A decidious tree growing to 6m by 6m at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen in November.

Pollination:

The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.

Seed Sowing:

Best sown as soon as it is ripe in late autumn in a cold frame. The seed has a very hard and impermeable seed coat and will not usually germinate until it has gone through two winters. Commercially, such seeds are soaked for a short while in sulphuric acid to break down the seed coat and allow the seed to take up moisture, this is a very delicate procedure and difficult to do on a small scale. A home gardener could try soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water then cold stratifying it for 2 - 3 months at 1 - 5°c before sowing it. Alternatively, if you can harvest the seed green (as soon as it is mature but before the seed coat has dried and hardened), then sow it immediately in a cold frame you might reduce the time needed for it to germinate. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Cultivation details:

Succeeds in most soils, preferring one that is moist and well-drained. Prefers a sunny position. Propagation is usually by grafting onto quince rootstock, where the height can then be controlled to approx 4m.

Harvesting:

Cultivars:

Asnieressi -

Breda Giant - A large-fruited cultivar from Holland

Dutch - Were size is appreciated, the fruits are frequently two inches and a half in diameter.

Large Russian - One of the largest fruited cultivars. An attractive small tree with very fine foliage

Macrocarpa -

Monstrous - Very large fruits of good quality. The tree is a prolific bearer

National Cathedral -

Nefle Precoce -

Nefle Tardive -

Nefle d'October

Nottingham -  The most fruitful, and the best flavoured, though the fruits are smaller, rarely exceeding an inch and a half in diameter. Where only one tree is required. it ought to be this

Puciu Big -

Puciu Mol -

Puciu Super Mol -

Puciulot -

Royal - A medium size round fruit up to 25mm in diameter. It is well-flavoured and pleasantly acid. A very shapely tree that makes a good small standard, it bears well

Stoneless -

Sultan -

Westerveld -

Additional reference to http://www.ars-grin.gov/cor/catalogs/mescult.html