Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The fruit strongly resembles rose hips in shape and color, grows from 1 to
about 3 inches in diameter, and contains large, hard seeds. The blossom ends
flare open, creating a distinct shape, and the skin is usually russetted.
Medlars are relatively hardy, surviving well in USDA Zones 5 to 9, with
some production in Zone 4. Choose a sunny location on well-drained soil.
The fruit is not ready for harvest until late in the year, typically September
through November.
The fruit, like many quince varieties, is too hard and astringent to eat
fresh, at least in temperate climates. In Mediterranean areas, the fruit is said
to be edible directly from the tree. In temperate zones, medlar fruits are typ-
ically not harvested until after one or more hard frosts and are then allowed
to “blett” indoors in a cool, dry location for 2 to 4 weeks. Bletting (see page
texture. While some people find the appearance of the bletted medlar flesh
unappetizing, the flavor is generally likened to spicy, old-fashioned apple
sauce. The fruit can be eaten fresh, sometimes with cheese, or processed into
jam, syrup, or wine. Medlars can also be roasted or baked into tarts. One re-
cipe calls for combining the fruit pulp with eggs and butter to make a dish
similar to lemon curd. Each fruit produces relatively little edible pulp.
Medlars are relatively pest free, although fire blight will be a problem and
little information is available on blight resistance. Few varieties are avail-
able in North America, the most common being 'Breda Giant', 'Dutch' (a.k.a.
'Giant' or 'Monstrous'), 'Hollandia', 'Large Russian', 'Nottingham', 'Royal', and
'Russian'. 'Breda Giant' is noted for being particularly flavorful. Most medlar
varieties are self-fruitful, usually allowing you to produce crops with a single
variety.
Medlars are normally grafted onto quince or hawthorn rootstocks. Quince
A and Quince BA29 rootstocks provide some dwarfing and provide good tree
stability, with freestanding trees reaching 13 to 20 feet in height and spread.
Susceptibility to fire blight is a concern with quince rootstocks, as is cold
hardiness. For Zones 4 and 5, hawthorn rootstocks are recommended.
