Potentially Daft Question...

[basketcase]

This relates to the flowering quince (which I believe has edible fruits) I've bought for my verandah, but applies to all flowering stuff that gives fruit.

Question is: if I take off the dead flowers, do I still get the fruit?

Told you it was daft...

[chris]

I posted a similar query before... about my flowers dying off - I just left them after being advised this in the end, and when it drops off it'll leave a green blob (in my case, it was for an Apricot) - which will be the fruit. I'd assume that the pollinating insects would have done their job if the flowers are beginning to die off?

I'd therefore, assume that it's ok - but don't go on my word I'm only in my 2nd season of growing.

[basketcase]

I posted a similar query before... about my flowers dying off - I just left them after being advised this in the end, and when it drops off it'll leave a green blob (in my case, it was for an Apricot) - which will be the fruit. I'd assume that the pollinating insects would have done their job if the flowers are beginning to die off?

I'd therefore, assume that it's ok - but don't go on my word I'm only in my 2nd season of growing.

I'm pretty new too and that's what I assumed. But you never know...

[Nicos]

I'd be leaving them alone if you are expecting fruit ( I don't know a thing about quince though!)

Are you just wanting to tidy up the plant a bit?

If the fruit does start to swell , youll be able to gently remove the petals if you really want to, and see if you are disturbing the fruit at the same time.
I'd wait a while to be honest!

[Flummery]

The petals will drop by themselves when things are ready for off. I'd be afraid of removing the little potential fruit too, if you pick them off yourself.

[FB.]

I suggest leaving the flowers if you want fruit.
Watch them closely for a couple of seasons and you will learn how to tell those that will become fruit from those that will shrivel and drop.

[basketcase]

Thanks all!

I thought I might have to leave the flowers, but wasn't sure if it's OK once they've died.

Not exactly a tidy person so I'm not that bothered about leaving them...

[sarraceniac]

Quince are pretty useless anyway, unless you are FB and want them as rootstocks. The bush is decorative but the fruits can't be eaten raw. The tree is interesting but the medlar is even more so. We made quince jelly 3 times before we realised that we don't actually know what to do with it. A couple of slices of quince add interest to an apple pie. That's it. There is no more.

[Nicos]

Quince are pretty useless anyway, unless you are FB and want them as rootstocks. The bush is decorative but the fruits can't be eaten raw. The tree is interesting but the medlar is even more so. We made quince jelly 3 times before we realised that we don't actually know what to do with it. A couple of slices of quince add interest to an apple pie. That's it. There is no more.

Oh THANK GOODNESS I've found someone who feels the same way!!!

I LOVE YOU!!! xxxxx

We keep being given them as 'special favours'...either I'm missing something or everyone is having us on!!!

[FB.]

Quince are pretty useless anyway, unless you are FB and want them as rootstocks.

Even Quince rootstocks aren't much use to me because my soil is too poor.

I have a nice sucker on my Conference/QA at the moment, which I was thinking about earlier - trying to find a good use for it.
Trouble is, because of my poor soil, "medium vigour" means "clings on for dear life", while "dwarf" means "dies unless given intensive care" and "very vigorous" means "manages to grow slowly".

[Jeanied]

I'm growing two different kinds of quince. One is a cooking quince - Cydonia - bought as part of a jams and jellies collection - it is on the lottie and had 3 or 4 pinky flowers on it. I'm letting it be to see what happens next. This one will make quince jelly in future, I think.
The second kind is a japonica - dark red flowered - climbing up the wall in front of my house. Very decorative flowers with some hard green / yellow-ish fruits to follow. I shall experiment with those later in the year if they ripen.
In both cases the flowers will be left till they drop off.

[sarraceniac]

Jeanied, what is a 'cooking quince'? As no quince is palatable raw then surely they are all cooking quinces? Even the Japanese bush quinces.

[Jeanied]

Sarra, I only found out the difference between Japonica and Cydonia since I joined the vine!! And I'm rather fond of Membrillo.

But you are right, they both need cooking - it is just that one is more frequently identified for culinary purposes and the other as a garden ornamental (which it is, mine is stunning in full bloom). It rather appeals to me that I can cook with it too.

But none of this is going to change your view on quinces, I can tell!

[sarraceniac]

I have no real views on quinces. They are what they are. I just pointed out that as a food-stuff (fruit) they really aren't that useful and people with limited space should look for something more usable, or prettier, to grow. My bush is in the border in the front garden and when it blossoms, fairly early in the year it is very ornamental but only for a very short time and my tree is standing in the fruit area but if I needed another apple, plum or pear and needed room for it, the quince would be the first thing I would consider giving away.

[Jeanied]

So no takers for the recipe for Ratafia of Quinces then?