Many years ago I planted a fruiting quince. One catalog described the fruit as making "the best jam you ever tasted." It took a few years for the tree to bloom. Then the blooms were susceptible to late frosts. Every year the tree would get a bad case of rust or some kind of fungal disease. In winter, I would try to prune out the diseased part. When I finally got a fruit or two, I expected them to be aromatic, but I couldn't really smell anything. Later I read that long cooking releases the aroma. Hmmm.
I remember the little poem about the Owl and the Pussycat:
"They dined on mince and slices of
quince which they ate with a runcible spoon."
Good for them, but I don't think they were real. I decided to get rid of the tree (even though I paid good money for it!). I will try to plant some other edible there that can make it without a lot of maintenance.
Caleb chopped the tree down for me yesterday. I will probably wait until next fall to plant something there.
It is interesting you mention things I am definitely not familiar with. I don’t think I have ever heard of that fruit. BUT cherries are better, however folks don't harvest too many cherries, the birds get them. (smile).
ReplyDeleteIn Florida I am always amazed at people who will allow oranges to fall (when an orange falls it is no good), then rake them and throw them away. It is a job and a mess. Every once in awhile you will see an industrious senior fill Walmart bags and set them out for a $1 a bag. WE LOVE that.
I once was in an orange grove and picked an orange up, it was soft and rotten. A native said, “if the stem gets loose enough to fall, it is rotten. Oranges are very resistant to picking.” Orange trees blossom while good fruit is still on the tree. There is a long picking season.
(My knowledge of fruit trees + Green apples are the best!)