Fresh Fruit - Yarden https://www.yarden.com/blog/category/fresh-fruit/ Grow Your Own Way Mon, 20 Nov 2023 05:13:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.yarden.com/wp-content/uploads/yarden-icon1-59x60.png Fresh Fruit - Yarden https://www.yarden.com/blog/category/fresh-fruit/ 32 32 Autumn Apple-Pear Salad with Maple Vinaigrette Recipe https://www.yarden.com/blog/autumn-apple-pear-salad/ Fri, 03 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.yarden.com/?p=118448 This easy-to-prepare salad offers an explosion of fall flavors in a variety of textures in one dish! The saltiness of the cheese and bacon sets off the sweetness of the fruit. A great addition to your holiday spread or turn it into a main course by adding a few slices of leftover Thanksgiving Day turkey.… Read more »

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Yarden Recipe: Autumn Pear and Apple Salad

This easy-to-prepare salad offers an explosion of fall flavors in a variety of textures in one dish! The saltiness of the cheese and bacon sets off the sweetness of the fruit. A great addition to your holiday spread or turn it into a main course by adding a few slices of leftover Thanksgiving Day turkey.

Ingredients:

For the salad:

  • ½ lbs. mixed greens
  • 1 apple, sliced thin
  • 1 pear, sliced thin
  • ⅓ c. dried cranberries
  • ⅓ c. feta cheese, crumbled
  • 3 Tbsp. sliced almonds
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped

For the dressing:

  • 3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 1½ Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1 Tbsp. shallot, minced
  • 1 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

  1. Top greens with apple and pear slices, feta cheese, bacon, cranberries and almonds.
  2. Whisk together dressing ingredients.
  3. Serve salad with side of dressing to prevent greens from becoming soggy.

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Can Mango Skins Be Eaten? https://www.yarden.com/blog/can-you-eat-mango-skins/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:21:16 +0000 https://www.yarden.com/?p=114849 In the United States, summer is the time to enjoy the sweet-tart, juicy flesh of fresh mango. Popular the world over, mangos are incredibly delicious eaten fresh or when adding tropical flavor to a wide variety of sweet and savory recipes (such as smoothies, salads and salsas. They’re also very nutritious: mangos are a great… Read more »

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In the United States, summer is the time to enjoy the sweet-tart, juicy flesh of fresh mango. Popular the world over, mangos are incredibly delicious eaten fresh or when adding tropical flavor to a wide variety of sweet and savory recipes (such as smoothies, salads and salsas. They’re also very nutritious: mangos are a great source of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and beta-carotene. With a flavor that could please most any sweet tooth, a one-cup serving of diced mango has only about 120 calories, making them a satisfying alternative to desserts made with processed sugar.

Though a favorite fruit around the globe, for many years mango was uncommon in North America because the fruit has a short shelf life, making it difficult to import on a large scale. Nowadays mangos are cultivated in the southern US, making them more familiar to the American landscape.

Most recipes call for mangos to be peeled so just the flesh can be used, leading some people to believe the skin or peel of the fruit can’t be eaten. Before we address this misconception, let’s examine a few other facts about this interesting fruit.

Mango Facts:

Here are a few quick facts about this tropical fruit:

• Mangoes originated in Asia. Mango trees are native to India, and for many years the fruit had to be imported to other countries (which is why it was fairly uncommon in the Americas). Nowadays some varieties are cultivated in the southern United States. If you live in a warmer growing zone, you can buy mango trees online from Yarden and grow your own mango fruit.
• Mangos are “drupes” – that is, stone fruits. Like peaches, plums, and cherries (also drupes), mangos have a “stone” or “pit” in their centers. Stone fruits have a fleshy exterior known as the mesocarp (covered with a skin, or exocarp) that encases a stone or pit (the shell of which is a hardened endocarp with a seed inside).
• Mangos can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Mango is delicious when eaten fresh out of hand, blended into smoothies, added into salads or desserts, grilled, baked, and made into compotes or preserves.
• Mangoes have many health benefits. Mango is a low-calorie food that’s high in vitamins and nutrients, especially vitamins C and A, fiber, and folate.

Can People Eat Mango Skins?

People who peel apples and peaches before baking them into pies have no problem noshing on them, skin and all, when they’re fresh. But did you know that the skins or rinds of most fruits are perfectly edible, too? That includes citrus, bananas, watermelon – even the fuzzy kiwi.

We tend to focus on the sweet flesh of various fruits and vegetables and skip over their less flavorful coverings, but we really shouldn’t – not only can the rinds and peels of most fruits and veggies be eaten, they should – because they’re so high in nutrients.

We get it – watermelon rind is nowhere near as sweet as its flesh, while grapefruit peel can taste downright bitter. Fortunately, mangos have thin skins like those of nectarines and apples, making them a bit easier to eat. This is good, because mango skins contain powerful antioxidants that may help fight or even prevent a variety of cancers (including brain cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer and lung cancer), as well as triterpenes and triterpenoids (plant compounds that help prevent diabetes). Mango skins are also rich in beta cryptothanxin (a nutrient that may help prevent heart disease) and fiber. Some studies even suggest that mango peel extract reduces the formation of fat cells, helping you to lose weight.

So What Stops Us From Eating Mango Skins?

Two things cause most people to eat only the flesh of a mango:

First, some folks may experience a reaction to the urushiol that can be found in mango skin. Urushiol is the same compound that’s in poison ivy. Just as poison ivy causes skin rash, so do fresh mango skins for those who are especially sensitive to urushiol. And for some people, eating mango skins can cause a more severe reaction – possibly even breathing problems. If you’re someone who is sensitive to urushiol or has had an allergic reaction to mango skins in the past, you definitely should avoid eating them.

For those who aren’t sensitive to urushiol, eating mango skins is still off the table because they tend to be bitter and a bit tough. If you’re interested in getting the blast of nutrition they offer – however, or you just don’t like wasting food – there are ways to get around this. One of the easiest ways is to make mango chips! Wash and slice a mango into strips, leaving the skins on, and toss them with a variety of spices before placing them on a grid over a baking sheet. Bake them in an oven preheated to 185°F for three or four hours (depending on the thickness of the mango slices). Tasty mango “chips” are a perfect healthy snack for hikes and road trips.

Buy Mango Trees Online at Yarden

Interested in growing mangos of your own? Yarden has several varieties of mango trees to choose from. You can grow one of these excellent tropical fruit trees in the ground within USDA Zones 9 to 11, or in a pot in Zones 4 to 11. Find the right tree for your outdoor landscape and you’ll soon be enjoying your own homegrown, delicious fresh mangos!

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Which Fruit Tree Bears Fruit The Fastest After Planting? https://www.yarden.com/blog/fastest-growing-fruit-trees/ Tue, 28 Feb 2023 15:08:41 +0000 https://www.yarden.com/?p=102963 Growing your own food at home is rewarding and can be a fun hobby. However waiting years for any fruit after planting trees can be frustrating and leave you feeling discouraged. To avoid that, here are the fruit trees that you’ll see the fruit from the fastest after planting. Peaches These juicy round fruit are… Read more »

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Growing your own food at home is rewarding and can be a fun hobby. However waiting years for any fruit after planting trees can be frustrating and leave you feeling discouraged. To avoid that, here are the fruit trees that you’ll see the fruit from the fastest after planting.

Peaches

These juicy round fruit are one of the fastest growers in the US bearing fruit within as little as 2 to 3 years. They’re self-pollinating and at full height will be around 25 feet tall. Each year from early on you’ll have ripe fresh peaches ready for picking.

These are also a great option for any type of growing area. Peaches come in smaller size trees so they’re perfect for growing fruit in pots off your back deck or porch. Dwarf peaches are an excellent choice for being grown in containers rather than the ground and will still produce juicy fruit each summer for years to come. These will reach only about 5 feet in height and need abundant full sunlight to produce the most fruit.

