Dr. Moy Loquat Tree
A loquat that has been growing for years at Cistus Nursery and was given to Sean by a Japanese horticulturist named Dr. Moy who simply described it as “the best one”. Though we have only ripened these loquats in greenhouses, and cannot yet speak to how well they will fruit outdoors in our climate, we can say with certainty that it is one of the finest tasting loquats we’ve ever had. The texture and thin skin is especially pleasing and almost melts in your mouth. Incredible flavor with tons of sugar and a nice acid tartness to balance it out. An excellent addition to the loquat orchard, especially in climates where the climate is conducive to fruit production.
A strikingly beautiful, small to medium size evergreen tree, Loquats feature long, dark green, deeply toothed foliage and tasty, light orange, apricot-like fruit. Loquat is very happy in the Maritime Northwest, although its pesky habit of blooming in the winter makes it difficult to produce fruit in our region, though planting more than one plant as well as providing habitat for over wintering hummingbirds that pollinate the loquat flowers greatly increases chances of fruit. Loquat’s ornamental value makes it well worth growing and, depending on the winter weather, you should occasionally receive a crop of this unusual and delicious fruit.
Latin Name: Eriobotrya japonica
Site and Soil: Loquats like 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: This tree is self-fertile
Hardiness: This Seedling is hardy to 0º F. or below.
Bearing Age: 3-5 years after planting
Size at Maturity: 12-15 ft, up to 30 ft. with great age if left unpruned
Bloom Time: December – February
Ripening Time: Early summer
Yield: 50+ lbs.
Pests & Diseases: This tree is not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 7
Sunset Western Zone: 6-24, H1, H2