality and humidity and ensure a bright location in winter to minimize leaf loss.
If a kumquat tree loses leaves in winter, it is completely normal. It serves to protect the plant. The metabolism is shut down. Fewer nutrients are absorbed, so not as many nutrients may be consumed. The darker the location, the more leaves the plant will lose. That's why a kumquat should be kept as bright as possible in winter.
In summer, a kumquat usually loses its leaves if the watering is not optimal. Then it is either watered too much or too little, or the irrigation water contains too much lime. Another reason could be low humidity.
What do you do if the kumquat loses its leaves?
If your kumquat loses its leaves, check your watering habits first. The kumquat needs plenty of water, but it doesn't like too much. Above all, it cannot tolerate waterlogging; then its roots rot. Does the plant pot have a drainage layer or is the drain perhaps blocked? Then you should take immediate action.
If the humidity is too low, carefully spraying the plant with lime-free water or placing a container filled with water near the plant will help. Evaporation causes air humidity to increase. Another option is to place it in a larger bucket filled with water, but elevated so that the excess water can drain away freely and no waterlogging forms.
If you want to prevent leaf loss in winter, then ensure the location is as bright as possible. It does need the cool temperatures during winter dormancy so that it will bloom again the following year. However, she is not used to the dark season and the associated lack of light in her homeland.
The most important things in brief:
- Check the lime content in the irrigation water
- Check watering quantity
- Check humidity
- create bright winter quarters
Tips & Tricks
The most common causes of leaf loss in summer are watering errors.
