Kumquats are unique members of the citrus family because they belong to the Fortunella genus rather than the Citrus genus. As one of the toughest members of the citrus family, kumquats can withstand temperatures below 20 degrees F. (-6 C.) with minimal damage to their leaves and trunk. Kumquats produce small 1 to 1 ½ inch (2.5-4 cm.) orange fruits that have sour flesh and sweet skin. They are typically eaten whole. No peeling is necessary! Eating a kumquat is nothing but a pop of delicious sweet-sour happiness. What happens if they don’t bloom, hence no fruit?
Kumquat Not Flowering
Kumquats are small trees and typically top out at 10 to 12 feet (3-4 m.). They have attractive, bright, medium green leaves and aromatic, white flowers. They are prized for both their edible components and their ornamental value. Sometimes people struggle with how to get blooms on a kumquat tree. No pretty white blooms. No lovely scent. No fruit. That is sad. They ask, “When do kumquats bloom?” They look for kumquat flowers in spring, which is the wrong time by the way. Kumquats have a long winter dormancy period. They don’t even start growing until the weather warms up. Kumquat flowering season is typically midsummer. There are many issues that can lead to your kumquat not flowering at all.
- Was the tree recently transplanted? If so, it could be adapting its roots to its new location rather than producing blooms.
- Does your kumquat get full sun? It needs a lot of sunlight to be happy.
- It could be that pruning was too severe or too late in the spring and the kumquat is putting all its energy into leaf regrowth.
- Was there an especially severe and cold winter? That could lead to a kumquat not blooming.
- Another issue is the soil. Kumquats like rich, well-drained soil. If your soil is too lean or boggy, then your kumquats may not produce flowers.
- Kumquat trees also need a fair bit of zinc. A zinc deficiency in the soil can lead to a kumquat not blooming.
If you are wondering how to get blooms on a kumquat tree, make sure the tree is planted in full sun, has rich, well-draining soil, and is pruned properly. Give your kumquat tree a good quality, organic citrus fertilizer with zinc in it on a monthly basis. You can also spray the leaves with a micronutrient combination of zinc, iron, and manganese in late spring at the beginning of the growing season. Good luck with your kumquat tree. The flowers are lovely, and the fruit is really a treat!
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