The loquat is a fruit tree that originated in China, from where it spread to Japan and, later, to much of the world. It is a tree that can reach 10 meters in height, very popular for its resistance and the pleasant taste of its fruits. Currently, it is a naturalized species in countries with India, Argentina and Pakistan, as well as in the Canary Islands and in the Mediterranean basin. When we talk about the medlar, the most common thing is that we are actually referring to the Japanese medlar, Eriobotrya japonicathe most widespread today.
if you want to learn how to plant loquat and when to do itkeep reading us in this EcologíaVerde article in which we explain it to you and encourage you to add one of these fruit trees to your garden or orchard.
When to plant loquats
The prevailing climate in the area is what defines the best time to plant this tree with tasty fruits. If you live in an area with a tropical or temperate climate throughout the year, you can plant your loquat at any time without the slightest concern. It is a fruit tree that is not demanding in this sense, and as long as you do not expose the newly born seedling to very low temperatures or to very intense sun, it will not have problems regardless of the time of year.
If, on the other hand, you live in a climate with well-differentiated seasons, the important thing will be to plant the seed when the worst cold has passed, and at the same time give it enough time to grow and gain vigor and strength before facing the rigors of winter. For this, it is best plant loquats in late winter, so that the newly germinated plant can enjoy the spring weather, which is the most benign in this regard. If you are running late, you can also plant the medlar later, but try to do it somewhere that is sheltered from the worst hours of sun, or you could suffer dehydration or burns.
How to plant loquats
Although medlars tend to be grafted to speed up the time it takes to get fruit from them, they can also be sown from seed without any problem. This tree, however, does not take cuttings well, and it is very difficult to get a branch or shoot to grow when planted directly in the ground. follow these steps to plant loquats from the pit:
- Germinate loquat seeds or bones: It can be done directly in the ground, but it is always advisable to germinate them separately first and then transplant the seedling. Wash the medlar seeds well, which you may have removed from any fruit you have eaten. Make sure you don’t leave any pulp residue. Then, wrap them in moist kitchen paper and put them in a container, such as a glass, which you must cover with transparent film to prevent moisture from being lost. Within a few days to a few weeks, the seeds will germinate. Just be sure to moisten them again if the paper dries out. Once the small sprout or seedling has leaves, it is ready to be planted in the ground.
- Plant loquat seedlings in pots: it’s best to use biodegradable pots, which you can buy or even make yourself from a simple cardboard toilet paper roll. Use seedling soil with plenty of nutrients, which will help the young plant, and water it keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Put them in a bright location, but where the light does not directly hit the young plants.
- Transplant the medlar tree to its final place: when the plant is sufficiently grown you can remove it directly to its final location. To do this, we recommend that you find a place that covers the right conditions and follow the steps that you will find in this other gardening guide from EcologíaVerde on Transplanting a plant: when and how to do it.
Loquat tree care: basic guide
By way of practical guide to loquat tree careWe offer you these tips:
- Soil and irrigation: The most important thing when caring for these trees is to try to give them a soil with good water drainage, since this tree, although it withstands droughts well, needs a constant level of humidity and frequent watering to adequately develop its fruits in its flowering season. flowering and fruiting.
- Temperature: As far as temperature is concerned, the tree can withstand frosts down to -10ºC, but its fruits and flowers will not tolerate such low temperatures.
- Pass: contribute monthly fertilizer to the loquat, or every 15 days in the production months, to help it with the flowers and fruits. We recommend this guide on How to make organic fertilizer for plants.
- Pruning: Prune this tree in the early years to shape it and then to maintain it, but keep in mind that due to its early production, pruning should be done in late summer. Here you can learn how and when to prune fruit trees.
In addition, so that you can prevent and treat problems with fungi on this tree, we recommend this other EcologíaVerde post on homemade fungicides for fruit trees.
If you want to read more articles similar to Plant medlars: when and how to do itwe recommend that you enter our category .
