A loquat trees in an Australian backyard is a wonderful idea! Loquat trees are generally drought tolerant and grow well in Mediterranean conditions. Loquats are orange, oval-shaped, and utterly delicious fruit. They used to be found in almost every backyard across Australia, but for some reason, the loquat is no longer a ‘hip’ fruit. Well I say lets make loquats great again!
If you have ever wondered how to grow a loquat tree in Perth then look no further. Loquat trees are a simple fruit tree to grow, but there are still a few tricks to successfully growing loquat trees in Perth, Western Australia. Get these right and you will be laughing.
When to plant a loquat tree in Perth:
The best time to plant loquat trees is in spring. Although in Perth you can plant most of the year in spring, summer and autumn. You just want to avoid the chance of frost in winter.
Types of loquat trees in Australia:
There are a couple of common loquat tree varieties in Perth. If you are wondering which loquat tree is best? This depends on your needs and growing conditions.
- Bessell Brown – Large to very large fruit with large seed. Thick, orange skin resistant to bruising with firm golden coloured flesh. Pleasant mild flavour. The tree is hardy and well suited to a range of climate.
- Nagasakiwase Loquat tree: The best Japanese variety so far, it has deep orange flesh, high flesh/seed ratio and very sweet flavour. Earliest variety to ripen. Nagasakiwase has a superior flavour with deep orange, sweet juicy fruit.
How to prune a loquat tree in Australia:
The best time to prune a loquat tree is immediately after harvesting. Loquat trees respond well to pruning and will quickly grow new branches to replace those that you removed. These new branches will result in a larger harvest next year. You can also prune to control the size of your loquat trees, which will also making harvesting easier.
To prune, cut away branches just above a node. This will cause the tree to send out multiple branches in its place creating a bigger harvest the following season.
In some cases branches need to be completely removed, in this instance cut the as close to their own base as possible.
How often to water loquat trees:
Loquat trees don’t require very much water, they are drought tolerant in fact. However it can certainly help them to grow faster and produce more fruit of a higher quality.
Deep watering your loquat tree every month or so in warmer months will help ensure a good crop of fruit.
How big does a loquat tree grow:
A loquat tree will usually grow between 5–7m, but can be 10m if left unpruned and given the right conditions.
How to grow a loquat tree in the backyard:
Growing a loquat tree in the backyard is really quiet simple.
- First, select a nice sunny spot with well drained soil. Enrich the soil with a Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver and Plant Fertiliser. If the soil is clay based, add gypsum and fork in well.
- Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.
- Position in hole and back-fill with soil, gently firming down the top soil. Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant’s root zone. Water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant gets settled.
- Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk to avoid the spread of disease.
- Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
- Apply a Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver and Plant Fertiliser in spring, summer and autumn. When in flower, feed weekly with Citrus and Fruit Plant Food to help promote more flowering and fruiting.
How to grow a loquat tree in a pot:
Growing a dwarf loquat trees in a pot is a great idea.
- Choose a pot at least 60cm wide. Position in full sun location and fill with quality potting mix.
- Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.
- Position in hole and back-fill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.
- Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, sugarcane or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk.
- Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
- Apply a Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver and Plant Fertiliser in spring, summer and autumn. When in flower, feed weekly with Citrus and Fruit Plant Food to help promote more flowering and fruiting.
How to propagate a loquat tree:
The easiest way to propagate a loquat tree is by seed.
The seeds can be taken from ripened fruit and immediately planted directly into soft potting soil. Once planted, the seeds can be watered from above daily to ensure that the soil is kept moist. Soon enough your seeds will sprout and slowly begin growing.
The seedlings can be re-potted or planted into the yard once they have reached a height of around 15cm tall.
When to fertilise loquat trees:
Loquat trees thrive when feed with a nitrogen based fertiliser three times a year, producing better fruit and more foliage. Chicken manure is a great organic source of nitrogen and can be moderately sprinkled around the topsoil at the base of the tree and watered in well. Otherwise nitrogen based fertiliser can be purchased from your local nursery or Bunnings and applied by following the instructions on the label.
Loquats also respond well to complete fertiliser when it is applied once a year in peak growing season. Something like a Citrus and Fruit plant food will be ideal.
Loquat tree care:
Loquats continue maturing their fruit in winter, so are renowned for maintaining the fruit fly population through the colder weather. Symptoms of fruit fly infestation include tiny holes in fruit and small maggots throughout the flesh. Remove and destroy any infested fruit.
Check out our other how to grow in Perth guides:
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