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
Hi Lisa,
Thanx for your questions.  I would not recommend selling the seedlings to anyone north of zone 7 without providing them with ample instructions and warnings on the fact that the tree does not tolerate cold temps.  As with most fruit trees people will not see fruit set for 3-7 years depending upon growth.  Start most seedlings in the spring.  Contact your county extension agent for details regarding the laws on selling plants state to state.  The county extension agent is a service provided by your state agricultural college.  They will be in the phone book in the government section.  I hope this helps.
Tom