Common quince – characteristics

Common quince is a plant that, in the Polish climate, occurs as a shrub from the rose family. In its natural environment, it can reach up to 8 metres in height. It is wrongly assigned the name quince shrub (quince shrub has smaller and more acidic fruit). The fruit of common quince is yellow, and its sour taste means it is not eaten raw. Growing quince in our country is very easy, which is why we are increasingly planting it in our gardens. You may also be interested in an article about common quince varieties.

The quince shrub is also beneficial for the human body. Products prepared from its fruit (compotes, honeys, jams and liqueurs) can be an effective weapon in the fight against a cold or flu.

Growing quince – the right site and soil

Common quince prefers a dry and warm climate. Unfortunately, it is not resistant to temperature changes – winter is particularly dangerous for it, as it may freeze. Open spaces are also unfavourable, so it is worth planting the quince shrub in a site sheltered from the wind. Failure to meet this condition may weaken the plant's growth and cause the fruit to be smaller.

The plant likes slightly acidic soil. Its pH should be between 5.9 and 7. Otherwise, the ornamental quince may be exposed to iron deficiencies. In addition, the soil must be fertile and well-drained. Common quince has demanding soil-watering requirements. The shrub tolerates neither a lack nor an excess of water well.

Planting quince

In Poland, quince shrubs are planted in the ground from seedlings in autumn or spring. We place the seedlings in prepared holes 30 cm deep and wide. The distance between them should be greater than 3 m. It is worth paying attention to which variety we plant in our home garden. For quince shrubs, spacing of 5 x 5 m is generally used, while trees are planted in a rectangle measuring 6 x 5 m.

For a plant planted in autumn, we must provide a mound of soil around the trunk to effectively protect it from frost. Before placing a common quince seedling in the ground, its roots should be trimmed. After planting, they must be covered with soil, lightly pressed down and watered generously. In spring, we prune our young tree to a height of 70–80 cm above the ground.

Plant care

One of the care procedures is protecting common quince from frost. To do this, make mounds of soil, which are removed after winter ends. Mulch can be used as an alternative. Ornamental quince requires regular fertilisation. Compost works best, spread evenly around the plant. It is also important to remove damaged or diseased shoots.