KUMQUAT, LIMAU PAGAR

Limau Pagar belongs to a group of citrus called the Kumquat. It is also known as Citrus swinglei, but is now put into a separate genus Fortunella. Kumquat grows well in many tropical and subtropical areas. In Malaysia it is more abundant in Perak and Malacca. The fruits because of their beautiful bright rich yellow color are often grown for ornamental purpose in addition to serving as a drink and preserved fruits. Grown in a pot, the plant grows to about 1 meter but in the ground, it grows to 3-5 meters tall. Kumquats are slightly different from the citrus group, they are thorny but the leaves are long and narrow and do not possess the aromatic smell when crushed. The whitish flowers are scented, and they appear in a cluster of 1-5. The fruits are in the shape of marbles of about 2.5 cm in diameter. The texture of the skin is smooth, soft and shiny. It is green but turning yellow on ripening. Kumquat does well in this country but not widely grow. Its cultivations should be encouraged for its varied use. It can be grown from seeds or marcotting. Potted plants are also on sale in the nurseries.