This is an interesting study on extending the loquat flowering season:
“The short flowering period and short storage period drive the sales pattern of loquat, which is sold mainly in the form of fresh fruit (from local retailers and orchards). Thus, the short time to market has become a major problem that limits the development of the loquat industry. In this study, removal of the main inflorescence by cutting was able to extend flowering and fruiting by 2–4 months. If properly implemented, this method can be used to supply fresh loquat fruits for half a year in the same area. The implementation of this method is a good way to increase the income of loquat growers. Although extreme cold temperatures that might occur during winter can cause freeze injury to most of the flower buds/young fruits, loquat growers can avoid these extreme weather events by adopting this method.”
Loquat trees are fully cold-hardy here in zone 8b, but the inflorescences are significantly less cold-hardy. A cold event in the mid-20s Fahrenheit destroys blooms and young fruit. Since loquats bloom in the winter, the fruit are usually lost to the cold. People will tell you that the weather is getting warmer, but the cold snaps have been brutal every winter we’ve been here.
If it’s possible to prune off loquat blooms and get them to re-bloom later, it might allow for more fruit production. They are a great fruit – especially the improved varieties.
However, we only get fruit here in warm winters.
Or if there’s a perfect microclimate:
There is also the possibility of finding loquat varieties that bloom later on their own. I used to have one in the old North Florida Food Forest Food Forest Project, but there is no telling what happened to it.
We did try keeping our loquat here from freezing, but that didn’t work out so well.
If it weren’t for the terrible bloom time, loquats would be a perfect addition to any zone 8 garden.
As it is, they’re little better than ornamentals. Maybe we can prune the blooms. Worth a try!
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They fruit in Macon, where planted up next to a structure (micro-climate).
When I planted the seeds from the fruit I consumed, they grew readily, and even produced flowers (once), and promptly got fire blight and died.
At my house, fire blight resistance is key to keeping fruit trees around.
No resistance, I try something else.
I thought that was an insane picture of ice on tree.
Note to self, don’t waste the water!
We planted a row next to our honey bees because they are such a late bloomer…great source of pollen and nectar in November! Sometimes we get fruit, but usually not. Helps the bees anyway!
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