LARGE QUINCE

[astroboy76]

hi people!

i purchased this large quince on the weekend and i am excited by the possibilities. it stands about 60 cm tall and is about 3 or 3.5 inches wide at the base with good roots. i really liek the movement of the trunk. i was advised to leave it tall and train some branches down but im not a big fan of that style. i was thinking of cutting it down to about 8 or 9 inches from the base, just above the main curves and then training the new shoots up into a semi broom style or something to that effect. does anyone have any ideas??? sorry about the picture quality...

[daiviet_nguyen]

Hi,

I do not know quince at all. But if you want to shorten it, would you consider air-layering?
Might you will get another one from it

Cheers.

[aaron_tas]

iether way if you leave it big or take it small, it will be an impressive quince.

i hope you leave it taller though, i think it will be a stylish shohin... but a greater tree if left with some more length.

have fun

[FlyBri]

Gday Astroboy!

Awesome find!

Looks to me to be a great candidate for an Informal Upright tree, in which case the removal of the top 1/3 of the tree might be in order. However, I would not make any decisions about the tree's future until such time as you have seen what is going on under the soil. With a specimen like this, I would expect a vigorous root system with copious quantities of flare, but you never know... Any chance of a repot this weekend?

As Daiviet suggests, an air layer would be a good way of removing the top and increasing your number of trees.

Finally, when you do make some styling decisions, rather than hack off any unwanted branches/suckers, try to consider what use they may have in terms of thread grafting to create instant branching. Likewise, any thick portions of root that you remove should be kept in case you need to perform root grafts to improve the root flare.

Thanks for sharing, and keep us posted!

Fly.

[anttal63]

take your time with this one and dont rush into anything!!! some good advice here. personally if it were mine; shohin all the way but no broom. when time permits i will do a virt fo you.

[anttal63]

with a bit more tilt to the right but cant do that in paint.

[astroboy76]

hey that is almost exactly what i had in mind. how can i prevent reverse taper though?

[anttal63]

the right planting angle, exposing basal flair, a little carving to make the tree sing; will all contribute to an amazing little tree. whats perfect about nature is that nothing is perfect.

[astroboy76]

ow do you create flare and exposed roots? i notice just under the surface of the soil the roots are quite thick

[anttal63]

flair is where the roots leave the tunk and widen the base. some trees do it better than others how ever there are techniques that encourage this. im sure that with that size material it should be nice under the soil. thats exactly what fly is saying, if it needs a repot or next due repot, bare root it and lets have a look. as long as roots stay moist and covered the tree this time of the year can handle this for a day or two no prob.

[astroboy76]

i brushed away the soil around the base of the trunk with my fingers when i first got it home and there are some chunky roots there. i will def repot this weekend as it is a bit root bound and i will take some pics and post...stay tuned

[Asus101]

Quince do take well to cuttings so airlaying wont be a problem.
Another option is to airlayer lower than the desired height and grow the taper into the tree. Its a softer and more gentle approach and should provide good results.

[astroboy76]

how long, on average, does and air layer take to create roots?

[Asus101]

how long, on average, does and air layer take to create roots?

overall progress wise, i would say a full seasonal rotation. That is from start to layer removal.

[Bonbon]

I believe this is a Japanese Flowering Quince, right?

Where did you get it from?

I have two quince myself but rather thin and tall. Good flowers, though. Would love to get a thick trunk one if possible.