Kumquat Size report
Kumquat belongs to the genus Kumquat, grown for their tart orange fruits. Small evergreen trees or shrubs, leaves broadly lanceolate or elliptic, stems and branch tips with thorns, fruit obovate-ellipse, smooth skin, golden yellow. These small trees are native to eastern Asia and cultivated throughout the subtropics.
You can direct enjoy the fresh kumquat fruits, or they may be preserved and made into jams and jellies. In China, they are frequently candied. Branches of the kumquat tree are used for Christmas decoration in parts of the United States and elsewhere.
Kumquats are known for their tart-sweet flavor and tiny, adorable size. The peel is the sweeter component, and the juice is tart and sometimes sour. This cold-hardy variety is ideal for cooler climates and, when potted, for small outdoor spaces. This post shares more interesting facts about kumquats.
Kumquat Basics
Self-fertile with an upright growth habit and rounded canopies, kumquat trees grow tiny, white aromatic blossoms in the spring, which typically set fruit that can be harvested from November-April, depending on the variety. Like all citrus plants, Kumquat trees thrive in well-draining soil, south-facing direct sun, and protection from frost. They can also grow well indoors with proper indoor citrus care.
A kumquat fruit has a sweet tart-like taste similar to other citrus fruits like oranges lemons. Interestingly, most of the sugar from the kumquat fruit is concentrated in the skin, which is usually thinner than most of the other citrus varieties. Kumquat peel is astonishingly delicious and has a lot to offer.
Common Name | Kumquat |
Botanical Name | Citrus japonica |
Family | Rutaceae |
Plant Type | Fruit, tree, perennial |
Sun Exposure | Full sun |
Soil Type | Loamy, moist, well-drained |
Soil pH | Acidic, neutral (6.0 to 7.0) |
Bloom Time | Spring, summer |
Native Area | Asia |
Kumquat Size
It has a size similar to a large olive. The oval kumquat is the most common species you can find on the market.
- Kumquat trees reach about 2.4 to 3.6 meters (8 to 12 feet) high.
- The bright orange-yellow fruit is round or oval, about 2.5 to 3 cm (1 to 1.2 inches) in diameter.
Types of Kumquat Fruit
The citrus taxonomy is pretty complex and controversial. Different systems place different types of kumquat in different species. The Swingle system of the citrus taxonomy divided kumquats into two subgenera known as Protocitrus and Eufortunella. Protocitrus contains the primitive Hong Kong kumquat, while the Eufortunella comprises the round, oval, and Meiwa kumquats.
In the United States, hybrids have been produced with limes, mandarin oranges, and other citrus fruits. There are four main species of kumquats available: The Marumi, Meiwa, Nagami, and the Hong Kong Wild. In addition to these, there are many unique varieties of kumquat hybrids.
- Marumi (Round) Kumquat
The round kumquat is also known as Marumi kumquat. This ancient Chinese variety has small, round fruit. You can eat the fruit or even cook it, although it is primarily used to make jellies, marmalades, and other spreads. The round kumquat can be used to cultivate bonsai. It is a plant known for symbolizing good luck in China and other Asian countries.
- Nagami (Oval) Kumquat
It is the most popular variety in the US. The medium, oval-sized fruit with a bright orange, thick peel. The oval kumquat trees are small in nature, which makes them suitable for pots. The tree produces plenty of fruit to peel than the oval kumquat.
- Meiwa Kumquat
It is a plant brought to Japan from China at the end of the 19th century. This variety is a hybrid of the Nagami and the Marumi Kumquat. This is the most popular variety in Asia, and great eaten fresh.
- Hong Kong Kumquat
The Hong Kong kumquat produces pea-sized bitter and acidic fruit with large seeds and little pulp. It is mainly grown as an ornamental plant.
Conclusion
The kumquat tree is a small, tropical, fruit-bearing tree that can be extremely attractive as a landscape plant both in the garden and in a large patio container. They should be planted in the spring. The fruit can be used raw or cooked. The fruit of kumquat is delicious and nutritious. It can be eaten directly, or you can boil kumquat water or drink kumquat tea. Kumquat is rich in vitamin C, and proper consumption can prevent colds, chronic cardiovascular diseases, etc., and can also help digestion, relieve phlegm, and relieve cough.