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Champion Quince Tree
Champion quince is an old quince variety grown for its large, fragrant yellow fruit, spring blossom, reliable cropping and traditional cooking use. The fruit is usually described as large and pear-shaped, although some sources call it rounded or fat-pear shaped, so it is best thought of as a broad pear-shaped quince rather than a neat supermarket pear. It is mainly a cooking and preserving quince, good for jelly, quince paste, pies and adding fragrance to apple and pear dishes.
The tree itself is attractive as well as productive. In spring, it produces white to pale pink blossom, followed by green leaves with pale, downy undersides. The fruit ripens in autumn, usually around October depending on the season and site.
Champion is self-fertile, so it does not normally need another quince tree nearby to crop. Like most self-fertile fruit trees, cropping may still improve if another quince is growing nearby and the weather is good at flowering time.
Champion Quince Fruit Storage
Champion quince fruit should be picked when it has coloured well and developed its strong quince scent. Keep only clean, undamaged fruit for storage, and use bruised or damaged fruit first.
After picking, store Champion quinces somewhere cool, dark, dry and airy, with the fruits spaced apart. Quinces are strongly aromatic and can perfume a room, but they can also taint nearby stored fruit.
Planting Champion Quince
Plant Champion quince in full sun, in a warm and sheltered position. A sunny site helps the fruit ripen properly, and shelter helps protect the blossom from cold winds and late frost.
The soil should be fertile, moisture-retentive and well-drained. Avoid very dry ground and avoid planting where the soil stays wet for long periods. Quince trees like moisture, but they do not want to sit sulking in stagnant, waterlogged soil.
Before planting, water the pot well. Dig a generous planting hole, loosen the surrounding soil, and plant the tree at the same depth it was growing in the pot. Firm the soil gently around the roots and water thoroughly after planting.
Keep the tree watered during dry spells while it establishes, especially in the first growing season. A mulch around the base can help conserve moisture, but keep mulch away from direct contact with the stem.
Other Interesting Information About Champion Quince
Champion can have disease problems in poor conditions or difficult seasons. The main issues worth knowing about are quince leaf blight, fire blight and brown rot. This does not mean the tree is difficult to grow, but it does mean it should not be treated as completely disease-proof. Good airflow, sensible pruning, avoiding a cramped damp site and removing affected material if problems appear will all help.
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Quince Tree Jargon Explained
Quince A: The rootstock the tree is grown on will restrict growth to around 3.0-4.5m
Quince C: The rootstock the tree is grown on will restrict growth to around 2.5m -3.0m
Bush: A short amount of clear stem before branching occurs. Usually around 40-50cm
Half Standard: The stem will be clear of branches for about 80-100cm. Ideal for most gardens as this enables the owner to gain easier access underneath the canopy for mowing and possibly companion planting.
General Quince Tree Information
The blooms appear quite early so if you suffer from particularly harsh frosts e.g. at the bottom of a valley then you will need to take ant- frost measures e.g. horticultural fleece, move to a greenhouse or conservatory if potted. The perfect spot for a quince will be a sunny but sheltered spot and give best results after a long hot summer.
Watering requirements are a little higher than your average fruit tree, they prefer to have moist soil (not waterlogged) especially in the summer. Best to water in the morning or evening to reduce evaporation. Apply an organic 2-4 inch thick mulch mid-spring and a high potash fertiliser in late Winter. If you have particularly sandy soils then a high nitrogen feed will benefit every 3 or 4 years.
Expect a final height of around 3.5 metres although some may grow a little taller depending on local conditions and weather.
Quince is an ancient ornamental and fragrant fruit known to the Greeks and Romans who dedicated them to the Gods Venus and Aphrodite. Seen as a symbol of love, happiness and fertility often used in marriage ceremonies.
They were/are also used to combat fatigue, debility and as a laxative so if you are falling asleep on the toilet and unable to keep yourself upright then you could reach for a quince.
Quince Fruit
As the quince is high in pectin it is a valuable fruit for setting jams and jellies. Leave the fruits on the tree as long as possible before picking. It has a very strong fragrance once picked so do not store next to other produce. The tough quince skin may be a pain to remove but this also slows the rotting process down making the fruits last well into the new year.
Quick Fruit Tree Links
Take a look at our TOP SELLING FRUIT TREES, Wet ground issues then choose a PEAR TREE first, followed by APPLE TREES. For more information on pollination please look at choosing the CORRECT POLLINATION PARTNER
Fruit Tree Life Expectancy
Most fruit trees will give you AT LEAST 40 years of fruit. Pears can go to 70. Records of 200 year old trees exist but this is the exception, not the rule.
Do I Need To Stake My Bare Root Fruit Tree?
9 out of 10 times the answer will be no, especially if under 200cm tall. However our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Planting In The Corner Of A Garden
Air and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. Corners of houses and fences can also suffer leeching issues so we advise against it.
