Japanese quince is light-loving and needs a lighted area; it develops poorly in the shade, which also affects flowering. Although it is drought-resistant, it at a young age and after planting, moderate moisture is required, without signs of moisture stagnation.

All species and varieties of Chaenomeles grow well on light sandy loam, loamy and soddy-podzolic soils rich in humus with a slightly acidic reaction (pH 6.5); they tolerate peaty soils less well. If Japanese quince is planted in alkaline soil, it can cause chlorosis of the leaves. When choosing a place on garden plot priority is given to the area on the south side of the house or to a corner protected from cold winds and severe frosts. If the garden is located on a hilly area, then southern and southwestern slopes are especially preferable.

Soil preparation and planting

Under spring planting the soil is prepared in the fall. If the area is clogged with weeds, they are completely removed and the area is kept fallow until planting time. In low-fertility and heavy soil, add leaf soil and sand (in a ratio of 2:1). In addition, peat manure compost (10 kg/m2), as well as phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (40 g/m2) are added. Adding these components to a depth of 10-15 cm helps create a loose water- and breathable soil horizon.

On permanent place Japanese quince with an open root system are best planted in the spring - in the period after the soil has thawed and before the buds begin to bloom. Autumn planting, when the time comes for massive leaf fall, is possible, but less desirable, since the shrub is heat-loving and may die before it has time to take root. Japanese quince takes root well at two years of age, planted from a container (with a closed root system). For single plants aged 3-5 years, dig planting holes with a diameter of up to 0.5 m and a depth of 0.5-0.8 m, fill them with humus (1-2 buckets), with the addition of 300 g of superphosphate, 30 g of potassium nitrate, or 500 g of ash.

Japanese quince can be placed in a small group or along the edge of a garden path, forming a low hedge. In a row, plants are spaced 0.5-0.6 m apart from each other. The distance between plants in a group is about 0.8-1 m.

During planting, the root collar of Japanese quince is placed at soil level. Under no circumstances should the root be exposed; this is what happens when planting incorrectly, when root collar placed above soil level. It is also important not to deepen the root collar, which will slow down the growth of the shrub. You should know and remember that Japanese quince bushes do not tolerate transplantation very well, so you should not disturb them again by replanting them from place to place. They are immediately selected for a site for permanent cultivation and planted there as early as possible. Japanese quince can grow in one place without transplantation for up to 50-60 years.

Planting care

In the summer, in order for the Japanese quince bushes to bloom more luxuriantly, the soil around them is loosened to a depth of 8-10 cm. Loosening must be combined with weeding. A good result is obtained by using mulch, which is poured in a layer of 3-5 cm around the low-growing bush. Peat shells are suitable as mulch pine nuts, sawdust or crushed bark. The best time adding mulch is late spring, when the soil is still sufficiently moistened, but already well warmed up. In autumn, mulching begins after the onset of a period of stable negative temperatures. The contour of the covering of mulching material should be no less than the projection of the crown of the bush, or exceed it by 15-20 cm.

In the first year after planting, Japanese quince is usually not given any liquid fertilizer, so as not to burn the young roots, since the nutrients stored in the planting holes are sufficient for the growth and development of the bush. Already 2-3 years after planting, in the spring, as soon as the snow melts, mineral and organic fertilizers in the form of feeding. To do this, pour 1 bucket of compost, 300 g of superphosphate and 100 g of potassium fertilizer into the tree trunk circle of the bush. During the summer, liquid fertilizers consisting of ammonium nitrate (20 g/bush) or bird droppings (3 liters of 10% solution) are useful.

To protect the shrub from winter damage, late in the fall it is sprinkled with fallen leaves or covered with spruce branches. Such care is necessary for young and adult bushes, especially flowering varieties. Young seedlings and wintering cuttings are also protected for the winter with covering material (lutrasil, spunbond). For winter preservation of compact, low-growing bushes, large ones are suitable. carton boxes or wooden boxes.

Propagation by seeds

The simplest and reliable way propagation of Chaenomeles japonica - by seeds. When ripe fruits are prepared for processing and the core with large brown seeds is cleaned out, it can not be thrown away, but used for sowing. The seeds are removed and sown in the ground immediately in the fall, that is, “before winter.” All of them have high germination rates (up to 80%), producing dense shoots already in the spring, regardless of the quality of the prepared soil. If the crop cannot be sown within this time frame, then the seeds will have to be stratified. To do this, they are kept for 2-3 months in moistened sand at a temperature of +3+5 o C. After they hatch, in the spring they are transferred to the ground. Two-year-old seedlings develop a long tap root, so careless replanting can cause damage leading to the death of seedlings. To save seedlings, they should be planted in a permanent place as early as possible.

Propagation by cuttings and grafting

All types vegetative propagation Japanese quince are less economically efficient than seed propagation. The advantage of cuttings or grafting is that the varietal qualities of the shrub are preserved.

Green cuttings are harvested in early June in dry and not hot weather. Cuttings are cut early in the morning. Each cutting has 1-2 internodes. A good rooting result (up to 80%) is observed in cuttings cut with a “heel”, that is, with a small piece of last year’s wood (up to 1 cm long). The use of growth stimulants is necessary: ​​0.01% solution of IBA (indolylbutyric acid) for 24 hours, or “Kornevin”. The cuttings are planted obliquely in a mixture of sand and peat (in a ratio of 3:1), the cuttings planting pattern is 7x5 cm. At a temperature of +20+25 0 C, rooting occurs in 35-40 days. The yield of rooted cuttings of Japanese quince is 30-50%; growth stimulants increase the survival rate by 10-20%.

Read more about green cuttings in the article Green cuttings of woody plants.

Spring grafting (improved copulation) is done in May using a varietal cutting on a Chaenomeles japonica seedling. For eye grafting (budding), Chaenomeles varietal shoots (scion) are harvested in July-August during the second sap flow. To do this, cut off an eye (bud) with a piece of bark (with a shield) from the middle part of the varietal shoot using a sharp budding knife. A T-shaped cut is made on the bark of the rootstock (non-varietal Chaenomeles or other Rosaceae), the edges of the cut are folded back and a shield with a bud is inserted under the bark. Parts of the plant are pressed tightly, tied and protected with garden varnish. After 3-4 weeks, the survival rate of the “eyes” is checked. In the spring of next year, if the bud has taken root and sprouted a new shoot, the bandage is removed. On a low-growing bush of Chaenomeles japonica, you can graft two eyes against each other, or several closely related crops (pear, hawthorn).

Beautifully flowering varieties of Japanese quince, grafted onto a winter-hardy trunk, look very original. 3-year-old seedlings of “wild” pear, mountain ash, shadberry, and hawthorn are suitable as a rootstock that will serve as a standard. Due to the insufficient winter hardiness of varietal Japanese quince, the grafting site should be placed closer to the ground, at a height of 0.6-0.9 m, in order to protect the plant in winter. With skillful budding, the survival rate of the eyes can be 50-80%.

During each season, it is necessary to form a crown, and periodically remove wild growth from the trunk below the grafting site. To increase stability, the trunk is tied to a stake. You can place metal supports under the long whip-like shoots that form on the trunk. However, we must not forget that standard forms are less winter-hardy, so they must be planted in a protected place and covered for the winter.

