Meiwa Kumquat trees are a natural hybrid of Marumi and Nagami Kumquats. They were first brought to Japan during the Meiwa period 1764-72, hence the name. Kumquat trees were introduced to Europe by Robert Fortune in 1846 and shortly after to North America. Kumquat trees are divided into multiple species and one of them is the sweet Meiwa Kumquat tree (Fortunella crassifolia).

A Kumquat tree can grow as tall as 4’-8’ ft with dense branches that are relatively thornless. This citrus tree has glossy, dark green foliage and white fragrant blooms that occur singly or in clusters on the leaf axils.

Standard and Dwarf Kumquat trees do not grow well from seeds and are generally cultivated and propagated using rootstock of another citrus fruit. It is better to buy your Kumquat trees instead of growing them from seeds. Like most citrus fruits, Kumquats are self-pollinating but much hardier.

Meiwa Kumquat trees produce bright colored round to oval-shaped sweet fruits with an edible rind & flesh with soft seeds in the interior.

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Calamondins can be grown in the ground in USDA Zones 8 – 11, or in a container on a patio or indoors if you are in USDA Zones 4 – 11. Calamondin Trees reach a size of 6 to 8 feet when grown in the ground in a sunny location and within their ideal growing zones. Container-grown Calamondins grow to about 4 to 6 feet in height.

Calamansi Trees are represent good luck for the Chinese New Year!

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They have been naturalized in South America but kumquat trees are said to have originated in China and have been propagated since the 121th century AD. The kumquat trees are an important ingredient is traditional Japanese cooking. The Nagami kumquat tree was first introduced in America in 1855 via Japan and was primarily used for aesthetic purposes. The growth of the Asian population gave birth to culinary market for this citrus fruit.

Like many dwarf citrus trees, the kumquat tree is self-pollinating and has beautiful, fragrant white flowers that turn into olive-sized, sweet and tart orange fruits. The oval shaped fruits have a smooth pebbled surface and the edible sweet rind and flesh delivers a tart and juicy flavor similar to that of lemon. When eaten whole, you’ll get to enjoy the sweet-tart flavor of this fruit.

Because of its versatile flavor, Nagami kumquats are used in both sweet and savory preparations. It can be paired with other citrus fruits, nuts, seafood, salad greens, jellies, ice cream, and many cuts of poultry, fish, and meat.

Just like other citrus trees, kumquat trees are rarely if ever grown from seed. Rather they are propagated by air layering, cuttings and using rootstock of other citrus trees. Kumquat’s can be grown in the ground in USDA growing zones 8 – 11 but can be planted in a pots in colder zones.

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