If quinces are brown on the inside, the fruits are not always rotten. We reveal here which causes can be responsible, how they can be recognized and the preventive measures.

In a nutshell

  • brown pulp has various causes
  • Fruit is not always rotten
  • Overripe is possible
  • Dryness may be to blame
  • A lack of nutrients is also a possible trigger

overripe

One possible reason quinces are brown on the inside is because they are very ripe. The fruits are then not always rotten. Similar to apples, only the pectin, which is present in large quantities in the pulp, discolours. The same effect can also be observed when a cut quince is exposed to the air for a long time.
The fruits should be harvested when:

  • the fluff on the shell can be rubbed off easily
  • they give off a pleasant scent
  • they turn yellow

If the right time is observed and the fruits are still brown on the inside, the conditions of care should be checked.

dryness

Brown discoloration does not only appear on the leaves when there is a lack of water. The fruits suffer too. Fruit discolored by drought is edible without any problems and can be processed as usual. However, this problem can be avoided by taking a few simple measures.
It is advisable to create a drainage pit around the tree pit when planting the tree. Only the following steps are necessary for this:

  1. A trench five to ten centimeters wide is dug. This should be at least ten inches deep.
  2. The sidewalls can be compacted by tapping.
  3. The trench is filled with stones, gravel or grit. Sand is also an alternative.

When it rains, but also when the tree is watered, the water seeps into the ground faster and more effectively. The supply is improved and becomes simpler. This can prevent dryness. In phases without precipitation, watering is still necessary. Which water is best suited for this depends on the respective soil.

Tip: The septic tank can also be created later. It is only important that the pit is not dug too deep. Otherwise the roots could be damaged.

Nutrient deficiency and pH

A lack of calcium can cause the flesh to turn brown. This occurs frequently when the pH value for the quince tree is too low. The following points must be observed:

  • pH between 5 and 6.5
  • use lime or hard tap water if the values are too low
  • Apply compost soil to the tree disc in spring
  • carry out regular analyzes of the soil

The brown spots are also known as "pitting". Not only do they show up around the kernels, they even appear just under the skin.

Tip: If you don't want to check the pH values yourself, you can give a sample of the substrate to hardware stores or garden centers with the appropriate service. The costs for this are usually relatively low.

cold

If the quinces are not harvested in time, they can turn brown on the inside due to frost damage or simply because the temperature is too low above freezing.
The fruits should therefore be harvested as soon as possible. Waiting for a higher degree of ripeness is not worthwhile with this fruit. Even a golden yellow color is enough as a sign to start harvesting. However, even after removing the quince, it should not be stored too cool. Even the temperatures in the fridge are too low. If the fruit still needs to be stored after harvest, a cool and dry place is recommended.

Tip: A box filled with sand to store the harvested quince can be ideal to ensure longer freshness.

rot

In addition to the undersupply of water and nutrients or cold, rotting can also lead to brown spots in the fruit. But how can this be recognized? Paying attention to the following points will help:

  • unpleasant odor reminiscent of vinegar
  • furry covering or mold
  • Flesh is soft and easily crushed
  • brown spots or bruises visible from the outside

Tip: Even in the case of fruit with slight rot in one place, a large part of the quince can often be saved for processing by pruning it generously.

frequently asked Questions

Are the fruits edible or not?

It is usually sufficient to control the smell. A putrid smell or one reminiscent of vinegar indicates that the fruit is rotten. If there is a brown discoloration and the quince still smells fruity and pleasant, it can also be processed.

Recognizing signs - how to do it?

If the fruit is brown on the inside, this can often be seen from the outside. The signs include:
- yielding pulp
- visible discolouration
- dark yellow coloration

Can quinces also be eaten raw?

Whether the fruit can also be eaten raw depends on the variety. Therefore, when buying, you should pay attention to how the respective variety is to be used.

Category:

Garden plants