How To Grow A Peach Tree Indoors

Due to the small size of dwarf peach trees, they can also be grown inside. As long as the plant receives enough full sunlight it should thrive. But there are a few other things you’ll want to know about growing peaches indoors.

Light

Full sunlight is the most important step for peach trees to grow strong and produce fruit each year. These plants require at least 6 hours of full sunlight each day along with good airflow. It’s important this airflow doesn’t cause too much of a temperature change though.

Temperature

Peach trees require a consistent temperature year round. This is necessary for your plant to begin producing healthy juicy fruit. You’ll want to make sure they’re not placed in a drafty area or in any area where the temperature may fluctuate.

Growing Medium

Soil is another important element in ensuring you grow a healthy peach plant. Placing your dwarf peach tree into the correct environment will make the difference between a healthy and thriving plant, and one barely surviving.

This soil should be slightly-acidic and kept somewhat moist but never soggy. This will promote the best root growth and increase the chance for growing fruit faster.

Citrus Trees

Citrus, just like any other fruit, is better fresh. Luckily growing a citrus tree isn’t complex and plants like lemons, limes, and oranges can produce fruit as quickly as a year after planting with the proper care.

These fruits don’t have to be out of your reach just because you don’t live in a tropical climate. Citrus trees can definitely thrive indoors so a citrus tree in a pot will do just fine. These plants are also self-pollinating so you’ll only need one. Just make sure you plant them in mildly acidic soil mixed with 20% sharp sand. Also allow them at least 6 hours of full-sun a day and a consistent warm environment.

One of the most popular indoor citrus plants are Meyer lemon trees. These are a hearty option for indoor fruit growing and will produce fruit rather quickly. Pruning once fruit appears, and keeping their environment humid will also help indoor citrus plants grow quickly.

Fig Trees

Another great option for fruit growing at home are fig plants. Like most soft fruits, these plants will quickly bear fruit after being planted in only a year or so. Plus due to popularity there are many varieties perfect for each climate.

Whether you want to plant these outdoors or grow them inside, they’re a great option for either environment. These plants love hot and long dry summer weather. However they’ll also conform quickly to any container which makes them an easy option for growing indoors. You’ll also want to ensure the fruit ripens completely before picking. It won’t continue to ripen after being taken off the tree.

Apricot Trees

Another terrific fruit tree for growing at home without much hassle is the apricot. These are self fruiting so you only need one, plus they can do well in some cooler temperatures. Like most fruits, they also come in dwarf sizes so you can also choose to plant these in pots.

These do take a little longer than some fruits, but if you purchase a year-old tree you’ll likely see fruit within the second year. You’ll still want to ensure this fruit bearing plant gets plenty of sunlight to help it grow juicy and large fruit. Plus, after they’re done with their fruit bearing years they become a beautiful ornamental plant.

Apple Trees

One fruiting tree that may take a little longer to produce fruit but will be easy to grow, are apple trees. These come in a large variety of fruits and even specific ornamental plants. Plus they’re one of the better fruit trees for growing in pots as long as you opt for dwarf varieties that are the right size.

In full sun and with the right soil conditions, one apple tree is enough to supply enough apples for an entire family. Just be patient as it will take between 3-5 years to see fruit.

Berries

While technically not a tree, fruit bearing bushes need recognition as well. Often fruits that grow on smaller trees including most berries, will produce fruit within the first few years. These types of plants include; blueberries, strawberries, mulberries, and raspberries to name a few.

Make sure you research each fruit and follow recommendations for planting, growth and care to ensure you see fruit as quickly as possible.

Finding Fruit Trees Online

As you can see, there are plenty of fruit trees that will produce fruit quickly, and can be grown either indoors or out. No longer spend money on fruit from the store when it can be grown in your own home without much effort at all.

If you’re ready to grow your own fruit trees, consider checking out Yarden.com. There, you can browse through healthy fig trees for sale and other fruit trees including exotic options like banana trees and more, so that you can get your own home garden going in no time.

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Why Are My Blueberries Sour? https://www.yarden.com/blog/why-are-my-blueberries-sour/ Thu, 08 Jul 2021 00:04:32 +0000 https://yarden.com/?p=53549 Blueberries are amazing little wonders. Often called a superfood, they get their intense blue color and their health benefits from anthocyanins. These are antioxidants that can help to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, protect against heart disease, and more. They also contain essential fiber and vitamin C. Blueberries are low-calorie, super tasty, versatile in in… Read more »

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Blueberries are amazing little wonders. Often called a superfood, they get their intense blue color and their health benefits from anthocyanins. These are antioxidants that can help to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, protect against heart disease, and more. They also contain essential fiber and vitamin C. Blueberries are low-calorie, super tasty, versatile in in cooking and baking, and pleasantly sweet.

Well, most blueberries are sweet. We’ve all had that experience when we pop a blueberry into our mouth expecting a sweet taste but end up wincing at the tartness instead. It’s hard to tell whether a blueberry will be sweet just by looking at its size, but make note of the color—in general, the darker and bluer a blueberry is, the sweeter it should taste.

The most common cause of sour blueberries is over-production on your blueberry plant. Some experts suggest removing all blossoms for the first year or two as you let the plant’s root system fully establish itself. This should lead to bigger and sweeter blueberries in later years.

When you’re ready to harvest your blueberries from your edible plant, try sampling a few berries first. This is the best way to test for sweetness, although keep in mind that the berries could be ripening at different times on the same bush. You may end up with some sweet and some sour blueberries from the same harvest.

If the blueberries you’re tasting seem too tart, let them continue ripening on the plant a little longer. Blueberries can remain on the bush for around 10 days after they begin to ripen, during which time they become plumper and sweeter. Keep an eye on them and keep sampling!

If you find that you’re stuck with a batch of sour blueberries, though, don’t worry. Although sour blueberries will remain sour after they’re picked, they aren’t wasted. There are plenty of ways to make use of blueberries that aren’t quite as sweet as you hoped:

Bake with them. Blueberries hold up well in baked goods like pies, muffins, and cobblers. To prevent blueberries from sinking in your muffins, spoon half the batter into the cups, add the blueberries, and cover with more batter. You can also lightly coat your blueberries in flour or cornstarch before stirring them gently into the batter.

Cook with them. Blueberries aren’t just for desserts! Cooking blueberries will intensify the sweetness but won’t destroy the antioxidant benefits. Blueberries that taste slightly sour or tart are ideal for savory dressings and sauces.

Sweeten them. Adding honey, maple syrup, sugar, or other sweeteners to your sour blueberries won’t completely take away the tartness, but they’ll counteract it nicely. Eat your sweetened blueberries plain or toss them into smoothies, yogurt, or cereal.

Freeze them. If you end up with lots of blueberries—whether they’re sour or sweet—you can always freeze them to use later. They freeze individually and won’t clump together into a big mess. If you want to rinse your blueberries first, dry them completely with paper towels before putting them in freezer containers or resealable plastic bags. Toss frozen blueberries right into smoothies. For other uses, thaw first, and rinse them off if you didn’t rinse them before putting them in the freezer.

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What Month is Best to Plant Citrus? https://www.yarden.com/blog/what-month-is-best-to-plant-citrus/ Mon, 15 Mar 2021 21:19:45 +0000 https://yarden.com/?p=41347 You’ve decided to take the plunge and start growing your own lemons. You won’t be sorry – lemon trees are a great addition to a backyard garden (or sunroom, if you decide to keep dwarf citrus trees)! And with a little care and planning, you’re sure to get a regular plentiful crop in time. Lemon… Read more »

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You’ve decided to take the plunge and start growing your own lemons. You won’t be sorry – lemon trees are a great addition to a backyard garden (or sunroom, if you decide to keep dwarf citrus trees)! And with a little care and planning, you’re sure to get a regular plentiful crop in time.

