How to grow Loquats

How to grow loquats in a garden

Choose a sunny spot with well drained soil. Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & 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 backfill with soil, gently firming down. Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.

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 Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser yearly – once in spring, summer and autumn. When in flower, feed weekly with Yates Thrive Citrus & Fruit Plant Food to help promote more flowering and fruiting.

How to grow loquats in a pot

Choose a pot at least 600mm wide. Position in full sun and fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.

Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.

Position in hole and backfill 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.

Growing tips

Loquats continue maturing their fruit right through winter, so are renowned for maintaining the fruit fly population through the colder weather. Check fruit regularly and control with Yates Nature’s Way Fruit Fly and check fruit regularly. Remove and destroy any infested fruit.

If needed, you can improve the acidity of your soil and lower the pH by adding Yates Soil Acidifier Liquid Sulfur.