April's Flower of the Month
Kumquat
(Fortunella spp.)
My garden has always been a source of pleasure. Not only does it thrill me with its perpetual parade of flowers, butterflies, birds, and other aspects of nature; it provides fresh vegetables and fruits in season. It just so happens that a kumquat grows outside my back door. For about five months of the year (November through March) I can walk out back, pick a kumquat off the tree, roll it gently between my palms to release the essential oils in the peel, and eat it on the spot—peel and all. Then I pick another, and another. What a delight!
Not only does the kumquat have tasty fruits; it is evergreen and has some of the most fragrant blossoms of any plants. For 12 months of the year, it is an attractive addition to my landscape.
History
Kumquat is a Chinese word meaning “gold orange.” Believed to be native to China, kumquats are mentioned in Chinese literature dating to the 12th century. Originally kumquats were in the genus Citrus, but in 1915 they were moved to the genus Fortunella, so named in honor of Dr. Robert Fortune who introduced them to Europe in 1846. Shortly afterwards they were introduced into the United States. Since 1895, kumquats have been grown in Saint Joseph, Florida, known by many as the Kumquat Capital.
Kumquats
Kumquats have been called “the little gems of the citrus family.” Trees remain relatively small, rarely growing over 8-10 feet tall. Although there are several species of kumquats, the ones most frequently grown in Florida are Nagami (Fortunella margarita) and Meiwa (Fortunella crassifolia).
The Nagami is the most common. The oval fruits are ¾ to 1 inch in diameter and 1½ to 2 inches long. Their fruit is very tart, which makes them the best choice for recipes. The Meiwa is the one that I grow since it is the best for eating fresh from the tree. Fruits are round and sweet.
Culture
Kumquat trees prefer moist, well-drained soil. Although highly resistant to citrus canker, they may be attacked by other common citrus pests, including mealy bugs, chewing insect pests, and various fruit flies. For recommendations about treating pests, contact the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, or download a copy of Publication CG005 from the Website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
Kumquats trees are thornless or nearly so. Usually they are grafted onto the rootstock of trifoliate orange for increased resistance to diseases and greater cold hardiness. Hardy to 10 degrees F., they can be grown successfully in USDA Zones 8-10. In areas with colder winters, they can be grown successfully in containers and moved to a protected site during freezing weather.
Butterfly Visitors
A visitor to watch for is the giant swallowtail butterfly which lays its eggs on citrus plants. In citrus groves, the eggs hatch into caterpillars called orangedogs, and they can be real pests. If you notice something that looks like bird droppings on your citrus, look carefully. If these bird droppings are able to move, and if the leaves on your citrus have ragged edges, the orangedog caterpillars are probably at work. Let them live unless there is a severe infestation and your tree is threatened. If necessary, the caterpillars can be controlled with Bacillus thuringinensis (Bt).
Although the butterflies willingly lay their eggs on kumquat, at least one reference indicated that the larvae do not seem able to survive on it. If rearing butterflies is important to you, consider transferring the larvae to other host plants. Find natives like wafer ash or hop tree (Ptelea trifoliata), torchwood (Amyris elemifera), and hercules-club (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis). Or grow some rue (Ruta graveolens) in the herb garden, for it is another favorite host plant.
Cooking with Kumquats
The use of kumquats in recipes is limited only by your imagination. Any recipe in which an exciting, tangy flavor boost is needed will benefit from a few kumquats. Flavor your favorite cakes, breads, pies, and desserts with them, or use them for interesting jellies and marmalades. Use them in a glaze to flavor pork, chicken, and fish, or make a flavorful chutney to serve over your favorite meats.
Kumquat Growers of Dade City, Florida, offers many interesting recipes on their website at www.kumquatgrowers.com. Check them out for mouth-watering suggestions.