Caring for citrus
Protect your citrus trees from weed, mulch, pests and rots. Fertilise and nurture it for it to bear sumptuous fruits.
Ever tried or seen a loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)? They were once popular in all Aussie backyards, but strangely fell out of flavor, we’re not sure why! Especially when the tree makes a gorgeous specimen in the garden and the golden-yellow fruit is delicious eaten fresh, stewed or turned into a jam. Loquats will grow in most parts of Australia, except cold climates like Hobart and mountain regions.
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.
- 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.
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.
Get composting!
Food scraps, fallen leaves and small tree clippings are wonderful sources of potential organic matter for your garden.
Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser
Create organic nutrient rich soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter for better root growth, stronger plants and more flowers and fruit.
Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter
A high quality all purpose organic-based potting mix suitable for most indoor and outdoor potted plants.
Yates Thrive Citrus & Fruit Liquid Plant Food
Yates Thrive Citrus & Fruit Liquid Plant Food is a complete, liquid plant food that provides balanced nutrients for healthy growth.
Yates Garden Guide (44th Edition)
Australia's bestselling and most trusted gardening guide in its 44th edition! A must-have for keen gardeners.
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