Quince Lescovaka

Lescovaka produces large apple shaped quinces. An introduction from south east Europe apparently being also known as `Serbian Gold`. A hardy variety that’s self fertile. They are ready to pick in October, they will still feel hard but will release an aromatic perfume. Store undamaged fruit in a cool dry place, away from other fruits. Do not wrap them and do not let the fruit touch. Keep them for 6 weeks while they really ripen and become more aromatic. They are then ready to use. Quince is not eaten raw but makes a lovely jelly or paste which can be eaten with cheese.

Quinces are self fertile and available on Quince A rootstock producing a tree with a height of 3.5 – 4.5m. You will need to allow a planting distance of 4m.

Quince are grown as a bushy tree. They will grow in most soils but like a moist and fertile soil best. They need protection from wind and early frost so a sunny and sheltered position is preferable. This will protect the flowers, which come early in May, from frost and at the other end of the season give the best chance of sun and warmth to ripen the fruit.

A guide to planting

We supply bare-root trees from November until March. Be ready to plant them, you will need a stake, a tree tie and a rabbit guard.
You will have received your trees within a polythene bag and their roots will be damp. You can always redampen by dunking in a tub of water or spraying over with a watering can. Ensure the roots remain damp by keeping within polythene bags as you prepare the site and the planting hole. Avoid planting in extremely wet conditions or when the ground is frozen. In these cases the trees can be kept temporarily within the polythene bag they came in until conditions improve. If planting is going to be delayed more than a few days trench into some available soil ensuring good soil contact with the roots.

The planting hole
Dig the planting hole a little larger than the root system. A good guide is a square sided hole each side about two spade widths wide and a spit deep. Remove any large stones and vegetation. The hole should be able to comfortably accommodate the roots. Avoid curling the the roots back on themselves. If roots are very long reduce them a little. Fork over the bottom of the hole.

Staking
Staking is advisable except in very sheltered sites. Trees on dwarfing M9 rootstock will need permanent staking. We suggest using a short stake 1.2-1.5m / 4-5′ tall inserted vertically at planting on the windward side. The aim is to hold the roots firm as they establish but allow the upper part of the tree to move in any wind which will strengthen the tree in the longer term. Once you have dug your hole place the roots within it. Offer up your stake to the tree close to the
trunk passing it through a suitable gap in the roots. Release the tree and bang in your stake until firm.

Backfilling
You should aim to plant your tree at the same height as it was planted in the nursery with the graft union clear of soil level and the roots starting to arise at soil level. To assist with this lay a stick or a cane across the hole. Back-fill ensuring no air pockets are left between the roots consolidating the soil as you go along. To do this break down the excavated soil as finely as you can. Return the soil gradually, filtering through the roots. During the process occasionally shake the tree up and down to help further settle the soil around the roots. Use this shaking process to obtain the correct planting depth against your stick or cane, or by eye, ensuring the roots will all be below soil level. Once the majority of the roots have been covered gently firm the surrounding soil backfilled soil with your foot. Be careful not to overfirm. Continue to backfill until soil level with surrounding ground and gently firm for a final time. Finish the job by attaching your tree tie. If rabbits are present fit a guard on the same day as planting.

To improve the soil or not?
Generally we say not to improve the soil with compost or manure. The trees have come out of soil so are quite adapted to going straight back into soil. Just plant correctly ensuring as good soil contact with the trees roots as possible. You want to encourage the roots to grow out into the surrounding soil. Situations where the addition of compost may be sensible include where the soil is very heavy to improve drainage. If the soil is on the alkaline side – in limestone or chalk areas compost will help to acidify the soil. The ideal ph for fruit trees is about 6.5-6.7 – slightly on the acid side of neutral.