kumquat plant

[manicscousers]

An early mothers day present from my daughter. On the instructions, it says it's not advisable to eat the fruit currently on it and it's loaded. Anyone know why this is, and how to look after it, I usually kill citrus 

[manicscousers]

[Chrispy]

I think it is so legally they are selling you a plant and not food, so they don't have to worry about all the food regulations.
They may have sprayed them, so I would give them a good wash if you decide to eat them.

If I gave any advice on how to look after it, it would just die quicker.

[manicscousers]

Thanks, chrispy. I'm an old hand at killing citrus, too. I might try a fruit, washed, to see if it gives my a bad belly 

[Vinlander]

Generally it's not a good idea to eat the peel of commercial citrus because they use loads of pesticides - especially as they expect you to throw the peel away (that's why you can buy unwaxed lemons)

If the kumquat was grown in this country they don't need to.

The bad news is that all the flavour and sweetness of a kumquat is in the skin (assuming it isn't really a calamondin) and the juice is very tart.

The good news is that they will probably hang for weeks and the longer you leave them the more the pesticides will have dissipated.

Cheers.

PS. you may have to wait a few years to get another good crop - they use plant hormones too.

[Hi_Hoe]

We got one last year and the label said "not for consumpton"

So that just meant the fruit on at the time and not subsequent fruit?

You live and learn!!

As for care, manicscousers, they dont like root disturbance, not too much water, and keep in a sunny spot and you wont go wrong!

Mines in the cold g/house and not been watered for about 3 mnths is doing fine - just now putting out new growth

[manicscousers]

Thanks, Hi_Hoe
So, do you feed it in spring and is it special feed for citrus?
I'llbe taking it up to the cold poly when it warms up a bit and bring it home in the winter 

[Vinlander]

Winter citrus feed is simply a balanced leaf fertiliser x:x:x plus a bit of extra N and trace elements - both of which are cheaper to add yourself.

Summer food is the same but with 50% extra nitrogen.

Basically if you avoid high-potash stuff they will be OK (though it's worth more being careful with small young plants). Paradoxically, feeding them tomato fertiliser makes them fruit smaller and fewer. I think it's something to do with having no root hairs - so make sure you don't kill off any micorrhyzae.

I strongly recommend a capillary system for potted citrus - I used to lose 10-20% every winter - now I lose 5% or less.

In the border I use balanced BFB or pelleted manure plus seaweed meal and add in any purer nitrogen I can source.

NB. Kumquats are one of the hardiest 'citrus' and do well outdoors in sheltered spots in the West country. Satsumas and similar likewise. I have a "kumandarin" hybrid I'm planning to try outside in N.London.

Cheers.