Gold Nugget Seedling Loquat Tree
These are seedlings of Gold Nugget loquat that were pollinated by other selected loquat clones. These are not grafted or clonally produced Gold Nugget trees. Gold Nugget is one of the most commonly seen loquat cultivars in nurseries and has been widely planted around California. We’re still trialing these here, but they are known for their vigor, which is apparent in these seedlings, as well as for their superior fruit quality which is similar in flavor to an apricot and quite large.
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: 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