Japanese quince (from Latin - Cydonia), or Chaenomeles japonica - is a representative of the Plum subfamily, Rosaceae family, order Rosaceae
origin of name
Japanese quince – small flowering plant, whose homeland is China, Korea and Japan, this shrub is the only (monotypic genus of woody plants) representative of the genus.
Description
Japanese quince is a small in height (grows from 1.5 to 4 m) with falling leaves (rarely semi-evergreen) bush or low tree, which is an ornamental or fruit crop.
Arched branches grow from the root system, are covered with small shiny leaves with jagged edges and, in many species, are covered with sharp spines. At the moment of flowering, in late spring - early summer, the bush is covered with bright lush buds different shades- from white-pink to orange and bright red. The flowers have a regular round shape with five petals and reach 4.5-5 cm in diameter. In deciduous forms, flowering begins even before the first leaves appear and lasts for almost a month. At this time, the bush looks especially beautiful, bringing pleasure from its contemplation.
Reproduction
Chaenomeles reproduces in all known ways - by planting seeds directly into the soil, using cuttings or layering, but for fruiting it is necessary to graft a young plant. Otherwise, an ornamental flowering, but not fruit-bearing, shrub grows.
Growing conditions
The popularity of Japanese quince among landscape specialists and summer residents is associated with decorative features shrubs in all periods of life. It is of particular importance for gardeners and as an industrial crop due to its productivity and extreme usefulness of the fruits.
Along with this, the shrub is a high-quality honey plant, and the bushes easily tolerate pruning, which allows them to be used as hedges and trellises. A huge advantage in growing Japanese quince in loose soil conditions is its root system, thanks to the power of which soil erosion is prevented.
Chaenomeles is actively cultivated as an ornamental shrub in landscape design as a border plant, in mono plantings when decorating lawns. When arranging a rock garden or decorating the spurs of alpine hills, creeping low-growing forms of shrubs are successfully used, and hybrid forms are used in works of bonsai art.
Application
A plant grafted according to all the rules begins to bear fruit no earlier than the third year of its life. The fruits will vary in shape and size, depending on the plant variety - they may look like a pear or an apple. The size of the fruit can also be different - from 2.5-3.5 cm in wild forms, to 15 cm in cultivated forms, provided proper care. The color of the fruit also depends on the variety and growing conditions, and can range from lemon to dark yellow, sometimes with a one-sided reddish tint. All fruits are covered with a layer of natural wax, which gives them a matte appearance and the ability to be stored for a long time. Inside each fruit there are seeds that are very similar in shape to apple seeds. In terms of taste, quince is tart-astringent and sweetish, aromatic, slightly juicy and hard. Because of these organoleptic properties, people try to eat fresh fruits, but after appropriate processing you can get high-quality food products, such as marshmallows, jam, preserves, and when adding sweet berries and fruits, high-quality Consumables for confectionery production. Gelatinating substances found in the fruits give quince products a unique aroma and attractive appearance, and also have a beneficial effect on the human body.
Northern, or Latvian lemon - Japanese quince received this common name for its unique properties and nutritional value, because it can rightfully be considered the champion in vitamin C content among fruits and berries, reaching 180 mg per 100 fruits in some selected varieties. Of course, vitamin C is destroyed during storage, but there is so much of it in quince that even in canned quince, which has been stored for a year, there is more of it than in imported citrus fruits.
Interesting Facts
Until the beginning of the 20th century, for more than 200 years, there was an opinion that the hard and unclear-tasting fruits of the Japanese quince were not edible, therefore the shrub was cultivated in European gardens as an easy-to-process and richly flowering crop. As a result, all the work of breeders was aimed at improving and developing such exceptional properties of the shrub as decorativeness and unpretentiousness.
Only with the development of science, at the beginning of the twentieth century, Japanese quince becomes a fruit and berry crop with the prospect of agronomic development and new varieties with high-yielding properties are created that produce large and healthy fruits, and plant shoots become devoid of thorns.
Planting Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica) will bring many benefits to garden plot. Its fruits are usually not consumed raw because of their acidity and hardness. But dishes prepared from them (jams, preserves, compotes, pastilles) have a special taste and aroma. In addition, quince fruits are rich in vitamin C and contain many other vitamins and microelements.
Advice! When growing quince, do not forget: it is also known for its medicinal properties: strengthens blood vessels, has an anti-sclerotic effect, relieves inflammation, treats colds, hypertension, burns.
Special mention should be made of the beauty of quince bushes and trees during the flowering period. At one time, Japanese chaenomeles was grown in European countries only as ornamental plant. It was used to decorate paths and alpine slides, planted separately in the middle of the lawn, and also used for bonsai and living fencing.
What does quince look like?
Quince is native to Japan, China, and Korea. These are small trees or shrubs. They are characterized by arc-shaped branches, glossy small leaves with carved edges, sharp spines (in most species, but not all) and bright, beautiful flowers. Flowers can be colored in shades of red, as well as orange, white and pink.
Chaenomeles blooms for about a month, luxuriantly and richly. Admiring her during this period is a pleasure. Growing quince will produce fruit only in the third year. They are similar to a pear or apple in shape. The fruits are colored green, yellow or Orange color. The seeds resemble apple seeds. The waxy skin allows the fruit to remain fresh for a long time.