Lemon Tree Varieties

Before thinking about when to plant, you should decide on what to plant. Where you live will have a bearing on what type of lemon tree you get…while the preferred climate depends on the variety of lemon, most do well in warm climates. If you live in a cooler climate you’re best off going with one of the dwarf citrus varieties and keeping it potted so it can live indoors at least part of the year. Dwarf citrus trees are also good for smaller or backyard gardens (when grown in the ground, dwarf lemon tree height tops out at about 12-15 feet).

Here are the four most common most lemon varieties grown in the US:

  • Eureka lemons. Found in most grocery stores, this is a low-acid lemon variety that can be used for most any culinary purpose. It has a great peel for zesting. The Eureka lemon tree produces its main crop in winter, with smaller crops in spring and summer. Eureka lemons have relatively few seeds, and the tree has almost no thorns.
  • Lisbon lemons. This is the most common lemon found in grocery stores. It’s a lot like the Eureka lemon, but juicier. The tree produces its main crop in the winter. It’s thornier than the Eureka, but tends to be more tolerant to cold, making it a great choice for growing zones that get an occasional freeze.
  • Meyer lemons. As a lemon/mandarin orange hybrid, Meyer lemons are sweeter and great choices for desserts and cocktails. Its main crop is in the winter, but it can produce all year. A small tree when grown outdoors, the Meyer lemon dwarf variety is ideal for growing in pots. Dwarf Meyer lemon tree care is very easy. When grown outdoors, an improved Meyer lemon tree size reaches about 8-15 feet tall.
  • Pink Variegated lemons. These pretty fruits are very sour with few seeds, making them ideal for making lemonade. It produces its main crop in winter with smaller crops in spring and summer. Variegated lemon tree care is like caring for a Eureka lemon tree, as the two varieties are very similar.

When to Plant a Lemon Tree

In the citrus belt (a loosely defined area stretching from southern California to Florida), citrus trees can be planted at any time if you water them regularly. In regions prone to a late frost, you’ll want to wait until later in the spring when all danger of frost is past before you buy a lemon tree. This rule of thumb applies dwarf citrus trees as well.

Citrus will thrive in large containers. Choose a 15-20-gallon pot with plenty of drainage holes, and fill with a premium quality potting mix. Lemon trees can tolerate a range of different soils, but they mostly prefer slightly acidic, well-drained soil (the best fertilizer for lemon trees is one that’s been specially formulated for citrus, or for cacti and succulents).

Place your potted citrus tree in a sunny place indoors or out, and make sure the plant is always moist. Lemons grow best in soils that are moist but not soggy. Water your tree every seven to 10 days during the summer, providing it with 4 to 6 inches of water each month. Allow the soil around mature trees to partially dry between watering. Overwatered lemon trees may suffer from crown and root rots, while those not watered enough frequently shed blossoms and don’t produce as much fruit.

Lemon Tree Care

A healthy citrus tree produces lots of fruit. All that flowering and fruiting is a big consumer of energy, so make sure you feed up your lemon tree with Meyer lemon fertilizer regularly to ensure a good yield. You can tell if your tree is undernourished if it shows stunted growth, or yellowing leaves. Feed your tree twice a year with a citrus food, once in February and again in August. Follow the directions on the packet and water the soil well both before and after you apply the fertilizer.

To ensure plentiful fruit, it’s best to prune your lemon tree from late winter to early spring, right after harvest. Young trees should be pruned to establish a good shape, remove any sprouts or weak limbs so the plant can focus on growing a strong canopy.

As the tree grows, prune any crossing limbs, tangled branches or dead wood. Main scaffold branches should be staggered, aim to maintain eight once the plant is established. Prune subsidiary shoots off these scaffold branches. Aim to prune 20 percent of the canopy each year, focusing on longer, protruding branches that affect the desired shape of the canopy. Thinning out of branches as trees age allows light to penetrate more areas of the tree encouraging fruit production inside the canopy as well.

Get Your Tree from Citrus.com!

Wondering where you can buy a lemon tree? Look no further than Citrus.com! Whether you’re looking to buy a dwarf lemon tree, a full-size grapefruit tree or a specialty citrus tree, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. We even carry other, non-citrus varieties like apples, pears and more, so start planning your home orchard and get ready to enjoy your own, homegrown fruit!

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How Much Water Should a Ruby Red Grapefruit Tree Get? https://www.yarden.com/blog/how-much-water-should-a-ruby-red-grapefruit-tree-get/ Fri, 05 Mar 2021 13:55:33 +0000 https://yarden.com/?p=40431 How sweet it is! Ruby Red grapefruits have a yellow rind with a faint reddish blush and red, seedless flesh inside that’s sweeter than other grapefruit varieties. The Ruby Red grapefruit tree is a fast-growing tree that can grow up to 25 feet tall when planted in well-drained loam/sandy loam soil. Like other varieties of… Read more »

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How sweet it is! Ruby Red grapefruits have a yellow rind with a faint reddish blush and red, seedless flesh inside that’s sweeter than other grapefruit varieties. The Ruby Red grapefruit tree is a fast-growing tree that can grow up to 25 feet tall when planted in well-drained loam/sandy loam soil. Like other varieties of grapefruit it is particularly frost sensitive, and its fruit can be damaged when temperatures drop below freezing. Because of this, Ruby Red grapefruit trees grow best in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 and 10.

Ruby Red Grapefruit Trees Grown Anywhere

That doesn’t mean you can’t experience the fun and fulfillment of growing your own Ruby Red grapefruit if you live in cooler climes…the dwarf Ruby Red grapefruit tree is similar to the standard-sized grapefruit tree, but can thrive in pots so you can keep it indoors part or all year round!

Like its larger cousins, dwarf Ruby Red grapefruit trees are easy to grow, have rich green leaves and handsome, well-shaped canopies that require minimal pruning. The dwarf Ruby Red grapefruit tree size can be kept to 5-7 feet tall when potted through pruning.

Ruby Red Grapefruit Trees in the Garden

Because grapefruit in general is low in calories, when people think of Ruby Red grapefruit juice, weight loss comes to mind. But it’s more than just a diet drink (or food): apart from being delicious, Ruby Red grapefruit is rich in vitamin C and contains vitamin A, potassium, dietary fiber and other nutrients, making it a great choice for your home orchard.

Ruby Red Grapefruit Tree Care

Before looking for a Ruby Red grapefruit tree for sale, think about where you want to keep your tree and how tall a tree you can accommodate (you may prefer browsing dwarf Ruby Red grapefruit trees for sale instead). Ruby Red grapefruit trees are fairly easy care, but it’s best to be prepared before you buy.

  1. If you plant your tree outdoors, be sure to remove any grass, weeds and debris from around the tree to reduce nutrient and moisture competition. Create a circle around the tree 12 inches from the canopy drip line.
  2. Water the dwarf Ruby Red grapefruit tree each week, soaking the soil with water (twice a week when the weather is hot). If you’re growing the tree in a container, don’t let the soil completely dry out – water the container whenever the top of the soil feels dry.
  3. Feed the dwarf grapefruit with general-purpose fertilizer or fertilizer designed for citrus. Use the recommended amount on the package. If only feeding a tree once a year, feed in the spring before new growth begins. The best strategy is to break the annual amount up into three portions; apply the fertilizer in March, May and June. Do not feed the tree after August.
  4. Protect the dwarf grapefruit tree from freezing spells in the winter. Cover the canopy with a blanket and tuck a light bulb plugged into a power cord under the blanket. The heat from the light will keep the fruit from freezing. If growing the tree in a container, move the tree to a protected area.
  5. Prune dead and rubbing branches away with pruners in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. Remove any suckers, branches growing below the graft; and waterspouts, upright branches growing from the roots.

