Flowering quince (Chaenomeles) is a hardy deciduous tree which brightens the landscape during the earliest days of spring. Flowering quince comes in several colors, such as red, pink, orange and magnificent white varieties like Jet Class, (Chaenomeles speciosa “Jet Class”). Flowering quince, which is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8, rises to a height of approximately 3 feet. Bring a budded white flowering quince stem indoors and watch it burst into a mass of spectacular blooms.
Cutting
Cut flowering quince branches using a generous quantity of swelling buds. Branches measuring approximately 12 inches in length are safer. Bring the divisions indoors, hold each stem under water and re-cut the underside. Re-cutting the division underwater ensures that the division absorbs water and prevents air from entering the division, thus prolonging the life span of the flowering quince division. Remove leaves on the lower end of the division, as leaves submerged in water decay, getting smelly and decreasing the life span of their blooms.
Conditioning
To condition white flowering quince divisions, put each division on a solid surface and shake the end of the stem. This measure helps the woody stem take up water more efficiently. Set the division in a bucket of water instantly, then put the bucket of divisions in a cool room where temperatures are between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid bright sunlight, which can result in stunted, misshapen blooms that start too soon. Flowering quince branches expect a minimum of one to two weeks before blooming occurs.
Care
When the buds open and the blooms appear, it’s safe to bring the white flowering quince divisions into normal indoor room temperatures. Check the vase daily and replenish the water as required, since budding white flowering quince branches absorb a large amount of water, and maintaining the water fresh effects in long-blooming divisions.
Tips
When cutting a large quince division, don’t cut the division too near the back. Instead, allow 2 to 3 inches of the division to stay on the plant, as the protrusion permits the cut area to heal quickly. If temperatures are just below or above 32 degrees when you cut the flowering quince division, immerse the division in a bucket of lukewarm water overnight and then condition the branches the next morning. This mild heat stimulates early spring temperatures and drives the division to blossom in front of its usual schedule. To discourage the increase of bacteria in the vase, add 1 tablespoon of bleach for each gallon of water.