Quince

Profile

Family

Rosaceae

Habit

Tree

Height

7.2 m

Spread

6 m

Growth

medium

Lifespan

50 years

First yield

after 3 years

Hardiness

zone 5–9

Shade tolerance

full shade

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam

Soil moisture

dry – very moist

pH

5 – 7

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Fruit can be consumed raw or cooked, with its texture varying depending on the climate it is grown in. In warmer regions, the fruit tends to be soft and juicy, suitable for raw consumption, while in cooler climates, it remains firm and astringent, requiring cooking before eating. It is commonly used in various culinary applications such as jellies and preserves, adding a delightful flavor when cooked with apples. The fruit has a strong aroma and firm, slightly grainy flesh, rich in pectin. Typically, it measures about 10 cm in length and 9 cm in width, tapering towards the stem. A nutritional analysis is accessible for this fruit. Additionally, a beverage can be prepared by simmering dried, crushed seeds in water for 5 minutes and sweetening the mixture. The flowers of this fruit are mentioned briefly without further elaboration.

Other uses: A substance extracted from the seed coat serves as a replacement for gum arabic to add gloss to the material. The seed comprises 20% mucilage and 15% fatty oils, while the fruit is high in pectin, believed to offer radiation protection. The leaves have 11% tannin.

Growing

The quince tree thrives in various soils, preferring light, moist, and fertile soil in a sunny spot. It cannot withstand waterlogging or extremely dry conditions. While it can grow in partial shade, fruit production may be lower. Tolerant of deep shade, it may not bear any fruit. Hardy to about -15°C, in northern regions, quince fruits may not ripen fully unless grown against a sunny wall. Cultivated for over two millennia for its edible fruits and seeds, quince is not a widely grown crop. It is often used as a dwarf rootstock for pears and other fruits, with several named cultivars available. Warm summers are necessary for the fruits to ripen fully, although the 'Maliformis' cultivar can also ripen well in cooler summers.

Propagation

Seeds should be planted in a cool environment right after they mature or in February. They need stratification, which involves keeping fresh seeds cold for 18 weeks, while older seeds require two weeks of warm stratification followed by 18 weeks of cold treatment. Once the seedlings are big enough, transfer them to individual pots and let them grow in a cool environment for at least the first winter. Plant them in their final spot in late spring or early summer, after the last frost. Take cuttings from mature wood in November in a cool environment. Stratify in spring, which takes 1 year. Remove suckers in the spring.

Notable

Special features: Very shade-tolerant, but requires plenty of light and warmth for high fruit yields. Harvest before frost; can be stored for 6-9 weeks. To preserve the seed mucilage, soak the seeds in water for 1 hour. A weak-growing rootstock for pears; forms runners: separate in spring; layering takes 1 year.

Origin & habitat

Europe - Mediterranean region.

Not found in a completely natural setting, it may originate from the cultivation of P. davidiana.

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