How to Graft a Loquat Tree

The Loquat tree is a native to Japan, with yellowish oval fruits and 1-inch dark brown seeds. It was spread across the Mediterranean by the French and the English; now it can be found most anywhere in the world.

The loquat fruit share the same ancestor as the apple and pear. The loquat blooms in late fall through early winter, with white blossoms that are fragrantly sweet. When the blooms first appear, they resemble the consistency of a rough piece of wool.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp 2-inch wide bladed knife
• Thick gloves
• Grafting rubber
• Grafting wax
• 2 different varieties of Loquat rootstock

Instructions

1. Sever the rootstocks tips until they are of the same length, preferably 6 inches. Carve away any lateral buds that would sprout new roots once in the soil.

2. Slice into one rootstock at a 45-degree angle, just 1/4 of the way into the edge of the tip. The angle will be cutting down into the root lengthwise, removing a wedge piece of the root. Repeat this with the other rootstock, adjusting the depth of where the cut will be made at the tip. You want their bases to be of same width, so go in more or less than 1/4 of the way if necessary.

3. Set the two rootstocks together creating one cylinder. Wrap the entire root in grafting rubber. Dip the rubber into the wax; set it aside for at least an hour to dry.

4. Plant the root into moist soil, in the sun and away from frost or wind. New root growth will begin in the following two weeks; the plant should emerge within six weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• Treat your soil with a rich nutrient top soil mixture. Miracle-Gro or Scotts make an excellent choice for your loquat. Do not over water; the soil should pack, not stick. Loquats admire a warm steady environment, so keep them in an area with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight. Plant the root in the early spring, to give the root a chance to heal immediately and not go dormant, risking possible stress and death.

• Keep your hands safe from the knife with thick gardener's gloves.

References

• Loquat information
• Grafting fruit trees
• loquat fruit