Kinzu (Golden Bean kumquat)

[KayaMooney]

Here is another kinzu, or.. er the roots of one that I have been growing from seed.

2017

2018

The trunks on this species thicken at such an incredibly slow rate that a common technique is to develop the roots as a future trunk, eventually cutting back to the roots and regrowing from 1 or 2 buds as a root cutting. In 3-4 years once this has thickened sufficiently and the root mass has fused more so, I will airlayer the top off and cut back to the roots... 2 trees in 1

 

[Bonsai Nut]

The trunks on this species thicken at such an incredibly slow rate that a common technique is to develop the roots as a future trunk

Have you ever tried planting one in the ground just to see how fast it would bulk up as a landscape / orchard tree?

Also, I just air-layered a calamondin last year to get it to root above a nasty graft scar. I am curious if you have any experience with calamondin and how similar / dissimilar it is to kinzu? It seems plenty strong... but is not bulking up very quickly.

I'm not sure I mentioned this during the sale but Kinzu or any kumquats for that matter tend to be slightly zinc and iron deficient naturally. A little chelated iron and zinc every 2-3 weeks will do the trick. Southern CA tends to have water which is very high on the pH scale as well, so adding small amounts of granular soil acidifier a few times a year can help in producing more fruit and greening up the leaves.

You're speaking my language. Our water pH is 8.2 - 8.4 (as reported by our water utility). Out of the tap I measure around 8.0. I am a heavy user of Super Iron 9-9-9, not just on all my citrus, but on my azaleas, camellias, gardenias... in fact almost all of my bonsai.

 

[bonhe]

Here is another kinzu, or.. er the roots of one that I have been growing from seed.
View attachment 221506
2017
View attachment 221507
2018

The trunks on this species thicken at such an incredibly slow rate that a common technique is to develop the roots as a future trunk, eventually cutting back to the roots and regrowing from 1 or 2 buds as a root cutting. In 3-4 years once this has thickened sufficiently and the root mass has fused more so, I will airlayer the top off and cut back to the roots... 2 trees in 1

Thanks for the trick. I can see this phenomenon on my kinzu as well.

 

[milehigh_7]

Very glad to see that it is doing well!

I'm not sure I mentioned this during the sale but Kinzu or any kumquats for that matter tend to be slightly zinc and iron deficient naturally. A little chelated iron and zinc every 2-3 weeks will do the trick. Southern CA tends to have water which is very high on the pH scale as well, so adding small amounts of granular soil acidifier a few times a year can help in producing more fruit and greening up the leaves.

We are all grateful for any tips and tricks on these!

 

[milehigh_7]

How about we try some seeds? 45 little fruits on mine with a yield of 90 seeds. Most look viable, we shall see.

.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Most look viable, we shall see.

Unlike most citrus, these are supposed to seed true. I have to admit, I am thinking about trying to grow some myself.

 

[milehigh_7]

Unlike most citrus, these are supposed to seed true. I have to admit, I am thinking about trying to grow some myself.

Let's do it! The more we learn about this super cool species the better. My problem will be finding a good place to grow them. I have sprouted blood orange about 80% or so using the paper towel in a baggie thing so that's what I'm going to try.

 

[JoeR]

Have you ever tried planting one in the ground just to see how fast it would bulk up as a landscape / orchard tree?

Also, I just air-layered a calamondin last year to get it to root above a nasty graft scar. I am curious if you have any experience with calamondin and how similar / dissimilar it is to kinzu? It seems plenty strong... but is not bulking up very quickly.



You're speaking my language. Our water pH is 8.2 - 8.4 (as reported by our water utility). Out of the tap I measure around 8.0. I am a heavy user of Super Iron 9-9-9, not just on all my citrus, but on my azaleas, camellias, gardenias... in fact almost all of my bonsai.

View attachment 221521

Calamondin don’t really trunk up all that quickly in my experience. They probably will, though, given enough time or perhaps if you wire them that would accelerate growth as well. It is a very forgiving tree, mine has withstood a lot of abuse. I’ve had mine many years, originally one of those “cuttings in a bag” you can buy in Florida/Disney. I’ve allowed it to grow freely and it now sits as a very attractive, full 3’ shrub in a pot. They produce endless amounts of fruit, and their leaves can be reduced, so if you can get a trunk to match it would certainly be a species worth giving a shot.

