Kaitaia Gold

Kaitaia Gold is a loquat variety selected in Kaitaia, Northland, making it one of the most NZ-specific loquat cultivars available. It produces large, oval, golden-yellow fruit with a smooth, slightly hairy skin and firm, juicy flesh with an excellent flavour offering a good balance between acidity and sweetness, with an apricot and plum character. The fruit and foliage are larger than most other loquat varieties, and the tree is notably disease resistant. A very attractive, compact evergreen tree reaching 6 to 9 metres, Kaitaia Gold produces clusters of woolly white perfumed flowers in winter, followed by fruit ripening in late spring to early summer. Very hardy to cold, drought and coastal conditions, and frost tolerant once established. Self-fertile. Plant in well-drained, fertile soil in full sun. Available from Wairere Nursery, Greenleaf Nurseries and others.