Quince
Its large pink-white flowers open after leafing, later than other fruit trees, giving moderate nectar and pollen and extending the orchard season.
- Nectar
- Medium
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 3-6 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Quince flowers are large, pink-white, 4-5 cm across and open singly at the tips of the shoots. A tree carries fewer flowers than an apple or pear, so its nectar and pollen contribution remains moderate. Honey bees visit the flowers regularly on warm days.
Flowering
It flowers after the leaves have opened, in late April to early May, following apple and pear blossom and extending the orchard period by 1-2 weeks. Because it flowers late, it is less affected by spring frosts.
Honey and pollen
No monofloral honey is produced; it contributes to spring fruit-blossom honey.
Note for the beekeeper
Quince is largely self-fertile, but bee visits improve fruit set and fruit size. It is very susceptible to fire blight, and the pathogen can also be spread by flower visits; in major quince areas such as Sakarya, Bursa and Kocaeli, follow the spraying schedule during flowering.