I planted these Shikuwasa seeds about three weeks ago and surprised to see sprouts.
Shikuwasa is about the size of a Kumquat. In Japan, it is used like lemon, as a flavoring for grilled fish, Yakiniku, salad sashimi, as well as for making desserts and juices.
The popularity of shikuwasa in Japan is due to its strong flavor golden extract, like the sunlight of the southern island.
Shikuwasa contains plenty of vitamin C, an excellent antioxidant citric acid that recovers one from exhaustion. Especially the amount of nobiletin, a kind of flavonoid is far better than any other citrus.
It is said that nobiletin is effective in inhibiting carcinogenicity, preventing diabetes, restraining the cause of liver disability, controlling melanism a whitening effect of the skin.
Currently research on the possibility of fundamental treatment for Alzheimer´s disease is being conducted. Also Yanbaru, an area famous for production of shikuwasa is also known for area of longevity.
Shikuwasa contains plenty of vitamin C, an excellent antioxidant citric acid that recovers one from exhaustion. Especially the amount of nobiletin, a kind of flavonoid is far better than any other citrus.
It is said that nobiletin is effective in inhibiting carcinogenicity, preventing diabetes, restraining the cause of liver disability, controlling melanism a whitening effect of the skin.
Currently research on the possibility of fundamental treatment for Alzheimer´s disease is being conducted. Also Yanbaru, an area famous for production of shikuwasa is also known for area of longevity.
(12/28/2019) This is the Shikuwasa tree I planted from seed a little over a year ago. It has really grown and actually had a flower a few months ago. I repotted it to a larger pot to give the roots more room to grow, but do not want this tree to grow too large. I do not have land to plant it, so intend to keep it in a pot; however, even a small tree a few feet tall can produce a lot of fruit.
Thank you for sharing yhis blog! How are your shikuwasa starts doing? I was born and raised on Okinawa and my grandparents there had a shikuwasa tree in their yard. I remember picking and eating them as a child. I recently ordered some shikuwasa fruit from a nursery in California. I just planted 4 seeds in a planter I have in my meyer lemon tree that I have in the sunroom of my Maryland home. Not sure how much success I will have but I have been unable to find any information about growing shikuwasa other than yours. Any help/tips you could provide would be great! Thank you in advance!
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Kathy anderson. I too was born in Okinawa and looking to plant shikuwasa tree. Can you please share where you purchased your tree? Thank you. Kathy
DeleteThank you for your comment and glad to here you are trying to grow Shikuwasa. I will post an updated photo of this sapling. It has grown quickly. I was told that it will take years to produced from a tree grown from seed, but I actually had a flower a few months ago; however, I cut it off to allow the sapling to grow stronger roots. Growing a tree from a seed does not always produce the fruit you want due to cross pollination, but I hear Shikuwasa is an exception. I am looking forward to confirming that once I get fruit. Thank you and feel free to contact me anytime.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to tracking your progress! I will let you know if I am successful in getting any to sprout.
DeleteThank you. Keep in mind that this tree was grown from seed so it will take much longer to bear fruit and there is no guarantee the fruit will be true to the mother. If you ever have the chance of getting a cutting it's better. Citrus are easy to grow from a cutting and they will grow true to the mother.
Deletehi it's a very beautiful experience. do your tree need to be graft ?
ReplyDeleteI would like try to plant my own shikuwasa (if possible the izumi kugani).
I live in the south of France, but we don't have imported certified tree or aclimated certified tree.
Do you think is possible to buy seeds directly from Okinawa ?
Laurent, I am growing many of my trees from seed, but there are many downsides to growing from seed. First, you do not know what the fruit will taste like since the seed is not true to the mother due to cross pollination and second it takes much longer to bear fruit. I have not purchased saplings off the Internet, but believe you can find one that will send to France; however, I am not sure about the certification. I would say research the Internet for possibilities, but in the mean time purchase a fruit from the store and plant the seeds. If you just want the tree as an ornamental, that will work. I wish I had better advice. My next post will be about all my trees. Please take a look.
ReplyDeleteHello there Okinawa Gardner! How are you and your tree doing? I planted a few shikuwasa seeds last year and lo' and behold, I think I have little seedlings. 😊😊😊 It's too early to tell if they are indeed shikuwasa sprouts or not but I will be monitoring their growth for the next several years. I know they are not going to produce fruit that is true to the mother, but hopefully one day I will be able to find a place that can ship a cutting to the U.S. Happy growing!
