The kumquat tree is considered one of the common decorative plants during Tet, with its bright and eye-catching fruits. In Vietnamese culture, the kumquat tree symbolizes peace, good fortune, and freshness. Therefore, allowing the kumquat to wilt during the New Year is considered very unlucky.
Choosing and taking care of a kumquat pot that is always golden and fresh, adorned with lush green leaves and small white flowers during the three days of Tet not only brings a lively spring atmosphere but also brings good luck to the homeowner in the new year.
However, according to experts in cultivating and enjoying kumquat trees in Hanoi, selecting a satisfactory kumquat tree for Tet decoration is challenging, and keeping it fresh with ripe golden fruits throughout the Tet celebration is even more difficult.
>>> How to choose and buy beautiful, durable kumquat trees for Tet
Choosing Kumquats to Prevent Wilting
When choosing kumquats, pay attention to selecting a thick trunk and a compact root ball.
The kumquat tree must have a sturdy thick trunk, firmly attached to an intact root ball, with short branches that are evenly distributed. The shape of the kumquat should be sturdy, with a rounded or pointed canopy. The leaves should be large, lush green, and in addition, white buds and new shoots will symbolize prosperity in the new year.
The process of excavating the root ball and transporting it home must be done with great care to avoid damaging the kumquat, breaking the root ball, or cutting the roots. When transferring the kumquat into a pot, it is essential to choose an appropriate pot that has a mouth wider than the root ball to create space for adding more soil without affecting the root ball.
Additionally, during the Tet celebration, players should also be careful not to overwater or add too much nitrogen fertilizer, as stagnant water can cause the roots to rot and the plant to die gradually. The kumquat bought should be planted in a pot that is larger than the root ball, with plenty of gaps to add more soil without putting pressure on the root ball.
To keep the kumquat tree beautiful during the Tet holiday, players should choose younger trees. These trees should not have concentric circular blemishes on their trunks. The tree should have a round and evenly distributed canopy, with fruit clusters showing evenly in all directions. The leaves should be large, dark green, and glossy. Fruits should be uniform, plump, and ripe. Most of the fruits on the tree should be ripe but still have green streaks, indicating that they are newly ripe and can last longer for display.
Keeping the Kumquat Pot Fresh for a Long Time
Method 1
To keep the kumquat tree fresh for a long time, before planting the kumquat in an indoor pot, you should line the bottom of the pot with a layer of uncrushed charcoal, then place the tree in the pot and add loose soil to ensure the plant has sufficient nutrients. This helps prevent water from draining too quickly and keeps the tree well-aerated.
Do not overwater or over-fertilize the tree.
Method 2
Do not overwater or apply too much nitrogen fertilizer. This will cause the roots to rot and the tree to gradually die. Each day, use a small pump sprayer with a capacity of 0.5-1.5 liters to mist or lightly sprinkle clean water on the leaves 1-2 times, ensuring that the kumquat base remains moist, keeping the leaves fresh and minimizing drop after the Tet celebration.
How to Choose Beautiful, Fresh Kumquats
Essentially, a beautiful kumquat tree must meet four criteria: a beautiful shape, attractive fruit, lush new leaves, and the presence of some flower buds. Only when all four factors are present can the kumquat tree be considered beautiful.
The first thing to pay attention to when buying a kumquat tree is the quality of the soil in which the kumquat is planted. If the root ball is broken, the tree will wilt and die within a short time.
To keep the kumquat fresh for a long time, you should buy younger trees, which do not have concentric circles on the trunk, with large, glossy, dark green leaves and uniformly plump fruits. Choose trees with evenly rounded canopies and fruit clusters that showcase their colors uniformly. Most kumquats sold during Tet are ripe, but you should select those with green veins, as these are newly ripe and will last longer during Tet.
Kumquat trees with many new shoots, young fruits, buds, and flowers tend to be beautiful and have good growth potential. However, to get a satisfactory kumquat tree, you will need to invest more time and resources.
It is best to choose to buy kumquats at kumquat gardens to have a wider selection and more reasonable prices. Some years kumquats are cheap, while others are very expensive, so to ensure the best price, consider buying directly at the kumquat gardens.
Additionally, be mindful not to buy kumquats too early before Tet; try to purchase them closer to the holiday to ensure you get the best quality kumquat tree.
