Easy but slow to grow
8 varieties in NZ
produce fruit on horizontal fruiting spurs so bending branches to the horizontal helps
fruiting spurs should be left for 3 to 5 years until they loose their vigour
likes a sunny spot protected from wind and frost.
Cold hardy. Tolerant of a wide range of soils and climates
Fruit once tree is 4-6 years old
Shallow root base
Rosaceae family
Cydonia oblonga
In Jewish mythology the original apple of Eden was Quine
In 594BC, Solon, the chief magistrate in Athens declared it an offial wedding food.
First recorded Quince in the UK was in 1275 when four were planted by Edward I at the Tower of London
Trees last 50 years
Rich in VItamins A, B, C, fiber as well as potassium, copper, selenium, zinc, phosphorus, calcium, iron and magnesium
Marmalade originally meant quince jam
Turkey is the largest producer of Quince.
grow to 3-4 metres tall
Native of Iran
Harvest in Autumn
Can espalier
Plant in winter
Keep young trees free of weeds. Stake if required
Prune as for Apples and Pears
Not prone to pests. Strong insecticides will damage leaves.
Ripen early-mid autumn
Sharp yellow-young quince Golden yellow older fruit. Picked when greenish yellow quince will be high in pectin and make better jam/jelly/cheese/paste.
To freezeL Refidgerate for 2 weeks. Blanch and peel. Dry pack. Stores in freezer for up to 1 year. If picked yellow/green freee whole however the Pectin level will diminish over time.
Flesh is hard. Cooking is required often for a long time
Pieces of quice can be ussed in other things to add pectin.
prefer hot and dry over humid
hardy tolerating temps to -20
long lived
can be grown in wet soils
Much Pectin is in the skin and pips so cook unpeeled or add a muslin bag of skin and cores to the cooking.
Chamoion – Vigorous. Good crop. Greenish yellow fruit. Delicate flavour. Late season. Fruits at young age. Self fertile
Giant of Gascony – Very large fruit. Spicy flavour
Smyrna – from Turkey. Very large fruit. Furrowed pear shape. Very aromatic. Keeps well. Self fertile. Large leaves. Vigorous tree
Taihape – Disease resistant. Bred in Taihape. Aromatic fruit
Van Deman – Large Oblong Pear shaped fruit. Bright yellow orange. Flesh pale yellow. Spicy flavour. Early ripening. Hardy. HEavy fruiting. self fertile.
Vranja – Large, golden yellow fruit. Fragrant. Self fertile