Grow Organically » Soft Fruits http://www.groworganically.org/blog The answer lies in the soil Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:32:58 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 How to grow Quinces http://www.groworganically.org/blog/softfruits/how-to-grow-quinces/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed http://www.groworganically.org/blog/softfruits/how-to-grow-quinces/#comments Sun, 13 Sep 2009 10:55:17 +0000 seekez http://www.groworganically.org/blog/?p=108 No one ever forgets seeing a quince tree for the first time. Perhaps in October, when the branches bow down almost to the ground with  the weight of huge golden quinces which are  pear-shaped fruits.  and that unmistakable aroma of sweet musk fills the air. Or in the early spring, when the white-felted underside of [...]]]> No one ever forgets seeing a quince tree for the first time. Perhaps in October, when the branches bow down almost to the ground with  the weight of huge golden quinces which are  pear-shaped fruits.  and that unmistakable aroma of sweet musk fills the air. Or in the early spring, when the white-felted underside of the leaves gives the unfolding buds all the elegance of a magnolia just at the point of bursting into flower.  Or in May, when the trees are smothered with palest-pink, shell-like blossom, as delicately scented as any narcissus.

  • Quinces are self-fertile and do not need companion tree as a pollinator, but crops may be heavier if more than one is planted.
  • Quinces are totally hardy to winter cold, but the blossom may be susceptable to May frosts.
  • Quinces can be grown as standards (5m),  half standards,  bushes or even trained against the wall.  Plant bare-rooted  one year old trees, preferably in November.  Annual pruning is not necessary for tree or bush forms,  however, the crowns may be thinned out .
  • Spur back wall specimens in July.
  • Quinces are generally trouble-free, and are not susceptible to pests or deseases.

Recommended varieties

  • Meech’s Prolific (US). Very reliable cropper and quick to produce fruit, often as early as its third year. Pear shaped.
  • Vranja (Serbia).  Huge knobbly fruits, very ornamental.
  • Isfahan (Iran).  All the Iranian and Turkish varieties are sweeter then traditional European varieties, with smoother, less gritty flesh which keeps its shape when cooked.
  • Stockists will be the subject of another posting in the future.
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