Question
Hi- thanks for volunteering. My question is about Loquat or Japanese Plum tree seedlings. I'm an ebay seller and it seems God just sends me miracle after miracle to help suppliment my income! I'm a single mom working and going to school with a 13 yr old boy with serious health issues. So I'm thankful to have yet another opportunity to help us. I sell garden bulbs at Spring and will be trying my hand in the Fall for bulbs also.

I also have what I used to consider a very annoying Loquat tree. It bears 1000s of Loquats, then what my neighbors and birds don't eat rots and falls to the ground. Every one of those rotted fruits' seeds try to become a tree. I have been poisoning them for years like weeds so I could mulch and plant stuff.

Well, now I see people selling seedlings on ebay! I have sold probably 10 of them around Florida and people are very happy with there little 6?seedlings. I send them a clump and they travel well too. But I have little knowledge on how to maximize this. I have to research what states I can sell to to stay out of trouble. But after that, I still have questions:

-When is the best time to start selling these seedlings- Spring? Now?

-The tree is hardy to 10 degrees, what about the seedling? If someone up North wants a seedling in the Spring, how warm does it have to be there first? I would suggest they pot it until Spring in their state, but what is the temperature they can go outside in?

-I think people won't see fruit the first year, if they use them as container trees, when can they expect to see fruit?

Thanks again for taking to time to volunteer- I appreciate any info you can offer!
Lisa


Answer
Lisa,

Loquat is a great tree for the southern regions of the US and is hardy to zone 7.  When I was at Clemson University we had a loquat in a protection location, but it never bore any fruit as the fruit and flowers will freeze at 27F.  

Selling these plants on eBay is questionable, as well as other live plants.  Selling these plants on eBay on a large scale will involve crossing state lines.  There are US and state dept. of agriculture guidleines and rules that must be followed.  These are important because of the danger of spreading insect and diseases.  Plant producers must be permitted and inspected to insure plant stock is disease free.

Good luck.

Gary