Loquats (Eriobotrya Japonica) - Episode 31

[rjogden]

Loquats in Florida - a strange situation. They grow everywhere in Gainesville, a LOT fruiting now in April (2011) despite mid-20's winter temps. Obviously the developing fruit is not easily damaged by freezing. Stranger still - almost no one here picks them. They are apparently seedlings (not improved grafts); but still, even the "wild" fruit is usable for jams, juice,pie, etc. And the area nurseries don't offer improved grafted varieties, even though they thrive here with NO care.

[RawHealingPatch]

@rjogden thanks for the info.. hopefully people will grow more of them and make them more available!

[CognitionSpeaks1]

I have never tried a loquat, but I have read and been told that the pits contain cyanide so be careful!

[RawHealingPatch]

@CognitionSpeaks1 most pits contain cyanide. like apricot, apple, etc.. they tatste like strong almond flavor and when the body has had too much cyanide, the tongue will begin to burn. it is hard to get poisoned by these seeds unless you eat WAY too many... and loquat seeds are so large, not many people will want to eat them.

[RawHealingPatch]

sweet...thank you!

[gummybearsfosho]

i live in california, and have barely heard of a loquat.

[RawHealingPatch]

yeah, i (julie) learned about them from sarah because she grew up here in cali. what area are you in? we are in Ojai and loquats grow like mad. maybe they are not in your area? they like some heat. if you are in our area, i could point you in the direction of some if you would like...

[lkbkr103]

I love loquats! Growing up in Central California, I always had plenty of them to eat. (They grow very well here too!!) Now I just have to figure out how to get myself a tree!!

[RawHealingPatch]

awesome....we love them too! we just started selling some fruit seeds on our website, so please check there for loquats seeds available soon. if you woudl like some reserved for you, please e-mail us and we will save you a set. we harvest with the seasons and all products are local and organically grown. thanks! mmm....loquats!

[RawHealingPatch]

p.s. we are doing the same...growing them the slow, old-fashioned way from local, beautiful ojai trees...they will be worth the wait!

[SamsRawTruth]

Thanks for the shout out and the botanical name!

[RawHealingPatch]

you are very welcome :)

[MyOwnStickFigure]

Hi Friends. Thanks for the fruit love. I have never tried loquats but have seen them. They look like kumquats - I wonder if they are related? They are very charming little orange wonders. Thank you for warning about the skin, that's very important to know for new-bes! The weather looks beautiful there, hi to the dog roaming in the background too. I am on a lychee love high now... will have to try the loquats too. I'm sure my tropical fruit lady at the market will bring some soon. Hugs to you 2!

[RawHealingPatch]

not sure if they are related to the kumquats. kumquats have skin like citrus and the whole thing is edible, while loquats are fleshy like plum or apricots inside and skin is like grapes or nectarines. but maybe.... that's my pup phoebe (she is part white shephard...yours is a shephard i know :) anyway, we tried reaching that fruit lady by e-mail and she never wrote back. should we try again? talk soon, hugs back....jules