Medlar

Description

This ancient hardy fruit looks like a cross between a small apple and a huge rosehip and when ripe is surprisingly hard and green. They must be picked at this stage, but are not edible until they have become fully ripened or even half rotten or ‘bletted’, (what an ancient word!) when they turn brown, soft and edible! In olden times they were stored in sawdust or bran in a cool dark place until they had developed an aromatic flavour. Very few of the extremely large, woody fertile seeds are ever produced.

Sowing Advice

Seeds can be sown at any time of the year onto a sandy, gritty, loamy compost (NOT one based on pure peat). Barely cover with sand or grit, but these seeds NEED light to activate the germination mechanism. NO artificial heat is needed, and may prevent germination. The seed tray is best left in a cool spot and kept moist. Seeds generally germinate very, very slowly indeed, but usually appear in the spring whenever they are sown, although odd ones may come up at any time. Grow small plants on before planting out. Extra germination advice will be included with the seeds.

Key Facts