Troubleshooting
Flowering Quince 'Crimson and Gold' problems — and how to fix them
Flowering Quince 'Crimson and Gold' (Chaenomeles × superba 'Crimson and Gold') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Reduced bloom after hard spring pruning
It flowers on older wood and spurs; pruning hard in late winter cuts off flower buds. Prune after flowering and shorten side-shoots to spurs.
Fireblight
As a pome relative, it can suffer this bacterial disease, blackening shoots; cut out affected wood well below the damage and disinfect tools.
Leaf spot and chlorosis
Fungal leaf spotting in wet years and yellowing on very alkaline soil; improve airflow and amend strongly chalky ground with organic matter.
Suckering and thorns
It suckers and forms a thorny thicket; remove unwanted suckers and wear gloves when pruning the spiny stems.
Prevent flowering quince 'crimson and gold' problems before they start
Most flowering quince 'crimson and gold' issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Flowering Quince 'Crimson and Gold' watering schedule
- Flowering Quince 'Crimson and Gold' light requirements
- Best soil mix for flowering quince 'crimson and gold'
- Flowering Quince 'Crimson and Gold' temperature & humidity
- Full flowering quince 'crimson and gold' care guide
Looking for flowering quince 'crimson and gold' in general rather than its problems? Read the full flowering quince 'crimson and gold' care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Flowering Quince 'Crimson and Gold' problems — FAQ
Why is my flowering quince 'crimson and gold' reduced bloom after hard spring pruning?
It flowers on older wood and spurs; pruning hard in late winter cuts off flower buds. Prune after flowering and shorten side-shoots to spurs.
Why is my flowering quince 'crimson and gold' fireblight?
As a pome relative, it can suffer this bacterial disease, blackening shoots; cut out affected wood well below the damage and disinfect tools.
Why is my flowering quince 'crimson and gold' leaf spot and chlorosis?
Fungal leaf spotting in wet years and yellowing on very alkaline soil; improve airflow and amend strongly chalky ground with organic matter.
Why is my flowering quince 'crimson and gold' suckering and thorns?
It suckers and forms a thorny thicket; remove unwanted suckers and wear gloves when pruning the spiny stems.