Page 41 - Edible Trees For Tucson

southern Europe and Russia, Mexico, and
Central and South America.
P L ANTIN G N O TES
• Chill hours: 100-500 hours.
• Height/Width: 25 feet tall; 15-20 feet wide.
• Lifespan: 30-50 years.
• Water needs: Generally prefer moist soils.
Irrigate with 1 inch of water per week in the
growing season.
• Soils: Plant on well-drained, fertile soils. They
do not grow well on soils with high pH.
• Microclimates: They require full sun exposure.
Quinces are hardy to negative -15ºF, flowers
damaged in late spring frosts.
• Pollination: Quinces are insect pollinated and
require cross pollination.

CARE

The shrub-like nature of quinces makes them
difficult to train to a central leader; however,
they may be pruned to an open-vase shape with
two or three main scaffolds. Diseases include
black spot, brown rot, fire blight and mildew.

H AR VES T
Quinces have late ripening fruit and, in northern
areas, often do not mature before frost damage
occurs. They should be hand harvested, and
while they may be eaten fresh, the fruit is most
often cooked and used to make jellies and
preserves, or fermented into alcohol. Quince
fruits are high in natural pectin.

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