Florida Quince Guide

Quince can grow quite nicely in Florida.

Quince is a member of the rose family of plants. There are numerous varieties, and some bear large quantities of fruits. Others are more ornamental and bear showy pink flowers. Both do well in Florida climates from about mid-state north.

Fruit

The quince produces round, yellow fruits in the late summer. It is hard and difficult to eat fresh even when it's mature. Most often it is used to make jelly or preserves. Fruits range in size from large plum to grapefruit and can be round or pear-shaped with a bumpy appearance.

Varieties

Chaenomeles japonica is the Japanese quince and C. speciosa, C. lagenaria, is known as the common quince. These grow as shrubs and are sought for their decorative pink or orange blossoms. Cydonia oblonga is the variety grown when large yields of fruit are desired.

Florida Environment

All quince varieties grow well in hardiness zones 5 through 9. The northern half of Florida is in zones 8 and 9. They prefer full sun and moist, well-drained soils. However, they have grown equally well in the oolitic limestone soil of Florida.

References

• University of Florida Extension: Plant Identification, Fruits and Nuts: Quince
• Palomar College Arboretum: Quince
• Cornell University Extension: Quinces

Resources

• Purdue University: Bael Fruit