Rules for planting Japanese quince
Planting Japanese quince requires certain conditions:
- Choosing the soil. Quince loves moist, loamy soils rich in humus. However, it can thrive both on dense clayey and dry sandy soils. Chaenomeles is sensitive to acidity (its level should correspond to the pH range of 5-6.5). Calcareous soil is not suitable for growing the plant.
- Light. Japanese quince grows well and bears fruit only in a sunny place; sometimes it is planted in a slightly shaded place, but then there may be no fruit.
- Temperature conditions. Chaenomeles loves warmth and mild climates. However, it tolerates winter well, especially under snow. If there is no snow cover, the plant must be protected from frost.
- Moisture. Quince can be called a drought-resistant crop; it is unnecessary to water it often. The exception is young individuals. Immediately after planting, they need moderate moisture. But water should not be allowed to stagnate.
- Drafts and cold winds are undesirable for young plants. Plant them on the south side of the site.
Chaenomeles is planted in the spring, and the place where the cultivation will take place is prepared in the fall.
First you need to weed out the weeds and dig up the area. If necessary, add sand, leaf turf, organic and mineral fertilizers (compost, phosphorus, potassium) to the soil. This composition will make the soil loose, well permeable to air and water.
It is advisable to plant quince in open ground when it is two years old after growing in a special container. They carry it along with the soil without damaging the roots. To do this, prepare holes with a circumference of half a meter in diameter, the depth should be from 500 to 800 cm. You need to place humus in them with a volume of two buckets, add superphosphate (in the amount of 300 g), potassium nitrate (up to 30 g), and ash (half a kilogram) will do. ).
Advice! When planting, the root should be completely underground, but not too deep. The seedlings must be well watered and mulched with humus. Plants do not like to be disturbed, so it is advisable not to replant more than once. In the chosen location you can grow quince for up to 60 years.
If you are planting plants, then it would be reasonable to plant them in increments of up to 500 cm. The distance between plants arranged in separate groups should be about a meter.
Courting Chaenomeles
Caring for Japanese quince includes the following points:
- Loosening and weeding. These procedures must be carried out regularly in the summer; the trees will delight you with more magnificent decoration in gratitude for this.
- Mulching. It is produced so that the soil layer retains moisture for a long time. Around low bushes, pour a thick layer (about 5 cm) of peat, crushed tree bark, and sawdust. Best time for mulching - end of spring. In the fall, this procedure is also carried out, but after the onset of frost.
- Crown formation. Bushes and trees must be pruned in a timely manner (every year). The total number of shoots should be no more than twenty. Branches going up are pruned before the buds hatch. , V autumn period It is best to avoid this, as this may cause the plant to freeze.
- Feeding. In the third year after planting, Chaenomeles needs to be fed. They do this at the beginning of spring. Organic and mineral fertilizers are used: the area around the trunk is filled with compost, potassium and superphosphate. In summer you can fertilize liquid mixtures: ammonium nitrate, bird droppings.
- Watering. It is produced quite rarely if there has been no rain for a long time. When planting young plants, moderate soil moisture is also necessary during the period of active growth.
- Sanitary care of branches. Old, drying branches must be removed in the spring, especially those lying on the surface of the earth and growing horizontally.
- Creating conditions for wintering. Protect the bushes from cold and winds, cover them spruce paws, fallen leaves, install shields that retain the snow cover. Young plants are covered with a special covering material; for small individuals, cardboard boxes or wooden boxes are suitable as shelter.
How does quince reproduce?
Quince can be grown by seed and vegetative methods.
Seeds can be planted directly in open ground. They do this before the onset of winter. Not all of these seedlings will sprout, but they will be hardened and strong.
You can sow seeds in spring. When sowing in this way, the seeds must be stratified (three months with a temperature of zero degrees). Stratification is an imitation of natural winter conditions (creating a cold, damp environment), when seeds under the snow accumulate moisture and nutrients and prepare to awaken with the onset of spring. Without such a procedure, the seed may rot when planted without sprouting.
Advice! The seedlings need to be grown for about two years and then planted in a permanent place.
Plant grafting and cutting propagation method
Such methods are used to preserve the characteristics of a particular varietal species.
Cuttings are pruned in the summer in the early morning. They are planted in soil made of sand and peat layers. It is advisable to use growth stimulants, for example, “Kornevin”. If the weather is favorable (20 to 25 degrees), the cuttings will take root after a month or a month and a half.
Can be propagated by layering. To do this, take a side branch and dig it in for rooting. In the fall, the emerging shoots are divided according to the number of vertically growing ones and planted in selected places.
Japanese quince is grafted in late spring. A cut in the shape of the letter T is made on the bark of the rootstock, and the scion is placed there. Press these parts, tying them tightly. After a year, if engraftment is successful, the bandage can be removed.
If you like chaenomeles, try growing it in your garden. By following simple rules and recommendations for caring for this pretty plant, you will appreciate the benefits of growing it in your garden.
Do not forget that in addition to its decorative function, quince has a lot of useful and nutritional properties. By planting it, you will be provided with fragrant and juicy fruits for a long time.
Photo: Japanese quince or chaenomeles
History of Quince japonica
The history of quince goes back more than 4000 years. Translated from Greek, "chaenomeles" means "to split an apple."The common quince has sisters - Japanese quince and Chinese quince. Chaenomeles Maulei - the low Japanese quince belongs to the Rosaceae family. Its flowers resemble apple trees. On some Japanese islands it is found as wild plant. In general, in Japan, Northern China and Korea, it has long been cultivated as a fruit and ornamental plant. About 200-250 years ago, Chaenomeles Mauleya was brought to Western Europe, where it now grows almost everywhere, right up to Norway.