Reproduction by root suckers

Japanese quince tends to produce numerous root suckers. Due to them, the bush gradually spreads in all directions. At the age of 20, it covers an area of ​​up to 2 m2. Due to the overgrown offspring root system Japanese quince is able to firmly hold the soil on a slope. It is so branched and elastic that if there is a desire to completely get rid of an adult bush, it will not be so easy to do.

When digging up root shoots, shoots 10-15 cm long and 0.5 cm thick with a well-developed root system are selected. From one bush you can get no more than 5-6 root shoots. They are planted vertically, watered regularly, maintaining sufficient soil moisture, then mulched around the bush with humus, wood chips or shavings. However, the disadvantage of this method of reproduction is that some offspring growing from tap root, the root system is poorly developed, and the resulting seedlings have to be grown. It has been noticed that at first such seedlings even produce smaller fruits than usual.

Shrub pruning

Chaenomeles japonica tolerates shearing and pruning well, which is valued in gardening. But gardeners reluctantly approach its thorny branches. It is more comfortable to work in thick long gloves - garden gloves, without damaging your hands with sharp thorns.

In spring, Japanese quince needs sanitary pruning. All dry shoots damaged by frost should be cut off. To trim bushes, take sharply sharpened tools: pruning shears and a garden saw. The cut areas must be lubricated with garden varnish. After removing dried and broken branches, the plant quickly recovers.

Trimming related with the formation of a bush, begin at 4-5 years of age and are carried out in early spring. In order to prevent the bush from growing in breadth and thickening, part of the root growth is cut out annually, leaving no more than 2-3 root shoots for further growth. The most valuable are the shoots that occupy a horizontal position at a height of 20-40 cm from the surface of the earth. Those shoots that spread along the ground or grow vertically upward must be removed.

TO anti-aging pruning Japanese quince planting begins when the age of the bush reaches 8-10 years. A signal for this is the weakening of annual growth to 10 cm. First, the bush is thinned out, removing all weak, thin and overly elongated branches, leaving only 10-15 of the strongest shoots. Since the main fruiting is concentrated on branches 3-4 years old, the Japanese quince bush is formed in such a way as to preserve them and remove those older than 5 years.

Protection from diseases

Japanese quince is practically not damaged by pests. In damp and cool weather, when air humidity is high, favorable conditions for the appearance of various spots on the leaves and fruits of Japanese quince, sometimes necrosis appears. As a result of the development of fungal diseases, the leaves become deformed and gradually dry out. With ramulariasis, brown spots are visible, with cercospora - rounded brown spots, fading over time.

The most effective way of control is to spray the bushes with 0.2% fundozol, or copper-soap liquid (100 g copper sulfate per 10 liters of water) until the leaves unfold. Less dangerous infusion from onions: 300 g of juicy scales (or 150 g of husk) are infused for 1 day in 10 liters of water. The filtered preparation is used three times every 5 days during the summer.

Collection and storage of fruits

The fruits of Chaenomeles japonica ripen in late autumn, at the end of September or October. The harvest from one bush can be 1-2 kg, and with good care more, up to 3 kg. Due to the fact that this crop is cross-pollinated, to get a good harvest, you need to plant 2-3 varieties or several seedlings nearby.

IN middle lane In Russia, especially when the summer is cool and rainy, the fruits ripen poorly and remain green for a long time. Then hurry to collect the entire harvest before the onset of frost. Fruits caught by frost quickly fall off, become watery-soft, and lose their taste and aroma. In this state they are not suitable for processing and storage. The fact is that Chaenomeles fruits ripen normally when kept in room conditions, then they can be stored for a long time, acquiring a yellowish color. Sometimes the fruits, similar to small apples, wrinkle slightly, but do not rot and are suitable for all types of processing. At a temperature of +2 o C and high humidity air they persist until December - February.

Northern lemon is another name for Japanese quince. This fruit is gaining popularity every year in cooking, as a side dish, jam, and jam. To grow it, no special conditions are required, but you must follow the rules. As a result, you will be able to appreciate everything beneficial features fruits of a bush plant.

What is quince?

The quince tree is distinguished by its dwarf size, so you can often find the description: quince is a shrub (small tree), grown to produce fruits for making sweets. They can also be eaten without processing. The quince fruit looks like a pear-shaped apple. Originally, Japanese quince is a wild plant. Its second name is Chaenomeles, the photo shows what it looks like. The tree's medium-sized leaves are similar to those of an apple tree. The Japanese quince fruit is yellow, with a lemon flavor.

Japanese quince - benefits and harm

This is a fruit that, thanks to its concentration useful components may have a negative impact on the human body. The benefits and harms of Japanese quince are due to the high content of biologically active substances. The product is an assistant for:

• Obesity. Nutritionists recommend its use not only because of its low calorie content, but as a means to strengthen cardiovascular and nervous system.
• Pregnancy. The product relieves toxicosis and has a diuretic effect. Application prevents the formation of edema and normalizes the balance of iron and copper, serving as the prevention of anemia.
• Colds. High content of vitamin C, carotene, vitamin E improves immunity. The infusion of the seeds is an excellent expectorant.
• Tree leaves and branches are also popular in folk medicine and have medicinal properties. Infusions and decoctions help strengthen hair roots, lighten pigmented skin and perfectly cleanse oily skin, and normalize blood sugar levels.

The beneficial properties of Japanese quince and contraindications must be taken into account. The structure of the skin worsens the condition of the larynx, so people whose profession is related to the activity of the vocal cords are not recommended to use the fruit raw. If we talk about contraindications, it is not recommended to eat the fruits for people with constipation due to the high content of tannins. It is forbidden to consume fresh quince if you have pleurisy.

Japanese quince - varieties

The magnificent appearance of buds of different colors delights owners in the spring. Low trees are easy to care for. In autumn, you can use the fruits to make delicious sweets that are good for the body, especially for kids. A pleasant plus is the absence of allergens in the fruits. There are 3 varieties of Japanese quince in total, some are easy to distinguish in the photo, but there are about 500 interspecific varieties.

The main representatives of the Chaenomeles family were able to take root in the conditions of central Russia. These include the following varieties:

• Garnet bracelet. It is characterized by frost resistance and rapid ripening of fruits. The height of the plant does not exceed 100 cm, and the flower in diameter is 4 cm.
• Pink Queen, Falconet Scarlet. The height of the tree reaches 3 m, and the diameter of the flowers is up to 4.5 cm. It loves warmth, so the plants must be covered for the winter.
• Cameo, Pink Trail. The height of the bush is only about 1 m, but depending on the variety, it will certainly delight you with the different colors of the buds. There are also two-color buds.

Japanese quince - care

The origin, as well as the homeland of this fruit, is China and Japan. However, it can also grow in harsh conditions. Proper care of Japanese quince guarantees a good harvest. What care conditions do ornamental shrubs require:

• Watering should be moderate. The plant easily tolerates periods of drought, but does not like abundant soil moisture.
• Formation. The number of permissible branches on the bushes is no more than 20. Dead and dry branches lying on the ground should be trimmed annually. These manipulations need to be done in the spring.
• Winter care. In winter, the plant should be covered with spruce paws, small bushes - wooden boxes. In winter, make sure that there is a lot of snow above the bush.
• The harvest must be done in the fall. If the apples themselves have not had time to ripen on the branch, then they should be transferred to a cool room. With good humidity they can ripen and be stored until December.