Ready to start browsing Ruby Red Grapefruit Trees for sale? Check out our selection of dwarf citrus trees on Citrus.com!

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Can Kumquats Ripen Off the Tree? https://www.yarden.com/blog/can-kumquats-ripen-off-the-tree/ Fri, 05 Mar 2021 13:48:19 +0000 https://yarden.com/?p=40429 Kumquats are evergreen shrubs or trees with, glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant white blossoms. The fruit are small, round or oval globes with a golden yellow to reddish orange peel. If you’re wondering how long do kumquat trees take to produce fruit, be aware that kumquats grow slowly. In terms of size a standard… Read more »

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Kumquats are evergreen shrubs or trees with, glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant white blossoms. The fruit are small, round or oval globes with a golden yellow to reddish orange peel. If you’re wondering how long do kumquat trees take to produce fruit, be aware that kumquats grow slowly. In terms of size a standard Meiwa kumquat tree size can reach anywhere from eight to fourteen feet high, while a dwarf Meiwa kumquat tree can grow to around six feet high.

Here are answers to some other frequently asked questions about kumquats:

What types of kumquats are available?

Kumquats are native to south Asia. The two most common varieties in the US are the Meiwa kumquat tree (also known as the sweet kumquat tree, as it produces sweet kumquats) and the Nagami or sour kumquat tree, which is the most common.

Also known as the Japanese kumquat tree, the Nagami sour kumquat is one of the most frost-tolerant citrus plants available. It will survive temperatures down to 19ºF with loss of fruit. The trees are thorn-less, with a sweet peel and a sour pulp. The fruit is best when eaten whole, peel and all, because the sweetness of the peel balances out the sourness of the flesh.

If you’ve considered growing your own kumquats indoors, consider looking for a Meiwa kumquat plant for sale. The Meiwa (or sweet kumquat) is considered the best for eating fresh as it has a lower acidity, and the tree does well in containers. To increase your harvest, you could easily keep a number of sweet kumquat trees in sunny spots in your home. You can find a Meiwa kumquat tree for sale on Citrus.com, as well as a dwarf sweet kumquat tree for sale.

Do kumquat trees attract pests in the garden?

Kumquats are susceptible to most citrus pests and diseases but are generally resistant to citrus canker. The most common pest of kumquats in the home garden are aphids, scale and whitefly.

Is it difficult to care for a dwarf kumquat tree?

Looking for a dwarf kumquat tree for sale? Good choice – dwarf kumquats do well in containers. An ideal container should have at least a 15-gallon capacity. The container should have multiple holes for drainage and be raised to allow adequate drainage and air circulation. Like any container-grown plant, soil moisture should be checked often. Regular watering should maintain damp (not wet) soil. Container grown kumquats should be fertilized regularly since the frequent watering required will leach nutrients out of the soil.

When do kumquat trees bloom?

When do kumquats bloom? Compared to other citrus trees, it takes them longer to initiate flowering when warmer weather arrives. You can expect your kumquat tree to begin flowering by summer and the next crop of fruit to be ready to eat by late autumn/early winter.

When do kumquat trees bear fruit?

How long do kumquats take to grow? Ninety days is usually how long does it take for a kumquat tree to produce fruit. The fruit turns fully orange before it’s fully ripe, and the best way to determine full ripeness is through taste tasting. Since citrus fruit does not ripen well off the tree, kumquat fruit should be left on the tree until harvested. Tree-stored fruit will gradually become darker orange and sweeter over time.

What can kumquats be used for besides eating out of hand?

Kumquats can be eaten fresh although they can be tart. Kumquats can be used to make preserves, marmalade and jelly. Thinly sliced kumquats can be used as a colorful garnish or to add zest to a salad.

Fun fact about kumquats:

Kumquats often used as a decoration for the Lunar New Year! Twigs bearing multiple fruits are used as decorations for gifts or a table centerpiece. Containerized kumquat trees often given as Lunar New Years gifts, especially in Vietnam (where the fruit plays a special role in celebrations).

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Fun Facts About Lemons https://www.yarden.com/blog/fun-facts-about-lemons/ Thu, 25 Feb 2021 13:50:52 +0000 https://yarden.com/?p=39867 Lemons! Despite a tart taste that makes it more common in recipes and as a garnish than eating out of hand, there are few fruits more versatile – and few more interesting. Did you know lemons are technically berries? That the word “lemon” is derived from an Asian word meaning “sour fruit?” That sprinkling lemon juice… Read more »

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Lemons! Despite a tart taste that makes it more common in recipes and as a garnish than eating out of hand, there are few fruits more versatile – and few more interesting. Did you know lemons are technically berries? That the word “lemon” is derived from an Asian word meaning “sour fruit?” That sprinkling lemon juice on sliced apples can keep the apples from turning brown?

The lemon truly is a fascinating fruit with a compelling history, many different uses, and strange quirks. Here are just five fun facts:

1. There are basically two types of lemons.

There are acidic lemons and there are sweet lemons, but contrary to what you might think, it’s the acidic type that’s grown commercially (sweet lemons are mostly used as ornamental plants by home gardeners).

Although there are some specialty lemons that are called out as such in the marketplace (like the Meyer lemon and the Ponderosa lemon, which are both hybrids), the most common varieties will just be labeled as “lemons” in your local grocery store. These are generally going to be the Eureka lemon or the Lisbon lemon, and while they may look slightly different, their flavor is virtually the same.

2. Lemons are useful for more than just cooking and eating.

Is lemon a fruit? Yes – but it’s also a very effective cleaning agent! Thanks to the lemon’s high acidity, lemons can be used to:

  • Eliminate unwanted smells. Has your cutting board absorbed too much of the garlic you’ve chopped on it? Rub half a lemon over its surface to get rid of the smell.
  • Get grime off your windows. Lemon juice will soon have you seeing clearly again!
  • Remove stains. Did you spill some red wine? Whip up a paste made from lemon juice, salt and baking soda to get it out.
  • Leave your dishes streak-free. Next time you run the dishwasher, put in a half a lemon to guarantee a streak-free rinse.
  • Polish metal. Dip half a lemon in salt and use it to scrub your chrome fixtures to leave their surfaces gleaming.

3. You don’t have to live in a warm climate to grow lemons.

Lemon trees don’t do well in freezing temps, but you can grow your own indoor lemon tree! There are many varieties of dwarf lemon tree to choose from, and a lemon tree in a pot can be a lovely addition to your décor as well as a source of fresh fruit.

Lemon tree care isn’t as difficult as you might think, either…a sunny spot is the first order of business, and making sure you water well and wisely is also very important (in a lemon tree, yellow leaves or dried out leaves are a good indicator of poor watering habits). Provide humidity (a tray with gravel and water will do), fertilize and prune occasionally, and you’ll soon be enjoying a picturesque tree with fragrant lemon flowers and, eventually, homegrown lemons. (Shop Citrus.com to find your ideal lemon tree for sale – our Dwarf Meyer lemon tree is a popular choice, as well as more exotic varieties like the dwarf pink lemon tree).

4. You can grow lemons and limes on the same plant.

Did you know a growing lemon tree could produce more than just lemons? It’s true – a lemon lime cocktail tree has been grafted to produce both fruits on the same lemon plant. It’s a great space-saving option if you would like to grow more than one fruit but don’t have the room!

Before getting even one lemon tree, however, you might be wondering – can dogs eat lemons? Most pet owners won’t have to worry – cats, dogs and other pets are usually turned off by the smell of citrus, so it’s generally not a problem. If you do have the type of pet that just has to sample everything, however, you may want to think about keeping your indoor lemon tree out of reach – while citrus isn’t poisonous to your pooch, it might cause him to have a tummy upset.

