Kumquat
Kumquat is a small evergreen tree that makes an excellent ornamental and rewards the grower with its tiny, tangy fruits. Kumquats are the smallest citrus fruits and are affectionately known as “the little gold gems of the citrus family.” The kumquat genus, Fortunella, is named after Robert Fortune, who introduced kumquats to Europeans. The word “kumquat” combines the Chinese words gam (meaning gold) and gwat (meaning tangerine).
Characteristics
Kumquat fruits have a thin, sweet peel and tart flesh. They look like small, ovate oranges and tend to be less than two inches long. You can eat kumquats just like you’d eat grapes; there’s no need to peel them! It’s the only citrus fruit you can eat “skin and all.” The kumquat tastes best when gently rolled between the fingers before being eaten to release the flavors. You can use these unique citrus for jelly, marmalade and chutney.
The tree grows to a maximum height of 15 feet, which makes it suitable for planting as a shrub, specimen tree or in a large container. Plants appear similar to most citrus trees, with spear-shaped leaves and small white flowers, but on a smaller scale.
Several varieties are available, including the sweeter and less-seedy ‘Meiwa’ and sourer ‘Nagami’. There are also options that strike visual interest with variegated leaves and fruits, such as ‘Centennial’. The trees are cold hardy to 10°F, meaning cold damage is not a concern in Florida.
Planting and Care
For the most plentiful harvest, plant your kumquat tree in a sunny location, although it will grow in partial shade. Luckily, kumquat is self-pollinating, meaning it will produce fruit even if you only plant one tree. If you decide to plant multiple trees, make sure they are far enough apart that they will not shade the lower branches of neighboring trees at maturity.
As your tree develops, check it regularly to see if there are any shoots from the base. These are called “suckers” and need to be removed because they will not produce good fruit and waste the tree’s resources. The canopy should not be pruned unless absolutely necessary (and even then, sparingly) because it will harm fruit production.
Fruits will reach maturity by October and the tree will continue to produce through March. Unlike other more finicky citrus varieties, kumquat is easy to manage once established and will produce many golden fruits if given the proper care.
Whether you’re an established kumquat lover or are new to the fruit, you can also check out the Annual Kumquat Festival® in Dade City! This is an opportunity to try the many ways kumquat is prepared. The January festival is located right next to St. Joseph, which is the “Kumquat Capital of the World.”
For more information about growing kumquat in your landscape, contact your county Extension office.