The hybrid between Japanese quince and low Japanese quince is especially loved by amateur gardeners abroad. The following varieties are widely cultivated in Europe: "Diamond" - a shrub, 1.2 m high, grows slowly, bright red flowers, about 4 cm in diameter; "Hollandia" is a highly branched, slow-growing shrub up to 1.5 m tall and the same width, salmon-red flowers, 4-4.5 cm in diameter, appear in May, fruits, like an apple tree, are green, later yellow; "Nikolina" - the height of the bush is about 1 m, the width is slightly larger, the flowers are numerous, purple-red, about 5 cm in diameter, blooms profusely before the leaves bloom in April-May, the fruits are ovoid, yellow-green when ripe; "Nivalis" is a shrub with a height and crown diameter of about 2 m, the flowers are pure white, up to 3 cm in diameter, open in May, again in August, the fruits are round, up to 8 cm in diameter; "Vesuvius" is a shrub up to 1 m high and a crown diameter up to 1.5 m, red flowers up to 3 cm in diameter, appear in May before the leaves, fruits about 5 cm in diameter, yellow-green; "Pink Lady" - pink or dark pink flowers open in May, fruits are round, yellow-green, ripen in late autumn.
In our country, they first began to breed it in botanical gardens, but already from the mid-twentieth century, Chaenomeles became popular among owners summer cottages and landscape designers.
The homeland of Japanese quince is Southeast Asia: the mountains of China and Japan. In culture since 1796. Several forms and hybrids are known. Among them is the alpine form - a dwarf thorny shrub about 50 cm high, the leaves of which have pink and white spots and stripes.
Known in culture abroad since 1874. Gained particular popularity decorative forms With different colors flowers range from pure white to dark red. Attractive are white flowers with pink stripes or pink-edged flowers, white and pink double forms, dark purple double form, as well as varieties: "Papelya" - yellow flowers with a pink border, "Gaiardi" - salmon-orange flowers, "Malardi" - flowers pink with white border.
Quince was popular with the ancient Greeks, who baked it with honey, removing the core.
In Greek mythology, quince is known as the golden apple, presented by Paris to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Since the times of the ancient world, the fruit has been a symbol of love, marriage and fertility, and in medieval Europe, giving a quince as a gift was considered a manifestation of great love.
Description Japanese quince
Japanese quince is low ornamental shrub no more than 1 m high, having universal use: it is both a fruit and an ornamental plant. With strong arched shoots with spines up to 1 cm long. Delicate emerald green leaves are densely located on the branches. Brownish-red flowers, 2-3 cm in diameter, collected in inflorescences of 2-6 pieces. Flowering lasts 2-3 weeks. Fruiting begins at the age of 3-4 years. The fruits sit tightly on the branches and ripen in October, almost before frost. Their aroma resembles pineapple, they are pale yellow in color, and their shape resembles a lemon. They weigh 30-45 g, the diameter of the fruit is 3-5 cm. They ripen at the end of September, and those that do not have time to ripen usually ripen in storage. At good care From one bush you can collect 3-4 kg of fruit. They need to be collected before heavy frosts. They tolerate light frosts without damage. When fresh, they are very sour, with a lemon flavor, and are a perfect substitute for tea.Quince fruits and its processed products contain a lot useful substances. They contain a lot of vitamin C and pectin substances, which help remove heavy metal salts from the body.
Quince belongs to the same family as apple and pear trees. Japanese quince is unpretentious to growing conditions. It also grows in the shade, but bears fruit better in sunny places. This is a fast-growing crop: it blooms and begins to bear fruit in the 3rd year after planting. Winter hardiness is high. Due to its short stature, it is covered with the first snow immediately at the beginning of winter.
It grows naturally in Japan and China. There are four species, two of which - low Japanese quince and high Japanese quince - have become widespread in our country. Most often they are deciduous or semi-evergreen beautiful flowering shrubs, which have thorns on their branches. Dark green shiny leaves are arranged alternately. Large brick-red or orange single flowers are especially spectacular. The fruits sit tightly on the branches.
In cultivation, chaenomeles grows best in fertile soils and open sunny places. Responsive to watering, especially in dry, hot summers. With good care, plants can live from 60 to 80 years in one place.
Chaenomeles is propagated by seeds (freshly collected in the fall, stratified in the spring (long-term keeping of plant seeds at a certain temperature)), summer cuttings, dividing the bush, and layering.
In amateur gardening in Russia, the most widespread are Japanese chaenomeles, or Japanese quince, hybrids and varieties.
Japanese Chaenomeles grows quite slowly, with an annual growth of 3-5 cm. It grows better in fresh, fertile soils and tolerates drought and pruning well. It is frost-resistant, but in severe winters with little snow, the ends of the shoots freeze. Flower buds located closer to the ground, as a rule, are not damaged, and the plants bloom and bear fruit every year. Propagated by seeds, root suckers, layering, cuttings. The great advantage of this plant is its early flowering. It can be used for single, group, border and edge plantings, in hedges. In gardens they can be planted in small groups on lawns and on rocky hills.
Chaenomeles seedlings can serve dwarf rootstocks for some varieties of pear, for apple trees, garden rowan and selected forms of hawthorn. In gardening, the compatibility of Chaenomeles with these crops is widely used and is enhanced by grafting several breeds at the same time. decorative effect. Thanks to this, on one tree, for example, first a pear blooms, then a hawthorn, and at the end of May - beginning of June, chaenomeles blooms with fire for 2-3 weeks.