5. Lemons produce electricity.

Well, not by themselves…what actually happens is that the electrolytes (which can carry electricity) can allow two different metals to react with one another. Building an electro-chemical battery with a lemon is a classic science fair experiment – all you need (apart from a lemon, of course) is a galvanized nail and a copper penny. Insert the nail in one side of the lemon, and the penny in the other (make sure they don’t touch inside the lemon), connect them to a complete circuit, and you have a lemon battery!

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Health Benefits of Eating Citrus https://www.yarden.com/blog/health-benefits-of-eating-citrus/ Tue, 23 Feb 2021 15:19:19 +0000 https://yarden.com/?p=39777 We’re all about citrus at Citrus.com, and no wonder…bright, colorful, fragrant and refreshing, citrus fruits are not only prized for their sweet-tangy taste – they’re nutritional super foods, too! Citrus fruits are rich in multiple nutrients such as vitamin C, flavonoids, and fiber which help protect your vascular system, reduce inflammation, improve gastrointestinal function and health,… Read more »

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We’re all about citrus at Citrus.com, and no wonder…bright, colorful, fragrant and refreshing, citrus fruits are not only prized for their sweet-tangy taste – they’re nutritional super foods, too! Citrus fruits are rich in multiple nutrients such as vitamin C, flavonoids, and fiber which help protect your vascular system, reduce inflammation, improve gastrointestinal function and health, and play an important role in preventing conditions like diabetes, cancer, neurological disease. In addition to their heath benefits, citrus is also used in fragrances, natural cleaning products, medicinal brews, aromatherapy oils and all kinds of recipes from salads to entrees to desserts (besides being enjoyed out of hand).

With so much going for it, it makes sense to have more citrus on hand, and when you grow you own it’s even more satisfying (as well as more convenient). Don’t live in a tropical climate? Never fear – it is possible to grow citrus plants indoors in pots!

Choosing an Indoor Citrus Tree

For indoor growing, you will want to choose a dwarf variety, as standard citrus trees will be much too large to contain in most indoor spaces. You can find a wide variety of citrus trees for sale at Citrus.com, including dwarf citrus trees. Here are some of the most popular varieties for container growing:

  • Dwarf Meyer Lemon Tree. This classic dwarf lemon is easy to grow indoors. It is a self-pollinating cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange. It can flower and produce fruit throughout the year, increasing the likelihood that it will provide you with homegrown lemons that you can use in cooking or to make fresh squeezed lemonade. It can also remain outside in temperatures over 40°F.
  • Dwarf Persian (Bearss) Lime Tree. This variety produces large quantities of juicy, seedless fruit. The green skins will turn yellow if left on the plant to fully ripen. This is the most cold hardy of limes.
  • Dwarf Washington Navel Orange Tree. One of the most popular citrus trees available because they are easy to grow. The white flowers of this orange tree emit a citrus, sweet-smelling aroma that is wonderful in spring, and has pretty foliage all year long. The fruit is sweet, juicy and mostly seedless.
  • Dwarf Rio Red Grapefruit. This heavy-yielding plant produces large pink grapefruit with an incredibly sweet flavor.

Finding the Right Pot – and Soil – For Your Citrus Tree

You will need a large pot with sufficient drainage holes. Terra cotta, unglazed ceramic, plastic, fiberglass, wood, or resin containers are all good choices – just don’t use a dark-colored plastic pot, as it will absorb and retain heat from the sun, and can cook the roots.

Fill the pot with a well-draining citrus soil blend, or use regular potting soil mixed with perlite, small gravel, pumice, or expanded shale, which will help to ensure adequate drainage. Use two-thirds potting soil to one-third inorganic material. You can also make your own using equal parts peat, sand, perlite, and bark.

Caring for Your Indoor Citrus Tree

Citrus trees are tropical plants that require lots of light, warmth, and adequate moisture in order to thrive and produce fruit.

  • Light. Look for a spot in your home where the plant will get as much bright light as possible, such as a south or southwest facing window. If your plants don’t get at least 6 hours of direct light a day (which they likely won’t in more northern climates) you’ll need to provide a supplemental light source. A tall LED grow light will replicate sunshine and also provide a little heat. Position it about 18 inches above the canopy, and don’t put it to close or it might burn the leaves.
  • Temperature. Citrus does best when grown in air temperatures between 55 and 80°F. In order to flower, you tree will need about 5-10  degrees of difference between day and nighttime temperatures, so turn your thermostat down a few degrees before bed. When the weather warms up, you can move plants outdoors during the growing season to give them access to natural light.
  • Water. It is important that your potted tree’s soil should remain moist without becoming waterlogged. Infrequent deep watering is better than frequent shallow watering – allow the soil dry to a couple of inches deep, then water thoroughly until water seeps out of the drainage holes in the bottom of your pot. With citrus, yellow leaves can be a sign of overwatering, as can citrus leaf curl.
  • Citrus tree fertilizer. Since regular watering can leach nutrients, it is important to provide a source of citrus fertilizer for indoor plants (you can find products labeled specifically for use on citrus plants on Citrus.com). Apply fertilizer just as new growth is beginning to appear in the late winter or early spring, and continue through the summer until growth slows down in fall.
  • Pruning. While pruning is not necessary for healthy growth and fruit production, it is useful to keep indoor trees compact and mobile. Trees can be pruned at any time during the year except when blooming and developing fruit, as this diverts energy away from fruit production and into new foliar growth.

Managing Pests & Citrus Tree Diseases

Contrary to what you might expect, pests can become especially troublesome with indoor growing. Since there are not many natural predators indoors to keep pests in check, populations can grow rapidly and cause significant damage.

If you can and can move your citrus plant into the bathtub or onto the porch, a strong spray of water can often be enough to remove pests, including any honeydew and accompanying mold (make sure to spray the undersides of leaves).

You can also make a homemade insecticidal soap by filling a spray bottle with water, a couple of teaspoons of mild biodegradable soap, and a teaspoon or two of vegetable oil. Spray the foliage every few days, as long as the infestation persists.

When growing citrus in containers indoors, the trees aren’t as prone to citrus disease as they are outdoors. Keeping trees healthy by watering them well and providing adequate sunlight will help to avoid stressing your plants, making them even more resistant to citrus diseases.

Enjoy Your Slice of Paradise Year-Round!

Growing citrus indoors is very rewarding and with a little extra care and attention, your plants will be provide you with fresh fruit for years to come. Enjoy!

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How Much Water Does a Fruit Cocktail Tree Need? https://www.yarden.com/blog/how-much-water-does-a-fruit-cocktail-tree-need/ Mon, 09 Nov 2020 19:35:11 +0000 https://yarden.com/?p=33603 Why buy fruit cocktail when you can grow your own? If you don’t have enough room for multiple citrus fruit trees, a cocktail tree may be the answer! Thanks to the miracle of grafting, fruit cocktail trees come in four different types and bear up to eight different fruits of the same family on the… Read more »

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Why buy fruit cocktail when you can grow your own? If you don’t have enough room for multiple citrus fruit trees, a cocktail tree may be the answer! Thanks to the miracle of grafting, fruit cocktail trees come in four different types and bear up to eight different fruits of the same family on the one tree, so you can grow more fruit a smaller space. And if you don’t live in a compatible growing zone, you can even get a dwarf fruit cocktail tree and keep it indoors!

The temptation posed by the bright colors, fragrant blooms and assorted fresh edibles for cocktails, salads and snacks of a citrus cocktail tree have been tempting you for a long time, and you’ve finally taken the plunge and found your own fruit cocktail tree for sale. But while you’re happily envisioning cutting limes for cocktails during checkout, it may occur to you that you need to know what to do to ensure your new cocktail plant (whether it lives indoors or out) thrives.

