I've been wondering about the hardiness, taste, and productivity of Nagle's Seedless Kumquat and the Meiwa Seedless Kumquats available in Texas. Can anyone share their experiences?

Thanks in advance,

Keith

Keith, until I read you post I never knew that there was a seedless Meiwa Kumquat. I have a Meiwa Kumquat tree, that produces sweet round fruit, but it also contains 1-3 seeds. My guess is that the seedless variety would taste much the same. - Millet

The only seedless kumquat that I have is the Nordman Seedless Nagami kumquat.

Thanks, Millet.

I've been growing the extra hardy 'Lee Sharp' selection of Meiwa in the ground for five years here. The 7* Kumquat, aka Nameiwa, has also done well although it is somewhat shy to bear fruit.

Four Winds is offering the Nordmann Seedless Nagami, however, I would prefer to try Nagle's and the Seedless Meiwa. Here's a link describing them.
http://mail.urbanharvest.org/advice/fruitgardening/fruitvarieties/kumquatcalamondin.html

I'm hoping Buddinman or Mr. Texas can relay first hand experience with them!

Thanks for your reply Joe.

How do you like the Nordmann?

Here are a few scanned shots of my Owari Satsuma crop (about half the in-ground harvest) and my first Kinkoji fruit (grown in the ground.)

Kieth,
I got a Seedless Meiwa from Texas at Home Depot last Summer. It was full of Kumquats when I got it. Not one of the Kumquats were seedless.
Terry

Hey Terry,

Interesting to hear that! Let's hope there really are seedless Kumquats

Thanks,

Keith

Keith,

I don't have fruits from Nordmann. Had many blooms that I pulled off but did not help it grow more. I will let it fruit this year.

Joe

Nagle and seedless are both the same. I got mine from TreeSearch in Houston, the ones who propagate them. I have seen a full size tree. They are a cross of meiwa and nagami and are mid way in shape, not being either round or elangated. They are sour and never get sweet. The ones I saw were still green and sour in March! I am selling the two I have to someone I don't know. I sold one to a friend before I knew how sour they are and I traded his one year after planting tree for a changshou kumquat which is very good eating. Nagles says in his self published book, "Citrus for the Gulf Coast", must be used for marmalaide. You can have budwood if you want but....

Terry, according to the laws of the citrus industry any variety that contains 6 seed or less can be legally sold as seedless. Maybe Home Depot know that rule. (LOL) - Millet

Thanks Mr. Texas!

Dr. John Brown also bred a seedless kumquat (supposed to be delicious). However, none of us in the Carolinas were successful with the wood.

If any of you have time to visit him in Houston, it may be worth it!

Millet,
That's an interesting citrus law. 6 seeds in a 3 or 4 lb pommelo would Great. 6 seeds in a 1/3 oz kumquat is not great.
Maybe a seed % to fruit law would cover the situation more consistently.
Terry

I thought it was 3 or less seeds, based on some of my quick readings. Will have to read the rules again. They may be different for different packers or regions or state.

Joe, you might be right about different laws in different states. The six seed law, is the law for all citrus growing in the state of Florida. You can read the Florida law in the book "Growing Citrus In Florida", or checking some of Dr. Manners postings. I don't know about California, Texas or Arizona. If you find what the California law is, it would be interesting to post it. - Millet

I saw Dr Brown's seedless kumquat in Houston last June and it was a beautiful tree. He told me it was a cross of meiwa x nagami and that it was difficult to produce. The tree was loaded with fruit- more than any other trees at the time. Unfortunately, the bud wood did not take for me.