By following simple rules of care, in 2-3 years you can get the first fruits, the beneficial properties of which have been known since ancient times. Dried quince pieces can be added to compotes and hot dishes. This fruit makes wonderful dishes, recipes for which are easy to find:

• Japanese quince jam;
• jams;
• compotes and other preserves;
• marshmallow, marmalade;
• liqueurs.

Japanese quince - planting

This is a heat-loving plant, so Japanese quince is planted in the spring. The soil should be loose, as in the photo, and free of weeds. To make the soil “lighter,” you can add a little sand. The choice of location for the future plant should be based on good lighting. It is recommended to choose the southern part of the dacha or garden plot. The plant does not tolerate replanting well, so it is advisable to choose a permanent location. Tips:

1. Preparing a hole for a plant requires compliance with several rules: the width should be no more than 0.6 meters, the depth should be no more than 0.8 meters. This hole must be filled with fresh soil and fertilizer.
2. Fertilizer preparation: 1-2 buckets of humus, 300 g of superphosphate, 30 g of potassium nitrate and wood ash.
3. When the soil is ready, you can plant the plant. The main condition: the root collar should not be bare.

Japanese quince - reproduction

Japanese quince is propagated by division, cuttings and seeds, the latter method being the most popular. To do this, prepare fertile soil and plant the seed (February-March). After 1.5 months, small sprouts will appear, which it is advisable to transplant into peat cups to strengthen the root system. By the end of May, the shrub is ready for planting in open ground.

Chaenomeles, or Japanese quince

Japanese quince, or chaenomeles, - a shrub that was known to the ancient Greeks, who valued this plant for its medicinal properties.

There seem to be four species, which in nature are distributed mainly in Japan and China, hence the name of the plant. This shrub, depending on the growing conditions, is either deciduous or semi-evergreen and is surprisingly distinguished beautiful flowering. Its spreading shoots are covered with sparse thorns. The leaves are small, shiny, dark green in color, arranged alternately.

Japanese quince is used both for fruit production and for decorative landscaping. The shrub looks especially good in the garden during the flowering period, when its shoots are literally strewn with dozens of large bright red flowers.

Japanese quince is undemanding to growing conditions, but rich in humus, fertile soils best suited for her. However, this shrub can grow on rather poor soils and even with a lack of moisture. Perhaps the only thing required condition There is enough light for the normal existence of the plant.

Chaenomeles- long-lived plant. In one place, a bush can develop and produce stable yields for about a hundred years. It is propagated by sowing seeds, green cuttings, layering and dividing the bush.

In garden compositions, chaenomeles is successfully combined with forsythia, low almonds, heathers, spirea, mahonias, and any other options are possible to suit your taste.

Let us dwell in more detail on the species of Chaenomeles that are most widespread.

Chaenomeles japonica, or Japanese quince. Homeland of this species- China. The plant is densely leafy and reaches a height of 3 m. The bush is very voluminous, often growing, it can occupy up to 5 square meters. m. The flowers are very large, reaching a diameter of 5 cm, with a rather rare scarlet-red color of the petals, collected in corymbs of 5-6 pieces.

In Russia, this shrub is quite different early flowering, sometimes even before the leaves bloom on the plant. The duration of the flowering period greatly depends on the growing conditions and weather at this time, usually flowering lasts 15-25 days.

Chaenomeles japonica is a fairly early-bearing shrub; plants begin to bear fruit at the age of three. The fruits usually ripen towards the middle- at the end of October, mature ones have a bright yellow color and reach a diameter of 8 cm. But with sufficient precocity, Japanese quince grows quite slowly, the growth of its shoots usually does not exceed 5 cm. As already mentioned, the plant is demanding of light.

Japanese quince is not only a fruit plant, it is successfully used to create hedges (it tolerates pruning well), and is suitable for group and single plantings.

Chaenomeles Mauleya, or Japanese low quince. This plant is native to Southeast Asia and is often found in the mountains of Japan and China. It has been grown as a cultivated plant since the end of the 18th century. Chaenomeles Maulea- a low-growing shrub with very strong, arched shoots and spines reaching 1.5 cm. It has very decorative delicate emerald green leaves, densely located on the branches.

During flowering, the shoots are literally strewn with large brownish-red flowers, collected in inflorescences of 4-6 pieces. This splendor lasts for quite a long time, faded flowers are replaced by new ones, and often flowering lasts for 18-25 days.

In addition to attractive flowers, this chaenomeles also produces fragrant fruits, which appear on the plant already in the third year of life. The fruits, tightly attached to the branches, fully ripen in mid-to-late October, sometimes even falling under frost. Ripe fruits are quite heavy, sometimes their weight exceeds 50 g, and their diameter is 4-6 cm.

Quince is wonderful. This is a shrub with prickly shoots and dense shiny leaves up to 8 cm long, young leaves are reddish, then they become bright green, and in the fall- crimson.

Plants of this species bloom in mid-to-late May; flowering is abundant and lasts up to 20 days. The flowers are medium sized, bright red. Quince of this species is very light-loving, prefers light soils rich in organic matter, although it also tolerates poorer soils and is tolerant of high acidity.

The fruiting season begins quite early; the first fruits can be obtained when the plant reaches five years of age.

Chaenomeles cathayan. Homeland of this species- China. The plant is tall bush(up to 3 m). Extended flowering- 25 and sometimes even 30 days. The flowers are deep pink, quite large, up to 4 cm in diameter, usually collected in 2-3 pieces. The shoots are very prickly and have a rather rare gray-brown color. The leaves, as well as the shoots, have an unusual color that changes depending on the season: spring- dark purple, and summer - dark green. Another feature unique to this species- The leaves below are light and less pubescent, and their length ranges from 1 to 3.5 cm.

Fruiting is annual and abundant. The fruits are egg-shaped, large, reach 75 g. They ripen in mid-September. This chaenomeles is quite early-bearing; the first fruits can be obtained already in the fourth year of the plant’s life.

All of the listed types of Chaenomeles can be used both for decorative purposes and as fruit plant. For normal growth and development of plants, full flowering and obtaining stable and high yields, it is necessary to follow agricultural techniques.

Sunny and open places- the most suitable for Chaenomeles. However, it should also be taken into account that the winter hardiness of Chaenomeles is average; in frosty winters, the ends of annual shoots may freeze. Therefore, preference should be given to those areas of the garden where enough snow accumulates in winter, which will save the bush even from a critical temperature of minus 35-37 degrees.

The plant thrives in a variety of soils, with the exception of soils with a highly alkaline reaction. Light, well-moistened soils with a high content of organic matter and a slightly acidic environment are considered ideal for Chaenomeles. In other soil conditions, annual application of organic and mineral fertilizers is necessary.

For planting in a permanent place, it is better to take only two-year-old Chaenomeles seedlings and plant them in early spring and always before the buds open on the plant. The distance between plants depends on the purpose of the planting. For example, for a hedge it should not exceed 1 m, and for fruit plantings it should be at least 1.5 m. When planting, it is important not to deepen the root collar too much; it should remain at soil level.

