Question
Hi- Thanks for volunteering! My question is in regards to my Loquat Tree. I grow many things, but need help with some info on this tree....

After the 1000s of loquats ripen and fall off the tree, they take root into the ground and I have tons of little seedlings. I have always gotten rid of them. Well, the tree is inbetween my neighbor and I on a property line and he wants it to go away. I do not. My compromise is to get those seedlings and grow some on my property before he cuts it. But the loquats are still green. Can I fight the situation? Probably, but they are a nice older couple and it's just too important to them for some reason.

So I'm kind of in a hurry. I have green fruit on the tree now- it's supposed to be golden when ripe. **When can I harvest the seeds? He could probably wait 4 weeks. Are the seeds harvestable out of the green fruit? Do I just put them in the ground or do they have to dry out/germinate? And here's a really crazy question...if he cuts the tree with green fruit, will the loquats still ripen on a cut branch if I save them?
Thanks for any advice,
Lisa
@-->--  

Answer
Eriobotrya Japonica

I did some research. This is the important thing that I found. The seeds that you plant from your tree are going to be nice ornamental plants, but the fruiting quality will be greatly deminished. The best fruit comes from GRAPHTED trees. That means that you will need to either graft your new tree, which is very difficult, or buy one already graphted, in order to get the abundant fruit you desire. You can plant the seeds, and wait the 3 to 4 years, or more, for them to produce some poor quality fruit, (the fruit is often more seed, then flesh) and settle for having an attractive plant. But if it is the fruit you want, I would reccommend buying a new tree that has been graphted.
Harvesting the seeds: The seeds are ripe, when the fruit is ripe. If it is green, the seeds are underdeveloped.
They will ripen in the spring. If the branch is cut when the fruit is almost ripe, you probably can let it ripen much the same as you would most fruit, but you chances are better if it is ripened on the tree.
Seeds: I would sow the seeds in pots, in the spring. Keep them at 55-60F until the have sprouted. Then plant in the ground in early summer. Keep them well watered and fertilize during growth season, with citrus fertilizer when they are about 3 feet tall. Prune before flowering and after fruiting to keep it an attractive, shape, and size.

bakerplanter