In garden compositions they are successfully combined with forsythia, low almond, heather, spirea and mahonia. Other options are also possible. This shrub has phytoncidal properties, which appear almost year-round.
Japanese quince blooms quite late, after the end of spring frosts, and begins to bear fruit early (2-3 years after planting). It is distinguished by high annual yield, drought resistance, and average winter hardiness. IN harsh winters in the Non-Chernozem Zone, flower buds and sometimes even branches of the Japanese low quince freeze to the level of the snow cover. In subsequent years, the bushes quickly recover. With age, the winter hardiness of quince increases. This crop is also a good honey plant.
Japanese quince grows well in loamy soils rich in organic matter. In autumn or early spring it is planted along paths at a distance of about 1 m from each other. Places protected from cold winds are more preferable. It is advisable to bend Japanese Quince bushes to the ground and pin them in low autumn. Covered with snow, it better withstands harsh winters. As with other fruit species, when caring for quince, they include loosening the soil, removing weeds, applying fertilizers, watering, forming and pruning bushes.
Due to its sour taste and high vitamin C content, Japanese quince is also called northern lemon. Ripe fruits contain fructose, tannins, and organic acids. The juice from the fruit contains about 3.5% malic acid, sugar and gum (thick sticky juice of some plants, used in pharmacology, industry, etc.). The fruits are consumed dry and fresh for tuberculosis and bronchial asthma. But quince fruits in their raw form are inedible. They are used to prepare soft drinks and jam. Quince is simmered to make the filling of pies and pies, baked for dessert, pasta prepared and served with soft mature cheese, fried whole and served with game, jellies, jams and preparations are often made from quince, as it is rich in pectin ( greenish-yellow fruits have the highest pectin content).
A simple way is to put the fruit slices in a jar, sprinkle with sugar, and store in the refrigerator. The resulting aromatic syrup is added to tea instead of lemon. The fruits are stored for a very long time. Ripe fruits can be eaten fresh after storage; they also have medicinal properties for sclerosis, hypertension, and anemia. But more often they are consumed boiled or baked. A decoction of the seeds is used as a lotion for eye diseases, for rinsing with sore throats, and as cosmetic product, softening the skin.
It is believed that vitamin C acts not only against colds, but also promotes the production of a unique protective substance in the human body - interferon (a protective protein produced by the cells of mammals and birds in response to infection with viruses). Quince fruits contain a lot of high-quality pectin, which is necessary for the human body to neutralize heavy metal salts.
Quince planting
Japanese quince is planted with a distance between bushes of 1 m. For planting, they dig a hole 35-40 cm deep and 45-50 cm in diameter. Well-rotted manure is placed at the bottom, thoroughly mixed with soil removed from the hole in a 1:1 ratio. After planting, the seedling is pruned low for better tillering and watered with water at the rate of 1-2 buckets per bush. There is no need to tie the seedling to a peg.IN decorative purposes it is planted along paths with a distance between bushes of 0.5 m and made hedge, strictly cutting off the entire row from the sides and top.
Sunny, open areas are better for chaenomeles than shade, where they do not grow well. This crop's winter hardiness is, as a rule, average; in frosty winters the ends of annual shoots freeze slightly. Therefore, it is advisable to cover chaenomeles with “Lutrasil” and choose areas and places where enough snow accumulates in winter to protect against severe frosts (below -30 ° C).
Soil: leaf soil, peat compost and sand in a ratio of 2:2:1. When planting, organic and mineral fertilizers are applied: 10 kg of manure, 200 g of superphosphate, 30 g of potassium nitrate per hole. The best soils for chaenomeles, light, well-moistened loams or soddy-podzolic soils with high content organic substances and a slightly acidic reaction environment. Soils with a pronounced alkaline reaction, in which plants are severely affected by chlorosis, should be avoided.
When planting chaenomeles plantings, it is best to use two-year-old seedlings and planting in early spring before buds open. Autumn planting is possible, but the seedlings should be hilled. It is important not to deepen the root collar; it should remain at soil level.
Care Quince
Caring for Japanese quince is simple. It is drought-resistant, but like any fruit plant, responds to watering by increasing the yield, and the fruits become larger and juicier. In spring, it is useful to feed quince with full mineral fertilizer: ammonium nitrate or urea in a dose of 20 g, superphosphate - 25-30 g and potassium chloride - 15-20 g for each bush. Potassium chloride, if possible, is better to replace wood ash at a dose of 150-200g. In the fall, before digging, rotted manure is scattered at the rate of 2-4 kg per bush.During the summer, three feedings are carried out: in the spring, nitrogen fertilizers are scattered randomly around the bush, after flowering and harvesting, phosphorus and potassium liquid fertilizers are applied at the rate of 200-300 g per 10 liters of water. Watering once a month is sufficient. They loosen only when weeding. The ground around the bushes is mulched with peat, sawdust or bark with a layer of 3-5 cm. Pruning is carried out every 5-6 years; in the summer, after flowering, underdeveloped, dry, broken, frozen or old (more than 5 years) branches are removed. In the standard form, shoots on the standard below the grafting are periodically removed.
When preparing plants for winter, do not forget to cover young seedlings with spruce branches. Plants on a trunk should be bent to the ground and covered.