Caring for chaenomeles consists of fertilizing, watering, mulching, loosening the soil, pruning and covering plants for the winter. You need to feed the bushes quite often- at least 3 times per season. In the spring, nitrogen fertilizers are scattered randomly around the plant; after flowering and harvesting, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are added. You can water the plantings about once a month, but you need to loosen the soil often, and combine it with weeding.

The soil around the bushes is mulched with peat, sawdust, bark, laying them in a layer of 3-5 cm.

Japanese quince is pruned no more than once every five years; this is usually done in the summer, after flowering, removing underdeveloped, dry, broken and old branches.

Propagation by seeds gives better results autumn sowing. In this case, the seeds are taken from newly ripened fruits. In order for the seeds to germinate well and amicably during spring sowing, stratification is necessary. The seeds are kept for two months in damp sand at a temperature of 0-3 degrees. For 1 linear m, 4-5 g of seeds are usually sown. Seedlings are abundant, and in the second year of life the plants are already suitable for transplanting to a permanent place.

Vegetative propagation contributes to the preservation of cultural characteristics of plants. The best way- green cuttings. In June, non-lignified shoots are cut (cutting length 10-12 cm) and planted in a greenhouse with specially selected soil (peat, earth and sand). Cuttings should be kept in conditions of artificial fog (frequent watering- 7-8 times a day; Water evaporates, creating increased air humidity- fog).

Green cuttings of Chaenomeles root quite well, and already in the fall (end of September- beginning of October) turns out suitable for planting planting material.

Reproduction by layering- a fairly old and reliable method that allows you to obtain planting material of good quality at minimal cost. The method of propagating Chaenomeles by root suckers is less effective, since to obtain good planting material it is necessary to have several dozen plants.

Grafting with cuttings is perhaps the most quick way reproduction of Chaenomeles. It consists of grafting a cutting with 2-3 buds onto a rootstock, which can be pear, rowan, serviceberry and hawthorn. Grafted cuttings quickly begin to grow; often the first flowering is observed already in the year of grafting.

Summer budding- another type of vegetative propagation, in which not a cutting is grafted, but an eye (bud). Using budding, you can also obtain standard forms of Chaenomeles; for this, the eye is grafted at a height of 1-1.5 m.

N. Khromov , All-Russia Research Institute of Horticulture named after. I. V. Michurina, Michurinsk

Chaenomeles Maulea

Chaenomeles Maulei (Chaenomeles Maulei S.K. Scheid.), or low Japanese quince, the last clarification is important, since there is also high Japanese quince, the bushes of which are taller, the flowers and fruits are larger, but which is less winter-hardy. Homeland of Chaenomeles Maulei- mountainous regions of Japan, the plant was brought to Russia back in 1776, but for a long time was not widespread. It is squat, up to 1.2 m in height, semi-creeping, decorative and fruit bush, living up to 60-80 years. IN landscape design used in biogroups, borders, rock gardens, as a tapeworm (single). It grows slowly. It is light-loving, drought-resistant, can exist on various soils, but produces good yields only on rich loamy and sandy loam soils, with a pH of 5.5-6.0 (slightly acidic), with normal moisture. Removes excess moisture. Resistant to gas and dust. The root system is deep. In winter it can withstand temperatures down to -30°C. Winters well under snow. To do this in the fall, it is enough to bend the branches to the ground with two or three boards. Unsheltered ones sometimes freeze slightly, but quickly recover.

The crown is openwork, decorative. The branches are widely spread, numerous, arched, descending to the ground; bear spines up to two centimeters long (in some forms- sometimes they are absent). Covered with shiny obovate leaves up to 3-5 cm long, with stipules. The flowers are bright orange-red, less often white or yellow, up to 3.5 cm in diameter, collected in 2-4 pieces. Flowering is abundant, lasting about 30 days, from the last days of May. The species requires cross-pollination, so at least two or three plants of different origins must be grown on the site.

Fetus- false apple weighing 20-30, in selected forms- up to 150 g, and 2-5 cm in diameter. They have a turnip-shaped, often apple-shaped or cube-shaped (pear-shaped) shape, usually ribbed. Coloring of ripe fruits- from green and yellow to orange and light brown, sometimes with a red blush. The seed chambers are large, containing 50-80 seeds. Weight 1000 pcs. latest- about 2.5 g. The pulp of the fruit is hard, juicy, sour, sometimes astringent, very aromatic. They ripen in September- October, after the leaves have fallen. The yield is two to three kilograms per bush. Frosts of -3°C cause them to freeze, so the fruits are harvested no later than the second half of September. Frozen, damaged by frost, although they remain edible, they become soft, wadded (like similarly damaged apples), greatly lose their taste, and most importantly- They are completely deprived of their wonderful aroma. So this cannot be allowed. When picked unripe, they reach well when lying down. At 2°C and 90% humidity they can be stored until February.

Fruits contain up to 5-8% acids (mainly citric), 2-4.5% sugars, 0.7-1.3- pectin and 1.5-1.7 tannins, 0.4-0.49% cellulose. The vitamin C content in them varies greatly and ranges from 25 to 182 mg/%; Moreover, it is well preserved in processed products. Vitamin P can be up to 900-1000 mg/%; in addition, it contains carotene, vitamins B, B2" PP; high iron content - 0.3%, a lot of aromatic essential oil. The fruits are also rich in biologically active substances. For consumption in fresh They are of limited use, only in tea instead of lemon, they are too sour. But the processed products from them are excellent.

The jam is especially good- wonderful in taste and aroma. If I hadn’t cooked it and eaten it myself, I wouldn’t have spoken. Making jam in the following way: for 1 kg of fruit take 1.3-1.5 kg of sugar, 1 glass of water. The fruits are washed, cut into pieces, removing the seeds, poured with boiling sugar syrup, left to steep for 6 hours. Then the syrup is drained, the fruits are placed in jars and again filled with syrup heated to 90°C, after which they are pasteurized for 15 minutes.

The fruits of Chaenomeles are very tasty in jelly, marmalade, marshmallows, syrups, candied fruits, juices, and compotes.

To prepare compote, take 600 g of sugar and 0.8 liters of water per 1 kg of fruit. You can grind it with sugar, or simply sprinkle it with finely chopped pieces of fruit.

In addition, low quince fruits give excellent taste and aroma when added to processed products of other fruits. It is best to blend the latter with apples, pears, and plums. They are increasingly used in the canning, confectionery, and alcoholic beverage industries. Pectins contained in fruits bind and remove toxins, toxic substances, and radionuclides from the human body. Therefore, they are widely used for medicinal purposes. In addition, fresh fruits, their juice, as well as an infusion of dry fruits, are useful for low acidity; They also have tonic properties.