 

[Dalsom]

They reproduce like rabbits from every seed.
Don’t worry about sprouting them. Simply separate from pump, plant during warm weather in free-draining mix, grow. Almost 100% germination from my experience.
Do not let the seeds dry out before planting!!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Do not let the seeds dry out before planting!!

This is an important pointer for ALL citrus. Anyone interested in citrus seeds - if they are dry they are dead.

 

[milehigh_7]

Some seedlings! These are so slooooow...

 

[bonhe]

Some seedlings! These are so slooooow...

No doubt! It is why I did grafting instead of seedling !
Thụ Thoại

 

[bonhe]

This is an important pointer for ALL citrus. Anyone interested in citrus seeds - if they are dry they are dead.

Good point! To increase succeed rate, I put the fresh collected seeds in the wet paper towel, and use two hands to rub entire seeds. This action is to remove the mucous covering the seeds. Then I sow the seeds right away!
Thụ Thoại

 

[milehigh_7]

I removed the seeds and cleaned well, soaked 24 hours in 16:1 water/3% peroxide solution then transferred to a wet paper towel in a Ziploc bag. 95% germination after one week.

 

[JoeR]

I removed the seeds and cleaned well, soaked 24 hours in 16:1 water/3% peroxide solution then transferred to a wet paper towel in a Ziploc bag. 95% germination after one week.

Well you know what to do with them if you have too many

 

[quietobserver]

Have you ever tried planting one in the ground just to see how fast it would bulk up as a landscape / orchard tree?

Also, I just air-layered a calamondin last year to get it to root above a nasty graft scar. I am curious if you have any experience with calamondin and how similar / dissimilar it is to kinzu? It seems plenty strong... but is not bulking up very quickly.



You're speaking my language. Our water pH is 8.2 - 8.4 (as reported by our water utility). Out of the tap I measure around 8.0. I am a heavy user of Super Iron 9-9-9, not just on all my citrus, but on my azaleas, camellias, gardenias... in fact almost all of my bonsai.

View attachment 221521

If you’re throwing around 50 lb bags of “super iron” you’re even more of a beast than I imagined, lol...

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Calamondin don’t really trunk up all that quickly in my experience. They probably will, though, given enough time or perhaps if you wire them that would accelerate growth as well. It is a very forgiving tree, mine has withstood a lot of abuse. I’ve had mine many years, originally one of those “cuttings in a bag” you can buy in Florida/Disney. I’ve allowed it to grow freely and it now sits as a very attractive, full 3’ shrub in a pot. They produce endless amounts of fruit, and their leaves can be reduced, so if you can get a trunk to match it would certainly be a species worth giving a shot.

Calamondrin make a decent bonsai, if you have the patience for them. They have a very upright growth habit and the crazy habit ignoring established branches and throwing out suckers right next to them. This is one that I have had for many years, started as a cutting. I have gotten fruit on it several times and it looks nice.











It is kinda ratty now due to winter, but still has some new growth on it, see the light green stuff. These things are tough. Oh, and leaf miners love it, they are a constant problem for me. This one will get a repot and restyle in the spring.

 

[Carol 83]

Calamondrin make a decent bonsai, if you have the patience for them. They have a very upright growth habit and the crazy habit ignoring established branches and throwing out suckers right next to them. This is one that I have had for many years, started as a cutting. I have gotten fruit on it several times and it looks nice.

View attachment 225116

View attachment 225117

View attachment 225118

View attachment 225119

View attachment 225120

It is kinda ratty now due to winter, but still has some new growth on it, see the light green stuff. These things are tough. Oh, and leaf miners love it, they are a constant problem for me. This one will get a repot and restyle in the spring.

I have a Calamondin, I got from the clearance aisle at Lowes. It bloomed several times during the summer, and I had a pretty good little orange crop. But I just keep it as a patio tree, because the flowers smell so good and the oranges are fun. I like yours, it has a much more interesting shape.

 

[It's Kev]

How about we try some seeds? 45 little fruits on mine with a yield of 90 seeds. Most look viable, we shall see.

View attachment 221753.

Had some fruits last night and planted a few seeds (jumped at it after I read what @Bonsai Nut said). I might as well just buy a small tree that I can turn into a shohin if any are still available when all the Chinese New Year travels are done

 

[SU2]

I have been trying to find the best location for this tree for 2 years, and now I think I got it right! ;-)

Would love to hear your trial/error approach here, what did/did not seem to help & what your newest(final?) location is like if you don't mind sharing! Great lil tree there, these look like a fun specie I have a large one (un-chopped) that I'll be working in spring and want to be ready ;D