Pseudocydonia, Chinese Quince

[Shima]

I couldn't find a thread on this one, so here is a new one.

I bought this Chinese Quince in 2006 on eBay, from Sebastapol CA (first photo). It went in the ground in 2007, and stayed there 8 years, unattended, with the exception of several trunk chops. I wish I would have chopped the second section much shorter, and developed a more 3-dimensional trunk line. This one is rather flat.

It will likely be chopped back to midway up the second trunk section to improve taper, movement, and 3-dimensionality...probably mid-summer if the root ball is solid enough. The back branch peeking out could make an interesting 3rd trunk section (blue line). Another option is to chop at the red line, but the chop may be difficult to transition in my lifetime. Thoughts? I should be able to get it back in the ground next spring.

Must be Lone Pine Gardens, good people.

 

[MichaelS]

Looking good Brian. Every minute spent on this species is worth it. It takes many years to develop good branches but time well spent. The biggest problem I've found is the strong apical dominance which tends to thicken the higher branches too much.
I find I often have to replace the apex.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Since we've been talking about Chinese Quince, here is an update on this one. Unwired and pruned back the other night. I hadn't been paying attention to this one lately and I guess it's been facing backwards on the bench all year, so I only have before shots of the back. Once it was pruned back, I thought the planting angle looked funny from this side. Oops. Too many trees.

It is hard to see in leaf, but the branch structure is actually developing taper & movement. Might turn out to be something one day.

 

[JudyB]

Do you have any wound healing tips that you can pass along?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Do you have any wound healing tips that you can pass along?

Mostly time. They're slow to close. I do use cut paste and re-wound them every so often to keep them moving. I haven't done it this year, but I'll get some pix when I do.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Since we've been talking about Chinese Quince, here is an update on this one. Unwired and pruned back the other night. I hadn't been paying attention to this one lately and I guess it's been facing backwards on the bench all year, so I only have before shots of the back. Once it was pruned back, I thought the planting angle looked funny from this side. Oops. Too many trees.
View attachment 149501 View attachment 149502 View attachment 149503 View attachment 149504 View attachment 149505
It is hard to see in leaf, but the branch structure is actually developing taper & movement. Might turn out to be something one day.

Sweet looking tree you have there.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Sweet looking tree you have there.

Taking bets on your next obsession...
I actually worked on this one the other day. They grow straight and prefer to not produce multiple buds from each branch, so developing an appreciable branch structure takes a lot of work, I'm learning. This is the 3rd round of wiring for this year. I prune, wire in some wiggle, let it grow, rinse and repeat. With any luck, I'll get a 4th round this year. The results won't be visible until its leafless in the winter. It's really a fun species.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Taking bets on your next obsession...
I actually worked on this one the other day. They grow straight and prefer to not produce multiple buds from each branch, so developing an appreciable branch structure takes a lot of work, I'm learning. This is the 3rd round of wiring for this year. I prune, wire in some wiggle, let it grow, rinse and repeat. With any luck, I'll get a 4th round this year. The results won't be visible until its leafless in the winter. It's really a fun species.
View attachment 154354 View attachment 154355 View attachment 154356

Well, I can't wait to see it naked then!

You may have me pegged right as to my next obsession, been pulling up archives on the species.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Fall color...

 

[twisted trees]

I couldn't find a thread on this one, so here is a new one.

I bought this Chinese Quince in 2006 on eBay, from Sebastapol CA (first photo). It went in the ground in 2007, and stayed there 8 years, unattended, with the exception of several trunk chops. I wish I would have chopped the second section much shorter, and developed a more 3-dimensional trunk line. This one is rather flat.

It will likely be chopped back to midway up the second trunk section to improve taper, movement, and 3-dimensionality...probably mid-summer if the root ball is solid enough. The back branch peeking out could make an interesting 3rd trunk section (blue line). Another option is to chop at the red line, but the chop may be difficult to transition in my lifetime. Thoughts? I should be able to get it back in the ground next spring.

I really like that little shipaku in the background.

 

[twisted trees]

I've watched Bill Valavanis develop trunks of quince quickly by letting them grow unrestricted all season then cut back the next spring. It take about 5 years to make a presentable tree. You look to be about 2 seasons into it. Do you restrict growth?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I've watched Bill Valavanis develop trunks of quince quickly by letting them grow unrestricted all season then cut back the next spring. It take about 5 years to make a presentable tree. You look to be about 2 seasons into it. Do you restrict growth?

It seems developing trunks can be done in a few years of unrestricted growth in the ground, but scars take forever to heal, so chops must be done strategically. Branches loathe to ramify, but they’re vigorous growers (rose family); so if I let it grow all season, branches will be arrow-straight with no taper. Therefore, I have to restrict growth in order to develop decent branches with ramification, movement, and taper. This is the 3rd growing season out of the ground developing branches.

 

[twisted trees]

It seems developing trunks can be done in a few years of unrestricted growth in the ground, but scars take forever to heal, so chops must be done strategically. Branches loathe to ramify, but they’re vigorous growers (rose family); so if I let it grow all season, branches will be arrow-straight with no taper. Therefore, I have to restrict growth in order to develop decent branches with ramification, movement, and taper. This is the 3rd growing season out of the ground developing branches.

Ive seen the branch taper formed by cutting back the unrestricted growth just a nit longer each year. Ramification comes after branch thickening. I'll see if I can get a pic tomorrow.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

A little work today.
2/17:

12/17 before pruning:

And After...may need to go shorter on a few of those shoots:

 

[JudyB]

I like this pudgy little tree, it has good and interesting movement to the eye.

 

[Dav4]

Looking good, Brian. It's all coming together, I'd say.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Another 10 years and it should be a pretty decent specimen.

 

[River's Edge]

I couldn't find a thread on this one, so here is a new one.

I bought this Chinese Quince in 2006 on eBay, from Sebastapol CA (first photo). It went in the ground in 2007, and stayed there 8 years, unattended, with the exception of several trunk chops. I wish I would have chopped the second section much shorter, and developed a more 3-dimensional trunk line. This one is rather flat.

It will likely be chopped back to midway up the second trunk section to improve taper, movement, and 3-dimensionality...probably mid-summer if the root ball is solid enough. The back branch peeking out could make an interesting 3rd trunk section (blue line). Another option is to chop at the red line, but the chop may be difficult to transition in my lifetime. Thoughts? I should be able to get it back in the ground next spring.

I vote for the blue line, chop and concept. Better balance and refinement options. I am finding the chinese quince need early wiring or movement is lacking. They seem to heal quickly when cut though. Nice to see a thicker single trunk style.
I need to remember to follow the rest of the thread

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Early riser...already nearly in fully leaf.

 

[JudyB]

They certainly do start off quick, does this one flower for you yet?