It is also favored for use as abonsaiplant.
Read on for our care and growing guide.
Soil
Japanese quince is adaptable tovarious types of soil.
However, it may do best in average, loamy, moist, and well-drained soil.
Once the shrub is established, it can tolerate some dryness.
Water
Give shrubs1 inch of water per weekthrough a combination of rainfall and irrigation.
Shrubs tolerate a wide range of conditions and are somewhat drought resistant.
During dry periods, water regularly, taking care to avoid overwatering.
Temperature and Humidity
An established Japanese quince tolerates a variety of temperatures and levels of humidity.
This species is cold-hardy and can withstand infrequent temperatures down to about -15 to -25 degrees Fahrenheit.
For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.
Types of Japanese Quince
Pruning
Pruning is not required unless the shrub is being espaliered.
Avoid heavy pruning, as flowering takes place on old growth.
After spring blossoming is completed around April or May, prune side shoots to five or six leaves.
Remove anydead, diseased, or damagedbranches at the same time.
Never prune branches while they are flowering.
Japanese quince will producesuckers, which should be removed promptly.
Propagating Japanese Quince
Japanese quince can be propagated by softwood cuttings.
Take these steps in June and July when the shrub is in growth mode.
However for the seeds to germinate properly, they need to go through thestratification processor a freeze-and-thaw cycle.
In cold northern climates, mulch the root zone of young Japanese quince shrubs.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
New growth on a Japanese quince shrub is susceptible toaphids.
Eliminate a light infestation using a hard spray of water.
Other pests, such asscaleand mites, may attack the Japanese quince.
Useinsecticidal soapsorhorticultural oilsto handle scale and mite infestations.
Japanese quince is prone tofungal leaf spot, particularly during a springtime that is wetter than usual.
This issue can cause defoliation.
Fungicides applied before the growing season can help.
Remove infected leaves and other parts of the shrub.
What do Japanese Quince Flowers Look and Smell Like?
The Japanese quince shrub’s flowers are composed of five petals with white stamens in the center.
They are typically a brilliant orange-red but may be pink or even creamy white.
It is not until after blossoming that new leaves are produced.
The fragrant flowers and fruit, known as quince, attract birds, bees, and butterflies.
How to Encourage More Blooms
see to it the soil is more acidic or neutral.
The plant will not bloom well in alkaline soil.
The shrub prefers full sun for more prolific blooms.
In winter, branches with formed flower buds may be cut and taken indoors to force blooming.
This makes for an attractive winter floral arrangement.
Flowers should return the following year.
Or, bud-bearing branches may have been accidently pruned before the blooming season.
Fix this issue with a feeding of acidifying fertilizer or elemental sulfur to lower the soil pH.
Yellowing leaves that are wilting and dropping can also indicate overwatering.
The fruits are edible, whether they are raw or cooked.
But they are tough, sour, and bitter when eaten raw.
It is considered a low-growing ornamental flowering shrub that produces tangled thorny branches that are gray-brown.
Some cultivars are larger so consult the plant tags when you purchase your shrub.
