Troubleshooting
Meech's Prolific quince problems — and how to fix them
Meech's Prolific quince (Cydonia oblonga 'Meech's Prolific') 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.
Quince leaf blight (Entomosporium mespili)
'Meech's Prolific' can be susceptible to this fungal leaf spot in wet summers. Symptoms include small red-brown spots on leaves and young fruitlets, leading to early leaf fall. Preventative copper fungicide at bud break and after rain events during spring reduces severity.
Biennial bearing tendency
After an exceptionally heavy crop, 'Meech's Prolific' may bear lightly the following year. Thin fruitlets to one per cluster in June to moderate crop load, stimulate return flowering, and improve individual fruit size in heavy-bearing years.
Woolly aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum)
White, woolly aphid colonies can establish on pruning wounds and in bark crevices, weakening wood and providing entry points for canker. Apply a dormant-season tar oil or plant-based insecticide wash in winter. Remove heavily infested branches and seal wounds promptly.
Prevent meech's prolific quince problems before they start
Most meech's prolific quince issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Meech's Prolific quince problems — FAQ
Why is my meech's prolific quince quince leaf blight (entomosporium mespili)?
'Meech's Prolific' can be susceptible to this fungal leaf spot in wet summers. Symptoms include small red-brown spots on leaves and young fruitlets, leading to early leaf fall. Preventative copper fungicide at bud break and after rain events during spring reduces severity.
Why is my meech's prolific quince biennial bearing tendency?
After an exceptionally heavy crop, 'Meech's Prolific' may bear lightly the following year. Thin fruitlets to one per cluster in June to moderate crop load, stimulate return flowering, and improve individual fruit size in heavy-bearing years.
Why is my meech's prolific quince woolly aphid (eriosoma lanigerum)?
White, woolly aphid colonies can establish on pruning wounds and in bark crevices, weakening wood and providing entry points for canker. Apply a dormant-season tar oil or plant-based insecticide wash in winter. Remove heavily infested branches and seal wounds promptly.