ReplyDeleteHello, sounds great and hope the seeds are Shikuwasa. To be honest, I have labeled a few trees with what I think they are based on the leaves and whether they have thorns or not, because I forgot to label some, while with others the labels faded out. Regardless, the trees are beautiful and hopefully I'll get something someday. Thanks for checking my blog.
ReplyDeleteGreat news to share: I actually found a fruit grower near me who is going to give me a graft from his shikuwasa tree in a few months! I am over the moon excited! Feels like I will be having Christmas early this year!!! Yatta!! I will continue to nurture my two little mystery pups so I can see what they are. Good luck to you and your family and happy gardening!!!
ReplyDeleteI have been searching for months. Would you share contact info?
Deletesend me an email at skipcowan@gmail.com
DeleteI wish you all the best with the cutting. I do not do all the crazy stuff others do that I see on the Internet. I simply plant my cuttings in 1/3 potting soil, 1/3 peat mose and 1/3 Perlite. Keep out of direct sunlight for a few weeks. If you put it in a small starter planter, you will see the roots come out the bottom. That is when you know it can be transplanted. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteFriend, I want this fruit of Shikwasa. I want its seed. Tell me how you can give it to me. I want to grow that fruit in my field. My mail id is pramodpagare111@gmail.com and I am Indian and Buddhist.
ReplyDeleteI'll send you an email.
ReplyDeleteSir, if you could provide or post a source for Shikwasa seeds or starters, it would be greatly appreciated. A thorough search on the Internet revealed no sources but one — in Italy, and they only ship to Europe! Aloha, pete
ReplyDeleteSir, if you could provide or post a source for Shikwasa seeds or starters, it would be greatly appreciated. A thorough search on the Internet revealed no sources but one — in Italy, and they only ship to Europe! Aloha, pete
ReplyDeleteSir, if you could provide or post a source for Shikwasa seeds or starters, it would be greatly appreciated. A thorough search on the Internet revealed no sources but one — in Italy, and they only ship to Europe! Aloha, pete
ReplyDeleteSir, if you could provide or post a source for Shikwasa seeds or starters, it would be greatly appreciated. A thorough search on the Internet revealed no sources but one — in Italy, and they only ship to Europe! Aloha, pete
ReplyDeleteSir, if you could provide or post a source for Shikwasa seeds or starters, it would be greatly appreciated. A thorough search on the Internet revealed no sources but one — in Italy, and they only ship to Europe! Aloha, pete
ReplyDeleteSir, if you could provide or post a source for Shikwasa seeds or starters, it would be greatly appreciated. A thorough search on the Internet revealed no sources but one — in Italy, and they only ship to Europe! Aloha, pete
ReplyDeleteSir, if you could provide or post a source for Shikwasa seeds or starters, it would be greatly appreciated. A thorough search on the Internet revealed no sources but one — in Italy, and they only ship to Europe! Aloha, pete
ReplyDeleteIf you could provide a source for shikuwasa seeds or starters, it would be greatly appreciated! They are hard to find! I could not find a source on the Internet....
ReplyDeleteIf you could provide a source for shikuwasa seeds or starters, it would be greatly appreciated! They are hard to find! I could not find a source on the Internet....
ReplyDeleteKailua, I get so many requests for sources. I researched the import and export rules and it seems quite strict, which is why I suspect there are few sources willing to sell seed or saplings. I'll keep researching and will post the information if I find an authorized source.
ReplyDeleteHello
ReplyDeleteWould you be able to send me Shikuwasa seeds?
I am unable to get them where I live.
Thanks
Hello, unfortunately I do not have any seeds and never saw them for sale. I started my trees by purchasing a Shikuwasa fruit at the store and planting it. A better choice would be to get a cutting from someone and simply plant it in the soil. I do both with success.
ReplyDeleteHello Kathy, I did not purchase any of my Shikuwasa trees. I grew some from seed that I collected from fruit I purchased at a store and others I planted as grafts from cuttings I got from neighbors; however, all the local farmers markets sell saplings, but I suspect you are not in Japan. For some reason, it is extremely difficult to purchase Shikuwasa saplings online. are you able to find the fruit in any of the stores in your area?
ReplyDeleteHi Okinawa Gardener. If pay for postage, can you send me some seeds of the Shikuwasa seeds? Never seen or even heard of this fruit here in Canada. Many thanks!
ReplyDelete