Leaf curl on quince tree. Can anyone please identify the problem?

Tobykeane

Tree in flower but blossoms don't look quite as big as normal and there is some leaf curl. Doesn’t look very happy! Any ideas of the problem. Thanks

AnniD

*Bump* 

strelitzia32

Is it in a windy location?

Nollie

I didn’t answer earlier because I have never seen it in a quince, usually being fairly tough trees that can tolerate a wide range of soils as well as poor drainage, but the pale, chlorotic leaves does look like a mineral deficiency. The leaf curl could be aphids or try looking up diseases that affect apples. I would certainly start with clearing the grass in a decent 1m diameter circle around the base of the tree, working in some bonemeal and mulching with some organic matter (keeping it clear of the trunk itself), which would improve the health of the tree generally.

Tobykeane

strelitzia32 said:

Is it in a windy location?

Yes it is in fact. Not that sheltered but has done well in the past where it is, although last year wasn’t that great 

Dovefromabove

It looks very unhealthy ... has that grass been treated with 4 in 1 or any lawn weedkiller?

Tobykeane

Dovefromabove said:

It looks very unhealthy ... has that grass been treated with 4 in 1 or any lawn weedkiller?

No not that I know of. Its possible it just needs a good feed perhaps, don't think its ever been mulched. Is there any sort of feed I could try giving it now do you think? Maybe an all purpose?

Dovefromabove

Clear the grass away so there’s a circle of bare soil with a diameter of 1metre.   

Sprinkle some Fish, Blood & Bone organic fertilizer as directed on the pack ... water in thoroughly ... at least two buckets of water, and mulch with well rotted farmyard manure or garden compost (but not right up to the trunk ... it can rot the bark). 

Cross your fingers 🤞 and talk nicely to it ... maybe make a sacrifice to Pomona, goddess of fruit trees and orchards ... a pint of cider might do it 🍻 

ingebenderkoch

Tobykeane said:

Tree in flower but blossoms don't look quite as big as normal and there is some leaf curl. Doesn’t look very happy! Any ideas of the problem. Thanks

Hi. I live in Copenhagen and have just the same experience this spring with my quince. It is about 5 years old and first time it suffers from curling leaves. No sign of spots or insects. The small tree grows in a garden surrounded by hegdes (not very windy). This spring has been very dry after a very wet winter. The appletrees nearby look healthy. Photo of my quince’s leaves just below. Have unsuccessfully searched the internet for a diagnose. Please, help!

pansyface

Hello from a fellow sufferer.

Every year, the new leaves open, the flowers open, the leaves shrivel up and die, the fruit fails to develop, the tree takes an early nap and the next year it all sets off again.

Is there a cedar tree nearby? My NDN have a cedar tree.

I read once that there is a fungus that spends half its time creating problems with cedar trees and the other half messing up quince trees. Not cedar rust, something else. Too long ago to remember what. 

I’ve been living with this for about ten years. The tree grows OK in the spring, it just looks rubbish for the rest of the year.

ingebenderkoch

Hi again. We have now examined the leaves of the quince closely. And are sure the problem is mildew. Dusty with stuff on the upperside of the leaves. Sucking out the leaves and leave them dry and done. Some sorts are more vulnarable than otters, I just read. And it occurs in dry weather, just like this spring. 

We will try some cures bases on horsetail (the weed 😊) and may be sodiumbicarbonate. The tree is not that high yet, so we just spray it. Wish me luck.