Description
When in full bloom, this small tree is a show stopper. I remember my neighbours having this in their front yard. Folks came from miles around would stop just to see its vibrant scarlet-cerise flowers. It was home to many small nesting birds and who knows how many generations were hosted in its dense thorny branching. Its super tart pectin rich firm yellow fruits are easier to process than Cydonia quince as it lacks the fruit covering fuzz. You can easily cut the firm flesh with a paring knife where you almost need a machete with a running start with Cydonia. But tart! It gives a whole new definition to the word “tart”.
All in all, its a great trouble free small shrub suitable for small gardens in dappled shade to full sun. Adaptable to many soil types. I’ve read its suitable for bonsai as well.
- Seed Count: 20-25
- Collection Date: Oct 2023
- Hardiness Zone: 5-9
- Height x Width: 4m x 4m
- Germination test type: cut test
How to germinate Chaenomeles japonica seeds
Soak seed 24 hours. Requires 90 days of cold stratification. This can be done in a resealable baggie with moist peat or thinly sown in a nursery pot. Will sprout readily when given gentle warmth. Prick out seedlings and transplant if baggie sowing into deeper pots like my go-to 15cm square pots. Give strong indirect light. I’ve never seen any self sowed seedlings, so protect any sown pots with hardware cloth to prevent rodent predation.
