Overview of the variety of quince varieties

Varieties and varieties

Quince is a fairly ancient culture, the history of which goes back centuries. During this time, its scientific classification has changed several times along with the development of botanical science. At first, the plant belonged to the genus Pyrus, along with pears and apple trees, since their fruits were similar. It also included other varieties of quince: Chinese, Japanese, evergreen (Tsidonia). All of them had one common feature - polyspermous fruits with hard pulp and a pronounced aroma, but at the same time there were many differences between them.

Therefore, at the beginning of the 19th century, the English botanist John Lindley proposed a more accurate classification, according to which Japanese quince was separated into a separate genus Chaenomeles (Chaenomeles), Chinese in the genus Pseudocydonia, and the common quince became the only monotypic representative of its kind. To date, this species combines five varieties (groups), differing in some biological features: leaf color, crown and fruit shape, taste.

Of these five varieties, two have a decorative shape (marble and pyramidal), and the other three groups are represented by garden quince, intended for fruit production. Garden varieties differ in the shape of these very fruits: pear-shaped, apple-shaped and pear-shaped ribbed (Portuguese quince). All these varieties and groups are subdivided into varieties, of which there are more than four hundred, however, in our latitudes, no more than four dozen are found and grown.

Ordinary

Common quince, it is oblong quince - the main and most common species in modern gardening. It occurs in the form of a low (up to 3 m) tree or multi-stemmed shrub. The root system is shallow (about 1 m), but very branched - in diameter it can be several times larger than its own crown.

Young shoots are gray-green, densely pubescent, without thorns, eventually become dark, almost black. Leaves are oval, even, dark green above, glossy, small cuttings.

During the flowering period, the tree is especially magnificent - large white flowers cover the branches so tightly that you can hardly see the leaves. The fruit is large, spherical, oblong, light yellow or amber in color, which depends on the variety. The peel is very dense, slightly bumpy, covered with the smallest soft fibers.

The taste of quince is oblong and tart. Its pulp is tough, astringent, but very aromatic. Inside the ripe fruit, there are multiple brown bones, similar to those of an apple, but glued together by a slimy substance. The yield of quince is very high - it bears fruit abundantly and annually, in especially fruitful years the branches are literally hung with golden fruits.

Decorative

Decorative forms of quince are represented by two garden forms: marble and pyramidal, as well as Japanese quince (Henomeles) and evergreen (Cydonia).It should be noted right away that all varieties are capable of bearing fruit, and with rather beautiful and unusual fruits, which are somewhat inferior to garden quince in taste.

All decorative forms are distinguished by their original appearance, thanks to which they are used in landscaping and landscape design.

For example, quince plants remain green all year round, and in spring they bloom with amazing bright flowers, which look very impressive against the background of green foliage. A distinctive feature of the marble variety is the leaves of the original yellow-white color. Pyramidal quince got its name due to the shape of the crown, similar to a pyramid.

However, the most decorative of these forms is the Japanese quince, or Chaenomeles. This is a monotype of flowers, which is distinguished by a very long and lush flowering. Japanese quince blooms in late May, and its flowering period lasts about 2 months. All this time, the tree bewitches with its beauty and exoticism. Chaenomeles blooms with large double flowers, the color of which, depending on the variety, varies from white to dark red.

The height of these shrubs usually does not exceed 1-1.5 meters. They are very thermophilic, they need a lot of sunlight and moisture. However, their beauty is worth tinkering with the plants. By the end of September, no less original fruits ripen on the bushes. They taste sour than ordinary quince, but in appearance they are more exotic in both shape and color: bright yellow, reddish, and even dark red. Chaenomeles fruits are not consumed fresh, but they are an excellent raw material for making sweet dishes and preparations: preserves, jams, pastilles, marmalade.