Not only varietal seedlings, but also Chaenomeles seedlings begin to bear fruit very early, in the 2-3rd year after planting. However, in order to reap the benefits, it is necessary to provide joint landing at least two or three different forms (varieties or seedlings) of this crop. The yield from one bush averages 2 kg, and with good care it can reach up to 5 kg. The main fruiting is concentrated on the branches of three summer age, therefore, a properly formed bush should have 10-15 skeletal branches of different ages: 3-5 one-year-old, 3-4 two-year-old, 3-4 three-year-old, 2-3 four-year-old and five-year-old. Five-year-old shoots that bear fruit are cut out in the spring of next year. Frozen shoots that spread along the ground and grow vertically upward are also cut out. In the latter case, cutting is necessary due to the threat of freezing of tall branches that do not go under the snow. The most valuable in Chaenomeles are the shoots that at a height of 10-40 cm take (or are given by bending) a horizontal position.
The Chaenomeles harvest ripens in September-October. It must be removed before frost, otherwise the fruits will lose their taste and aroma. Fruits not damaged by frost are well preserved at a temperature of +2°C and high air humidity until February.
Japanese quince, or chaenomeles ( Chaenomeles) - not only an ornamental plant, but also a fruit plant. This is a shrub with a dense crown and beautiful glossy leaves. Japanese chaenomeles (Ch. japonica) can grow up to 2 and even 3 m, and Maulei chaenomeles (Ch. maulei), also called low Japanese quince, can grow up to 1 m. In May, the bushes are covered with numerous large bright flowers scarlet and red-orange flowers, rare for shrubs. There are varieties with different original flower colors. For example, descriptions of Japanese quince varieties such as ‘Nivalis’ are characterized by white petals, while ‘Pink Lady’ has pink petals.Varieties of Japanese quince: photos and descriptions of shrubs
Chaenomeles develops and blooms better on open place, but also tolerates partial shade. When planting Japanese quince, you need to take into account that in severe winters the branches above the snow cover freeze over. Chaenomeles is propagated by green cuttings, suckers and layering, species - by seeds.
Chaenomeles are planted in groups on the lawn
The Japanese quince shrub looks good as an addition to taller plants. For example, chaenomeles can be used to cover the exposed stems of mock orange. Those who decide to grow this plant should pay attention to some very important features in the description of Japanese quince. First of all, chaenomeles is a heat-loving plant, so experts consider regions with a mild climate to be favorable areas for its growth. If you plan to plant and care for Japanese quince in northern latitudes, where the temperature can drop to -30 ° C, you need to take into account that the part of the bush that is under the snow will definitely bloom in the spring, but annual shoots or buds that are above the level snow cover are unlikely to give a lush color. However, even such slightly capricious and demanding characteristics of the Japanese quince do not stop skilled gardeners, because the plant is distinguished by a number of other features and advantages:
- for example, Chaenomeles is characterized by smooth, small, juicy green leaves;
- True, in addition to leaves, quince also has spines reaching up to 2 cm in length;
- fruits that resemble apples or apples are not very large in size - about 3-5 cm - and are located on the surface of the shoots;
- in landscape design, Japanese quince will delight the eye from May until about mid-June (flowering lasts about 20 days), when pink, white or red-orange buds will bloom.
Due to the fact that today there are many varieties of Japanese quince, real gardeners and those simply wanting to decorate their garden can choose the variety of plant that they like.
Resistant varieties of Japanese quince for the Moscow region
Taking into account the climatic and soil specifics of the Moscow region, experts advise carefully choosing one or another variety of this plant. For the Moscow region, Japanese quince varieties should be distinguished, first of all, by their resistance. Therefore, you should pay attention to interspecific Chaenomeles hybrids and selection varieties.
Growing and caring for Japanese quince in open ground: how to plant a shrub correctly
To know how to plant Japanese quince, carefully read the following recommendations from experienced gardeners. In principle, Chaenomeles is distinguished by a certain capriciousness and demandingness only at a young age. During this period, the plant really needs moderate moisture, which implies the absence of moisture stagnation.Such difficulties should not arise in the future. True, one must still take into account that when poor lighting The plant may not bloom so luxuriantly and is unlikely to bear fruit.How to plant Japanese quince correctly so that it pleases you with its delicate flowers? As you may have guessed, you should choose a place for planting that is sufficiently lit. Next, do not forget that in winter the plant should be under the snow. Therefore, look for a place where massive snow cover forms. And if snowstorms are very frequent guests in your area, do not forget to also cover the bush with spruce branches or fallen leaves. Very characteristic feature The plant is that it can develop well and grow in almost any soil. So, if you plant a shrub on damp clay or poor sandy soil, Japanese quince will grow well and produce lush color. But this will only happen if the soil is moderately moist, as mentioned earlier, and rich in humus.
