Intro to Fruiting Quince
The fruiting Quince of romantic literature - Cydonia oblongata which originated in Iran, is a lovely small spreading trouble free tree that produces large crops of incredibly hard but intensely aromatic pear to round shaped fruit that soften once they are cooked and are remarkable in jams, fruit leathers and can even be added to other fruit pies and sauces to enhance flavour. In Italy it is not uncommon to see freshly washed sheets hung over the low flexible branches of the quince tree, especially when they are heavy with fruit as the fruit will perfume the sheets!
Planting –
Fruiting quince is a hardy plant that prefers a somewhat acidic to neutral fertile soil and is drought tolerant once established. It prefers a sunny spot but can tolerate some shade and needs very little pruning. It can grow as wide as it is tall about 12 to 15 feet tall and wide. Quince appreciate a mulch cover around the base and compost, aged manure, composted bark or a green mulch such as Fragaria vesca or groundcover Rubus are great additions to maintain moisture at root level. A good all purpose or fruit tree fertilizer in the later winter early spring will help get your tree off to a good start.
Container planting –
Quince are quite tolerant of less than perfect situations and for a few years can be grown in a large container. After about 2 to 3 years they are happiest planted in the ground with room to spread out.
Pollination -
Quince are self-fruitful and one tree is sufficient to produce fruit, however multiple cultivars will increase yield on each if you have the space. The flowers actually attract some species of butterflies.
Varieties we carry -
We carry Le Borgeot Quince and occasionally Champion.
Pruning –
Fruiting Quince need very little in the way of pruning and they form a natural spreading or weeping form. You can winter prune to thin out the branches to allow more light and air movement but that is minimal.
Pests –
Interestingly most bear and deer do not like fruiting quince. These may be an option to try outside of deer fencing.