Expert: Laura Walker - 7/13/2004

Question
Hi- thanks for volunteering. My question is about Loquat or Japanese Plum tree seedlings. I'm an ebay seller and it seems God just sends me miracle after miracle to help suppliment my income! I'm a single mom working and going to school with a 13 yr old boy with serious health issues. So I'm thankful to have yet another opportunity to help us. I sell garden bulbs at Spring and will be trying my hand in the Fall for bulbs also.

I also have what I used to consider a very annoying Loquat tree. It bears 1000s of Loquats, then what my neighbors and birds don't eat rots and falls to the ground. Every one of those rotted fruits' seeds try to become a tree. I have been poisoning them for years like weeds so I could mulch and plant stuff.

Well, now I see people selling seedlings on ebay! I have sold probably 10 of them around Florida and people are very happy with there little 6” seedlings. I send them a clump and they travel well too. But I have little knowledge on how to maximize this. I have to research what states I can sell to to stay out of trouble. But after that, I still have questions:

-When is the best time to start selling these seedlings- Spring? Now?

-The tree is hardy to 10 degrees, what about the seedling? If someone up North wants a seedling in the Spring, how warm does it have to be there first? I would suggest they pot it until Spring in their state, but what is the temperature they can go outside in?

-I think people won't see fruit the first year, if they use them as container trees, when can they expect to see fruit?

Thanks again for taking to time to volunteer- I appreciate any info you can offer!
Lisa


Answer
Lisa,
Yeah, I am an avid ebayer myself.I wanted to sell "bulblets" or "bulblings".I know that sounds wierd,but all it is is a started bulb that has some root formation and a few inches of a green tip on it for those who don't get how to do bulbs.They are EXTREMELY expensive from mail order catalogs. But,I kind of missed the timing and started something else.Lingerie I think...then candles in the winter.
But anyway,Loquat? I have never seen one,but I do know of their existence.Are they anything like a Kumquat?HA! Just kidding.
I think it is a great idea if people are actually buying something that you pull up out of the ground in disgust. That's like my ever existing struggle with Sugar Maple seedlings everywhere you look.All of my customers and I as well have them everywhere when the seed pods fall to the ground in the fall and sprout in the spring.I can't believe people actually BUY these things.I have pulled up at least 10,000 in my gardening years. If I knew people would actually buy them I would be rich by now. As for the Loquat seedlings,just sell them "as is".In other words,let the buyer decide when is the right time in their area to plant.And basically,if you want my opinion,everything is plantable until the ground freezes. If they want to plant in 100 degree summer temps or 37 degrees in winter,so be it.
Just stipulate on your auction that you are not responsible for lost plants.The buyers are to use their own judgement on when to plant.You can however, suggest a good time,which of course would be the Spring and Fall months.The BUYERS spring and fall months.And if they do decide to put them in a pot,they may NOT see fruit the first year.State this as well. Just cover all your bases.That's it.And if you do get a disgruntled buyer that threatens bad feedback...what the heck, just replace it.It can't cost too much to ship(?).
If you sell a bunch of these let me know.There may be hope for my Sugar Maples after all.! HA!You go girl!