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Wassail a quince tree?

03 Jan 21 - 05:56 PM (#4086334)
Subject: Wassail a quince tree?
From: Richard Mellish

I have a quince tree (not one of the ornamental shrubs but a proper tree, now well over 2 metres high) which flowers very well but produces few fruit; at best about a dozen quinces some years, some years none at all. I have tried hand pollinating, but it hasn't helped.

In discussion with a friend we have come up with the idea of wassailing (or yowling) my tree.

Will the magic that is designed for apple trees work on a quince tree?

What libation would be best? Would cider do, or would a drink made from the wrong kind of tree have a negative effect?

Would Old Twelfth Night, 17th January, be the best date?

All suggestions welcome!

03 Jan 21 - 06:11 PM (#4086337)
Subject: RE: Wassail a quince tree?
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler

There is a tradition (probably not that old) of wassailing damson trees in Cumbria and Lancashire, which we have adopted for our garden for the last couple of years. We got three damsons last season!

The adjacent cherry tree did really well though.

Robin

04 Jan 21 - 03:34 AM (#4086378)
Subject: RE: Wassail a quince tree?
From: The Sandman

Growing Quince Trees

Another good point is that a quince will tolerate most soils, acid or alkaline. It's happiest on a deep, rich loam that stays moist and if I had a pond or stream I'd put one next to it, so long as it didn't become waterlogged. Light soils should have plenty of compost added before planting and a thick organic mulch applied every year. In a very dry summer, you should give it a very thorough soaking.

Planted in open ground, it's not a first choice for the smallest garden as, depending on rootstock and soil conditions, it can grow anywhere from around 10 feet (3 metres) to 20 feet (6 metres) tall. However, it could also be trained against a wall and recently a Patio Quince has been developed, so even if space is limited it's not out of the question. A bonus is that, being self-fertile, only one tree is needed.

04 Jan 21 - 03:36 AM (#4086380)
Subject: RE: Wassail a quince tree?
From: The Sandman

Richard they are self fertile, now analyse your soil. wassailing will not do any harm, but the answer lies in the soil and moisture

04 Jan 21 - 03:41 AM (#4086381)
Subject: RE: Wassail a quince tree?
From: Matthew Edwards

Clearly Edward Lear's poem 'The Owl and the Pussycat' contains cryptic references to a lost wassail tradition for quince trees; the symbolic marriage ceremony between an owl and a moggy is an esoteric guide to a ritual of deep significance.
You may of course think it a load of nonsense, but if you use a pair of runcible spoons to beat a rhythm on drums made of the finest Bong-tree wood (a set of bongo drums make an acceptable substitute) while dancing by the light of the moon I think you could achieve some interesting results.
Please consult the regulations for your local Tier first.

04 Jan 21 - 05:37 AM (#4086387)
Subject: RE: Wassail a quince tree?
From: Jos

I put "quince" into a search and it came up with quince gin. Maybe that would work. And I like the suggestion of dancing by the light of the moon.

How old is the tree? The RHS site says "Quinces are self-fertile and usually start cropping when five- or six-years-old."

04 Jan 21 - 06:41 AM (#4086400)
Subject: RE: Wassail a quince tree?
From: Richard Mellish

> Another good point is that a quince will tolerate most soils, acid or alkaline. It's happiest on a deep, rich loam that stays moist and if I had a pond or stream I'd put one next to it, so long as it didn't become waterlogged. Light soils should have plenty of compost added before planting and a thick organic mulch applied every year. In a very dry summer, you should give it a very thorough soaking.

I don't have any choice there, having heavy clay soil that gets wet in winter and dry in summer, but I do give it plenty of water if there's a very dry spell at the time when the baby fruits should be starting to swell.

> How old is the tree? The RHS site says "Quinces are self-fertile and usually start cropping when five- or six-years-old."

I planted it in April 2011, so it should be mature enough. It started producing some fruit several years ago, but never very much.

My thinking is along the lines that I've tried everything but wassailing it, so I should give that a try, but I want to get it right.

04 Jan 21 - 06:56 AM (#4086402)
Subject: RE: Wassail a quince tree?
From: GUEST,JHW

When I moved to this house I nearly pulled out a dead stick, below ground. Left it and it is now a Japonica, early red flowers and yellow/green fruit. Bush rather than tree. Scented fruit. Gives scent to stewed apple slices when quince slices are added. Pruned severely last year but like the most of us has survived for now. Soil? yes it's in the soil. Went to an apple wassail once but it was a bit weird. I think it's supposed to be.

04 Jan 21 - 07:15 AM (#4086405)
Subject: RE: Wassail a quince tree?
From: Jos

With regard to "When I moved to this house I nearly pulled out a dead stick" - anyone who has, or is trying to grow, a mulberry tree could take warning from this.
If it looks dead in the spring, be patient. The buds can wait until well into May before opening.

04 Jan 21 - 08:04 AM (#4086408)
Subject: RE: Wassail a quince tree?
From: The Sandman

no you have not tried everything you need to lime your soil, you haveheavy clay soil you can change that, you can also drain your soiland put in a stream, wassailing will not make any difference

04 Jan 21 - 08:48 AM (#4086411)
Subject: RE: Wassail a quince tree?
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler

Wassailing might make a difference if only for the fact that it makes you think about the tree and check up on it at a time when you would otherwise more likely to ignore it.

Robin

04 Jan 21 - 09:24 AM (#4086413)
Subject: RE: Wassail a quince tree?
From: Dave Hanson

Give it a damn good thrashing with a big stick, you know as in the old saying,
' a woman a dog and a walnut tree, the more you beat them the better they be. '

Dave H

04 Jan 21 - 09:32 AM (#4086414)
Subject: RE: Wassail a quince tree?
From: GUEST,Mark Bluemel

Could you wassail it by throwing membrillo at it?
(Bit of a waste of membrillo, mind you. I had some in a serrano ham and manchego cheese croissant yesterday and it was delicious).