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Potted kumquats
Kumquat, also known as golden date, gold bullet, and Luofu, is a small evergreen tree belonging to the Rutaceae family. It typically grows in a shrub-like form, with potted plants reaching heights between 50 cm and 150 cm. The branches are weak and densely packed, often drooping at the tips, with short internodes and no thorns. Leaves are alternate, small, leathery, and broadly lanceolate or oblong, featuring subtle wavy teeth at the edges. The midvein slightly curves upward on both sides, and there is no leaf blade on the petiole.
The flowers appear singly or in clusters among the leaves, with five white petals and numerous stamens. The fruits are small, around 3 cm long, obovate or elliptical, with a blunt tip and smooth skin. They start green and turn golden or orange when ripe, filled with aromatic oils. Flowering occurs in late summer, and fruits mature in autumn and winter.
Native to the warm temperate and subtropical regions of southern China, kumquat thrives in sunny, moist conditions but is only slightly cold-tolerant and not drought-resistant. It is commonly grown in pots and prefers rich, loose, well-drained neutral soil. If the soil is too acidic, it may not grow well. Propagation is usually done through grafting, using seedlings from other citrus species as rootstocks. Spring shoots are selected as scions, and cuttings are taken between April and May. Budding is performed between June and September, and grafts are made in April using methods similar to those used for citrus trees. Rootstock roots should be removed, and grafts need 45–60 days to heal.
During the Spring Festival, kumquat is popular as a potted plant due to its sweet-sour fruit and edible skin. Seedlings require annual soil changes, with chicken and duck feathers as base fertilizer. After that, repotting every two years is sufficient. Fruit production may not be significant in the first few years, but with proper care, the plant can become full and bushy. Pruning three times during the growing season—from germination to fruiting—is a traditional practice in Guangdong to encourage flowering and fruiting. After harvesting in early spring, each branch should be cut back to leave only two lateral shoots. New growth will develop rapidly, and a second pruning encourages secondary branches. By June, another round of pruning helps expand the canopy and increase fruiting areas.
After the third pruning, new shoots take about 40–50 days to develop into strong, thick leaves, indicating the accumulation of nutrients for flower buds. At this point, water is reduced gradually, stopping entirely by mid-August to halt shoot growth. A few days of dry soil help trigger flower bud formation. Light watering on leaves in the morning and evening, and some water at noon, prevents wilting. When buds turn from green to white, flowering begins, and watering is gradually increased while applying diluted fertilizers.
Kumquat tends to produce many flower buds, but fruit set is low, so careful management is essential. During flowering, 2–3 buds per branch should be left, and one per leaf. Watering should be less than usual, avoiding large amounts of water or fertilizer, which can cause flowers and fruits to drop. Spraying water during flowering is discouraged, but misting the surrounding air before noon and evening helps maintain humidity. Once young fruits grow steadily, watering and fertilizing should increase, focusing on phosphorus and potassium. New shoots must be removed promptly. In regions outside South China, plants should be moved to cool or moderate greenhouses before winter. Maintain good air circulation and avoid overly dry or wet soil to extend the viewing period.
The all-season tangerine is a hybrid of kumquat and tangerine, with spherical fruits about 3 cm in diameter. Ripe fruits are orange-yellow, juicy, and sour, but inedible. These fruits can hang on the tree for up to six months, remaining visible from autumn until the following May. Unlike regular kumquat, which only lasts 1–2 months after ripening, the all-season variety is admired for its beauty and longevity.