How To Grow Medlar
Planning the Site
If you plan on going with the standard methods, seeds should be cool and moist. When starting from seeds, they may not germinate until their second spring. Starting from seeds may prove to be quite difficult.
The other method, which is grafting, is quite easier compared to that when starting from seeds. The most common tree on which medlar is grafted on is the white thorn. The white thorn thrives on dry and sandy soil but grows best on rich and loamy soil. It needs full sun exposure but at the same time, a cool environment.
Preparing the Site
When planting a medlar tree, its graft union should be a couple of inches below soil level. The tree to be grafted on should have full sun exposure and the place must experience a frost climate.
Required Materials
You will require your set of gardening tools, as also the tools for grafting such as a budding knife, a grafting knife, pruning shears, etc. Unless you know about grafting, it is best to leave it up to the gardening experts and concentrate on growing the grafted medlar tree.
Watering Requirements
The medlar tree needs minimal watering. Just keep the soil moist and never leave it to dry up.
Nutrients required
Fertilizers are usually given every two months. Fertilizers rich in nitrogen are good for growing your medlar tree.
Seasons
Medlar fruits are abundant during the fall just before winter starts.
Expectations/Results
From the time of grafting, it make take up to 4 years for the tree to bear fruit. Fruits are harvested when they are hard and rough. But one should be careful in picking the fruits since they need to be mature before being picked. Picking the fruit too early will result in shriveling and will never attain a good flavor. After picking the fruits, store them in a cool room and let them continue to ripen from two weeks to a month.
