Cydonia oblonga Vranja

The Vranja Quince (Cydonia oblonga), also known as the Giant of Vranja, is a productive variety that originates from Serbia. It has an upright habit and produces large, yellow, pear-shaped fruits with thin skin and fragrant flesh. These quinces are also known as golden apples or Cydonia pears. They are typically consumed cooked in the form of jams, jellies, compotes, fruit pastes, pies, crumbles, and other similar desserts. The Quince tree is a hardy tree that is both fruit-bearing and ornamental. It is best to plant these trees in autumn or winter, in a frost-free environment, for a harvest starting from mid-October.

The Monstrous Vranja Quince produces enormous, yellow, pear-shaped fruits with thin skin and fragrant flesh. They are usually harvested in autumn, before the frost. It is essential to pick the fruits when they are ripe, as they do not ripen further after being harvested. When mature, the fruits are yellow but still firm to the touch. However, quinces do not have a long shelf life and are best consumed cooked. They can be consumed cooked, alone or mixed with other fruits in jams, jellies, compotes, fruit pastes, pies, and crumbles. While it is less common, quinces can accompany savoury dishes, especially with potatoes.

The Quince tree blooms in April, and its flowers are beautiful and fragrant, displaying a white-pink colour. Following the blossoming, quinces will start to form. These fruits come in different shapes, either pear-shaped (piriform) or apple-shaped (maliform), initially green in colour and turning yellow when they ripen. While the Quince tree is self-fertile, it is recommended to alternate varieties and species in any plantation to ensure better fruiting.

The Quince tree belongs to the Rosaceae family and the Cydonia genus, while the Japanese Quince or Flowering Quince belongs to the Chaenomeles genus. It is a small, sturdy, and hardy tree that can tolerate temperatures as low as -25°C (-13°F). It grows to 4-5 metres (13-16 ft) in height and 2-3 meters (6.56-9.84 ft) in width. The tree has a bushy habit; its deciduous leaves are dark green, slightly fuzzy, and turn into a beautiful golden hue during autumn. The Quince tree is a fruit-bearing and decorative tree that can be planted individually on a lawn, in a hedge, in an orchard, or within a flowerbed.