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Re: The 5 Points of FINALISM
 
loquat1 Views: 947
Published: 7 y
 
This is a reply to # 2,388,850

Re: The 5 Points of FINALISM


The flowers, five-petalled and white, are rather like large hawthorn blossom but are not borne until late summer or autumn, and then only after a decently warm summer. The flowers have a rich, sweet scent, but this may be appreciated only from an upstairs window, as they tend to grow at the top of the plant [mine grow all over the tree].

One of the characteristics that mark it out as coming from a warmer climate zone is the development period of the fruit; this happens over the winter, so ripe fruit is not produced until spring. Needless to say, it rarely fruits in Britain, at least outside Cornwall and (possibly) sheltered London gardens [like mine, of course].

Despite the japonica tag, the plant actually comes from central and southern China [SE China to be a bit more precise]. However, it has been grown in Japan for its fruit for more than 1,000 years, and has been known in Europe since the 18th century. While it has never become an important commercial fruit [short shelf life, ya see - try sayin' that w. a mouthful of m&m's], it is grown widely in the Mediterranean region, the Far East, and in the southern United States.

That's interesting that they flower in the autumn and not the spring. 

Well, I wasn't gonna go into any detail, but since you picked up on this aspect of its natural history.... My 1st tree blossomed in the spring!! That's why I said 'as a rule'. There are rare exceptions, and I was the very fortunate owner of just such an exception. So for 7-8 yrs (around 1993 - 2000) we had the most amazing summer fruit from our tree.... then......nothing. No flowers, no fruit. Zip. Zilch. Diddly squat. τίποτα, Nada. Nothing. I thought that was it - done. Heading for that loquat farm in the sky. Then.......the following year....

.....Just could not believe it. An absolute explosion of blossom. Even the neighbours noticed the fragrance and commented on it. I thought .....fantastic.... brilliant ... a record-breaking crop on the way. Then it slowly dawned on me. It was now autumn, and winter was just round the corner. Aaaaarrrrgggghh. OH NO! Sure enough, our winter destroyed the lot. I was almost inconsolable. Following year....the same. Yr after that, same again. Our tree had 'gone native' - ie, reverted to type, behaving just like its ancestors back home in SE China.

So I trundled off to our local gdn centre to get some friendly advice from the experts. Seems there was nothing to be done. The entire blossom/fruiting cycle is under the control of plant hormones. Hormones? Hmm, I thought. If it's under the control of plant hormones, what if I reduced hormone production via radical pruning? Worth a try, they said, but don't hold your breath. So over the follwoing 3 yrs I took off 1/3 of the crown. It didn't budge - still blossoming in autumn.

Almost ready to give up on that stubborn cuss of a basket case, then hit on the bright idea of anti-frost counter- measures, with the help of some friendly forum advice, some 'fleece', polythene sheets, and some outdoor xmas tree lights. Worked a treat, and we now enjoy the fruit again whenever I'm organised enough to do my bit.

TMI and OT, I know, but since you asked.......

And no, never heard of a perfume made from the blossom, but if someone ever managed it, I'm sure it would be a hit.

PS A 2nd loquat tree starting flowering in the autumn from the get go, but thus far this year has failed to blossom. Now then, what are the chances? If this one goes native in reverse (so to speak), I'll be able to take even more droppings from trapper, & use them for tree fertilizer, no?

 

 
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