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Do you have a Chaenomeles (Quince/japonica) in your garden?

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Primrose
Primrose Posts: 10,703 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
They're those lovely sprintime shubs with waxlike red, pink or salmon coloured frowers. If so, don't ignore their lovely green fruits which turn yellow & scented in autumn when they ripen. They can be chopped up, boiled and the pulp boiled with sugar to make a delicious perfumed jelly which goes very well with cold meats. If anybody wants a detailed recipe I'll be happy to dig my old one out.
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  • nodwah
    nodwah Posts: 1,742 Forumite
    My mum has one of them but she hacks away at it so much that it never bears fruit any more!

    Also my MIL gave me a huge bag of "quinces" yesterday that i'm certain are crab apples ! she's bonkers but I will give her some crab apple jelly when i've made it:)
    Just call me Nodwah the thread killer
  • ds1980
    ds1980 Posts: 1,213 Forumite
    Have just harvested ours bit early this year. Hopefully have enough for auntie to make us and her some quince jelly and jam. Lovely with cold meats etc.

    think the fruits only grow on branches 3 years and older.

    lovely things and give great colur when flowering.
  • i'd love to have one for the front of the house but it'll have to go in a big planter. would this be suitable for this, i wonder? i just love their beautiful flowers, so fresh and colourful when the flower in spring...
  • I have an ornamental quince which is lovely - red flowers and spikey branches that help protect the back wall in the garden.

    I once found a recipe that recommended using quince jelly as a carrier jelly for other flavours - such as rosemary or mint. It sounded delicious.
    :D Thanks to MSE, I am mortgage free!:D
  • i'd love to have one for the front of the house but it'll have to go in a big planter. would this be suitable for this,
    A quince would be fine in a big planter - infact there are not many places these won't grow!
  • whitewing
    whitewing Posts: 11,852 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Oh, my aunty has one of these. I didn't realise it was edible. Yes please to the detailed recipe. I love fruity flavours with savoury!
    :heartsmil When you find people who not only tolerate your quirks but celebrate them with glad cries of "Me too!" be sure to cherish them. Because these weirdos are your true family.
  • Primrose
    Primrose Posts: 10,703 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    Japonica Jelly
    1 lb japonica fruit
    Quarter pint water
    Sugar
    Juice of half a lemon

    Wash the fruit. Don't worry if you can't remove the waxy coating on the skin, and chop it up well. Simmer the fruit and water until it's soft.
    Strain through a jelly bag
    Measure the juice and allow 1 lb sugar to each pint of juice.
    Stir in sugar and lemon juice.
    Continue stirring until dissolved
    Boil rapidly until set. (After around 15 minutes start testing by dropping a small amount of juice on a very cold plate. Leave for a few minutes. If it starts to crinkle, setting point has been reached.

    Japonica Jam
    1 lb unpeeled japonicas
    2 lemons
    Pinch of ground ginger
    1 - 1 & a quarter pints water, depending on ripeness of fruit
    Sugar

    Do not peel or core the japonica. Cut into halves and simmer in the water until pulpy. Add ground ginger
    Sieve and to each pint of pound of pulp, add juice of one lemon and 1 lb sugar
    Boil until set.
  • whitewing
    whitewing Posts: 11,852 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thank you - sounds absolutely lovely.
    :heartsmil When you find people who not only tolerate your quirks but celebrate them with glad cries of "Me too!" be sure to cherish them. Because these weirdos are your true family.
  • dolby wrote: »
    A quince would be fine in a big planter - infact there are not many places these won't grow!

    hi dolby:
    normally, i've seen this growing in the soil that is trained up the walls of houses. can i still get this to grow to a decent height with it being restricted in a pot tho'? the pot i'll be using is only 24" diameter that tapers to the bottom...:confused:
  • Primrose
    Primrose Posts: 10,703 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    I previously had one of these shrubs in a border which had to be moved. It had been there for about 5 years and I seem to remember that the root spread was pretty wide & deep so am uncertain whether it would thrive in a container of the size you mention. It may be that it would develop a Bonsai effect and only grow to the limit of the soil area available to it, but unless the compost was well fertilised and kept regularly watered the plant might not thrive or bear fruit.
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