Serbian Gold Quince Trees

How to plant Cydonia oblonga Serbian Gold trees:

Bare root trees are available for planting in the dormant season, between November and March. Container grown plants can be bought all year round - although planting in winter is preferable.

Quince trees need a sunny sheltered site away from frost pockets with soil that retains moisture during summer but is freely draining through winter.

Dig a hole no deeper than the root ball but around three times the diameter. Fork over the bottom of the hole and add in some well rotted compost or manure, as well as dressing of Rootgrow mcycorrhizal fungi..

Place the tree in the hole and back fill with soil. Firm in to place. Stake in the direction of the prevailing wind. Keep well watered in dry weather, mulch and top dress with a general-purpose fertiliser in spring.

Container grown plants should be fed fortnightly from early spring with a liquid feed. Quinces are pruned in winter.

Spacing Cydonia oblonga Serbian Gold quince trees:

Freestanding bushes: 12-18 feet (4-6 metres) between trees and rows.
Freestanding half-standards: 18-30 feet (6-10 metres) between trees and rows.
In general, allow 1 more metre between rows than there is between each tree in the row.

Watch our video on how to plant a fruit tree for full instructions on planting a bush or half-standard sized tree.

If you are growing a maiden sized fruit tree into a freestanding tree, a bamboo cane is enough support.
If you are growing a cordon or espalier, you will need to install training wires to support them.
Remember to water establishing fruit trees during dry weather for at least a year after planting.

Fruit Tree Planting Accessories:

For bush and half standard fruit trees, our tree planting pack includes a wooden stake & rubber tie to support the tree and a biodegradable mulch mat with pegs, which protects the soil at the base of your tree from drying out and stops weeds from sprouting.

After you plant a fruit tree, the most important thing to do is water it in dry weather and weed around it. Both of these will be necessary for at least a year after planting. We recommend using a mulch mat as well.

The best tip for helping your tree to establish and quickly become mature and productive is to remove all the fruit that it produces in the first year after planting, as soon as the flowers fade. This will give the tree a chance to develop its roots, which are the foundation of the tree's strength, and sturdy branches that can bear the weight of a heavy crop without snapping.

All fruit trees will need formative pruning during their first years. Although this is not complicated, it is important to research and understand the process so that you can apply it to your particular tree and situation.

Harvesting Cydonia oblonga Serbian Gold quinces:
Your trees should crop in late-September. Serbian Gold quinces will store well for at least two weeks and up to to months.

Hygiene & Diseases:
What is important with quince trees is that strict hygiene is exercised around the tree. All quinces can get leaf blight, which is disfiguring and affects crop size. The simplest cure is prevention by raking up and burning all fallen leaves (which is where the fungus overwinters).