Chaenomeles Mauleya is propagated by seeds and vegetatively: by green, lignified and root cuttings, by dividing the bush, horizontal and arcuate layering, shoots, and sometimes by grafting. Grafted plants are often transferred to their own roots, deepening the grafting site into the soil. When propagated by seeds, 80-100 pieces are sown. per linear meter of row (rows are placed at a distance of 20 cm from each other), better in autumn. For spring sowing, they are stratified for 50-60 days at a temperature of 1...5°C. When 3-4 true leaves appear, the seedlings are planted or thinned to a distance of 6-8 cm. In the first year they grow up to 40 cm in height. Lignified cuttings are cut in the spring to a length of 10-15 cm, preferably from offspring shoots, treated with growth substances, and planted in greenhouses. And green ones - in June, with two or three internodes; planted in a greenhouse with a fogging installation. They are propagated by layering in the same way as other fruit shrub crops (currants, gooseberries). You can graft low Japanese quince onto common quince, pear, hawthorn, and shadberry. At the same time, it itself serves as a good dwarf rootstock for some varieties of pears, apple trees, as well as rowan and hawthorn. It is better to plant bushes in early spring, placement 2-2.5 x 0.8-1 m. Soil preparation- as for others berry bushes. Cares- watering as needed, fine loosening, weed control, fertilizer, fertilizing. Every year, 25 g of urea is added per 1 m2 in the spring, once every two years in the fall when digging (for the same area)- 4-6 kg of manure or compost, 25 g of double superphosphate and the same amount of potassium sulfate. They are usually fed with mullein (1:10). Branches are pruned annually. Remove broken, diseased, intertwined, frail, thickening, as well as vertical and lying on the ground (if layering is not needed), and branches older than five years. The bush should have 3-4 branches of each age from one to five years. Older- removed and replaced with young ones. In general, the bush should have at least 10-15 skeletal branches of different ages. Chaenomeles tolerates pruning well.

It does not have many pests and diseases: scale insects, spider mite, moniliosis (fruit rot). Control measures- standard. Damaged by hares. On soils with an alkaline reaction (pH >7) it is affected by chlorosis.

Since Chaenomeles Mauleya was initially cultivated for a long time only as an ornamental species, among more than 90 of its varieties (all of them foreign selection) there are no fruit varieties yet, only ornamental ones. Here are the most beautiful and promising of them: Simone - flowers are crimson-red, fruits are large, green; Elly Mossel - dark red double flowers, large dark green fruits; Crimson and cold - the flowers are dark red, the fruits are yellow with a blush. Chaenomeles can be used to stabilize soils, create low hedges, and is very suitable for bonsai-style formation.

In conclusion, I would like to once again recall the most important advantages of low Japanese quince- these are high decorativeness, early fruiting, annual and abundant yield, plasticity, unpretentiousness, ease of reproduction and care, keeping quality of fruits, resistance to pests and diseases.

V. Starostin , dendrologist, candidate of agricultural sciences sciences

(Gardener No. 49, December 15, 2011)

Chaenomeles

History of domestication

In the photo: chaenomeles in bloom (G. Kazanin)

Chaenomeles was introduced into culture in ancient times by the peoples of East Asia. It was grown for its fruits, used in medicine, for aromatizing homes, and also for decorative purposes. Botanical classification Chaenomeles was carried out at the end of the 18th century, and it was soon introduced to Europe. The “golden age” of Chaenomeles began in the mid-19th century. His beauty conquered the whole world. Japanese artists and English poets, inspired by beautiful images, created their works. When describing a new plant, researchers often forgot the strict and dry language of science and switched to a sublime style. Thus, when reading the description given by the famous gardener Van Gutte, you are imbued with the author’s enthusiastic attitude towards the magnificent object. British gardeners, when describing their pet, used the entire range of excellent epithets of the English language.

Chaenomeles was included among the twelve best shrubs. European, American and Japanese breeders have created many ornamental varieties that differ in color, size, and degree of flower terry. About a hundred of them are widely cultivated today throughout the world.

The fruits of Chaenomeles have long been used as food by residents of East Asia, and then Europe and North America, noting the pleasant taste and wonderful aroma of processed products. However, nowhere was it included in the list of the most important fruit crops. A number of small industrial plantations were established in the 30-60s of the last century in the USSR in Ukraine, but this crop did not become widespread there. This was primarily due to the lack of valuable selected forms and the poor development of the fruit processing industry. The experience of Latvia was more successful, where in the 70-80s of the last century quite large industrial plantations were created and the industry mastered the production of many types of food products.

Now in the countries of Eastern and Northern Europe there has been increased interest in Chaenomeles as a promising fruit crop that meets the requirements of modern intensive and environmentally friendly farming. Among amateur gardeners of the former Soviet Union growing Chaenomeles as a new fruit and decorative culture especially began to spread after the Great Patriotic War. In the early 50s of the last century, this plant was already widely grown by a significant number of amateur gardeners in the central zone of the European part of Russia. I made my first attempts to grow Chaenomeles in my garden in Sverdlovsk in 1955.

Nutritional and medicinal properties of fruits

According to the biochemical composition of the fruit, Chaenomeles stands out among other pome crops, approaching lemons in its main indicators. The characteristic features of the fruit are: low sugar content (2-4%), with the bulk of sugars represented by glucose and fructose, high content of organic acids (4-6%), pectin substances (1-3%), vitamins C and P (50 -200 and 800-1200 mg/%). Carotene, thiamine, nicotinic acid, pyradoxine and other vitamins were also found in the fruit pulp. The seeds contain tocopherol, unsaturated fatty acids and a number of other biologically active compounds. All these substances are important components of a balanced diet, and their presence increases the value of Chaenomeles fruits. In addition to the presence of a multivitamin complex, it is necessary to emphasize the importance of pectins and fiber, which contribute to the release of toxins, radionuclides, heavy metals, and cholesterol from the body. The high content of ascorbic acid and bioflavonoids, which enhance each other’s effects, allows us to recommend Chaenomeles fruits for consumption with preventive and medicinal purposes at infectious diseases, diseases of the digestive and respiratory organs, cardiovascular diseases and others.

Chaenomeles fruits are not used fresh due to their hard, highly acidic pulp, but are used for various types of processing. The most popular types of products obtained are: extract, syrup, jam, jam, marmalade, candied fruits, prepared from fresh ripe fruits, which have acquired a characteristic yellow color and a pleasant aroma.

To obtain the extract, the washed fruits are cut in half, lengthwise or crosswise, the seeds and core are removed, and cut into slices and pieces. The chopped fruits are sprinkled with sugar (take 1-1.3 kg of sugar per 1 kg of fruits) and left in a cool place for one to two days. The resulting extract is drained, poured into a container and stored in a cool place, using as needed, or canned for long-term storage. Used to prepare various drinks and sweet dishes.

Other types of processing are carried out according to recommendations common to all types of fruit raw materials, described in detail in the popular literature. Excessive acidity in some types of processing, for example in pure chaenomeles marmalade, can be removed by neutralizing the excess with baking soda. It can also be recommended to prepare a semi-finished product in the form of natural juice, sugar extract, puree, dried and frozen fruits, which can be stored long time and used to prepare various dishes. Yes, and fresh Chaenomeles fruits at low positive temperatures (1-2°C) and high humidity can be stored for a very long time until a new harvest and used for consumption as needed. Such conditions can be created by storing fruits in tightly tied plastic bags in the basement, cold cabinet, refrigerator. So, in my experience, the fruits of Chaenomeles in a tied plastic bag in a cold cabinet were well preserved until June of next year.

Chaenomeles fruits can also be used to replace lemons in tea, culinary recipes, for blending with low-acid fruit raw materials (chokeberry, fresh-sweet apples and pears, etc.) and vegetable raw materials (pumpkin, carrots, etc.)...

