The oval kumquat (Fortunella margarita) is a shrub or small evergreen tree, both fruit-bearing and ornamental, very similar to plants of the Citrus genus, which include oranges and tangerines. They mainly differ in their smaller fruits, with few segments, and thin, edible peels. The trunk is highly branched, with branches that can be either very thorny or smooth, and it grows slowly, reaching up to 16 feet (about 5 meters) in height.
The leaves are lanceolate, alternate, leathery, glabrous, with the upper side dark green and the underside light green. Flowers appear in spring, in the leaf axils, and are white, highly fragrant, in racemes of one to four. The fruits ripen in autumn, and can be round, ellipsoid, or pear-shaped, depending on the variety.
Generally, oval kumquats have thin, delicate, sweet, and edible skin, with somewhat sour pulp. The four main varieties of kumquat are “Marumi”, with round fruits, “Nagami”, with ellipsoid to oval fruits, “Fukushu”, with round to pear-shaped fruits, and “Variegated”, with variegated fruits striped yellow.
This special citrus tree is ideal for pot cultivation or in small gardens. Enjoying partial shade, it can be placed near a sunny window even indoors. If well managed, it forms a dense and beautiful crown. If you notice a crown with few leaves and not bearing fruit, it is probably getting insufficient sunlight exposure. It is very productive, with one plant capable of producing hundreds to thousands of fruits per year.
As it self-pollinates, it’s not necessary to have more than one tree to obtain fruits. In Japan, the fruits are commonly eaten whole, in natura, but some dislike the pulp, consuming only the skin. They are also used for making sweets, compotes, jellies, sauces, liqueurs, preserves, etc. It is a fruit rich in vitamin C and low in calories. The kumquat also holds a special place in the art of bonsai, being preferred by many enthusiasts.
The oval kumquat should be cultivated under full sun or partial shade (at least 4 hours of direct sun), in fertile, deep, and well-drained soil, preferring slightly acidic ones. It appreciates regular watering, especially in the first years after planting. It is one of the citrus fruits that best withstands intense cold, entering dormancy during harsh winter and sprouting again in spring. However, if frost occurs in early spring, it can be severely damaged.
It is also resistant to the salinity of coastal environments, making it suitable for beach houses. To maintain a continually productive and pest- and disease-free tree, perform annual pruning on the oval kumquat for cleaning and aerating the crown. Fertilize in spring, summer, and autumn, with fertilizers suitable for fruit trees. It can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, but mainly by grafting onto sour orange, bitter orange, or pomelo.
