Ornamental quinces can be propagated in two ways: by cuttings or seeds. Propagation from cuttings is preferable because it is less complicated and easier to grow than growing from seeds. Mock quinces grown from cuttings bloom earlier.
What is the best way to propagate ornamental quinces?
Ornamental quinces can be propagated by cuttings or seeds. Propagating cuttings is easier: cut cuttings at least 20 cm long in June, remove the lower leaves and place them in potting soil. When propagating seeds, you remove ripe seeds from the fruits and place them in the refrigerator over the winter before sowing them in March.
Cutting and planting cuttings
- Cut cuttings in June
- Remove lower leaves
- Place in the ground in a partially shaded location
- Water well
- Water regularly
The cuttings, which are at least 20 centimeters long, are cut in early summer. After removing the leaves, place the branches in the sun for a short time so that the interfaces dry.
Place the cuttings in loose potting soil (€6.00 at Amazon). At least two eyes must be underground. The new roots form on them.
Whether the propagation has been successful can be seen when the cutting forms new leaves or new shoots grow.
Growing quinces from seeds
You get seeds from ripe fruits. Remove them from the pulp and let them dry well.
Place the dried seeds in the refrigerator over winter. To do this, fill a shallow bowl with moist sand and cover the seeds with cling film.
As soon as the days get longer from March, the seed tray goes on the windowsill, initially with foil. This is ventilated once a day so that the seeds do not rot or become moldy.
Quine seeds germinate slowly
Now you need a lot of patience because the germination process can take up to two months. Not all of the seeds will sprout, so you should sow a few more.
Keep the soil moist but not wet until the seeds have sprouted. As soon as the seedlings are about five centimeters high, place them individually in small pots filled with growing soil.
You should keep the small quinces on the windowsill or another bright place for two years before planting them in a suitable location in the garden.
Tips & Tricks
Instead of putting the cuttings in the ground straight away, you can also place them in a glass of water. There you can see whether new roots are forming. As soon as some have grown, plant the small ornamental quinces in pots and put them outdoors after two years.
