The quince, which comes from Asia, is mainly valued and planted as a hobby plant. In contrast to apples and pears, Cydonia oblonga cannot be eaten raw, but when processed it produces juice and pulp that are extremely aromatic. With a unique aroma, jelly and jam are particularly popular. In southern Europe, the quince tree has been known since ancient times. Many recipes of oriental cuisine become special with the pulp. As a member of the rose family (Rosaceae), the quince tree forms shrubs or trees that are 3 to 6 m high and just as wide. In the right location, the decorative little tree can be up to 50 years oldwill. In addition to the group of apple quinces, there are so-called pear quinces. Both species adorn themselves with large, picturesque flowers in spring and bear bright yellow fruit in late summer and autumn.
Useful information Location Planting Care Watering Fertilizing Overwintering Species Pests & Diseases FAQ
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Worth knowing about quinces
Botanical name: Cydonia oblonga
Other names: pear quince, apple quince, kitten apple, taste pear, chickpea, chickpea, kitten apple, cotton apple, Cretan apple, Kydonian apple
Use: fruit tree for small gardens and home gardens, ideal for single use, as insect nutrient plant. Fruits are suitable for processing into juice, mush, tea, compote, jam and jelly. You can also use it to prepare hearty dishes or quince bread.
Origin: Europe, Asia
Flower colors:white or pink, consisting of 5 petals, fragrant, diameter up to 7 cm, flowering time depending on location May-June, the flower is hermaphrodite, therefore does not need another tree for pollination. If there are other trees nearby, the yield can be increased.
Leaf: oblong, up to 10 cm long, young leaves have white hairs, attractive yellowing in autumn
Special features:The quince tree was forgotten for a long time. Quinces can be grown as a standard, half-stem or shrub, making them suitable for many gardens. It is important that you plant grafted quinces, as they produce larger fruits and a higher yield than seedlings. The first fruits can be expected from the 3rd year. The aroma of Cydonia oblonga is typical and unique. It is practical that you only have to cut a little of the quince and still be able to harvest fruit.
In which location does the quince tree feel most comfortable?
The quince tree is very undemanding. It feels most comfortable in a sunny to semi-shady and sheltered location. It is important that the space is permeable and humus and that there is no waterlogging. The frugal plant species also bears a considerable number of fruits in less fertile and dry places. Cultivation with a pH value of 5 to 6.6 and nutrient-rich soil is optimal. The quince tree adapts to many locations, but the fruits are larger on humus-rich soil and the harvest is more plentiful.
How do I plant my quinces in the garden?
You can plant quince trees in your own garden all year round, provided the potting soil is not frozen. Planting time from February to November is ideal. Loosen the soil thoroughly before planting and free it from weeds. Water the shrub thoroughly before planting. Dig a planting hole that is at least 1.5 times as deep and wide as the root ball. Loosen the soil in the planting hole with a digging fork and add 2 to 3 handfuls of potting soil. Then place the potted plant upright in the planting hole and fill the gaps with a mixture of plant substrateand excavation. Finally, step on the substrate with your foot to close the existing cavities. Watering with 15 to 20 liters is necessary immediately after setting.
Our gardening tip: When planting, make sure that the grafting point (tuber-like thickening at the base of the trunk) is approx. 5 to 10 cm above the ground. The grafting site should not be covered with soil after planting. Make sure the soil is evenly moist after planting.
How do I care for my quince plants?
Quince trees are among the plants that require little maintenance. In addition to need-based watering with a watering can and regular fertilizing, you can thin out the crown if necessary. This thinning cut is only necessary for older plants. The pruning allows more light into the interior of the crown and improves fruit size and coloration. Ideally, pruning should be done in early spring. An annual pruning, as is usual with other pome fruit, is not necessary with the quince tree. Mainly dead branches and competing shoots that are too close together are removed.
How do I water my quinces?
Freshly planted quince trees will require additional watering depending on the season, rainfall, and soil conditions. If you planted the leafless tree in autumn or spring , the need is much lower than if you planted in May. Needs-based watering is important in the first year after planting. This means that additional watering is required during phases without precipitation. Per watering are 10 to 20 liters per treerecommended. Better than many small gifts are larger amounts at a greater distance. However, always water depending on rainfall and temperature. If your quince is rooted and in the 2nd or 3rd year, additional watering is only necessary in phases of extreme drought or on extremely light soil.
Our gardening tip: A thin layer of mulch, such as perennial and rose mulch, reduces evaporation and weed growth. It is also recommended to sow marigolds or nasturtiums on the so-called tree disc.
How do I fertilize my quince tree properly?