V. N. Shalamov

Hard, but very useful

The red summer has bloomed and flown by, but left behind many tasty and healthy “gifts”. True, some of them remain unclaimed by housewives. Among these “outcasts” is the Japanese quince, or chaenomeles.

If at the beginning of summer it decorates our gardens with large scarlet flowers, like a blazing fire, then in the fall small fruits with thick, rough skin and an extremely sour taste ripen on the bushes. It is no coincidence that in many countries chaenomeles is used instead of lemon, acidifying jam, compotes and tea with it. The fruits of Japanese quince are incredibly healthy: they contain a lot of ascorbic acid and calcium, and also contain salts of potassium, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum and vanadium. And in terms of iron content, chaenomeles is superior to pears, strawberries, apples and even the recognized “iron lady”- cherry

Eating fruits in fresh or processed form is useful for vitamin deficiency, rheumatism, arthritis, gout, diabetes mellitus Type II (in this case, the preparations are made without sugar), cardiovascular diseases, in particular, with mild forms of hypertension, they are also very good for pregnant women, as they help cope with toxicosis.

For vitamin deficiency, as well as for the prevention and treatment of colds: 2 tbsp. Pour a glass of boiling water over spoons of chopped fresh chaenomeles fruits, leave covered for 2 hours, strain. Drink a quarter glass of infusion two to three times a day half an hour before meals (if desired, it can be sweetened with honey).

And to strengthen the immune system, especially in the winter-spring period, you can prepare a tasty medicine: cut the fruits into thin slices (after removing the seeds from them), put them in a jar, pour honey in a ratio of 1:2 and leave for a week in a dark place. Keep refrigerated. Take 2 teaspoons once or twice a day an hour after meals.

For edema of cardiac origin, as well as to strengthen the walls of blood vessels: 5 tbsp. Pour 0.5 liters of boiling water over a tablespoon of chopped fresh fruit (including the core), bring to a boil, then pour into a thermos and strain after 4 hours. Take 1/3 cup of infusion twice a day (preferably in the morning) half an hour before meals. During treatment, follow a salt-free diet.

For arthritis, rheumatism, gout as an additional treatment: 4 tbsp. spoons of crushed chaenomeles fruits pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, keep on low heat for 15 minutes, leave for 2 hours, strain and add boiled water to the original volume. Take 1/3 cup of decoction three times a day 20 minutes before meals. The treatment is long-term.

For diarrhea: 2 tbsp. spoons of chopped fresh Chaenomeles fruits, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, leave for 2 hours, strain. Using this infusion, prepare jelly with potato starch. Drink warm jelly 0.5 cups two to three times a day half an hour before meals (subject to mandatory diet). Treatment should be completed 2 days after diarrhea stops.

For wounds and ulcers: lightly rub fresh chaenomeles leaves between your palms, apply them to the affected area of ​​the skin and secure with a bandage. Change dressings as they dry out.

For oily seborrhea of ​​the scalp: 1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of chaenomeles fruit seeds into 0.5 cups of cold water, leave for 2-3 hours, then bring to a boil, cool, strain, squeezing out the seeds. Rub the infusion into the scalp every other day, an hour before bedtime.

A. Prokopyeva

Sowing Japanese quince seeds

In the fall, we dig a groove 1-1.5 cm deep and cover it with a sheet of plywood, and keep a bucket of sand in a dry place. As soon as there is a stable negative temperature atmospheric air, remove the plywood from the groove. Place the seeds of Chaenomeles (Japanese quince) in it and cover it with sand. If you don’t have sand, you can fill it with dry soil, prepared in advance. The offspring generally turn out to be strong. Some specimens even surpass the mother plants.

Let us dwell on the characteristics of this plant and determine why we grow it in the garden plot. By the way, experts call Chaenomeles “Fire Bush of the East.” Most often, our gardens are inhabited by two species of Chaenomeles. This is Japanese chaenomeles, or Japanese quince - a shrub up to 3 m tall, with a spreading crown and spiny shoots. The leaves are ovate, leathery, sharp-toothed at the edges, dark green, up to 8 cm long. The flowers are scarlet-red, up to 5 cm in diameter, 2-6 in corymbs. Blooms profusely in May, 20-25 days. The fruits are spherical, yellow, ripen in September-October. Japanese quince is frost-resistant, drought-resistant, light-loving and demanding of soil fertility and moisture. It tolerates shearing well, so it is often used to create hedges, as well as in single, group, and alley plantings.

Low Japanese quince, no more than 1 m high, is also often found in cultivation. Brown-red flowers with a diameter of 2-3 cm, collected in inflorescences of 2-6 pieces, bloom in spring on its arched, strong, prickly shoots. Flowering lasts 2-3 weeks. Fruiting occurs at the age of 3-4 years. The fruits are oblong-round, tightly seated on the shoots. They ripen just before frost, and ripen in storage, acquiring a pale yellow color. Their aroma is reminiscent of pineapple.

Low Japanese quince A. Tytss, whom Latvian fruit growers respectfully called Master Tytss, called “northern lemon”. Indeed, even in March, Japanese quince slices, preserved 1:1 with granulated sugar, contain almost as much vitamin C as imported lemons do at this time of year. According to scientists, Japanese quince fruits contain from 124 to 182 mg/% (i.e. 124-182 mg per 100 g of fruit) vitamin C, and in addition, many organic acids and pectin substances, too necessary for a person. There are many recipes for delicious preparations from Japanese quince, we will give only two of them.

Compote (1.2 kg of fruit, 200 g of sugar, 1 liter of water). Prepared fruits, cut into small pieces, are poured with boiling sugar syrup and left until the syrup cools. Then the syrup is drained and the quince pieces are placed in sterilized jars. Sugar syrup is heated to 90°C and poured over the fruit. Liter jars of fruit are pasteurized at 85°C for 15 minutes.

Jam (1 kg of quince, 1.2 kg of sugar, 0.2 l of water). The fruits cut into pieces are blanched for 8-10 minutes, then boiled intermittently. Pour boiling sugar syrup for 2-3 hours, then cook for 5-10 minutes three times every 2 hours. During the last cooking, add 200 g of sugar per 1 liter of syrup ( general content sugar 1.2 kg). The jam is poured into clean jars and closed.

I. Krivega

(Gardener No. 39, 2011)

Chaenomeles named Maxim

For more than two hundred years, European breeders have been working to improve Chaenomeles varieties. True, efforts are aimed mainly at improving the decorative qualities of this beautiful shrub.

In general, in terms of the number of varieties (more than 500), Chaenomeles in the rose family is second only to the queen of flowers herself- rose. And in recent decades, breeders have begun to create fruit varieties.

In Ukraine, the first varieties of Chaenomeles were included in the state register in 2001. About the varieties of my selection, created at the Artemovsk Experimental Nursery Station, Calif, Nika, Nikolai, Nina was described in "PH" No. 10 for 2003. In Russia, the variety was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements in 2006 Volgogradsky 1 selection of the All-Russian Research Institute of Agroforestry. It is recommended as a universal variety for decorative and fruit purposes for cultivation in the Astrakhan, Volgograd, Rostov and Saratov regions, the Republic of Kalmykia, Krasnodar and Stavropol territories.

