Ornamental quince is a plant that is often used in landscaping and gardens. It is a deciduous shrub that can grow to be about six feet tall. The leaves of the quince are dark green and glossy, and the flowers are white or pink. The fruit of the quince is yellow and resembles a small pear.
Related plant:
Ornamental Bush With Yellow Flowers
Related plant:
Ornamental Cherry Tree
About soil condition, ornamental quince prefers well-drained soil, but it is tolerant of less than ideal conditions. It will even grow in heavy clay soil, as long as it is not too wet. The plant is quite drought tolerant once established.
Not too different with other plants, the ornamental quince needs sunlight to grow. However, it can tolerate partial shade. If it doesn't get enough sun, it will have fewer flowers and the leaves will be less vibrant. The best place for it is in a spot that gets sun for most of the day.
The temperature condition that is best for ornamental quince is cool to moderate. They can tolerate some heat, but too much will cause the leaves to wilt and the flowers to fall off. If you live in an area with hot summers, you can still grow ornamental quince, but you will need to provide some protection from the heat, such as shade cloth or awnings.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 60% - 80%. If the humidity level drops below 60%, the leaves will start to turn brown and drop off. If the humidity level goes above 80%, the leaves will start to turn yellow.
Discussing fertilizer, this kind of plant needs a lot of attention when it comes to feeding. A high-quality fertilizer should be applied every six to eight weeks. It's also important to make sure the fertilizer is evenly distributed around the root system.
Pruning your ornamental quince is an important part of keeping your plant healthy and looking its best. The best time to prune your quince is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. When pruning, be sure to remove any dead or damaged branches, as well as any branches that are rubbing against each other. You should also prune any branches that are growing in an undesirable direction.
Propagation is easily accomplished through the taking of softwood cuttings in the late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be taken from the current season's growth and should be 4-6 inches in length. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to make a clean cut just below a leaf node. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and dip the cut end into rooting hormone. Place the cuttings in a planting mix of equal parts perlite and peat moss. Keep the cuttings moist and in indirect light until new growth appears, at which time they can be transplanted into larger pots or into the garden.
Usually, the plant growth rate is considered to be fast. During its growing season, it can grow up to 2 to 3 feet. This incredibly fast growth rate is attributed to its short life span; quince typically only lives for about 5 to 7 years. However, with the proper care, this plant can easily reach its full potential and provide you with years of enjoyment.
Common problems for this kind of plant are leaf spot, rust, and scab. These can all be controlled with fungicides. Another problem is quince blister mites, which cause the leaves to blister and turn brown. This can be controlled with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
Source:
Ornamental Plant Breeding Program - College of Agricultural
Ornamental and Native Grasses for the Landscape - UMD
Ornamental Cabbage and Kale Wisconsin Horticulture
