[ID] Identification assistance please

[Zyggy R]

First as it is "Talk like a Pirate day" ................. AAArrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

I picked this plant up early last year, it had been dug up, mangled and put in a nursery pot for a few years.
I root pruned, repositioned and top pruned planting in the orchid pot shown.
It did not have much leaf going into winter and dropped most of them so I am assuming it is deciduous.
Two weeks ago it started to bud and is now going gangbusters.
The new leaves are alternate, pale green with a velvet feel.
The few leaves from last year are the size of a 10 cent piece, are dark green, smooth and shiny.
No signs of flowers either last year or in this current growth.

[jezz_39]

Looks like Malus
Couldnt say which variety though, will wait for the experts to chime in.

[shibui]

I don't think its a Malus Jezz but a very close relative.
I'd say European quince - Cydonia oblonga. Velvety leaves is a good descriptor and colour size and texture of leaves and bark is consistent with quince.

[Zyggy R]

Thanks Neil,

Before I madly google quince any idea when I would expect flowers downunder?

And the Shimpaku juniper I bought for Mauro to demonstrate with turned out a treat!

Zyggy.

[shibui]

I think quince should have flowered already. Pruning will probably remove the unformed flower buds which may explain the lack this year. It might take a few years for mature wood to develop for flowers.

Glad the juniper was suitable. I saw some of the photos taken at the demo but could not get a really good idea of the finished tree. Hope to see it on the show bench some day.

[Josh]

I was going to say the leaves looks a lot like my quince. Can't give you any more info than that as I'm new to quince. If I remember I'll bring mine to the next meeting and we can compare.

Josh.

[Zyggy R]

Tomorrow, it's dark outside and I'm in my jamies.

[Zyggy R]

AAArrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.........

[Josh]

Tomorrow, it's dark outside and I'm in my jamies.

What, already....but the night is young.

[banksia]

Aye!! Aye!! Looks like Cydonia to me. Would love to get my hands on one of these. With the right conditions their Autumn colours can be spectacular.
This one here shows characteristics similar to yours (foliage-wise). Keep us updated on it's progress please.

Cheers!
Anthony

[Zyggy R]

I think we have concluded that it is a quince, thanks all!

2 Q's to finish, .............
1. Will it backbud if I cut back hard?
2. Can I defoliate it like a fig?

Thanks,

Zyggy.

[Josh]

Ziggy, my quince is flowering right now. Photo taken 2 mins ago.

image.jpg

Josh.

[shibui]

2 Q's to finish, .............
1. Will it backbud if I cut back hard?
2. Can I defoliate it like a fig?

Quince will backbud very well when pruned hard.
Should be able to defoliate like most other species (but like a fig? Does one defoliate figs differently to other species?)

Well done on the quince flowers Josh. seems European quince flowers later (after the leaves open) than Chinese quince, apples ,etc. good to know