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Portugal Quince Tree
Portugal quince, also known as Cydonia oblonga Lusitanica, is an old quince variety grown for its large, fragrant, pear-shaped yellow fruit, spring blossom and strong cooking value. It is not the toughest quince in the world, so don’t plant it in a cold, miserable wind tunnel and then act surprised when it sulks.
The fruit is mainly used for cooking, preserving, quince jelly, sauces and jam. It is not normally a fresh-eating quince. The fruit is aromatic, firm and useful in the kitchen, with Portugal often described as one of the better-flavoured quinces for cooking.
The tree itself is attractive as well as productive. In spring, it produces pink to white blossom. Through the growing season it has green leaves with silvery-grey, downy undersides, followed by yellow autumn colour before the leaves fall. The fruit ripens in autumn, usually around October depending on the season and site.
Portugal is best treated as a variety that benefits from another compatible quince nearby, even though some sources list it as self-fertile. If you have space, planting another quince such as Leskovacka, Vranja or another suitable flowering partner nearby is the safer option for good cropping.
Expect a mature height and spread of around 2.5–4m on typical fruit-tree rootstocks, depending on local growing conditions, rootstock and training.
Portugal Quince Fruit Storage
Portugal quince fruit can be stored after harvest, but only keep clean, undamaged fruit.
A grower source describes Portugal fruit as keeping well until the end of December. For normal home storage, keep the fruit somewhere cool, dark and airy, spaced apart and checked regularly. Remove any fruit that starts to soften, rot or go mouldy.
Planting Portugal Quince
Plant Portugal quince in full sun, in the warmest sheltered position you can give it. A south-facing or west-facing site is ideal where available. This matters more with Portugal than with some tougher quince varieties because it is less hardy and needs warmth to ripen the fruit well.
The soil should be deep, fertile, moist and well-drained. Avoid very dry ground and avoid planting where the soil sits wet for long periods. Quince trees like moisture, but they do not want to be sitting 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 Portugal Quince
Portugal quince is also known as Lusitanica or Portuguese quince.
It is one of the older quince varieties grown in Britain and is linked with historic Portuguese quince introductions.
Portugal is often described as more vigorous than some other quince cultivars. That can be a benefit if you want a proper productive garden tree, but it also means it should be given enough space and not sold as a tiny patio plant.
Like other quinces, Portugal can have disease problems in poor conditions or difficult seasons. The main one worth knowing about is quince leaf blight. This does not mean the tree is difficult to grow, but it should not be sold as completely disease-proof. Good airflow, sensible pruning, avoiding a cramped damp site and removing affected material if problems appear will all help.
Portugal quince is a good choice if you want an old, aromatic cooking quince for a warm, sheltered garden. If your site is cold, exposed or late to ripen fruit, choose a tougher quince instead.
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.
