Content
- Japanese loquat only partially hardy
- German winters are unpredictable
- Planting loquat or not?
- Overlay loquat in pot
- Tips
Temperatures below -8 ° C can cause lasting damage to fruits and trees
Japanese loquat only partially hardy
The loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is the most well-known of the loquats originating from Asia, which incidentally although with the native Mispeln related - both kinds belong to the family of the rose plants - but otherwise are not congruent. The plant, also known as Loquat or Nispero, is mainly cultivated for its plum-sized, apricot-like fruits that are not dissimilar, and, above all for us, for its evergreen, glossy foliage. However, the Japanese loquat is not sure us frost or hardy.
German winters are unpredictable
On the Internet, it is more common to read that loquat is up to minus 15 ° C (and sometimes even more) winter hardy and could therefore be easily overwintered outdoors. The gardening experience, however, teaches us the opposite, because these trees are up to about 12 meters high in their home, are actually quite robust, but frosty or even snow-tolerant, they are not at all. Mild winters usually survive the bushes or trees without problems, but as soon as the temperatures drop sharply - to less than five to eight degrees Celsius - frost damage threatens, including the death of the tree due to freezing.
Planting loquat or not?
For this reason, it should be refrained from planting the tree in the garden, because German winters are known to be unpredictable. What may be good for some years thanks to mild winters - the loquat growing and thriving outdoors all year round - can be destroyed by a single severe winter. If you still want to plant the plant, it is best to place it in a sheltered location near a heat radiating house wall. In addition, the tree should always be packed warmly in the event of threatening high temperatures of minus, whereby above all the roots and the trunk must be protected from the cold.
Overlay loquat in pot
It is better, however, to leave the loquat in the pot and bring it into the house or into the greenhouse from November. Here the tree hibernates in a bright and frost-free, but cool location at about five to a maximum of ten degrees Celsius. Water the plant regularly so that it does not dry out, but stop using any fertilizer. Larger specimens can sometimes overwinter for a fee in a nursery - just ask the gardener of your trust.
Tips
Of course, when packaged warmly, the Japanese loquat can also overwinter on the balcony, provided the temperatures do not drop too much. You should wrap both the planter and the plant in fleece o. Ä., But an air exchange must be possible - otherwise moldy you under his winter cover.