A tree with cocktail citrus fruit is still a tree.
All citrus trees prefer well-drained soil and deep, regular watering. How much and how often to water, however, depends on the age of the tree, the size, geographic location and whether it’s a potted tree or one planted in the ground.

Watering new-planted citrus cocktail trees.
A young cocktail lemon tree needs deep, regular watering until it’s well established (this can take up to two years or even longer). Whether you’re growing varieties of oranges on your cocktail tree, lemon lime or a variety of grapefruit, you should dig a basin around about eight inches from the trunk of a newly planted tree and fill it with water several times to settle the soil. Afterwards, water every other day for about two weeks, than twice weekly for the first three or four months (adjusting your watering schedule when it rains). Additional watering might be necessary if there’s no rainfall for more than five days during the first two years.

The good news is that citrus trees of all kinds that have been planted directly planted directly in the ground can access water even during dry spells once they’ve reached maturity, thanks to their expansive root systems. Mature trees generally thrive with regular rainfall and usually only need help during drought conditions.

“What can I do with fruit cocktail trees grown in pots?”
If you’re worried that, for growing a citrus fruit cocktail tree, Florida or California residence is required, think again – the cocktail process can take place indoors just as well as outdoors with a large pot and enough sunshine! Test the soil in your potted dwarf cocktail tree for dryness regularly by inserting your finger 2 inches into the growing soil. If the soil is completely dry, it’s time to water the tree.

If you keep your potted fruit salad tree outdoors some or all of the time, be sure to use good watering techniques. Turn a hose to the low-flow setting at the base of a potted cocktail tree several inches away from the trunk and let it run until water flows out of the bottom of the pot. Never spray your fruit cocktail trees with water because water droplets can catch sunlight and burn the leaves or encourage diseases on stems, blossoms and fruit.

Make sure you don’t over water your cocktail tree!
Remember – all citrus trees can die from overwatering just as easily as from insufficient watering. Potted cocktail trees are at particular risk for being overwatered. Never water a standard or dwarf citrus cocktail tree when its soil is soaking wet, and don’t let your potted citrus tree remain in a saucer filled with water for longer than a few hours. Too much water can hurt the roots and prevent the tree from getting adequate nutrients.

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Do Grapefruit Trees Need Full Sun? https://www.yarden.com/blog/do-grapefruit-trees-need-full-sun/ Tue, 03 Nov 2020 13:27:47 +0000 https://yarden.com/?p=33488 It’s so easy to love grapefruit! With they’re dark, shiny leaves and bright, long-hanging fruit, different types of grapefruit trees make beautiful specimens in a home garden or anywhere. Plus, grapefruits are delicious and highly nutritious. But there’s one drawback…as tropical plants, lots of sunlight is needed for any standard or dwarf grapefruit tree to… Read more »

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It’s so easy to love grapefruit! With they’re dark, shiny leaves and bright, long-hanging fruit, different types of grapefruit trees make beautiful specimens in a home garden or anywhere. Plus, grapefruits are delicious and highly nutritious. But there’s one drawback…as tropical plants, lots of sunlight is needed for any standard or dwarf grapefruit tree to thrive. Grapefruit trees varieties of every kind – be it a white or ruby grapefruit tree, or even a pink grapefruit tree – are best suited for growing in the ground in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 and up. So if you’re dream is to one day wake up and pluck a grapefruit off your own tree for that morning’s breakfast, you’re going to need to choose your planting and growing location and cultivars carefully.

Growing a grapefruit tree.

A grapefruit tree needs a lot of heat during the growing season. Lemon trees, lime tress, and other citrus trees don’t need quite as much heat as a sweet grapefruit tree, which depends on heat for its sweetness. This sensitivity to cold makes grapefruit tree care problematic even to gardens in the appropriate growing zones should there be a prolonged freeze. Ensuring trees keep warm strengthens them for fighting grapefruit tree diseases, as well. No matter where you live, if you’re looking to keep your grapefruit “orchard” small, you may want to consider getting a dwarf grapefruit tree.

Advantages of keeping dwarf grapefruit trees.

What makes a dwarf grapefruit so unique is its size. Dwarf grapefruit tree size tends to cap out at 12 feet maximum when mature. Rio red grapefruit trees and other varieties can be planted in the ground, but also do well in large pots, which means you can keep them indoors at least part of the time. Best of all, in a portable pot you can move your grapefruit tree to follow the sunlight!

Types of dwarf grapefruit trees for sale.

You don’t have to give up your favorite grapefruit variety by going with a dwarf tree – the citrus tree may be smaller, but its fruit is the same size as that grown on a full-sized tree. Ruby red grapefruit trees, which produce sugar-sweet fruit with a lovely red flesh, can be very particular about the soil they grow in, which makes going with a dwarf ruby red grapefruit tree even more an advantage as you’ll have great control over its soil. The maximum ruby red grapefruit tree size is anywhere from10 to 13 feet tall when grown outdoors, but with careful pruning the dwarf variety can stay at 3 to 4 feet, making it ideal to keep indoors.

In addition to looking for dwarf ruby red grapefruit trees for sale, you may want to consider a dwarf Rio red grapefruit tree. A relative newcomer to the citrus world, the Rio red grapefruit is an offshoot of the ruby red grapefruit, even sweeter, and more winter hardy. Available in dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties, it’s a beautiful addition to a sunroom or indoor arboretum.

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How to Dwarf Your Citrus Tree https://www.yarden.com/blog/how-to-dwarf-your-citrus-tree/ Mon, 05 Oct 2020 12:46:57 +0000 https://yarden.com/?p=32379 In this crazy world where we have to rush from one thing to the next, finding something to keep us grounded is a must. Some people go on a retreat to the mountains or vacations near the beach to relax. But did you know that you can find your little piece of heaven right in… Read more »

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In this crazy world where we have to rush from one thing to the next, finding something to keep us grounded is a must. Some people go on a retreat to the mountains or vacations near the beach to relax. But did you know that you can find your little piece of heaven right in your own back yard? Just start growing dwarf citrus trees and experience the joy of nurturing life as the trees grow. You will also find satisfaction when the trees start bearing colorful and healthy citrus fruits. Growing your own fruit provides peace, accomplishment, and joy.

Space is not a Problem

Don’t feel discouraged if you have little space at home for planting citrus trees. You can find dwarf citrus trees for sale like dwarf Citrus Cocktail Tree, or dwarf Citrus Navel Orange, and grow them in tiny spaces. Now you might be asking yourself, “How tall do dwarf citrus trees grow?” Dwarf citrus trees typically grow from 6 to 8 feet tall, but tend to be smaller when planted in a pot.

Now you might be worried that just because you are growing dwarf citrus they will bear small, inferior fruits – this couldn’t be further from the truth. Although the trees are dwarfed the fruits born from them are as big, juicy, tasty, and supreme as fruits from standard-sized trees.

Dwarfing Citrus

When you hear the word dwarf the first thing that comes to mind is a smaller version of a regular tree. Does that mean that you just keep a regular tree small thru judicious pruning? The answer is no. When you buy dwarf citrus trees for sale from a citrus nursery you, the trees are grafted onto a compatible dwarfing rootstock to slow down growth resulting in dwarf varieties. Furthermore, the size of the pot used is as much a limiting factor as the rootstock used.

Things to Consider

You must be excited by now and ready to start planting citrus trees. Before you go online and buy citrus trees, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

  • If you have kids or pets at home, you may want to avoid citrus with thorns to prevent accidents. There are citrus tree varieties like the dwarf Eureka Lemon and the Bearss Lemon trees that are thornless, and safer around children and curious pets.
  • Once you get your newly purchased dwarf citrus tree, you need to re-pot it right away. You will need a pot with adequate drainage and aeration that is bigger than the one it came in, potting soil, and fertilizer. To make your life simple, you may want to check out HappyGrow Grow Kits available at Citrus.com. The HappyGrow Grow Kit comes with potting soil and plant food, while the HappyGrow Starter Kit comes with a durable European plastic pot bundled with an interior air pruning pot, potting soil, and citrus plant fertilizer. Both HappyGrow Kits are available for 1-Gallon and 3-Gallon Trees. 
  • Watering container-planted citrus trees should be done evenly as soon as the soil dries out or is only slightly damp. You should avoid over-watering nor let the soil dry out completely for more than a day as it may cause serious damage to the citrus tree.

