Loquat tree not fruiting

[Eleanor]

Hi,

I have a Loquat tree that blossoms, but produces no fruit.

Is there anything that I can do to help things along? Is pollenation likely to be a problem, as I only have the single tree?

Eleanor

[gardening_guru]

Hello Eleanor,

I think you do very well to get your Loquat (Eribotrya japonica) to flower. Loquats are best suited to sub-tropical climates, I suspect that pollination is the problem here, but I simply think that our winters are too cold for successful pollination. Remind me please, the flowers are produced in autumn/winter? I think Eribotrya japonica is self-pollinating (it does not need insects). I think for successful pollination to occur temperatures need to be a minimum 0f 10-15C. Your Loquat may even be flowering successfully because it is a little stressed by the low winter temperatures (plants often flower best under stress, they want to reproduce at this time in case the end is near). I’m sure your Loquat will be OK, but successful fruit production in our climate may be a bit optimistic.

[Eleanor]

Hi there, thanks for that. Yes, it does flower Autumn/Winter usually the flowers start to open in October but last year they didn't open until we were almost into January, maybe I'll try wrapping them in fleece and see what happens.