Cocktail Loquat

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Here is a cocktail loquat in a 3 gal...with some nice fruits forming on one of the scions.

I got a grafted Christmas, loquat from Hopkins a while back.  I took that tree, and grafted two more scions onto it, one of Torrey, and one of Novak.

The scion that's flowering is either Novak, or Torrey.  I forgot to label each scion...so I'll have to figure it out in due time.

I'm making sure to water regularly, and already thinned out the fruits!

[BMc]

Nice. I'm going to multi graft mine soon. I have three trees in ground and they are all over the shop with their fruiting, so am going to go back to just two trees and grafting limbs of the third onto both of the other two.  There is also another growing over the fence from the neighbour's house with pittiful fruit which I'll graft Mizuho onto.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

BMc,

what graft method are u gonna use?

side or wedge graft is great!

[Ethan]

Very purrty tree Adam, I hope they grown nice and even for you.  Do you plan to keep it in a pot or plant it out?

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Very purrty tree Adam, I hope they grown nice and even for you.  Do you plan to keep it in a pot or plant it out?

thanks Ethan.

yes, the tree will stay in a pot for as long as possible.

[luc]

BMc,

what graft method are u gonna use?

side or wedge graft is great!

Adam , what is the best time of the year to graft loquat ?

[FlyingFoxFruits]

anytime of the year, as long as scions aren't flowering.

Each tree is on a different schedule, so it just depends.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Here is one of the "Torrey" loquats I just grafted recently.

The way I grafted them, made it easy to attach scions that were much smaller than my rootstocks.  I'm not sure of the name, but I know I like the graft technique...for almost anything that can be cleft or veneer grafted.

Also, I've noticed that loquat is one of those trees you can graft high up on the rootstock, because the suckers are minimal and easy to control.

I remember this loquat having a white flesh, round shape like a small apple.  The fruits are large, low acid, and delicious.

Maybe this year I can post some pics from the mother tree.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Faluchi, (as my plants are labeled, but can't find any references online) is a variety that came from Israel...via budwood.  It sounds Italian to me...but whatever it is, the leaves are huge! and have a rough, serrated appearance.

I think the fruits will be huge to!  I'm excited to find out, maybe this year.

here is my pair of Faluchi's...

Here is the Avri, (a commercial cultivar, that's supposed to be great, also from Israel).  The leaves are much smoother, and smaller...less serrated.

[nullzero]

Those are big leaves, should have a quarter next to the leaf for a size comparison. Avri sounds interesting, Israelis love their fruit it seems.

[intel415]

anytime of the year, as long as scions aren't flowering.

Each tree is on a different schedule, so it just depends.

I grafted my loquat using all flowered scions, none putting out new growth darnit lol, but they are still alive though. Is that the reason why not to use flowering scions?

thanks

[Jackfruitwhisperer69]

Howdy Adam,
Loquats have eluded me and kick my ass on few occassions. No more will they laugh at me...I will crack the whip and show them who's dominus, like i done with Persea americana  Oh boy...I have been watching to much Spartacus

Thanks for sharing the recipe of success...all them grafts look freak'n awesome and i will do some side grafts at the end of the year. Side graft is not very ''invasive'' and keeps the system running and heals much faster Though, the wood ain't soft and requires some careful elbow grease

From what i have read...The common pear is compatible with loquat Though, i have never tried it

[FlyingFoxFruits]

jackwhisperer,

I wonder why your loquat grafts failed?

two reasons I think that are common would be;

the wood being somewhat hard, and difficult to cut flat, for proper cambium alignment.

and, the possibility of improper timing, with scions that are about to flower, instead of growing vegetatively.


I've noticed the cambium alignment can be slightly off, and they still take!  just wrap tight, and have nice flat cuts, making good contact on at least 90% of your graft union.

[Jackfruitwhisperer69]

Adam,
Can't remember for sure...it was like three years ago(give or take), I last tried to graft Loquats and didn't succeed.

It was definitely the wrong timing that doomed success...the wood also didn't give in

Thanks for the advice, amigo I'll grow some rootstocks and give loquat grafting, another shot and this time i will succeed with your tips

[FlyingFoxFruits]

The cocktail loquat in a 3 gal is doing well. 

The "Torrey" scion has some fruits that are almost ready...the birds have scratched one up, so I moved the tree into a less exposed location...so the birds are confused for now 

The fruits are big, but not as large as I've seen on the original Torrey tree.  I didn't thin them out enough!  I only thinned them out by about 50%...I should have removed 80-90% of initial fruits that set.

[nullzero]

Love the pictures, I am hoping the loquat scion take so I will have a cocktail tree as well .

[FlyingFoxFruits]

thanks nullzy!

I will let u know how they taste!  I gotta make sure to let them get really ripe, because I always pick fruits too early.  Loquats are delicious when picked a bit early sometimes though...so I might harvest one early.

[fruitlovers]

I hear also that loquats can be air layered. I tried only once and they didn't take. Loquats starting to fruit here now.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Yes Oscar,

I've airlayered them before, it's not too difficult.

I think grafting is much easier though.

Loquats have been fruiting here in Central FL since December!

[Ethan]

Nice grafting job Adam, so quick to recover and fruit!

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Nice grafting job Adam, so quick to recover and fruit!

Thanks Ethan!

that reminds me...I saw a ton of one gal grafted loquats at Zills...not for sale!  They had fruits and flowers on them...only about 1ft tall.

I'm sure the fruits aren't top quality yet, but they sure do fruit fast! and buyers love that.

[lkailburn]

Looking good! Our yehuda isn't flowering this year but we've been a little shy on the watering and I think its been holding it back. I tried two attempts at side veneer last summer without luck. Did you have better takes when in the green stage or more woody stage?

[fruitlovers]

Loquats are on the invasive weed list here. Not a problem in lowlands, but above 2000 foot elevation they can get out of hand, especially if you don't mow, as every single seed sprouts and becomes a new tree. I think birds carry them around spread them also.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

Looking good! Our yehuda isn't flowering this year but we've been a little shy on the watering and I think its been holding it back. I tried two attempts at side veneer last summer without luck. Did you have better takes when in the green stage or more woody stage?

It's funny you should ask...but I've been doing most of my grafts with hard wood...and I've had a high success rate.

But I've used green wood, affixed to woody portions of a rootstock, with no trouble.

I think if you are a beginner, go with the green wood!  Loquat is one of the scariest plants to graft (when cutting into pencil thick, woody rootstocks).

Loquats are on the invasive weed list here. Not a problem in lowlands, but above 2000 foot elevation they can get out of hand, especially if you don't mow, as every single seed sprouts and becomes a new tree. I think birds carry them around spread them also.

they are wild here, but not a nuisance.  They are all over the place, but few are large and delicious.

[Jackfruitwhisperer69]

Hi Adam,
Your cocktail tree looks freak'n awesome and is already rewarding you with fruits

Our Loquat season is also from December, onwards and my tress are loaded with fruits...they are very productive and produce a tons of fruits even with very little water(we gotta luv trees, that take care of themselves)

Loquats are a must have in any orchard...Love the fruit and the jam, is sensational(similar flavour of an excellent apricot jam, but i like to tweak it a bit, with cinnamon sticks or star anise, for extra goodness ) 

Thanks for sharing, Compadre