Chaenomeles will not be able to grow only on soils such as calcareous and saline soils. Please note that alkaline soil will cause leaf chlorosis.It is best to plant Japanese quince in an area that is located on the south side country house, or in a secluded corner that is well protected from northern winds. Pay attention to the photo of Japanese quince: if the planting was done correctly, your plant will produce a similar beneficial color:
You need to remember that if you decide to plant shrubs in the spring, you need to prepare the soil in the fall. To do this, you should completely clear the area of weeds, if any, and keep the selected area under black fallow until planting. Fertilizers such as peat manure compost in a volume of 10 kg/m2, potassium and phosphorus fertilizers in a volume of 40 g/m2 must be added to the soil. This helps create the necessary water- and breathable ball of earth. If you want to decorate your garden with a plant that has an open root system and plant it already on permanent place, choose the time for planting in the spring, when the soil has already thawed, but the buds have not yet begun to bloom. It is also possible to plant Japanese quince in the fall, but since Chaenomeles is heat-loving, it may suffer or even die. Be sure to take a good look at the photo of Japanese quince, the care and planting of which suggests that the shrub will be planted in small groups or along paths to form a low hedge:
In such cases, each plant should be one and a half meters apart from each other if they are collected in a row, and at a distance of up to 1 meter if the quince forms a group. Planting Japanese quince in open ground is considered incorrect: the root collar of the bush must be located at soil level, but the root should never be exposed! Another important point is that the root collar, which is too deep into the ground, does not contribute to slowing down the growth of Chaenomeles.
Remember that this plant reacts very poorly to transplantation, and an experienced gardener will never disturb it once again. It is known that in one place a quince can produce lush flowers for up to 60 years.Well, when chaenomeles has already been planted, it’s time to think about how to grow Japanese quince healthy and beautiful. In order for the plant to bloom magnificently in the summer, the soil around it is carefully loosened to a depth of about 10 cm. This procedure is combined with the destruction of weeds. For an even more effective result, which you will see if you look at the photo, in caring for Japanese quince they use a method such as mulching - that is, covering the ground with a layer of mulch (peat, sawdust or crushed bark) to protect the bush:
To apply this method, it is better to stock up on everything you need in late spring and carry out the procedure while the soil is still quite wet, but already well warmed up. In autumn, mulching is carried out only when a constant low temperature has already established. In growing and caring for Japanese quince, which was planted a year ago, gardeners do not recommend using liquid fertilizers, which can easily injure young roots. And without the use of these products, the plant will have enough nutrients in the planting hole. But already in the second or third year, when spring comes and the snow melts, experts advise applying organic and mineral fertilizers. They will contribute to the lush color and fruiting that you can see in the photo of Japanese quince, which was also grown using fertilizers in the form of liquid fertilizers:
Propagation of Japanese quince by seeds and cuttings
It is the seeds that are considered the simplest and most proven method of propagating Japanese quince by dozens of generations of gardeners. You need to know that when already ripe fruits are sent for processing and the core is cleaned, large brown seeds can not be disposed of, but left for further sowing. They are sown in the soil in the fall. This method is so loved by many people because, thanks to it, you are guaranteed to get dense shoots next spring. But if you were unable to realize your plans during the mentioned period, you will have to plant the seeds for stratification - long-term aging (2-3 months) in peat or moist soil at a temperature of +3+5o C. In the spring, the seeds are naturally transferred to the ground. You can resort to another method - propagation of Japanese quince by cuttings. However, experts say that this method is considered less effective. In most cases, the cutting procedure is used to preserve the varietal qualities of Chaenomeles. Pay attention to the photo so that growing and caring for Japanese quince does not become a problematic and unloved activity for you in the future:
Remember, these green cuttings are usually harvested in early June, while the weather is dry but not hot. Be sure to cut them early in the morning. Gardeners say that the most effective in rooting - 80% guarantee - are cuttings cut with a small piece of last year's wood. They are also called “with heels”. To stimulate growth, use a solution of indolylbutyric acid with 0.01%. The cuttings must be planted obliquely in a mixture of peat and sand (the required ratio is 1:3). If the outside temperature stays within +20+25° C, then rooting can easily occur in 40 days.
How to propagate Japanese quince by offspring
Since the plant always produces a lot of root shoots, you can use them too. They have known for a long time how to propagate Japanese quince in a similar way. experienced gardeners. To do this, shoots are selected that are approximately 10-15 cm long and at least 0.5 cm thick. Be sure to ensure that the offspring have a well-developed rhizome system. Then they are planted vertically and watered regularly so that the soil maintains the necessary moisture. Next, they resort to the mulching procedure that is already familiar to us - they fill the soil around the plant with wood chips, shavings or humus. True, chaenomeles grown in this way has one drawback: it was noticed that the plant produces smaller fruits than its counterparts propagated by seeds or cuttings.But there is also a special advantage in this situation: with this method of reproduction, Japanese quince very often then spreads in different directions and at the age of 20 years can occupy an area of up to 2 m2. This is very beneficial in cases where you want, for example, to hold the soil on some slopes.Growing Japanese quince in the Moscow region: planting, care and pruning A very valuable feature of the Japanese chaenomeles is that it loves to “preen itself”. True, gardeners are in no hurry to approach the plant’s thorns. They do this only when they are armed with thick gardening gloves - leggings.
Japanese quince really needs sanitary pruning in the spring: during this period, all dry shoots that have died from frost should be carefully removed. To do this, you can use ordinary well-sharpened tools - a garden saw and pruning shears. After the procedure, be sure to treat the cut areas with garden varnish.