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Can a Lime Tree Survive Winter? https://www.yarden.com/blog/can-a-lime-tree-survive-winter/ Wed, 30 Sep 2020 13:15:08 +0000 https://yarden.com/?p=32228 Keeping Your Citrus Tree Safe When the Temperature Falls Think you need to move to Florida if you want to enjoy a juicy lime picked fresh from your own lime tree? Think again – with a few precautions and careful tending, many types of lime trees can thrive in growing zone 9a and above. And, thanks… Read more »

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Keeping Your Citrus Tree Safe When the Temperature Falls

Think you need to move to Florida if you want to enjoy a juicy lime picked fresh from your own lime tree? Think again – with a few precautions and careful tending, many types of lime trees can thrive in growing zone 9a and above. And, thanks to the development of miniature lime tree varieties, even those who live north of the Mason-Dixon line can enjoy fresh lime year-round!

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Protecting a Fully Grown Lime Tree From Frost

Nothing adds a tropical twist to a cold drink like a squeeze of fresh lime juice, and no wonder – a full-grown lime tree thrives best in areas where temperatures don’t often dip below the freezing point. But even the warmest climes have been known to suffer the occasional cold snap, so it’s best to be prepared. Here’s what you can do to ensure your full-size lime plant survives the winter:

  • Watch where you plant. Before you decide to buy a lime tree, choose where in your yard or garden you’ll plant it. Pick a sunny spot in a protected location (e.g. by a wall or on a gentle slope) so it has protection.
  • Fertilize the lime tree in summer or fall. This will help your lime tree get the nutrients it needs before winter sets in. Since fertilizing encourages growth, you should never fertilize your tree in the winter, when new young leaves are susceptible to damage from frost.
  • Prune lime trees in spring/early summer. Like fertilizing, pruning stimulates new growth, and so should be avoided in fall and winter.
  • Mound soil around the trunk. This will help protect the point where the tree’s scion and rootstock join together.
  • Add extra protection when frost is in the forecast. Wrap the tree from the bottom of the trunk up to where the branches begin in cardboard, palm fronds or fiberglass. Cover the insulation with plastic if ice or snow is expected.
  • Keep the lime tree’s branches warm. If your tree is small enough, cover the branches and fruit with a blanket. String fairy lights through the branches of larger trees – they’ll give off enough heat to help protect it, and look nice, too!
  • Keep the lime tree’s soil moist. Water emits heat, so when a frost is expected, hand-water the soil around the tree. Spraying the leaves will also help the lime tree to maintain its temperature and minimize frost damage.

Lime Trees in Containers

Dwarf lime trees are a delightful addition to any sunroom. Not only do they put the freshest limes within your reach year round, they provide clean, scented air and add a tropical vibe to your indoor spaces. Like their bigger cousins, dwarf lime trees love soaking up sunshine (at least 8 hours’ worth), so it’s perfectly fine (even preferred) to keep them on the patio in warmer weather. Unlike a full-size tree, though, potted lime trees can’t take even a short-term frost, and must be moved indoors as soon as the thermometer starts to fall.

One thing you need to keep in mind about miniature lime trees…the size of the tree is directly related to the size of the container, and after three or four years you will either need to repot it or trim the root ball back. Otherwise, you just might wind up with a lime tree that outgrows its pot!

There are several varieties to choose from when you decide to buy a lime tree:

  • Bearss lime tree. A dwarf bearss lime is an excellent choice. It’s an attractive tree that grows fast, puts out sweet-smelling flowers in the spring, and produces lots of seedless limes.
  • Kaffir lime tree. This Asian variety of dwarf lime has distinctive double leaves and produces a round, bumpy-skinned fruit that’s excellent in Asian dishes. It’s a bit hardier than other lime tree varieties, but still needs to be kept out of the frost.
  • Key lime tree. The dwarf key lime tree is an attractive, bushy tree that produces small, potent limes year-round. You’ll love making your own key lime pie from limes you grew yourself!
  • Limequat. A lime-kumquat hybrid, limequats produce 2-inch long fruit with characteristics from both plants. Limequats are somewhat more cold hardy than other lime tree varieties. The fruit is used in cocktails, fruit salads and can be candied whole.
  • Lemon lime tree. Why settle for one type of fruit when you can have two? This lemon lime hybrid tree gives you a key lime meyer lemon tree growing side-by-side in the same pot. Also known as a lemon lime cocktail tree, a dwarf lemon and lime tree is a space-saving way to grow your own citrus fruit.
  • Finger lime tree. This semi-dwarf Australian lime tree is growing in popularity! The long, thin fruit contains tangy, globular vesicles that have been described as a kind of “lime caviar.”

So don’t let a fear of cold weather stop you from enjoying your own fresh, homegrown limes! Find a lime tree for sale that works best for where you live, and follow these tips to keep it producing for many years.

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Is a Kumquat a Fruit or Vegetable? https://www.yarden.com/blog/is-a-kumquat-a-fruit-or-vegetable/ Thu, 17 Sep 2020 14:54:57 +0000 https://yarden.com/?p=31815 You might not be familiar with the name Kumquat but you must have seen small, oval fruits that look like baby oranges when visiting a farmer’s market. It is definitely fruit and is not a vegetable. If you have seen tiny oval oranges somewhere, then most likely those are kumquats for sale. But what exactly… Read more »

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You might not be familiar with the name Kumquat but you must have seen small, oval fruits that look like baby oranges when visiting a farmer’s market. It is definitely fruit and is not a vegetable. If you have seen tiny oval oranges somewhere, then most likely those are kumquats for sale. But what exactly is a kumquat, and what does a kumquat taste like?

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Kumquat Tree

The small Kumquat tree is a fruit-bearing tree that belongs to the flowering plant family Rutaceae. Kumquat is classified as genus Fortunella but share similar ancestors with oranges and can crossbreed with other citrus cultivars.

What does a kumquat tree look like? It is a slow-growing evergreen shrub or small tree. The typical kumquat tree size is about 8-15 feet tall. The Kumquat tree has dense branches with small thorns and bears dark glossy green leaves. It bears white flowers and produces hundreds – if not thousands – of tiny, sweet-tart fruits with smooth, bright orange peel.

Kumquat Taste

Besides its diminutive size, the kumquat fruit is unique because of how you can eat them. The fruit kumquat does not have any bitter pith and has sweet, paper-thin, edible peel and seed making the fruit suitable to be eaten as a whole. What’s more, the peel of the fruits borne from different kumquat varieties is usually sweeter than the flesh of the fruits. The juicy flesh is tart and complements the sweet skin.  Radical indeed!

Kumquat Varieties

There are four main Kumquat varieties grown all over: The round Marumi Kumquat, Japanese Meiwa, the oval Nagami Kumquat, and the ornamental Hong Kong Wild. There are also other unique varieties of Kumquat hybrids like the Fukushu Kumquat, Eustis Limequat (lime kumquat), and Indio Mandarinquats (Kumquat Mandarin).

