The Quinces
There are several fruiting trees and shrubs with the common name quince. All of these have hard, astringent fruit, even after ripening but are edible when made into pies, preserves, jellies, flavorings and many ethnic specialities.
The Cydonia oblonga is the fuzzy quince originating in the area of the middle and near East. It is still cultivated there as well as the Mediterranean area and southern Europe. When cooked the juice and pulp have a pink color. The fruit size varies according to the variety, but averages are 250 to 750 grams. Reported to grow in all the 48 lower states, it grows into a small tree, usually less than 25 feet and can be trained to a spreading form. It is not thorny, it is self-fertile so only one variety is needed for fruiting. There are many named varieties. It is highly susceptible to fire blight and quince rust.
Pseudocydonia sinensis is a native of China. It has a rather large fruit, 250 to 900 grams. It has a smooth skin and the pulp is more firm than the C. oblonga. The tree grows 20 to 25 feet and becomes twiggy and needs yearly pruning for esthetic reasons. The bark begins to exfoliate as the tree becomes older, much like crepe myrtle. The fruit ripens in late October and November and is the limiting factor for planting north of USDA zone 6. It grows from Florida to New York. This species is less susceptible to fire blight and quince rust and although it is attacked, it suffers less damage than C. oblonga. At least 2 varieties should be planted as some are not self-fertile.
Chaenomeles are also known as quince. There are several species of Chaenomeles and are usually used as flowering shrubs, less than six feet and grown into hedges. Most of these shrubs are thorny but there are thornless varieties. This is the first shrub to bloom, as early as late January in zone 7 and 8 and will have colors from white through pink to dark red, lasting until late spring. These shrubs are not self-fertile so two varieties are needed to produce fruit. The fruits are small, 50 to 75 grams and do not have as many uses as the larger fruits, but are used to make a tart jelly. The leaves on all Chaenomeles are serrated and spiny and usually rounded.
Chaenomeles cathayensis is also a native of China. It grows taller than the flowering shrubs and is more tree form to 20 feet. Its leaves are more narrow-than-long, 2.5 x 5 cm, serrated and spiny. This species has long thorns. It has a fruit that is reported to mature near 900 grams. It too is not self-fertile so two varieties of C.cathayensis are needed to produce fruit or it will cross with the lesser shrubs of Chaenomeles.
Several nurseries lists one or more forms of quinces:
(1) Cydonia oblonga
(2) Pseudocydonia sinensis
(3) Chaenomeles shrubs
(4) Chaenomeles cathayensis
Forest Farm, Oregon (1), (2), (3), (4) Fax 541 846 6963, Ph 541 846 7269
Raintree Nursery, Washington (1), (3) Fax 888 770 8358, Ph 360 496 6400
Northwoods Nursery, Oregon (1) Fax 503 266 5431, Ph 503 266 5432
Sonoma Antique Apple Nursery, California (1) Fax 707 433 6479, Ph 707 433 6420
Hidden Springs Nursery, Tennessee (1), (3) Ph 931 268 2592
Oregon Exotics Nursery, Oregon (1), (3) Fax 541 846 9488, Ph 541 846 7578
Miniature Plant Kingdom, California (2), (3) Ph 707 874 2233
Edible Landscaping, Virginia (1) Fax 804 361 1916, Ph 804 361 9134
All the above have catalogs. Another excellent source for most fruit, nut and berries is the Fruit, Berry and Nut Inventory, published by Seed Saver Publications, Rural Route 3, Box 239, Decorah, Iowa 52101.
For more information, please contact:
CONSULTANT -- LESTER H. DAVIS 1644 LOKEY DRIVE COLUMBUS, GA 31904 706-323-0857 (Best after 9:30 EST)
