How to Grow and Care for Loquat Trees

The loquat tree (Eriobotrya japonica) is a beautiful ornamental evergreen tree that produces delicious golden-orange fruit. Unlike other stone fruits, loquats are harvested in the spring after the tree has put on a show with stunning, sweet-scented white flowers in the late winter. Native to China and Japan, where it is called biwa, this adaptable tree grows well in a temperate climate and has spread profusely around the world.

Although this tree is common across many parts of North America, many gardeners won't get to enjoy a harvest. The tree will not produce fruit in colder climates.In suitable climate conditions, loquat trees grow fast, 1 to 2 feet per year.

The stones of loquats, just like apricots and other stone fruits, contain cyanogenic glycosides which are toxic to humans and pets.

How to Plant a Loquat Tree

When to Plant

Plant a loquat tree in late fall or early spring.

Selecting a Planting Site

The planting site should have full sun to partial shade with at least 5 hours of direct sunlight every day. If you are at the lower end of the tree’s hardiness range or the winter temperatures in your location are temperature is borderline, find a sheltered spot near a wall or where concrete, stone, or paving absorbs the heat during the day and releases it at night, thus creating a warmer microclimate. A south- or southeast-facing side of your home is ideal to capture the most warmth during the winter.

Spacing, Depth, and Support

Dig a hole three to four times the diameter of the nursery container and three times as deep. Add some of the soil back into the hole and place the tree from the container into the hole so that the top of the potting soil is flush or slightly above the surrounding soil level. Backfill with two-thirds of the original soil and gently tamp the soil. Before backfilling with the remaining original soil, water slowly and deeply to soak the soil.

Stake the tree to ensure your newly planted tree grows straight and strong winds won't dislodge the roots.

Space trees 25 feet apart. For pollination, plant at least two compatible varieties of loquat trees within 100 feet of one another.

Loquat Tree Care

Light

Producing the most fruit and flower in full sun, the loquat tree will also tolerate partial shade but it will be less productive.

Soil

The tree prefers well-draining loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0. Heavily compacted clay soil or soil with high acidity and high salinity is not suitable for growing loquats.

Water

The loquat treeis drought-tolerantbut will be more productive when it gets regular water. Newly planted loquat trees should be watered every second day. Keeping the roots moist during this stage is crucial. From around six months to three years of age, the tree will benefit from being watered once a week during the dry season. Once fully established, water less frequently unless there is a dry spell.

Temperature and Humidity

Although loquat trees tolerate temperatures as low as 10 degrees F, they are only considered hardy in USDA Zones 8 through 11 because they won’t fruit if the temperature drops below 28 degrees F.

The tree blooms in the winter when the temperatures are at their lowest so if you plant a loquat tree in a colder climate with continued temperatures below freezing, the fruit won’t make it to harvest because the blossoms get killed by frost. On the other end of the temperature spectrum, the tree won’t grow well in temperatures above 95 degrees F.

As tropical plants, loquat trees are well-equipped to handle high humidity.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer is not normally needed, but an application of a complete balanced fertilizer such as 5-5-5four times over the growing season will help produce more fruit.

Pollination

Although loquat trees are considered self-fruitful, planting a second cultivar nearby improves fruit production. The tree needs to be pollinated by bees and other insects.

Types of Loquat Trees

Here are three popular loquat varieties that ripen between March and May, which is considered mid- to late-season:

• ‘Golden Nugget’ is a non-grafted variety valued for its vigor. It grows 12 to 15 feet tall with long, dark green, deeply toothed foliage. It bears round, extra-large, light orange, apricot-like fruit with thick skin and mildly sweet flavor.
• ‘Champagne’ has large, shiny leaves that start bright orange-red and mature to green. It grows 15 to 30 feet in height and produces pear-shaped, large, golden-yellow fruit with thin skin and a sweet-spicy flavor.
• ‘Tanaka’ has a thin and upright canopy. The round, thin-skinned, very large orange fruit has slightly acidic to sweet and firm flesh. The fruit keeps exceptionally long without rotting.

Loquat Tree vs. Medlar

Although loquats are commonly also known as Japanese medlars, loquat and medlar are two different trees. True medlars (Mespilus germanica) is a different member of the rose family (Rosaceae), a small tree or large shrub native to southeastern Europe and central Asia. It blooms in June and the round, brown fruits are typically not harvested until after the first frost in the fall. Medlars are too hard to be eaten immediately and need to undergo a softening period after picking. The trees are hardy in USDA Zones 5-9.

Harvesting Loquats

It's important that any fruit fully ripens on the tree before harvesting. It takes around three months from the time the flowers to open to the fruit to mature. Loquats are ready when the stem turns a yellow-orange color and it pulls away easily.

Loquats are best eaten soon after harvesting as they don't have a long shelf life. Stored in the fridge, they may last up to one week.

How to Grow a Loquat Tree in Pots

Like other fruit trees, loquats can be grown in containers. Make sure to choose a slow-growing dwarf variety such as ‘Premier’ which only grows 5 to 6 feet tall. Plant it in a pot at least 10 to 16 inches in diameter and large drainage holes. Fill the pot with a high-quality, well-draining potting mix. Keep in mind that potted plants need more frequent watering than plants in garden soil.

Pruning

Pruning loquat trees is necessary to improve fruit production. Prune the tree in late winter to early spring before the new growth starts. In the first two years, cut off any extra-long shoots to a length of 2 to 3 feet maximum, which will encourage branching. Maintain the height of mature trees at 6 to 12 feet to make harvesting easier. When pruning, also remove any dead or diseased branches.

If the fruit set is heavy, thin the fruit clusters to increase the fruit size. Remove any flowers or tiny fruits over 4 to 6 fruit per cluster.

Propagating a Loquat Tree

Propagating loquat trees is not recommended for home gardeners. Most loquat trees sold in the nursery trade are grafted seedlings. A tree grown from seed or propagated otherwise will most likely not produce fruit for at least 10 years and the fruit will have unpredictable quality.

Overwintering

Potted loquat trees can be overwintered indoors in a cool place above 45 degrees F and with plenty of bright, direct sunlight. Water the tree to keep the soil evenly moist but not wet.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Loquat trees attract a range of pests, including scale insects, aphids, beetles, weevils, caterpillars, and nematodes. The biggest enemy of the fruit is the Caribbean fruit fly. To protect the growing fruit, place the entire fruit cluster inside a paper bag.

The trees are also susceptible to various fungal diseases, the most serious of them fire blight. Remove infected branches promptly and apply a fungicide designed to treat fire blight. Other potential diseases include rots, cankers, blight, scab, and leaf spot.

From: thespruce