Ornamental quinces (Chaenomeles) are usually only grown for their attractive flowers. Many gardeners do not even know that the fruit is edible. The correct harvest time of the quinces is important for the aromatic taste.
harvest time
The Chinese and Japanese ornamental quince, also called "Northern lemon", develops pseudopods about five centimeters to the size of a tennis ball after the flowers have been fertilized. It is one of the last types of fruit to be harvested during the year. Depending on the weather, the harvest time for the quinces begins in September at the earliest. However, it is worth waiting a little longer before harvesting it so that its full flavor can develop. So that the ornamental quince is not damaged, you should harvest it before the first severe night frost.
Japanese ornamental quince, Chaenomeles japonica
- late September to October
- Usually not fully ripe until the end of October
- depending on the weather and development until November
Recognize harvest maturity
You can tell when the ornamental quince is ripe by the change in color of the pseudopods. As the ripeness progresses, the apple-shaped fruits turn increasingly yellow. But only when the skin of the quince has turned a bright golden yellow and the fruit has lost its brownish fluff is the fruit fully ripe.
- uniform golden yellow colour
- some varieties also yellow-orange with reddish cheeks
- no or hardly any fluff
- distinctive, aromatic scent
Let the wild fruit hang on the bush for as long as possible. Don't worry when the first cold nights of autumn arrive. Ornamental quinces only develop their best aroma when they have suffered light frost. Then you should harvest the fruits promptly and process them as quickly as possible. If you want to store ornamental quinces for a long time, you should harvest them from the bush before the first severe autumn frost, so that they do not get brown spots and start to rot later.
Chinese ornamental quince, Chaenomeles speciosa
harvest
Basically, you don't need any tools for the harvest. Since the shrubs rarely grow more than a meter high, they are easy to reach. Ornamental quinces form only a very short, woody stalk. This is difficult to cut through with a knife or secateurs without damaging the fruit or wood. However, since even ripe fruits are still very hard, you can easily pull on them vigorously. The easiest way, however, is to twist quinces off the shoot.
Notice: The bushes are equipped with powerful thorns on the shoots. Unless you have planted a thornless species, you can easily injure yourself.
storage
As a rule, ornamental quinces are not eaten raw because they are extremely hard and sour. They are usually processed into jam, juice or jelly. They can be stored raw in large wooden or fruit crates for a few weeks, provided you harvest them before the first severe frost. If some fruits are not quite ripe, they will continue to ripen in storage. To do this, however, discard any specimens that have a bruised shell or brown patches. Pressure points also quickly lead to rotting. Crushed fruit must therefore be processed immediately. If possible, do not keep quinces near other types of fruit, as their strong aroma can easily be transferred to them.
Chinese ornamental quince, Chaenomeles speciosa
- dry
- cool (2 to 3 degrees)
- Frost free
- in a cool cellar for around two months
Attention: The seeds of ornamental quinces contain toxic components and should therefore be removed before eating them raw. Prolonged heating renders these substances harmless.