Pears

Short description of the species

Botanical name

Pears

Latin name

Pyrus communis

Family

Rosaceae

Origin

the Caucasian region, Asia Minor and the Mediterranean

Crop classification

pome-fruit

Growing shape

spindle

Spacing

0,8-1,2 x 3,5-4,0

Soil reauirement

sandy-loamy, loamy-sandy

Soil pH

6,2-7,5

Yields in intensive orchards

50-100t

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Interesting

Pear was also cultivated by the Romans, who ate the fruits raw or cooked, similar to apples. They recommended stewing them with honey, but in addition many recipes are recorded, including savory preparations, stewed pear pâté or soufflé.

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Usage

direct consumption, processing into juices, nectares, perry, distillation

Suitable growing locations 

Pears require slightly warmer locations than apple trees. Soil requirements are similar to apple trees. They do not like northern slopes, sheltered locations are very suitable. The average annual temperature should be 8°C up to an altitude of 300 m.a.s.l. with average annual precipitation of 450-600 mm. Since pears are relatively sensitive to severe frosts, we recommend growing them in places where frosts around -20°C do not occur for a long time. They are suitable for moderately heavy sandy-loamy, loamy-sandy soils, sufficiently permeable. 

Suitable rootstocks 

For slow-growing and low-stemmed spindles, we recommend new clones of dove rootstocks MA and dove MC, with which there is no longer a problem with affinity. Birch pear (Pyrus betulifolia) rootstocks, as well as common pear seedlings, are suitable for Asian pears (so-called nashi).  

Suitable varieties

Similar to apple trees, pears can be divided into three groups according to ripening: summer, autumn and winter. Among the early, summer varieties, Williams and Clapp are suitable. Of the autumn varieties, we especially recommend the Konferencia variety. Of the winter varieties, Dicolor and Bohemica, Qtee, but also varieties such as Parížanka, Erika, Lucassova, and Vonka are clearly the best. From the assortment of Asian pears, it is possible to plant all the varieties available in nurseries.

Diseases and pests

• diseases: viral fruit stone, brown rot, rose blight
• pests: pear scale, pear mite, aphids