Sadovaya

Garden quince is presented in several varieties. It includes varieties that have both decorative and economic value. According to the accepted classification, decorative forms belong to the garden group: pyramidal and marble, which have very original leaves, but also give fragrant, although not very tasty fruits. But also fruit forms belong to garden quince:

• apple quince, as the name implies, has apple-shaped fruits, have a good mild taste;
• pear-shaped (the shape of the fruit is similar to a pear) - this quince is large-fruited, of a pleasant, sweet taste, it is also grown for the sake of delicious fruits with a pleasant aroma;
• Portuguese - fruits of an oblong shape, in appearance a little like a pear, but their surface is ribbed.

Pear-shaped

Pear quince is a monotypic variety characterized by fruits of the corresponding shape. The trees are of medium height (3-4 m), have a powerful and densely leafy crown, and the fruits are of high quality. The peel of the fruit is light yellow or greenish, very dense, in some varieties it is bumpy. The fruits themselves are large (200-250 g), ripen late. Taste qualities are estimated at 4.6 points, which is a very high indicator for quince.

Indeed, the taste of pear-shaped varieties compares favorably with other garden forms. Their flesh, although tough, is relatively sweet, creamy in color and pronounced aroma. The yield of quince is regularly high (up to 60 kg per tree), since the trees bear fruit from self-pollination. It is possible to grow pear-shaped quince in any climate and region, since it is not whimsical at all, frost-resistant and easily tolerates drought.

Video "Description"

From the video you will learn a lot of interesting things about this type of fruit.

The most common varieties

Despite the wide variety of varieties, several of the most popular and suitable for cultivation in our latitudes can still be distinguished:

1. Golden. A beautiful little tree with a compact rounded crown and equally attractive fruits of a bright golden color, ripening at the end of September. The yield is high - 50-60 kg from 1 adult tree.The fruits are very large (280-400 g), apple-shaped, the peel is dense, slightly pubescent. The pulp is light cream color, medium hardness, mild sour taste.
2. Anzherskaya. A French variety with a consistently high yield and early maturity. The trees are compact, of medium height. The fruits are apple-shaped, the peel is smooth, light yellow or lemon-colored. The pulp is tough, medium sweet, suitable for processing.
3. Ilmennaya. A variety of domestic selection with an average winter hardiness. The trees are powerful, tall, in need of pollination. The fruits are large, the skin is of a beautiful bright yellow color. The pulp is firm, sour, with the presence of solid particles. Suitable for processing and fresh consumption.
4. Muscat. Heat-loving and drought-resistant variety, cultivated mainly in the Caucasus and Moldova. Differs in a consistently high yield (up to 80 kg / tree), practically does not suffer from diseases. The fruits are large, the peel is dense, heavily pubescent. The pulp is creamy, hard and rough.
5. Collective. Resistant to drought and low temperatures, high yielding variety. The fruits are large, even, rounded apple-shaped. The peel is golden, the flesh is slightly astringent, with a small amount of hard blotches.
6. Teplovskaya. High-yielding and fairly drought-resistant variety. The trees are of medium height, compact. Fruits are roundish, with intense yellow color. The pulp is very aromatic, but firm and with a lot of stony lumps centered around the heart.
7. Juicy. Small in height, low-growing tree, bearing medium-sized, rather sweet fruits. The yield is high (up to 50 kg). The fruits are suitable both for processing and for consumption, the flesh is firm, but very juicy, without stony points.
8. Early ripening. Early maturing (late summer) and high-yielding variety with large pear-shaped fruits. The disadvantages include low preservation of fruits and shedding.

Unfortunately, quince in our latitudes is not as popular as apples or pears. And this is due to the astringent sour taste of the pulp, and also the uncertainty that the culture can be grown in a cold, and even more so in a northern climate. In fact, quince is not at all demanding, and its sunny fruits, although not sweet enough, have a lot of vitamins and healing properties. Isn't that a reason to grow such a useful tree in your garden?

Video "Reproduction"

From the video you will learn how to properly reproduce this fruit tree.