Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)

Loquat
Scientific Name: Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.
Synonym: Photinia japonica
Family: Rosaceae
Recommended Temperature Zone:
sunset: 4-24
USDA: 8b-10

Frost Tolerance: No protection needed in Phoenix, tree hardy to 12 °F. Bloom hardy to 27 °F
Sun Exposure: Late afternoon shade preferred. In full sun, leaf edges will sunburn.
Origin: China
Growth Habits: Evergreen tree, 20 to 30 feet tall (6-9 m); woolly new twigs; large tropicals-looking glossy-green elliptical leaves, 5 to 12 inches long (12.5-30 cm), 3 to 4 inches wide (7.5-10 cm), brownish pubescent underside.
Watering Needs: Drought resistant, but regular water is needed for good fruit production.
Propagation: Easy from seeds, named varieties are grafted, also possible but difficult by air-layering or cuttings

Loquats grow easily in Phoenix, although their large leaves get sunburned easily in summer with the afternoon sun. Their large deep green leaves (8-10 inches) are very decorative. Many if not most of the trees found in Phoenix nurseries are distributed without variety names, they might not produce any fruit, or barely edible ones.

Blooming Habits:
Fragrant, unconspicuous flowers in winter, in woolly terminal panicles. Because of the blooming time, in zone 8, flowers get often destroyed by the cold.

Fruiting Habits:
Depending on the species, the fruit ripens from late spring to mid-summer.

Propagation:
Loquat is easily propagated by seeds that generally grow into trees bearing fruit of inferior quality, or no fruit at all. Seedlings can also be grafted using shield budding or side veneer grafting.

Links:
CRFG Loquat Fact Sheet
University of Florida

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