The kumquat tree occasionally sheds individual leaves and flowers, this fact has natural causes and usually does not represent any reason for further alarm. However, if the leaf loss accumulates, then the causes for it should be carefully investigated. Especially when more than half of the leaves have been thrown off and the bare branches are turning brown. So that you can enjoy the exotic citrus tree for a long time, the temperature, the lighting conditions, the location and the casting units play an important role.
Leaf loss
The kumquat tree regularly sheds individual leaves, which is a natural circumstance. If the tree loses many of its leaves in winter, then that too is a completely normal process. This serves to protect the plant, as the metabolism is significantly reduced. Since far fewer nutrients are now absorbed, not as many nutrients should be used up. At other times of the year, however, an extreme loss of leaves is an indication of deficiencies in cultivation. The size of the bucket also plays an important role in healthy growth. When the roots begin to fill the entire planter, the kumquat tree needs a much larger container.
- If there is too much leaf loss, take countermeasures promptly
- Observe the plant closely
- Analyze reasons and triggers
- Check care and location
- Check for diseases and pests
to water
If the kumquat tree loses a lot of leaves in the summer months,
then this is often due to incorrect irrigation. It is therefore essential to check your own casting behavior. Too little water leads to leaf loss, but it is also important not to water too much. In addition, the plant does not tolerate extremely calcareous irrigation water, but the lime value is very different from region to region. This value can be determined specifically with a test from a specialist retailer. Another reason for leaf loss can also be too low values for the humidity. Due to its exotic origin, the citrus tree is used to high humidity.- Plants need plenty of water, especially when they are growing
- Cannot deal with permanent waterlogging
- Dammed water in the planter leads to rotten roots
- Create a drainage layer and check the drain for blockages
- If tap water is cold, it is better to collect rainwater for watering
- Carefully spray the plant with lime-free water
- Alternatively, place a vessel filled with water nearby
Tip: If you live in a region with very hot summer temperatures and low humidity, you can put the tree in a larger bucket filled with water during this time. However, on a raised platform so that the excess irrigation water can run off completely and no waterlogging occurs.
Care errors
- Extremely sensitive to lime, both in the irrigation water and in the soil
- The optimal pH value is in the acidic range
- Descale extremely cold tap water with water filters
- Extremely high nutrient requirement, fertilize at least every 2 weeks
- Fertilizer for citrus plants is ideal
- Use fertilizer with a lot of potassium temporarily for abundant flowering
Location error
If the kumquat tree is cultivated in living rooms, then the orientation of the location is very important. The citrus plant comes from Asia and is therefore used to tropical temperatures with lots of sun. The double-glazed windows installed almost everywhere nowadays filter out many important light components, so that the plant is literally in the dark. A permanent lack of light leads to a loss of leaves and flowers.
- Prefers warm and sun-drenched living spaces
- Window sills facing west and south are ideal
- North and east windows are unsuitable
- When the weather is good, place the plant in front of the open window
- If available, take it to the balcony during the day
- Avoid drafts at the location at all costs, promotes pest infestation
- Light up places that are too dark with a plant lamp
Overwinter
From its homeland, the kumquat tree is not used to the dark season and the associated lack of light. These circumstances are not well tolerated and often lead to severe leaf loss. The darker the location, the more leaves the ornamental shrub will lose. In order to prevent this, the site conditions play an important role during hibernation. If the warmth-loving plant is cultivated in the garden, on the balcony or terrace, then it can
The first and still light frosts in autumn are usually quite well tolerated. For the winter and with extremely low minus values, however, the plant needs adequate winter quarters. Depending on the weather and the region, the kumquat tree can move outside again from May.- Only partially hardy, must move at the beginning of winter
- Choose the brightest possible location as winter quarters
- However, it needs cool temperatures in order to bloom again in the following year
- Temperatures between 5-10 ° C are ideal for wintering
- Do not place too close to the radiator
- Dark storage rooms, corridors and garages are unsuitable as winter locations
- Seldom used guest rooms and bright corridors are ideal
Tip: During the winter break, there should be no fertilization and only little watering. In addition, the plant should be checked regularly for waterlogging, rotting roots, diseases and pests.
Conclusion
If the kumquat tree loses some leaves and flowers every now and then, it's a natural process and nothing to worry about. However, there are often serious reasons behind extremely heavy leaf loss. If these are not recognized and promptly eliminated, this can lead to the complete death of the plant. Therefore, the triggers for a massive dropping of the leaves must always be investigated. In this way, suitable countermeasures can be initiated immediately. The reasons often include mistakes in watering, both too much and too little water is harmful to the crop. Kumquats do not tolerate waterlogging at all, this leads to signs of rot on the roots and then to the shedding of the leaves. If the leaves, flowers and fruits are poorly developed or not developed at all, then often too low a nutrient content in the substrate is the trigger. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to regular fertilizers, especially during the flowering period. Due to its exotic origin, the plant prefers sunny locations with a lot of direct sunlight. Dark site conditions are not tolerated and also lead to leaf loss. In addition, the plant suffers from persistent drafts, too low temperatures in summer and from insufficient humidity. In winter quarters, however, cool temperature values are desirable, in a bright location.