Fruiting quince is a fascinating, little grown tree that deserves more recognition. Usually passed up in favor of more popular apples and peaches, quince trees are a very manageable, slightly exotic addition to the garden or orchard. If you’re short on space and feeling ambitious, a potted quince tree can be an asset to the patio. Keep reading to learn more about growing quince in a container.
Growing Quince in a Container
Before we get any further, it’s important to clear up which kind of quince we’re talking about. There are two major plants that go by the name “quince” – fruiting quince and flowering Japanese quince. The latter can be grown successfully in containers, but we’re here to talk about the former, also known as Cydonia oblonga. To create even more confusion, this quince is not related to its Japanese namesake and shares none of the same growing requirements. So, can you grow quince trees in pots? The answer is… probably. It’s not a commonly grown container plant, but it is possible, provided you use a big enough pot and a small enough variety of tree. Choose a dwarf variety, or at least a tree that is grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock, to get a quince that is likely to stay small and thrive in a container. Even with dwarf trees, however, you’ll want to choose as big a container as you can manage-- your tree will likely take on the shape and size of a large shrub and will still need plenty of room for its roots.
How to Grow Quince in Containers
Quince likes rich, light, loamy soil that’s kept moist. This can be a bit of a challenge with pots, so be sure to water your tree regularly to keep it from drying out too much. Make sure it doesn’t become waterlogged, though, and ensure that your container has plenty of drainage holes. Place the container in full sun. Most quince trees are hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9, which means they can tolerate winter in a container down to zone 6. If you live in a colder climate, consider bringing your container grown quince tree indoors for the coldest months, or at the very least protect the container with insulation or mulch and keep it out of strong winter winds.
-
Electric Composter Guide: Are Countertop Food Recyclers The Future Of Sustainability?Discover how electric composters work, their benefits and limitations – and whether they're worth the investment as a sustainable easy win.
-
Coco & Seed - Garden Kits Made BeautifulGive people a gift they actually want - easy to grow and easier to harvest garden kits from woman-owned small business Coco & Seed.
-
Quince Tree Illness: How To Treat Quince Tree DiseasesQuince trees are once again favorites in the orchard, but these tough, hardy plants aren't without any health worries. Learn about the most common pathogens that can affect them and how to treat your sick quince when they occur in this article.
-
Common Pests Of Quince Trees – Tips On Treating Quince Tree PestsQuince can make a great addition to any orchard or works as a standalone landscape plant, too. But there's more to caring for a quince than just planting it and wishing it luck. Read about common quince pests and how to eliminate them in this informative article!
-
No Fruit On A Quince Tree – Why Is Quince Fruit Not FormingThere's nothing more frustrating than a fruit tree that's not fruiting. Have you questioned, "Why won't my quince tree fruit? Why is quince fruit not forming?" Well, wonder why no longer. Click here to learn more about why there is no fruit on a quince tree.
-
Quince Tree Propagation: How To Propagate Fruiting Quince TreesQuince is a seldom grown but much loved fruit that deserves more attention. If you're interested in growing a quince tree, you're in for a treat. Click the following article to learn more about quince tree reproduction and how to propagate fruiting quince.
-
Moving A Quince Tree: Learn How To Transplant A Quince TreeTransplanting a quince that you just brought home from the nursery is not hard, but can you move a quince that's been in the ground for years? Click on the following article for all the information you need on how to transplant a quince.
-
Making A Quince Hedge – How To Grow A Quince Fruit Tree HedgeThere are a number of reasons to include either in the landscape, but do quince trees make good hedges, in particular, the fruiting type? And how do you grow a quince fruit tree hedge? Click here to find out about making and growing a fruiting quince hedge.
-
Flower Drop In Quince: Why Is Quince Tree Dropping FlowersA quince tree covered with white and pink flowers in springtime is a lovely sight. When these flowers fall off before producing fruit (blossom drop), it?s certainly disappointing. Quince blossom drop may be due to several factors. Learn what those are here.
-
Pruning Quince Trees: Tips On Cutting Back Quince Fruit TreesCutting back quince fruit trees should be an annual event. Mark ?pruning quince trees? on your calendar and put it on your garden to do list. If you aren?t sure how to prune a quince, click here. We?ll give you tips on how and when to prune quince.
