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Fruit not setting

BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
edited February 2020 in Problem solving
I have a Chaenomeles nivalis, (ornamental quince) which flowers well but never sets the mini fruits. I know they are ornamental but I love to see the fruits too.

It is about 3 years old and grown in a large pot against a terrace wall. I have fed it with a general fertiliser and also given seaweed feed. I keep it well watered. 

I previously had (different garden) a red Chaenomeles superba and that fruited profusely.

Last year I used a paintbrush to try and pollinate it but with no success. There are no bees around this time of year. Flowers Jan /Feb. No hard frosts either. 

Any ideas please? 

Posts

  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 22,338
    If it’s any consolation, I have two white ones and two apricot ones and none of those ever produces fruit either.😕
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    Oh dear, its a bit disappointing I must admit. I had a passion flower that didn't set fruit either, despite the ideal conditions and trying to hand pollinate. Are yours speciosa or superba types @pansyface? 
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,466
    My large, red flowered Chaenomeles, growing against a sunny wall, normally only manages a handful of fruit, but in 2017, which was hot and dry, it produced enough fruit to make quince jelly and very nice it was too!
    Maybe it needs more warmth, either to set the fruit or to allow them to develop, or to encourage more insects.
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    Thanks @Buttercupdays, that's a possibility but it flowers so early that I would have thought it would fruit ok with the cold of Jan /Feb. They come from Japan and its pretty cold there. Good suggestion though, it might be that. 

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391
    I have several red and white ones (most grown from the seeds of the first two I bought) - only those in the front south-facing garden produce fruit, so Buttercupdays may be on to something.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 22,338
    Are yours speciosa or superba types @pansyface? 

    Afraid you’ve got me there, Bijdezee.😊
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    Apart from what others have said, I think at 3 years old and grown in a container, you may have to wait a bit more until it has matured a bit. These shrubs grow best in the ground and they can do well in clay soils too. 
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