'Robust' Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) Seeds

'Robust' Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) Seeds

Flavor:  Citrusy, Mild Sweet Kumquat Taste
Fruit Size:  Medium
Fruit Type:  Orange, Apricot Texture
Growth Habits:  Semi-Dwarf, Very Broad & Wide Balanced Canopy, Extremely Ornamental, Strong & Sturdy Structure
Season:  Mid to Late
Tolerances:  Resistant to Drought, Shade, Heat, Humidity, Wet, Extreme Wind, Pests & Diseases, Very Cold
Growing Zone:  7B or higher (9 is Perfect)
Positioning:  Full Sun, Part Sun
Special:  Super Stocky Caliper, Perfect Branching Behavior, Fantastic Foundation, and Beautiful for Bonsais

The Robust is a foundation canvass which consistently has a very thick trunk, wide branching, and a near perfectly shaped canopy.  Upon discovering it, we realized it can be grown for either ornamental purposes or allowed to mature to a perfect shape for grafting all your favorite varieties onto its very thick branches.  Its own fruit has mild citrus undertones for flavor, but less potent than a sweet kumquat. This is the perfect tree for those wanting to avoid too much upright growth and feel secure that your branching is going to hold strong against fruit weight and extreme wind and weather abuse.  Grafting this onto a seedling as a topper stock is a good combination for a future cocktail base, however its seedlings are proving to keep the same girthy growth habits right out of germination. Upon maturing, a couple of these are great for a hammock. For those wanting a gorgeous container grown specimen or a potential loquat for a bonsai project, this one is perfect.

Be advised that the actual fruit of a seedling will not be the same as its parentage, but many physical properties of the tree’s genetic markers may carry over, such as size, growing patterns, prolificity, resistances and tolerances. Also, actual fruit does tend to be similar in many regards and may even have an improved flavor if you are fortunate.  Our loquat trees are pollinated with only other improved cultivars and the seeds will carry over much of the desirable characteristics and qualities.

Our loquat seeds have been freshly harvested for the season and have a shelf life of approximately 6 months and should be planted as soon as possible once received.  Loquat seeds must be germinated in moist-dry conditions (not wet), and prefer coarse sandy, loamy soils with a good mix of fine pine bark particulates and humus--extremely well-draining.  Loquats are not heavy feeders, and the use of fast-release fertilizers should be avoided.  Only fertilize with slow-release, light feeds with micros such as polymer-coated controlled-release for supplying mineral nutrients.