Things that may reduce/stop the fruiting of a loquat tree?

Bextable

Hi,

Does anyone have any suggestions for reducing (or ideally, stopping) a mature loquat from fruiting?

The tree is quite large, I'd say about 5-6m tall. Last year the tree fruited VERY prolifically... huge amount of fruit.

Unfortunately our back yard (where the tree is) is tiny so basically wherever you are, you are under the tree.
This meant that we couldn't use the space (including clothesline...) for at least a month when the fruit was coming ripe, due to the birds and their poop, the rotting fruit laying around attracting flies etc, and the wonder of falling fruit on your head. It was awful and v.hard to keep on top of the fruit that had fallen. And it would be impossible for us to be proactive and pick from this tree - far too tall.

Suffice to say, we are not keen for a repeat performance in the coming season, but are renting....
so its not our tree to get something done, and *rant* our landlord refuses to replace the hot water service which is rusted out, wasting water and continually drips on the pilot light so we have to relight it most days GRRRR *rant over* so you can imagine how sympathetic they'd be to spending money on a tree...

In short, we'd like to know if there's any way to stop the tree fruiting so much for at least one season, without killing or otherwise permanently harming the tree??

Any suggestions gratefully accepted!!

cheers
Bex

Garry Brockley

corrective pruning when it's in flower can greatly reduce fruit for that year as it puts alot of strain on the trees rescourses so it concentrates more on healing itself rather than fruiting.
it's not an absolute science but i have used it on apple trees in the uk before with good results.
note if you prune too hard you could kill the tree so beware.

if you have damp issues in your rental you need to get it sorted out as mould can cause severe health issues like bronchitis and other respitory complications that can lead to hospitalisation, i would suggest getting legal help if they refuse to fix it.

__________________

dcarter

I agree with Galbee, prune during flowering. Reduction in flowering, just prior to fruit production or right at time with fruiting bodies starting to develop will change the trees outlook on life. Sometimes when plants are weakened, sick, stressed they will put on fruit as a defense mechanism. However, if your tree is healthy (sounds healthy to me) it will move more energy into healing and take away from fruiting. Not to mention the reduction in limbs will reduce area for fruit anyway, it's a win/win.

As for the pilot light, seek legal advice. In the USA a landlord has to fix those issues for a tenant. And it may be a fire hazard??? Or a flood hazard??? Just some thoughts of leverage you might discuss with the Landlord to help him decide to fix it while it relatively inexpensive....

Just a thought...

Eric Frei

Maybe Florel would work?

__________________

dov

I agree with the pruning when it comes into flower. Another trick to try is to cover the ground with a big sheet of plastic as the flower buds just start to come. Leave the sheet there covering it's whole root base and surrounding area for a month or so til it starts looking like it's struggling a bit. As long as the ground is fairly flat and there is no water running into the soil from elsewhere, it will probably not set any fruit.

As far as rental is concerned, the landlord only has a certain amount of time to correct a fault like that. You should have gotten a book on tenancy rights and responsibilities when you moved in. If you didn't, ask the real estate agent for one. They have to give it by law. Also look up Tenants Advice.