A Complete Overview of the Latest Growing Regions and Ripening Periods of Loquat

The loquat originates from southeastern China and is named for its leaves, which resemble the pipa instrument. Unlike most fruit trees, the loquat blooms in autumn or early winter, and its fruit ripens from spring to early summer, earlier than other fruits, so it is called “the one among fruit trees that alone embodies the qi of all four seasons.” Now let us take a look together at the loquat's growing regions, distribution and ripening period!

Growing Regions and Distribution of the Loquat

The main growing regions of the loquat are Gansu, Shaanxi, Henan, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, and Taiwan, China. It is widely cultivated in various places, and wild plants occur in Sichuan and Hubei.

The loquat is also cultivated in Japan, India, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Tangqi Ruan Tiao Baisha in Yuhang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang; Dongshan in Suzhou (Zhao Zhong Baisha loquat); and Baokeng Jiefang Zhong in Putian, Fujian, are China's three major loquat growing regions.

Ripening Period of the Loquat

The loquat's flowering period is October to December, and its fruiting period is May to June. However, because the loquat has evolved many varieties, and because growing regions and varieties differ, the loquat's ripening period also varies. Some early-maturing varieties are already on the market in March. The market times of China's main loquat growing regions are as follows:

1. On the market in March: Yunxiao loquat from Fujian, Mengzi loquat from Yunnan.

2. On the market in April: Putian loquat from Fujian, Longquan loquat from Sichuan.

3. On the market in May: Dongting loquat from Jiangsu, Santan loquat from Anhui, Tangqi loquat from Zhejiang, Qingpu loquat from Shanghai.

Growing Conditions of the Loquat

The loquat likes light and tolerates slight shade. It prefers a warm climate and fertile, moist, well-drained soil. It tolerates cold slightly but not severe cold, and it grows slowly. It can grow well in areas with an average temperature above 12-15, where winter temperatures do not drop below -5°C, and where the temperature during the flowering and young fruit stages does not fall below 0°C.

Under normal circumstances, it can also be cultivated in Henan Province, but if the temperature during the fruiting period falls below minus 2 degrees, the young fruit will be damaged by frost. The suitable cultivation areas are the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and regions to the south. Fertile soil is best.