As for the varieties obtained at the Artemovsk experimental station, Kalif is of interest for cultivation in the southern zone of horticulture, and Nikolai and Nina, as they are more winter-hardy, are suitable for cultivation in middle zone gardening. Recent study at the agrobiological station of the Michurinsky State pedagogical institute confirmed practical value Kalifa, Nikolai and Nina. The last two varieties are recommended for wide production testing in the conditions of the Central Black Earth region. All these varieties- donors of valuable traits for further selection.

Among the offspring of the Kalif variety, I identified a promising hybrid, which received the preliminary name Maksim . The Latin word maximus has a superlative degree of ma gn us- multiple values. In relation to Maxim, it is “the largest, the largest”, “the most important, impressive”, “the most abundant and very fertile”, “the most costly and expensive”, “the most valued”. These epithets objectively characterize the Maxim hybrid.

The Kalifa and Maxima bushes are distinguished by their upright habit, which sets them apart from the typical spreading bushes of Chaenomeles japonica and facilitates plant care and harvesting. Kalifa fruits are of cultivated type, weighing 70-80 g, with a thick layer of pulp (13-14 mm). In the conditions of Donbass, when ripening in the second half of August, they acquire a bright yellow color and a pleasant aroma. The fruits are spherical and beautiful. Ripe fruits are easily separated from the branches.

Maxim's fruits are large, regular in shape, and bright golden in color. The advantages of the hybrid include early ripening, ease of fruit picking, and abundant fruiting. One can hope that Maxim will live up to his “name” and become desirable to gardeners.

V. Mezhensky , Candidate of Agricultural Sciences, Ukraine

(Homestead farming No. 1, 2012)

Chaenomeles, or Japanese quince (Chaenomeles) is a beautiful flowering ornamental shrub from the Rosaceae family. Do not confuse Japanese quince with ordinary quince, this different plants, although the fruits of Chaenomeles have a similar shape, they are edible and healthy.

Chaenomeles - Japanese quince

There are four species of this plant, distributed mainly in China and Japan. Based on them, many garden hybrids and varieties have been bred.

1. Chaenomeles japonica(Chaenomeles japonica) is a shrub up to 3 meters in height with large orange-red flowers collected in corymbose inflorescences of 2-6 pieces. Blooms in May before the leaves appear. The fruits, which ripen by October, are about 6 cm in diameter.

2. Chaenomeles Maulea(Chaenomeles maulei) is also called low Japanese quince. The height of this shrub usually does not exceed one meter. In gardening, the most common hybrids are between Japanese quince and low Japanese quince.

3. Chaenomeles is beautiful(Chaenomeles speciosa) – the height of the bush is about 70-100 cm. The plant does not bear fruit and does not tolerate winters in the middle zone quite well.

4. Chaenomeles cathayan(Chaenomeles cathayensis) – the height of the shrub is up to 3 meters, in the middle zone it is usually about 1.5 meters. In severe winters it can freeze quite strongly.

Chaenomeles - use in the garden

Chaenomeles used in the garden both as decorative and as fruit crop. Chaenomeles is used to create low hedges and borders, planted in rock gardens, near ponds and on the lawn, alone or in company with others: forsythia, spirea, . Chaenomeles is also used to strengthen slopes. Plants grafted onto a standard look amazing (usually used as a rootstock). ordinary rowan, wild pear or shadberry). You can also graft apple trees, pears, garden rowan or hawthorn onto chaenomeles itself. Fans of experiments can enhance decorative effect by grafting several breeds onto one plant.

To obtain fruits, it is necessary to plant 2-3 varieties of chaenomeles on the site. The fruits of the plant are sour and very aromatic, for which they received the name “northern lemon”. They are rich in vitamin C, pectin and microelements. Candied fruits, jam, jam, compotes, liqueurs, etc. are prepared from them.

Chaenomeles - planting, care, reproduction

The place for chaenomeles must be determined to be sunny and protected from the winds. The plant is not demanding on soil fertility, but it bears fruit and blooms better in fertile soil. Chaenomeles is demanding of acidity; the soil reaction should be slightly acidic. Prefers moderate moisture.

When planting, the root collar is not buried. The soil for planting can be prepared from a mixture of leaf soil, peat compost and sand in a ratio of 2:2:1, you can also add organic and mineral fertilizers. The distance between plants when planting should be about 1.5 meters in open plantings and about 50-100 cm when planting in a hedge.

Care consists of watering, fertilizing, mulching, pruning and preparing for winter.

Water the plants not often, once a month is enough. Feed 3 times per season: in the spring with nitrogen fertilizer, after flowering and after harvesting with phosphorus-potassium fertilizer. Mulching the tree trunks prevents the roots from drying out and overheating; sawdust, pine bark, peat, straw, etc. are suitable as mulch. The mulch layer is about 3-5 cm; the root collar is not covered.

Pruning is usually carried out every few years; diseased, broken, dry and old (more than 5 years) branches are removed. For good fruiting, it is necessary to correctly form the bush, cutting out unnecessary branches. The plant mainly bears fruit on 3-year-old branches. A properly formed bush should have approximately 10-15 branches, of which 3-5 one-year shoots, 3-4 two-year shoots, 3-4 three-year shoots and 2-3 four-year and five-year shoots. Old shoots after five years of age are cut out in the spring.

Chaenomeles usually branches well, but if the plant has not taken on a very beautiful shape, voids have formed in the crown, then in the right places you can shorten the shoots to 4-6 leaves, this is done in June-July. The resulting second-order shoots are again shortened in the spring by 2-3 buds.

If the plant is grown on a trunk, then you should monitor the growth of shoots below the grafting, removing them in a timely manner.

Chaenomeles japonica is a fairly winter-hardy plant, but in severe winters it can freeze, especially the branches above the snow cover. Therefore, for the winter, the tree trunk circle can be covered with dry mulch, and the branches can be bent to the ground. It is better to cover young seedlings with lutrasil or spruce branches. Standard forms are also bent to the ground for the winter.

Chaenomeles fruits must be harvested before frost; they ripen well when stored.

Preface

Quince fruits in combination with wine, honey and spices were considered one of the most favorite delicacies in Ancient Rome. This plant had sacred meaning- a symbol of fertility, beauty and love. Today it is grown not only for its fruits, but also for decorative purposes. One such striking example is the Japanese quince, which was brought from Europe to the country. rising sun in the 17th century.

Japanese quince (Chaenomeles) can be propagated by cuttings, division and seeds. For the first cultivation option, we prepare mature shoots in late autumn. We store them in a cool, dry place, and in the spring we plant cuttings in open ground. It is best to do this in April or early May, when the earth has already warmed up a little. The second, no less simple option is growing by division, that is, planting seedlings in small groups (3-5 pieces each) at a comfortable distance of 1–1.5 m from each other. Make sure that the root system fits freely in the planting hole, making a slight indentation of about 3-5 cm for this purpose. Perfect timing For this method of reproduction, late spring to mid-autumn is considered.

Japanese quince cuttings

However, the most common and reliable method is growing by seeds. To do this, we prepare nutritious soil and plant seeds in it. We do this in late February-early March. After about 6 weeks, the seeds will produce their first shoots. Then we transplant them into a separate container with fertilized soil. In this case, it is advisable to use paper or peat cups to ensure maximum air flow to the young roots. By germinating seedlings in early spring, you will receive fully prepared planting material already in May-June. We transplant it into open ground. In the future, do not forget about care, covering the seedlings in the first winter with lutrasil from frost.

