Loquats attract attention with their huge leaves. When the trees bear fruit in spring, it is a botanical sensation. In the right location, the exotic plant blooms easily. Good care is essential for fruit to develop.
What care does a loquat require?
The loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) requires a sunny to partially shaded location, well-drained soil and regular watering. When growing, it should be fertilized every two weeks. Cutting and transplanting can be done in spring. Frost-free conditions should be guaranteed in winter.
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 occurs in central China and southern Japan. The tree has been cultivated not only in Southeast Asia but also in Europe since the 18th century. Here it thrives in regions with mild winters. Loquats planted in Rhenish areas regularly develop fruit.
Growth
Japanese loquats grow as a tree with heights between seven and twelve meters. The evergreen trees are available as bushes or standard trees.
leaves
The loquat leaves are simply designed. On the upper side they are dark green and shiny, while the underside appears silvery-white due to woolly hair. They are divided into a very short petiole and a blade up to 30 centimeters long, which appears somewhat leathery.
The leaf margin near the base is smooth. The leaves are sawn at the top. The nerves can be seen as clear depressions on the leaf blade. The fresh shoots are also hairy, which gives the tree an additional decorative aspect.
Bloom
The pome fruit plants develop panicle-shaped inflorescences that are composed of numerous individual flowers. They reach a diameter of two centimeters and are surrounded by five rusty-brown hairy sepals. The petals are free and enclose 20 yellow stamens.
Flowering time
The Japanese loquat blooms between September and October. The fragrant flowers are white in color.
Fruit
Loquats develop pear-shaped false fruits called nespoli or loquats between February and May. The outer skin is very thin and light yellow in color. It can be easily peeled off to reveal the yellow to orange flesh. Depending on the variety, it has a firmer or softer structure. Because of their juicy and refreshing sweet and sour taste, ripe fruits are used for juices and jams.
Usage
The trees are only suitable for planting outdoors in regions with mild winters. Because of their low tolerance to low temperatures, loquats are cultivated in containers. They decorate potted gardens and fit perfectly into Mediterranean arrangements as flowering and fruit ornamental plants. Cultivation in the winter garden offers the plants optimal growth conditions.
Edible
The fruits of the Japanese loquat are used raw or cooked in fruit salads, jellies, cakes or juices. They develop a particularly aromatic taste when steamed with the peel on. In their original distribution area, the seeds are ground and used as a spice or coffee substitute. Since they contain small amounts of amygdalin, similar to apricot kernels, large quantities should not be consumed raw. The substance is converted into the harmful hydrogen cyanide in the digestive tract. The amygdalin evaporates through cooking.
Which location is suitable?
Eriobotrya japonica prefers sunny to partially shaded locations. Cultivate the tree 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 (€10.00 on Amazon) and improve it with some fresh compost. You can provide the wood with ideal growing conditions with high-quality potted plant soil.
Refining
Since propagating cuttings takes a lot of time, loquat cultivars are grown through grafting. In order to produce true-to-variety plants, the rootstock and the precious wood must have similar genetic makeup. Loquats are often grafted onto quinces. Shoots from varieties that are characterized by a special fruity taste are used. A new plant is created through growth.
Sowing
Loquats are primarily propagated by seeds. If your plant does not develop fruit, you can purchase seeds from specialist retailers. The cores are placed about a centimeter deep in potting soil and covered with substrate. Moisten the soil and place the container in a bright place without direct sun. It takes about six to eight weeks for the seeds to develop roots. Young plants from a size of eight centimeters are placed individually in pots.
Cuttings
Slightly woody shoots are used for propagation by cuttings. These should be eight to ten centimeters long and have a few leaves. Remove the foliage from the lowest nodes and place the shoot in a sandy substrate. The soil must be continually kept moist. Roots emerge after several weeks.
Loquat in the pot
Loquats reach heights of between two and three meters in pots. Choose a large pot with a low center of gravity, as the trees become top-heavy as they age and can easily tip over. A clay or terracotta container regulates the moisture in the substrate. There should be drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating in the pot.
Balcony
During the summer months, the Japanese loquat likes to stand outdoors on the balcony. Bright but partially shaded conditions are ideal. A few hours of sun in the morning or afternoon promotes he althy growth. You should avoid direct sunlight. If the plant becomes bald, you should move the pot to a sunnier location. Make sure there is a roof so that the tree 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 loquats is high. Keep the substrate permanently moist between spring and autumn. During long dry periods, you should check the moisture content of the soil several times a day. If water collects in the trivet, you should drain it immediately. The sensitive roots cannot tolerate waterlogging. Short dry periods are tolerated as long as the plants do not dry out more frequently. Use low-lime water for watering.
Good to know:
- stunted flowers and fruits indicate lack of water
- water enough even in winter
- Fruit formation does not occur if there is drought in winter
Fertilize loquat properly
The tree is growing between May and August. During this time, the loquat enjoys fertilization every two weeks. Use a moderately concentrated liquid fertilizer for container plants. A lack of nutrients causes plants to stop growing. The leaves no longer develop to their full size and turn yellow.
Cut loquat correctly
Young plants are regularly trimmed between May and August. They develop branches below the interfaces and, as a result, grow densely bushy. Older plants can be cut back between February and March. If you get out of shape during the spring, you can do corrective pruning after the fruit harvest.
How do I transplant correctly?
You should give your loquat a larger pot about every two to three years. Transplanting takes place in early spring. When choosing a pot, base your choice on the diameter of the plant ball. If it doesn't yet touch the edge of the pot, changing the substrate is sufficient.
When to repot loquats:
- Roots grow from the substrate
- Substrate is completely rooted
- fine roots sticking out of the drainage holes
Wintering
Loquats can tolerate light frosts and temperatures down to -8 degrees Celsius, provided the pot is protected with fleece. Outdoor plants can grow in the garden for many years if the winters are particularly mild. A harsh winter can cause severe damage if the tree is not wrapped up warmly.
It is therefore recommended to overwinter the plants in a cool room from November onwards. You can place the tree in the winter garden or in an unheated room. The temperature here is ten degrees Celsius and the conditions are bright. When there is a lack of light, the loquat drops its leaves prematurely and becomes bald.
This is how loquats survive the winter:
- Root ball must not dry out
- water sparingly so that the soil remains slightly moist
- fertilize very lightly
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Diseases
Occasionally loquats are affected by fire blight. The bacterial disease is manifested by completely black shoot tips. Fire blight occurs during spring and summer in warm, humid weather. All pome fruit plants are at risk. Affected areas should be removed generously. To prevent the bacterium from spreading further, plant parts are disposed of with household waste or burned.
Pests
The Japanese loquat is rarely attacked by sucking insects such as aphids or mealybugs. They occur more frequently in dry conditions in winter quarters and should be combated with an oil-based spray solution. Weakened plants are attacked more often than he althy growing trees.
Fungal infestation
If the summer is too wet and cool, Eriobotrya scab spreads on the leaves. This fungus leaves green spots on the leaves, which over time take on a brownish color and expand significantly. The leaves dry up and fall off prematurely. Black dots can be seen on the fruits. Make sure you have a location protected from rain. The bucket should be placed under a roof during long periods of rain.
Brown leaves
If the plant balls dry out more often during the summer, loquats get brown leaves. Leaf discoloration often occurs in older plants due to excess s alt. Make sure to water evenly and do not apply too much fertilizer. Repotting into a larger pot can also help, as the storage space for water and fertilizer is expanded.
Tip
Refined loquats grow faster and produce fruit in spring if cared for well. If you are less interested in growing and more interested in harvesting, a grafted tree is the right choice.
