Everybody always asks me what type of cumquat our tree is because it is so nice to eat.
It is Kumquat Nagami. Grows 3-5metres high. Delicious teardrop-shaped fruit in winter months. Ideal for jams liqueurs and crystalizing or just eating whole (skin and all – the skin is very sweet and full of Vitamin K). Prefers full sun and rich soil either in tub or garden (ours is in the garden).
Each year it has steadily born more fruit. This year’s crop is huge. The crop stays on the tree for several months. I pick a few every day and eat them fresh as ‘tasty vitamin pills’ and take handfuls for friends as a little gift.
I’ve just picked a big basket which is most of the rest of the tree because they’ve now been on the tree for a few months and I don’t want them to go over-ripe.
Considering my options to either ask if the local fruit and vege shop would be interested in buying some or make up a big batch of marmalade. Hadn’t thought of putting them in liqueur or crystalizing them. Must look for a recipe!
This year I put ‘Phil’s Organic Tree Paste’ on the trunk of the tree. This is sold by Phil Ryan our local organic guru at the Ferny Grove markets on Sunday mornings.
Phil’s Organic Tree Paste is “A quality non-toxic blending of organic plant food and protection ingredients which won’t burn you or your plants. The paste’s fertilizers penetrate through the bark on your tree or shrub thereby stimulating rapid healthy growth whilst the paste’s other special ingredients repel tree borers sap suckers aphids scale etc. Apply with brush (or hands – use gloves -it is rough work) to the brown parts (NOT green) of trunks and/or limbs on all trees and shrubs.
DIRECTIONS: Mix two tablespoons of paste with a little water to make a slurry. Apply as per above. Can be used on a quarterly basis.
Anyway I’d have to say I highly recommend Phil’s Organic Tree Paste and the cumquat tree loves it! Phil is a genuine local manufacturer in The Grove!