Cydonia oblonga

Kwee, kweepeer / Quince

Rosaceae (Rozenfamilie)

Edible plant part (1)

Fruits
Read 'form of consumption' for safe preparation methods

Toxic plant part (1)

Leaves

Quince belongs to the small trees-large shrubs in the food forest. In the process of ecological succession it is a mid species. The growth rate is medium. Fully grown the plant has an average height of 3.5 to 7 meter. and a width of 3.5 to 5.5 meter.
The foliage (or leaf cover) is dense. The Quince is decidious. It buds in march and it loses its leaves in november.
This species forms a fibrous shallow root system. This species is non spreading in the food forest.

Disclaimer: The types of cultivars and hybrids in this database have been carefully chosen for good quality properties for food forests. They do not mean instant success. Food forestry is still a young field in which it is a core value to have the right plant in the right place and to focus on great diversity.

foto: Tim Waters, https://www.flickr.com/photos/tim-waters/2357884790

foto: Tim Waters, https://www.flickr.com/photos/tim-waters/2357884790

foto: dixtuin, https://www.flickr.com/photos/dirrksv/17009859073

Growth factors

Frost (whole plant): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Frost (flowers): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Light: full sun

light shade

half shade

fairly deep shade

deep shade
Wind: strong sea wind

strong wind

some wind

sheltered

very sheltered
Soil texture: sand

loam

light clay

heavy clay

peat
Soil moisture: inundation

wet

moist

dry

drought
Groundwater level: very low

low

medium

high

very high
Soil acidity: very acid

acid

neutral

alkaline

very alkaline
Soil fertility: very rich

rich

average

poor

very poor

Voorkeur

Ongeschikt

Flowering and pollination

Flowering period (peak): early may, mid may, end of may
Flowering period (length): month
Pollination vector: insects
Plant reproductive fertility: self-fertile (sf), sf, more harvest with cross-pollination

Life Span and Plant Health

Disease susceptibility

very sensitive

Main serious pests and diseases

monilinia, brown rot, scab, canker, common in fruit trees

Harvest and Consumption

Fruits

Harvest location edible part: Above reach, high, but within reach
Harvesting period - start: Early october, mid october
Harvesting period - length: Month
Harvesting period - recognition: Easy, hardness
Harvesting period - uniformity: High
Suitable harvesting methods: Hand
Size edible parts: Very large
Form of consumption: Processed
Natural storability: Several days, several months, several weeks, week
Suitable markets: Niche
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 4
Productive life span - peak (year) - minimum: 8
Productive life span - peak (year) - maximum: 30
Productive life span - end (year) - maximum: 50

Culinary appreciation

Suitable for making jelly and candies. The fruits have a pleasant aroma and are used in dessert products, though they are not yet very popular.

References