You can supply the quince tree with root power directly when planting. If the planting takes place in autumn, fertilization is only necessary in spring. We recommend annual fertilization in spring (March to May) with organic garden fertilizer and a second maintenance fertilization with organic natural fertilizer in summer (July to August). It is important that the wood does not receive large amounts of nitrogen too late in the year, because the quince tree should mature in order to get through the winter well. If necessary, a dose of Winterfit autumn fertilizer can be given to strengthen the plants. This special fertilizer mainly contains high-quality potassium, which strengthens the plant and minimizes frost damage.
How do I overwinter my quinces?
For freshly planted quinces, a light winter protection is recommended in the first few years, especially in climatically unfavorable locations. In addition to a layer of mulch on the ground, it is advisable to protect the trunk and crown from winter damage with winter protection mats or reed mats. It is important for overwintering quince that it is not fertilized too late, that the soil is sufficiently moist and that the plant is well prepared for the winter.
What types of quinces are there?
The species Cydonia oblonga has a large number of good varieties that differ significantly in fruit shape and size as well as flower color. Over 50 different varieties are known. Recommended varieties are: the Constantinople apple quince and the Portuguese pear quince.
Constantinople apple quince pear quince ‘Cydonia Robusta’
Flower: white- light pink Shape of
fruit: apple-shaped and pear-shaped
Fruit colour: light yellow-straw yellow
Special feature: high-yield, tolerant of soils with a higher lime content. Apple quince is more frost tolerant than pear quince.
very aromatic fruits, soft flesh, popular variety due to its characteristic shape, robust home garden variety
Japanese ornamental quinces (Chaenomeles japonica) are a beautiful addition to the garden with their decorative flowers. The small fruits contain valuable ingredients and are easily digestible when cooked. As a wild fruit, the small shrub with a height of 1 to 1.5 m is ideal for the home garden or for large containers on the balcony and terrace. Known as the Nordic lemon is the ‘Cido’® variety, which impresses with its extraordinarily high vitamin C content.
What pests and diseases can quince get?
With the right site conditions, quinces are robust plants. Malnourished or weakened plants are susceptible to diseases and pests. There are no typical diseases that cause major damage to quince trees. Conspicuous features of the fruit can be:
Viral stone fruitiness
The fruits are hard, stunted and stone cells have formed. Usually it is a variety-related phenomenon that is strongly promoted by drought. There is no way to combat it.
bitterness of the fruit
The browning under the shell is just an optical problem. The harvest can be used. The most common cause is a calcium deficiency.
FAQ — Frequently asked questions about the quince tree
What can be the cause of yellow leaves on the quince tree in summer?
Soils with a pH value below 7 are ideal for quince. At pH values above 7, the leaves lighten, the so-called chlorosis. It is important to check the pH before fertilizing.
Why does the quince not bear fruit even though it has flowers?
A frequent reason for a lack of growth in quinces is an infestation with the apple blossom weevil. The larvae of the weevil eat the petals and ovules, these die off and no fruit can develop. Possible control are glue rings and white paint to minimize the beetle.
Do quinces have to be cut back annually?
With quince, it is sufficient if you occasionally carry out a thinning cut. An annual training cut is not necessary. In the first 2 to 3 years after planting the quinces, no pruning is necessary. As with apples, you should cut quince on days without frost.
When do you harvest quinces?
It is best to harvest the fruit as soon as it is well colored and easily detaches from the stalk. Harvesting is usually possible from the end of October, but the date depends on the climate. If harvested too early, the fruits are not as aromatic.
Do the fruits need to be peeled?
Depending on the type of quince, the skin is covered with a light fuzz. The hard shell is difficult to remove. Before cooking and processing, this fluff is best rubbed off with a coarse cloth. Depending on the recipe, the hard fruits are cut and cooked in boiling water or put in the juicer. You can’t taste the aroma when raw, the hard flesh is inedible. If the fruits are soft, the aroma is unique and delicious recipes can be created without much effort.
Can quinces be stored?
Quinces, like apples or pears, can be stored well. Frost-free storage at temperatures of 5 to 10 °C and without direct sunlight is ideal. The different types of quince can be stored for different periods of time. Fresh quinces exude a unique scent.
The ripe quinces have dark spots in the fruit. Can these quinces still be used?
As long as the quinces are not mushy, they can be used despite brown spots. Most of the time it is fruit brown, which occurs when there is limited root space or there is a lack of nutrients.
Quince curry recipe
Here you can find the delicious recipe and find out how you can use quinces. Our instructions are ideal for copying. Enjoy your meal!
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