Japanese quince is usually grown on light loamy or sandy loam soils. Although this is not so important, the main thing is that the soil is well drained and loose. The only whim is that in alkaline soil the seedlings sharply change their color and also significantly slow down in growth. The soil for planting Japanese quince is prepared in advance. First, we remove the weeds and carefully dig up the soil. If the soil you have chosen is infertile or too heavy, it is better to add sand to it, use peat manure compost at the rate of 10 kg per 1 m2, as well as phosphorus-potassium fertilizers - 40 g per 1 m2.

Japanese quince on the plot

Such a nutritional composition will make the soil as loose as possible, which is extremely important when growing and caring for this ornamental plant. As for the optimal planting location, it is best to choose well-lit areas with plenty of sunlight. The plant tolerates drought calmly, but northern winds are very dangerous for it, so give preference to the southern and southwestern areas of the garden. The period after the snow melts and before the trees begin to bud is considered the most favorable for planting Chaenomeles. Of course, cultivation and planting in open ground can be carried out in the fall, however, due to the increased heat-loving nature of the plant and the onset of frost, seedlings with a fragile root system and weak immunity may die before they have time to take root.

When planting single plants, we dig planting holes with a depth of 0.5 to 0.8 m and a width of 0.5-0.6 m. We fill the space with fresh soil, 1–2 buckets of humus, and also add mineral fertilizers, approximately 300 g of superphosphate, 30 g of potassium nitrate and half a kilogram of wood ash. When planting in groups, do not forget to maintain a comfortable distance between plants of 1–1.5 m, as well as between rows of about 0.5 m. Moreover, Chaenomeles groups can be planted along the edge of a garden path or made into a low hedge, which will look very impressive.

The main rule to remember during care and planting is that the root collar should be located at soil level. It should not be bare, otherwise it may slow down the growth of the plant. Also remember that it does not like transfers. Therefore, you should immediately decide on the optimal location so as not to disturb this lush shrub once again. Unlike vegetable crops, such ornamental plant feels great in one place for 50-60 years.

Preparing Japanese quince for active flowering in the spring begins with weeding and loosening the soil to a depth of 8-10 cm. To ensure that there are as few weeds as possible and moisture remains in the soil longer, we carry out mulching, laying a protective layer around the bush 3-5 cm high. As mulch, you can use absolutely any available drainage means - peat is perfect, nutshell, crushed tree bark, sawdust, small pebbles or crushed stone. We recommend mulching in late spring, when the soil is already sufficiently moist and warm.

Mulching the soil with straw

However, we also do a similar procedure in the fall, when the first cold weather sets in, which will later make it easier for you to prepare Chaenomeles for spring bloom. As for liquid fertilizers, it is better not to apply them in the first year after planting. The nutritional mixture included in the landing hole. Otherwise, such excessive care can harm the young roots of the plant. But in the 2-3rd year of growth, in the spring, after the snow melts, we apply familiar organic and mineral fertilizers under the bushes. One bucket of compost, 100 g of potassium fertilizer and 300 g of superphosphate will be enough per bush. We add liquid fertilizers in the summer - we take ammonium nitrate at the rate of 20 g per bush, and 3 liters of a 10% solution of bird droppings.

For the winter, the plant needs one more important care - covering with protective material. It is better to use lutrasil or spruce spruce branches. This will protect young seedlings from frost and preserve their vigorous flowering in the spring. And when they get a little older, cover them with a thick layer of snow. His Japanese quince is absolutely not afraid, it will even benefit her. For low-growing bushes, wooden or cardboard boxes can be recommended as shelter for the winter.

Japanese quince tolerates pruning well, which is very important when creating a picturesque landscape. However, be extremely careful, there are many long thorns on the branches of the bush. Wear thick gardening gloves (gloves) to protect yourself from serious injury. In the spring, the plant undergoes a real “surgical operation”, which consists of pruning dry frost-damaged shoots. As the main tool for pruning, use a sharpened pruning shears and a garden saw, and be sure to treat the cut areas with garden varnish to prevent infections and promote the speedy healing of fresh wounds on the plant. When the dried and broken branches are removed, you will notice how quickly Chaenomeles begins to grow.

Ripe quince fruits

But pruning shrubs to form decorative look begins at 4–5 years of age. This procedure is carried out in early spring, preventing the bush from growing in breadth. It is enough to leave 3 branches each year so that the plantings are as healthy and unthickened as possible.

The most valuable are the central shoots, which provide the plant with active growth, which cannot be said about the lateral ones, they literally pull the bush down. Delete such branches. When the Japanese quince reaches 8-10 years old, begin anti-aging care, which consists of pruning overly elongated, brittle and weak branches. To achieve the desired result, it is enough to leave 10–15 strong shoots, trying to preserve as many branches as possible that are 3–4 years old and get rid of mature shoots older than 5 years as much as possible. Such branches, as a rule, bear little fruit and slow down the growth of the plant.

As many have noted, garden pests do not attack Chaenomeles. However, this also applies to fungal diseases. However, in bad weather, under the influence of dampness and moisture, spots may form on the leaves of the plant. As a result, they become deformed and dry out. Among the most common spots of Japanese quince are ramularia, which is the formation of brown spots, and cercospora, which are round chestnut spots that fade over time.

Jpg" alt=" Is the Japanese plant sick? Will Fundazol be useful?"title=" Is the Japanese plant sick? Will Fundazol be useful?» width=»670″ height=»400″ /> Cercospora on leaves

Spraying with a 0.2% solution helps provide the plant with care and protection from fungal diseases. Fundazola or copper-soap water, at the rate of 100 g of copper sulfate and 50 g of laundry soap per 10 liter bucket. We treat with these preparations before flowering begins. If spotting has overtaken your plant after the start of flowering, use more gentle folk remedies, for example onion infusion. We prepare it at the rate of 150 g of onion peel per 10 liters of water. After a day of infusion, filter the liquid and water the plant with it. To ensure reliable protection against fungal infections and complete care, we carry out such therapeutic watering three times during the summer.

In the spring, the eye of any gardener will be pleasantly pleased with the blooming of bright scarlet flowers, and in the fall the ripening of yellow-green fruits. This long-awaited moment arrives at the end of September-October. From one bush we get an average of 1-2 kg of fruit, and if you provide the plant with decent care, this figure can be increased to 3 kg. It is necessary to harvest before the first frost. Otherwise, the fruits begin to crumble, losing their taste and aroma. Ripe fruits are stored for a long time, especially at a constant temperature of +2 ° C. During storage, they may change their color and also wrinkle slightly, but do not rot.

Blooming quince

Japanese quince fruits contain more vitamin C than lemons. They are very diverse in shape and color, and average weight the fruit does not exceed 30-40 g. The raw fruit does not have a strong taste, which cannot be said about the aroma. But in canned form it reveals itself in a new way. Sweet marshmallows, jams, liqueurs, syrups are prepared with quince, and the slices are also simply dried or covered with sugar. The fruits contain tannins, essential oils, fructose, apple and lemon acid. When making jam, as well as consuming fruits raw, be sure to remove the seeds, as they contain a rather dangerous substance for humans - amygdalin.