But how to prune Japanese quince if it is associated with the formation of a bush, which begins at the age of 4-5 years? Firstly, the procedure is carried out in early spring. Every year, part of the root growth is cut out.Only 2-3 offspring are left for further growth. It is desirable that these are horizontal shoots that are located at a height of up to 40 cm from the ground. Other shoots that spread along the ground or grow vertically are safely removed. Another type of pruning, which is indicated in the description of planting and caring for Japanese quince in the Moscow region, is a rejuvenating procedure. It is used when the plant reaches the age of 8-10 years. Gardeners understand that the time has come for this pruning when the annual growth is reduced to 10 cm. The procedure is carried out as follows: the bush is thinned out, all thin and weak branches, and only a dozen strong shoots are left. Look at the photos of the beautiful varieties of Japanese quince, the description of which is presented above - for them, the worst threat is a pest such as aphids:
If you find these monsters on plants in your garden, immediately use special means. No less evil and dangerous enemy for Chaenomeles is damp, cool weather, which causes the manifestation of many fungal diseases:
- if the plant begins to experience necrosis and numerous spots appear on the leaves, this is a sure sign that the Japanese quince may soon die;
- in cases where chaenomeles is affected by cercospora, all kinds of brown spots appear on it, turning pale over time;
- brown spots are a sign of ramulariasis.
Japanese quince bush in landscape design (with photo)
After reading the description of Japanese quince and looking at the photo different varieties of this plant, which are presented below, you can see that Chaenomeles can be considered one of the most magnificent ornamental shrubs:
Each variety has its own unique color scheme buds (from delicate snow-white to massive fiery red), which literally shimmer in the sun. And the fruits that come from Japanese quince resemble either outlandish pears or amazing fairy-tale apples. Moreover, Chaenomeles attracts many avid gardeners because it retains its regal appearance for a long time. Certain varieties can live up to 50 years! Blooms amazing plant in the spring, pleasing the eye and bringing pleasure to the inhabitants of the country house, and in the summer and autumn it shares its juicy fruits.
Japanese low-growing quince is very often used for landscape design of garden paths. This variety does not grow higher than 1 meter. In addition, in May and early June, chaenomeles begins to be covered with orange-red flowers, which look very attractive in any garden.Japanese quince is also ideal for creating hedges. It can be seen either individually seated or gathered in small groups, which very often create real artistic compositions. In the garden, chaenomeles looks great on a trunk - a vertical or inclined element in the shape of a letter. To get the desired result, the plant should be grafted onto a pear or rowan using cuttings.
- for example, to create an alpine hill, you can combine chaenomeles with dwarf spruce, varietal thuja or slate pine;
- if you plant shrubs along garden path every one and a half meters, you get a whole picturesque ensemble;
- in combination with daffodils and Carpathian bells Japanese quince helps add bright colors to landscape design.
If you want to decorate your plot, create an original hedge and at the same time harvest healthy fruits, pay attention to the Japanese quince.
Japanese quince is a low-growing ornamental shrub. She will decorate any garden in spring, when many huge (for its small stature) orange-red flowers with a diameter of up to 4 cm bloom on it, with which all the branches are strewn.
In summer, the plant attracts the eye with its glossy foliage and plumping fruits. In autumn it is strewn with small yellow fruits, resembling small apples.
Gardeners mainly plant low shrubs for decorative purposes. A group of 3-5 plants looks very good on lawns. A small quince bush will decorate a flower bed or alpine slide, often used in landscape design.
The bush blooms in May and, due to the uneven opening of the buds, bright flowering lasts for 2-3 weeks.
Spiraea, forsythia and mahonia will be worthy partners for her in garden compositions.
Quince has the ability to grow in breadth due to abundant root growth, and this is its quality very often used to strengthen slopes (it holds the soil).
You need to be careful with the bush, as some varieties have sharp thorns.
Chaenomeles (Japanese quince) due to its frost resistance (withstands frosts down to -25 ° well) suitable for growing in the Moscow region. At frosts below - 30°C, the buds may freeze, but the bush will not die.
At proper cultivation the bush grows up to 40 years.
Japanese quince, or chaenomeles:
Planting in open ground and care
Quince is not demanding in terms of growing conditions, but there are several conditions that must be taken into account when planting a seedling:
- The planting site should be sunny, since the shrub grows and blooms poorly in the shade;
- to avoid freezing of bushes in severe winters, plant in places protected from northern winds;
- soil acidity should not exceed 6.5pH (slightly acidic);
- Having a tap root that goes deep into the soil, the plant does not tolerate transplantation from place to place, so we plant it immediately and forever;
- the distance between bushes is 1-1.5 m, when forming a hedge 0.8-1 m.
Landing rules:
- pour about a bucket of humus with wood ash (0.5 kg) and superphosphate (0.3 kg) into it into a dug planting hole (60*60*50cm), mix with a shovel with a small amount of soil;
- We place the seedling in the hole so that the root collar is at soil level;
- cover the roots of the plant with soil and water well;
- It is advisable to mulch the soil around the bushes (sawdust, crushed tree bark, peat).
Further care of the young seedling consists of watering, but waterlogging of the soil should not be allowed to avoid rotting of the roots, regular loosening of the soil around the bushes.
Since during landing everything necessary elements food were entered, then There is no need to feed the plant within two years after planting..
In the spring, after the snow melts, adult plants are fed with ammonium nitrate, approximately 20 g per bush. In summer they give liquid organic fertilizers (diluted mullein or bird droppings). In the fall, superphosphate is added.
The plant is winter-hardy, but young seedlings in the Moscow region should be insulated for the winter in the first years after planting.
To do this, you can use spruce spruce branches or cover small plants with covering material (spandbond or lutrasil), place wooden or plastic boxes on top and sprinkle with fallen leaves.
Quince bears fruit annually, starting from the third year after planting.
Chaenomeles is a cross-pollinated plant., therefore, for better pollination and increased productivity, you need to plant 2-3 bushes nearby.