  • Marumi Kumquat – This small, juicy, and round fruit is considered to be an ancient Chinese variety with thick, yellow-orange rind. The rind of Marumi Kumquat has a sweet flavor while the flesh is sour. It can be eaten fresh out of hand but is more popularly used to make marmalades and jellies.
  • Meiwa Kumquat – The sweet kumquat Meiwa is round in shape and looks like a large marble with golden-colored rind when ripe. Unlike other Kumquat varieties, the entire fruit (peel and flesh) of Meiwa kumquat taste sweet and is juicy. 
  • Nagami Kumquat – The tart Kumquat Nagami is a common Kumquat variety in the U.S. It offers a sweet-tart flavor making it great for making jellies and marmalades. The fruits of the Nagami Kumquat tree ripen from mid to late winter so are mainly kept as houseplants to protect the fruits from frost and biting cold weather.
  • Hong Kong Wild – This Kumquat variety is prized as an ornamental plant. The fruits from this variety are small and taste acidic and bitter. The Hong Kong Wild is considered to be primitive and the closest to the ancestral species from which all citrus derived from.

When are Kumquats in Season? Kumquats are winter season fruits. Depending on the variety, Kumquats may ripen from November through January, while some are available from mid-December through April.

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Can Kumquats be Frozen? https://www.yarden.com/blog/can-kumquats-be-frozen/ Thu, 27 Aug 2020 17:38:59 +0000 https://yarden.com/?p=31051 There are a variety of fruits that can be stored frozen. Kumquats can survive for several months in the fridge without losing freshness. How? First, slice the kumquats in half and remove the seeds. Put the kumquats in a container and coat with a simple syrup before placing it inside the fridge. To make the… Read more »

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There are a variety of fruits that can be stored frozen. Kumquats can survive for several months in the fridge without losing freshness. How? First, slice the kumquats in half and remove the seeds. Put the kumquats in a container and coat with a simple syrup before placing it inside the fridge. To make the syrup, you’ll need to mix 3/4 cups of sugar and 4 cups of water.

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Kumquat Tree and Proper Care

These evergreen shrubs belong to the citrus family. Kumquats look like oranges but they are a smaller version and are oval-shaped. The slow-growing Kumquat tree height ranges from 2.5 to 4.5 meters tall (approximately 8 to 15ft. high). They have dark, glossy green leaves, bear white flowers, and just like most citrus trees, they have thorns. Kumquat trees bear fruits for ten to fifteen years if well grown.

  • Like other citrus trees, Kumquat Trees like moist soil but do not like being submerged in water for long. When watering, make sure that the soil has dried out a bit before watering the tree again.
  • Use fertilizer for the first two to three months.
  • Mulching can also help the soil hold moisture and minimize the weeds that rob nutrients for the tree.

The Kumquat peak season is November to March and the flowers typically bloom in mid-summer. Kumquats are fully ripe when they are firm to the touch and have a bright orange color. If the fruit is still greenish it is most likely not yet ready for harvest.

Kumquat Varieties

Meiwa Kumquat – These are large round kumquat fruits that are a hybrid of Nagami and Marumi Kumquat. This type of kumquat is well known in Asia. They are sweet and more round with thick but smooth skin.

Marumi Kumquat – this fruit is also known as Luowen in China, from where Kumquat trees originate. This variety is small, round to oval-shaped, and has an orange to yellow-orange color. It also has thick smooth skin and a sweet-sour taste.

Nagami Kumquat – This kumquat is medium-size, has an oval shape, has thick smooth skin, is sweet, and has a bright orange color. This variety of Kumquat is the standard commercial variety, and accounts for 90% of kumquat crops in California and Florida.

Dwarf Kumquat – This type of tree is usually propagated via grafting. The size of the tree depends on the type of rootstock used. The usual height of a dwarf tree is 8 to 10 feet tall. Dwarf trees are suitable for indoor planting and are great for growing in containers.

The benefit of Kumquat Trees

1. Rich in antioxidants and other plant compounds.

2. Supports Immune System.

3. Can help reduce obesity or any related disorders.

If you’re thinking of adding kumquats to your backyard or planting them inside your house, you can buy them online from reputable citrus nurseries. You can choose from different varieties. Read the reviews to check whether the farm or nursery sends healthy trees to their clients. 

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What are the Types of Kumquat Trees https://www.yarden.com/blog/what-are-the-types-of-kumquat-trees/ Thu, 27 Aug 2020 17:35:31 +0000 https://yarden.com/?p=31047 What are Kumquats? Kumquats are slow-growing evergreen citrus trees or shrubs. Gardeners often plant kumquats not just for their fruit, but also because they make an attractive addition to their landscape or a lovely potted décor to their home. Classified as a Citrus japonica, they were once classified as a part of the Fortunella genus.… Read more »

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What are Kumquats?

Kumquats are slow-growing evergreen citrus trees or shrubs. Gardeners often plant kumquats not just for their fruit, but also because they make an attractive addition to their landscape or a lovely potted décor to their home. Classified as a Citrus japonica, they were once classified as a part of the Fortunella genus. The Kumquat fruit has a sweet, edible skin with a slightly sour flesh inside (although some kumquat varieties skin cannot be eaten unless processed).

The kumquat tree leaves are simple, long, and alternate, finely toothed from the apex to the middle, dark-green, glossy above, lighter beneath.

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Kumquat Pollination

Kumquats are self-pollinating, which means you only need one to develop fruits which makes it ideal for growing kumquat trees with limited garden space and as a potted plant.

Types of Kumquat                                   

There are various kumquats; they are distinguished as botanical species rather than as cultivars. There are four main species – most utilized for food – the Marumi, Meiwa, Nagami, and the ornamental Centennial Variegated Kumquat. Aside from these types, there are many more unique species of kumquat hybrids.

  • Marumi – The Marumui tree size can reach up to 9 ft (2.75m) and is slightly similar to the Nagami but slightly thorny and has smaller leaves.
  • Meiwa – Sometimes called round kumquat or sweet kumquat because of its taste and fruit shape. The tree is generally a dwarf which makes it a good candidate as a potted tree.  The mature Meiwa tree size is about 4 – 8 ft.
  • Nagami – The Nagami Kumquat is the most common species of kumquat. It is also called the oval kumquat because of its oblong-shaped fruits. Also, generally, a dwarf kumquat tree reaches around 6 to 10 ft when planted on the ground.
  • Centennial Variegated Kumquat – The Centennial Variegated Kumquat is larger and sweeter than most kumquats. Some believe it’s a cross between a Nagami Kumquat and a mandarin.

When are Kumquats in Season

The Kumquat season is from October to June, but they are better from December to April.  Kumquats are most often available during the Christmas season. They are often sold and gifted attached to the branch for that yuletide look. You can find them being sold online or at specialty or Asian markets.

Growing Your Own Kumquat Tree

Kumquats are hardy, and depending on the variety, are very cold tolerant. Now, because Kumquat trees are generally dwarfed, they offer great versatility to gardens and homes especially if you have limited space. Oh, did we mention you only need one to bear fruit since kumquat trees are self-pollinating? Great, right? Growing kumquat tree from seed is possible but can be difficult because young kumquat plants are often weak from seed. Instead of growing from seeds, you may want to buy kumquats for sale that are ready for planting from citrus gardens or farms and nurseries. 

Kumquat Tree Care

Kumquats cultivation has been around throughout Asia for centuries and they are very well suited to container culture. Kumquats do well in USDA hardy zones 9 and 10 and can survive in temperatures as low as 18 degrees F (-7 degrees C). If temperatures drop lower, bring them inside.  

The Kumquat tree can thrive in most soil types except for sticky clay or soil that doesn’t drain well.  Ensure your soil easily drains away water.

Kumquat trees love the sun. Make sure they get 6-7 hours of sunlight daily. When growing them indoors, make sure to put them where they can get an ample amount of required sunlight or use grow lights.

While still young, kumquats need regular watering, watering 2-3 times a week for the first year.  For Potted dwarf kumquats, the soil needs to be moist but not wet. Drainage is the key; make sure that your container drains well.

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