How to Grow Kumquats? A Detailed Guide to Precautions for Planting Kumquats
The kumquat is a fruit of the Fortunella genus, shaped especially like a miniature orange, which is why many people call it a "little mandarin." Guangdong region in China has the longest history of cultivating kumquats. When ripe, the kumquat fruit turns golden yellow and has a very rich fragrance, giving it fairly high ornamental value. It is also rich in vitamin C and can be used to stimulate the appetite and care for the skin, so its economic value as a crop is quite considerable. So what aspects need attention during the process of growing kumquats? Let's take a look together!
1. Pruning
The kumquat plant is relatively short, basically never exceeding 3 m, and proper pruning during cultivation is the key to ensuring a high yield. Water sprouts, dead branches, diseased branches, and other useless branches should be pruned away. Keep about four well-growing fruiting branches, leave no more than three flower buds on each branch, and prune off the rest. The purpose is to control the tree shape and increase yield. During the flowering period, excess flowers should also be pruned away to reduce nutrient supply.
2. Watering
Kumquats like water but are not tolerant of waterlogging. If the orchard accumulates too much water, it can easily cause waterlogged roots to rot, so during cultivation an appropriate level of moisture must be maintained. In the dry environment of spring, spray water on the leaf surfaces at least once a day to raise the relative humidity in the air. In summer, water at least twice a day. During the flowering period, watering should be avoided to prevent flowers from rotting upon contact with water and affecting yield.
3. Fertilizing
From sowing to mature fruiting, kumquats need a large amount of nutrients and are a fairly fertilizer-loving fruit. Before planting, apply sufficient base fertilizer and mix it thoroughly with the soil to improve soil fertility, promote nutrient absorption by kumquat seedlings, and speed up growth. In summer, apply more phosphorus fertilizer, which is beneficial for flower bud formation and fruit set. Apply additional fertilizer appropriately according to growth rate and soil fertility. Do not apply a single fertilizer in a biased or excessive way, as this will have a certain impact on kumquat growth.
4. Pest Control
Based on China's long experience in growing kumquats, there have so far been no disease phenomena, and only pests harm kumquat growth. However, this does not mean kumquats are free from disease damage. Everyone should regularly disinfect the orchard, clean up dead and diseased branches, and do a good job of clearing the orchard in winter. For pest control, pesticides such as dichlorvos can be sprayed to kill insect eggs. If any abnormal situation is found, check promptly and take corresponding measures.
5. Light
Kumquat growth requires a large amount of light time, so when planting, choose a place with sufficient sunlight as much as possible. If there is not enough sunlight, the kumquat's branches and leaves will grow excessively, affecting its flowering and fruit set rate. However, light intensity should not be too strong. For example, in summer, the plant should be properly shaded. Shade it when light intensity is greatest at noon, and the shading facilities can be removed by the afternoon. During continuous cloudy and rainy weather with no light, artificial supplemental lighting is needed.
The five points above are what we need to pay attention to when planting kumquats. Although no diseases have occurred, everyone should still be prepared. Diseases that harm fruit usually include anthracnose and canker, so learn about disease management to avoid being helpless if disease occurs. Kumquats still have a certain market, and those who are able can give them a try. To learn more related information, please continue to follow Qinnong Web!