Features of planting Chaenomeles:
Methods for propagating Japanese quince for transplantation
There are several ways to propagate Japanese quince.
Seeds
Due to the fact that varietal qualities are not preserved during seed propagation, it is used when growing rootstocks with further regrafting.
Seeds collected from fruits in autumn are stored in damp sand at a temperature of about 0°C throughout the winter.(thus they undergo stratification).
Seeds are sown in planting containers in February - March, after 1.5 months they are planted in separate containers and at the end of May - beginning of June the seedlings are ready for planting in open ground.
Regular watering and fertilizing are carried out until autumn, for the winter, seedlings that have not yet fully matured are insulated with fallen leaves.
The easiest way is to immediately plant seeds collected in the fall in prepared rows, sprinkle with soil, cover with polyethylene and cover with leaves.
The germination rate of such seeds is excellent, since they have undergone natural stratification, in the spring the dense shoots need to be thinned out, leaving the strongest ones. By autumn, the seedlings are ready to be transplanted to a permanent place of growth.
Cuttings
At the beginning of June they conduct green cuttings . Annual cuttings with a “heel” (a piece of last year’s wood) are cut. The sections are treated with “Kornevin” for better rooting and planted in a tree at an angle.
To maintain humidity, cover the plantings plastic film. By autumn, the seedlings are ready to be transplanted to a permanent place, but it is better to do this in the spring.
You can cut mature cuttings in the fall and bury them under a bush. at a depth of 20-30 cm, making sure to mark the location.
Over the winter, callus forms at the ends of the cuttings and with the onset of spring, the cuttings are planted immediately in a permanent place.
Dividing the bush
The easiest way to reproduce. Shoots with a well-developed root system are separated from the mother bush (root shoot) and replanted.
Horizontal layering
Quince often grows creeping shoots, by digging which you can get seedlings for subsequent propagation.
Chaenomeles pruning rules
The shrub tolerates pruning very well, but most gardeners do not do it due to the thorniness of the plant, and in vain. Quince needs pruning to improve growth and crown formation for decorative purposes.
There are three types of pruning:
- Sanitary– in early spring, dry, frozen and broken branches are removed.
- Formative– they begin to do it from the age of 4, when the branches begin to branch. Shoots growing inside the bush and thickening it are cut out, excess root shoots are removed, leaving no more than 2-3 young shoots annually in order to avoid strong growth of the bush in breadth. The shoots creeping along the ground are also removed; they take the food for themselves and thicken the bush.
- Rejuvenating– it is produced from the age of 8 years of the bush, when the annual growth becomes less than 10 cm. Thin and elongated shoots are removed, leaving the strongest 10-12 in the bush. When thinning, you need to remember that the most productive shoots are at the age of 3-4 years; branches that are older need to be removed.
To avoid the penetration of diseases into the plant, all cuts must be treated with garden varnish.
Pests and diseases
Chaenomeles is not damaged by pests and is highly resistant to diseases, but in cool and rainy summers diseases such as:
- leaf necrosis– the appearance of a gray coating along the edge of the leaf with further dissemination over the entire surface of the leaf, the leaves dry out;
- cercosporiosis– appears in the form of dark brown round spots that lighten over time;
- ramulariasis– formation of brown spots on the leaves.
To combat diseases, spraying shrubs with solutions of copper sulfate (10% concentration) or a solution of foundationazole (0.2% concentration) works effectively.
Varieties for growing in the Moscow region
Of the domestic varieties, the most common are:
- Fragrant– bush up to 1.2 m high, winter-hardy, fruit weight 50-60 g, with a pleasant aroma;
- Nikitskaya – early date maturing, medium vigor, winter-hardy;
- Vitamin– winter-hardy, compact bush, bright yellow fruits weighing up to 100g;
- Muscat– large-fruited variety (fruits up to 200 g), self-pollinating, winter-hardy;
- Teplovskaya– a variety with late ripening and long-term storage of fruits.
The most famous foreign varieties:
- Gayardi– variety with large orange flowers;
- Malardi– magnificent pink flowers with a white border;
- Papel– an interesting variety with yellow flowers and a pink border along the edge of the petal.
Harvesting in autumn, storing fruits
Quince fruits are small, hard and sour in taste, but very aromatic. and with a high content of vitamin C. They are collected in September - October, before the onset of frost.
They are stored at an air temperature of 1-2°C for 2-3 months. As a result of resting, they become softer and their sweet aroma intensifies.
The easiest way is to cut the quince fruits into slices or grate them, sprinkle them with sugar in a 1:1 ratio and store them in the refrigerator. This preparation is used in preparing drinks and added to tea.
Preserves and jams are also prepared from Chaenomelis fruits and added to compotes. Sliced fruits quickly darken due to their high iron content.
Japanese quince. Northern lemon:
Making jam
For 1 kg of quince you need: 2 kg of sugar and 1.5 glasses of water. Wash the quince, dry it, remove the seeds and hard white membranes, cut into small slices.
Place the slices into boiling syrup, simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, skimming off the foam, then remove from heat and leave for 12 hours. Boil the jam again for 10 minutes, etc. until the quince slices become transparent.
Place the finished jam in sterilized jars and leave until winter. In winter, fragrant jam will remind you of beauty flowering bush and the approaching warm summer.
Japanese quince is unpretentious to grow, it does not require attention and is easy to care for, but at the same time it is beautiful in flowering and useful in use.
