Pear or Quince dilemma

[veggiechicken]

I have a dwarf pear (can't remember the variety) but its about 3' high and covered in blossom, for the first time.
Its suckering at the base and I intended to remove these. However, it has flower buds and they're quince. I'm guessing its Quince C rootstock as that's used for dwarf pear trees.

My questions are -

1. Does Quince C have edible fruit?

2. If I leave the quince suckers could the tree have pear and quince fruit?

3. If I remove one - should it be the pear or the quince?

4. I have a quince tree nearby - and, although they're said to be self fertile - could they help pollinate each other?

Thank you.

[SarrissUK]

I can't answer any of your questions as I know nothing about quince, but I'm excited for you in case it does bear edible fruit! I always wanted to try quince, but I don't know anyone that has a tree!

[veggiechicken]

You must get a quince, just for the flowers. Have a look at https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...nia_96542.html

[SarrissUK]

They are beautiful, I love the flowers I just don't know if i like quince - I've never had the chance to try it lol I can possibly squeeze another tree in if I can keep it fairly tidy, but I daren't get a tree that I have never tried the fruit of. I must try harder to find some quince!

[SarrissUK]

And medlar - before I make a decision, I must try and find someone with a medlar tree lol

[Fruitz]

Couldn't you remove the sucker with a bit of root and grow a separate tree rather than grow it with the pear? I know you can get multi grafted trees but never personally seen one grow in the way you're thinking,

I thought quince c is just the rootstock as in if you let it grow it will just turn out to be any one of the varieties of Cydonia oblonga which are edible as far as i know but i could be wrong.

[veggiechicken]

They are beautiful, I love the flowers I just don't know if i like quince - I've never had the chance to try it lol I can possibly squeeze another tree in if I can keep it fairly tidy, but I daren't get a tree that I have never tried the fruit of. I must try harder to find some quince!

You'll have to speak nicely to someone on here who has one. My quince was planted last year so I don't know whether it will fruit this year or not. If it does, I'll stick a stamp on one for you.
I have a first year medlar too - never tried them!

The only time I've tried them was in Australia where I made Quince and Pineapple jam with scrounged fruit. Can't remember what they tasted like though.

[veggiechicken]

Couldn't you remove the sucker with a bit of root and grow a separate tree rather than grow it with the pear? I know you can get multi grafted trees but never personally seen one grow in the way you're thinking,

I thought quince c is just the rootstock as in if you let it grow it will just turn out to be any one of the varieties of Cydonia oblonga which are edible as far as i know but i could be wrong.

Some of the apple rootstocks turn into little crabby apples (I think) which aren't worth eating but I don't know whether quince have the same variation in fruit quality.
At the moment, I'm thinking of letting the 2 grow this year, just to see what happens.

[Fruitz]

Some of the apple rootstocks turn into little crabby apples (I think) which aren't worth eating but I don't know whether quince have the same variation in fruit quality.
At the moment, I'm thinking of letting the 2 grow this year, just to see what happens.

The are different species of quince so i suppose the same is possible with quince. With it being less common than other fruits there will undoubtedly be less people who have tried it and know what will happen. Hopefully it turns in to a nice fruiting quince for you.

[Selymbria]

I think I have the most experience with Quince trees in the forum with a heavy fruiting 7-8 year old tree. Quice is native to Turkey as I am I have been eating them since a small child and my mom can cook various food with it.

First of all, quince fruit is very hard and you will rarely eat a full quince fruit in one go. Traditionally it is part of the fruit basket my family used to eat after dinner with other winter fruits such as oranges. The taste is mellow turning to sweet as it ripens. It also softens when it ripens but you need 20+ degrees in sept and oct to get the fruit fully ripen on the tree. In UK, I harvest them as late as possible and ripen them inside.
The primary use of quince is for marmalade, quince marmalade taste amazing. Quince desert is a Turkish delicacy where a halved quince is cooked and topped with clotted cream. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/user/488...quince-dessert

[nickdub]

I have a dwarf pear (can't remember the variety) but its about 3' high and covered in blossom, for the first time.
Its suckering at the base and I intended to remove these. However, it has flower buds and they're quince. I'm guessing its Quince C rootstock as that's used for dwarf pear trees.

My questions are -

1. Does Quince C have edible fruit?

2. If I leave the quince suckers could the tree have pear and quince fruit?

3. If I remove one - should it be the pear or the quince?

4. I have a quince tree nearby - and, although they're said to be self fertile - could they help pollinate each other?

Thank you.

1. Does Quince C have edible fruit?

I doubt it - certainly the root-stocks I've got which have been growing out for 10 years or so have never even flowered

2. If I leave the quince suckers could the tree have pear and quince fruit?

Yes, but to my mind you would have a better chance of good fruit if you grafted a quince or pear on to your root-stock by getting scions from known varieties.

3. If I remove one - should it be the pear or the quince?

The quince, but you could peg it down to the ground and cover it with earth first to give it a chance to develop separate roots, then when you cut it off after a year or so, you'll have a good root-stock should you ever want one for grafting.

4. I have a quince tree nearby - and, although they're said to be self fertile - could they help pollinate each other?

Yes, providing they flower at the same time and have compatible pollen.

[DannyK]

I always wanted to try quince, but I don't know anyone that has a tree!

Find a Greek or Turkish shop, they'll stock them in season. They won't ripen fully here but can be cooked or turned into jam or jelly. Often added to apple pies or stews. They can also make good airfresheners as when ripe they have a strong scent. Whilst you're in the shop try loquats.

Wouldn't bother with medlar, lot of hassle as you have to blet them.

[veggiechicken]

Here are photos of the pear/quince; the quince flowers on it and the proper quince tree.

[nickdub]

I'd leave it for this year VC and see how it goes - the quince root-stock you have is definitely different to mine - much bigger leaves for one thing. I'll be interested to hear how it turns out.

[veggiechicken]

Yes, I'm going to leave it and see what happens. I don't mind either way as I have plenty of pear trees and this little one hasn't fruited yet - but it does have flowers this year which is progress.