Shikuwasa Tree

The Shikuwasa tree in the back of the house is getting quite large, and it still thrives even after getting attacked by bark Beetles.  

I tried my best to fight them, but I know there is still some larva in the ground, because I can occasionally see saw dust. However, the tree survives and flowered like crazy. 

The tree is about three meters tall. I guess there were hundreds, if not thousands, of flowers. It smelled so good. 

There were so many bees and other types of pollinators visiting the tree constantly. I know the flowers would get pollinated.

I'm starting to see small fruit appear. I am curious how many will mature. Shikuwasa is an extremely fragrant fruit used in cooking, as garnishes and for juice. My favorite is Shikuwasa juice, but it takes a lot of fruit since the fruit is small and only the size of a cumquat, strawberry guava or large grape.   

Shikuwasa

This is the first year I actually got fruit. There are not too many, so will probably make juice or use them for cooking. This tree is constantly being attacked by Citrus Bark Beetles and has significant damage. I have been battling them and thought I had them licked 2-3 weeks ago, but found two adults this week alone. More importantly is to kill the larva in the soil around the roots or inside the trunk. They are the most destructive. I have a special chemical with a tube that goes into the ground and can reach inside the trunk were the larva bury. I cannot see any new damage, but the adult beetles continue to show up. What a pain.

Shikuwasa

The Shikuwasa tree in the back of my house is producing fruit, but I have a Shikuwasa tree in the front of my house that is just starting to bloom. I never got any significant amount of fruit from my trees in the past and do not understand the production cycle. I'm not sure if these trees bloom twice a year, like Guava, or perhaps the tree in the front of my house is mislabeled. I need to study the situation. Also, the tree in the back of my house is constantly under attack from Citrus Bark Beetles. I check the tree everyday and must have eliminated over 20 beetles, but more keep showing up. I think I've eliminated the larva in the ground, but they did considerable damage to the trunk that I keep working on. These are a serious pest. 

Blossoms

Shikuwasa Tree

One of my Shikuwasa trees in the back of my house is starting to blossom. I planted this tree from seed and had it in a pot for two years and transplanted it in the ground two years ago. It got attached by a bark beetle last year and cause some serious damage, but I think I got got them in time, because the tree made a full recovery and growing well, plus I do not see any further damage. I hope there is no larva in the ground.  

Kumquat (Kinkan) and Shikuwasa

Though the fruit in the above and below pictures look alike they are different. Above is a Kumquat (Kinkan) and below is a Shikuwasa.

 

Shikuwasa

 

This Shikuwasa tree was planted from seed roughly four years ago. It produced a few blossoms last year, but did not produce any fruit. This year I see many more blossoms and hope it produces fruit, but I'm dubious considering how young it is. We'll see....

Shikuwasa (Blossoms)

One of my Shikuwasa trees is blossoming.

Shikuwasa Seeds

Shikuwasa Seeds.

Shikuwasa Seeds

It is Shikusawa season and I got a few fruit from a local farmer. I have several trees and do not plan to start any more, but I get a lot of requests for seeds so decided to prepare a few for folks that ask for them.

Shikuwasa Tree

This Shikuwasa tree is really starting to flower. I hope it produces lots of fruit, but it is still small, so am not expecting too much.

 

Shikuwasa Tree (Blossoms)

I planted what I thought were Shikuwasa seeds about three years ago and finally got blossoms. I'm pleased that I got blossoms, but I am now wondering if this is actually a Shikuwasa tree, because it is blooming late and this tree has thorns. The Shikusawa trees I've seen do not have thorns. I read that most citrus trees do naturally have thorns, but it is bread out; however, since I grew this from a seed I'm getting the original verity. I'm really not sure, but will know in a few months once the fruit develops. Stay tuned. 

Well, I spoke with a professional at a local nursery and he confirmed that most citrus trees grown from seed with have thorns. But, unlike many trees grown from seed Shikuwasa typically starts producing in three years, like a Peach tree. This tree is roughly three years old, which makes sense.

Shikuwasa Tree

(11/24) 

(4/15) Almost five months old and growing quickly.

Shikuwasa and Avocado Trees

I planted a few Shikuwasa seeds last November. I have one tree on my second floor balcony that I started in a large planter, but just got around to transplanting this one yesterday (left planter). The plant on the right is an Avocado tree. You can see a picture of this tree on the table from my Featured Post "My Balcony Garden". It has really grown.

Shikuwasa Tree

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.

(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.