A kumquat is a small round fruit resembling an orange. Before planting kumquat trees, gardeners may want to find out if they can be planted outdoors in their region. Growing kumquats outdoors should be done in areas where temperatures do not normally dip below 20° Fahrenheit (-7 C), otherwise, the trees can be placed in indoor containers. They should be given plenty of room to grow indoors, and proper fertilization can help these plants thrive. Kumquats should be located in a mostly sunny area where there are no drafts or high winds whether indoors or out.
Although kumquat trees are a type of citrus plant, they are more cold hardy than other types of citrus fruits are. This means they may be able to grow in areas that are too cold for oranges or lemons to thrive. Most citrus trees are easily damaged by frost, but most varieties of kumquats can withstand much colder temperatures. It can be a good idea to consult an almanac before planting these trees, and if this plant is not recommended for a particular geographic area, gardeners may want to grow them indoors instead.
Kumquat trees generally grow up to 10 feet (3.05 m) tall, so they should be placed in a room with a very tall ceiling if possible. Planting kumquat trees in a pot that is around one foot (0.31 m) is generally recommended for indoor growing. If grown indoors, a good potting soil mix along with regular watering and fertilizing can help keep this plant healthy, especially during the first two years of its growth.
When planting kumquat trees outdoors, they should be placed in an area that gets at least eight hours of direct sunlight each day. If the plants are grown indoors, they should be placed in a south-facing window if possible. It might be necessary to turn the tree from time to time if it is being grown indoors because this can help make sure all sides of the plant are receiving sunlight. Gardeners could also use a grow lamp to produce artificial light during the winter whenever the days are somewhat shorter.
Like other types of citrus, kumquat trees can be susceptible to wind and hail damage. For this reason, growers may want to plant some sort of windbreak around the trees when planting them in open fields. Gardeners who are growing kumquat trees indoors should make sure they are not placed near a drafty window, especially when outdoor temperatures are at or near freezing.