When do Chaenomeles cathayensis (flowering quince) fruits ripen? What are its main values?

Chaenomeles cathayensis is a deciduous shrub belonging to the Rosaceae family. With the development of landscaping, it has gradually begun to step into the realm of garden ornamentation. Its faint fragrance and elegance without being unrefined, its low-key simplicity and understated luxury without being gaudy - these are the unique characteristics of Chaenomeles cathayensis. In addition, it has very strong sprouting ability and grows quickly, making it an excellent material for making bonsai. When do Chaenomeles cathayensis fruits ripen? What are its main values? What should be noted when planting?

I. When do Chaenomeles cathayensis fruits ripen?

There are many varieties of Chaenomeles cathayensis; some are grown for their flowers, others for their fruit. Its flowering period is from March to May, and its fruiting period is from September to October. The fruit is ovoid or nearly cylindrical, with a protrusion at the tip, 8-12 cm long, 6-7 cm wide, yellow with a red blush, and aromatic.

II. What are the main values of Chaenomeles cathayensis?

1. Making potted plants or bonsai

For some varieties, in autumn the golden-yellow fruits hang from the branches and give off a rich fragrance. It is an ornamental flowering and fruiting tree of excellent quality, suitable for cultivation in courtyards, roadside green belts, lawns and other places. It can be planted in clusters, in rows, as a single specimen, or used as a flowering hedge; it can also be grown in pots for ornament or made into bonsai.

2. Ornamental value

As a type of traditional flowering quince, Chaenomeles cathayensis has splendid flowers, a good tree form and few pests and diseases, making it a fine tree species for courtyard landscaping. It can be planted in clusters at courtyard wall corners, forest edges and other places. In spring you can enjoy its flowers, and in autumn its fruit; its branch form is unique, making it an excellent tree species for laying out garden landscapes.

There are many varieties of Chaenomeles cathayensis. In spring, brilliant flowers cover the branches, giving a feeling of a profusion of blooms. Lu You once used the verse “The flowering quince of Biji is unmatched in the world, each branch seems dyed with orangutan blood. The Shu maiden's gaudy adornment would yield to it; before the flowers one suddenly feels all color is lost.” to describe the delicate beauty of its flower color.

3. Medicinal value

The seed kernel has an oil content of 35.99% and an oil yield of 30%, with no off-odor; it is edible and can be made into soap. The fruit, after steaming and boiling, is made into candied fruit; it can also be used medicinally, having the effects of dispelling wind, regulating qi, relaxing muscles and relieving pain, and can also relieve intoxication, remove phlegm, and when stewed and eaten, stop diarrhea. The flowers can be used as an ingredient for sugar-made jam, with a very beautiful flavor.

4. Other applications

The bark contains tannins and can be used to extract tannin extract. The wood is hard and can be used to make furniture and other utensils. Among them, Chaenomeles speciosa (Japanese quince) is relatively sensitive to ozone in the air and can also be planted as an environmental monitoring plant.

III. Precautions for planting Chaenomeles cathayensis

1. It is generally planted in the ground, and can also be grown in pots to make bonsai. Plant in spring. Because it dislikes waterlogging, it should be planted in a slightly elevated, sun-facing place that does not easily accumulate water. The soil should be neutral to slightly alkaline, with a pH value not lower than 7. The soil quality should be loose, but not overly fertile; overly fertile soil easily causes excessive vegetative growth and reduces flowering. The planting hole should be determined according to the size of the root system; it should not be too deep or too large, and should preferably allow the root system to spread out. The planting depth should preferably be 10 cm from the ground. It is best to plant with a soil ball. After planting, water thoroughly.

2. Watering should be combined with fertilizing. Apply organic fertilizer once each year in autumn before the buds sprout, and water thoroughly once. The method of fertilizing in autumn and winter varies with tree age: for young trees, apply fertilizer in a ring-shaped trench, with the ring within 100 cm of the tree root; for older trees, dig radial trenches for fertilization; for aged trees, in combination with inter-row weeding, broadcast organic fertilizer under the canopy. After leaf fall, apply a heavy fertilizing once to replenish the nutrients consumed by flowers and fruit; applying decomposed organic fertilizer is preferable. At the same time, combine with winter irrigation and watering. After spring, turn the fertilizer into the ground to 30 cm deep. After the flowers fade, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer twice as a top dressing to ensure a certain fruit-setting rate. At the same time, pay attention to watering.