The kumquat is one of the relatively fast-growing plants, so it should be pruned regularly. Regular pruning also ensures that your kumquat tree grows nicely compact and stays he althy for a long time.
When and how should you cut a kumquat?
The best time to cut a kumquat is at the end of winter dormancy in spring. Remove weak, malformed and cross-growing branches, shorten extremely long shoots by up to 2/3 and use sharp, high-quality tools for cutting.
Pruning not only gives you a shapely kumquat tree because the shortened branches form new shoots. You also offer your tree the opportunity to bloom particularly luxuriantly and bear plenty of fruit.
The Best Time to Prune Your Kumquat Tree
As a rule, the end of winter dormancy is considered the best time to prune a kumquat tree. Cut out all malformed branches, as well as weak and cross-growing branches. Then shorten shoots that are too long and too thin. Extremely long shoots can be cut back to a third of their original length.
If your kumquat has grown too much over the summer, you can prune it in the fall. Then it doesn't need as much space to overwinter. This is often an important argument for potted plants, especially if you have a lot of them.
The most important things in brief:
- best time for cutting is spring
- cut out weak and malformed branches
- shorten extremely long shoots up to 2/3
- if the growth is strong, perhaps cut back in autumn
- only use good tools
The right tool for tree pruning
As with any other gardening job, good tools are important when pruning trees. If the branches are not sawed or cut cleanly but are squeezed, then pests can easily nest there or fungi can form. Therefore, always use sharp pruning shears (€39.00 on Amazon) of good quality. Whether you prefer so-called anvil scissors or scissors with two blades is secondary.
Tips & Tricks
The best time to prune your kumquat tree is at the end of winter dormancy. If you have little space to overwinter your kumquat, prune your plant in the fall.
