Getting it to bloom
Why won't my Apple Blossom flowering quince bloom? (and how to make it flower)
Also called Apple Blossom flowering quince, Moerloosei quince (Chaenomeles speciosa 'Moerloosei').
More about apple blossom flowering quince
About Apple Blossom flowering quince
Chaenomeles speciosa 'Moerloosei' · also called Apple Blossom flowering quince, Moerloosei quince · flowering
Apple Blossom flowering quince 'Moerloosei' produces large, delicate pink-and-white flowers reminiscent of apple blossom in late winter and early spring, appearing on bare thorny stems before the leaves emerge. A popular cottage-garden and wall shrub, it later bears small aromatic quinces useful for preserves. Very hardy and low-maintenance once established.
Plant type: flowering
Watch for — Poor flowering after renovation pruning: Hard pruning stimulates vigorous non-flowering shoots. Chaenomeles blooms on old wood spurs; renovation should be gradual (one third of old stems removed per year) rather than cutting all at once.
The reasons apple blossom flowering quince isn't blooming
Almost every non-blooming apple blossom flowering quince traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:
- Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
- Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
- The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
- Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
- It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.
Feeding apple blossom flowering quince a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
The fix — how to get apple blossom flowering quince to flower
- Maximise sun. Give apple blossom flowering quince the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
- Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
- Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
- Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.
Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for apple blossom flowering quince and get the feeding right with the apple blossom flowering quince fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.
Bloom season and what to expect
Apple Blossom flowering quince flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
Post-bloom care so it flowers again
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full apple blossom flowering quince care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.
Apple Blossom flowering quince blooming — frequently asked questions
Why won't my apple blossom flowering quince flower?
Apple Blossom flowering quince blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
How do I make apple blossom flowering quince bloom?
Give apple blossom flowering quince the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
When does apple blossom flowering quince normally bloom?
Apple Blossom flowering quince flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
What should I do with apple blossom flowering quince after it flowers?
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
What is the single biggest mistake stopping apple blossom flowering quince flowering?
Feeding apple blossom flowering quince a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
Keep reading
- Apple Blossom flowering quince care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- Apple Blossom flowering quince light needs — usually the first thing to fix for flowers
- Apple Blossom flowering quince fertilising — the right feed for buds, not just leaves
- Should I water my plant? The simple check
- Why is my plant wilting? Wet vs dry
- Underwatered plant — signs and rehydration
- Why won't my peace lily bloom?
- Why won't my jade plant bloom?
- Why won't my tomato bloom?
- All 3229 bloom guides in the Growli library