Features of pear trees
Pears are deciduous trees belonging to the Rosaceae family and the Apple subfamily. Along with apples, they are one of the most common fruits.
Pear trees originated in Central Asia. They usually bear fruit after the fourth year, and have a harvest period of about 30-40 years. They generally require less maintenance than other fruit trees and last longer than most apple trees. Requires less pruning and thinning. Not too susceptible to pests and diseases,
It may take 3 to 10 years for the trees to start flowering and fruiting. The earliest varieties bring the harvest in the summer, and the mid-ripening ones ripen by the beginning of autumn.
Early varieties cannot be stored for a long time, so it is better to give preference to late varieties specially designed for storage. The fruits should be harvested at the mature stage and then allowed to ripen indoors.
Fruits are eaten fresh, they are an excellent raw material for fruit salads, compotes, juices.
How to grow a pear
Pear trees adapt to most soils, but prefer rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. To produce more fruits, trees require a lot of sun. They are so demanding on climate or soil compared to other fruit trees. Watering, weeding, mulching and pruning will keep fruit trees healthy for years to come.
Pear trees are ideal for beginners to grow. They are hardy, durable and easy to care for. They grow well in many regions, but in cooler regions they need more care.
They are best grown in a sunny and sheltered location rather than in lowlands. If the garden is cold, you can plant it against a sunny wall, where the radiant heat will help protect the flowers in case of a cold snap.
- Pay attention! Compared to the apple tree, the pear tree is more sensitive to cold. At a temperature of -20 ° C, damage to the kidneys and cracks in the trunk are possible. The flowers appear early and are easily damaged by frost.
Late spring frosts are dangerous, as the tree is in the flowering stage and frosts can jeopardize fruit set and, therefore, the yield of the year.
In summer, strong sunlight can damage ripening fruits. This also applies to foliage that is most exposed to the sun.
Caring for pears
During the first year, watering is very important for the plant. On light sandy soil, water 2 times a week, and on clay soil, 1 time is enough. When watering, the root system should be completely soaked, and the soil should dry out a little between waterings. Overwatering can be just as harmful as underwatering.
After the first year, the tree will strengthen the root system. The period when fruit trees need water the most is during flowering and before harvest. Water regularly, especially during dry periods. Lack of water can lead to premature fruit drop.
Feeding pear trees
Depending on the age of the plant, fertilizer application should be adjusted. Fertilize in early spring. Never fertilize after August as this will cause new stems to grow and be damaged by frost.
Pear tree fertilizers, whether chemical or organic, should contain iron, zinc, magnesium, molybdenum, copper, and boron. The growth and productivity of the pear depends on them.
Fertilize with organic matter such as compost, well-rotted manure or leafy humus once a year. Apply organic mulch during dry and hot summer months.
Pear care in spring. In spring, a fertilizer with a lower nitrogen content than phosphorus and potassium is used. Excess nitrogen can stimulate the growth of branches and make them vulnerable to fire blight. Low levels of potassium, calcium, or boron can reduce fruit growth and quality. To increase the level of calcium, slaked lime is scattered on the ground. After fertilizing, be sure to water the tree.
Aboutpay attention! The best soil for pears is slightly acidic (pH 5.9-6.5). Compost is added to slowly release nutrients and improve soil structure. Do not fertilize the planting hole. They are brought in only at the right time of the year.
Pear planting and care
The best time to plant pears is in late fall and early spring when they are dormant.
Planting a pear tree in the fall gives the tree time to settle into a new place and take root before winter. They can be planted any time from September to November, it is recommended to wait until October for best results.
- Choose a planting site in full sun, sheltered from the wind, always keeping in mind that the growing tree will take up enough space.
- Dig a hole twice as deep and twice as wide as the roots of the tree.
- Install the tree in the hole so that the grafting point is not buried in the ground, but is 5 cm above ground level.
- Spread the roots in all directions.
- After planting, water the seedling thoroughly so that the roots settle and eliminate air pockets.
- Keep planted pears watered until established.
Once planted, pears require little maintenance throughout the year. Caring for pear seedlings requires protecting young trees from frost by covering them when there is a threat of frost.
Pruning pear trees
Pears shoot many tall branches from the center of the tree. They are pruned every year to keep the tree from growing too tall. Pear trees can grow unmanageably large – too impractical to harvest. Control the height of the tree by cutting the top of the tree down to the side branches.
When and how are pears cut? Pruning is critical to maintaining fruiting. It is required every year. Pruning pears is very simple, they require minimal pruning.
Pruning is carried out at the end of winter from January to February, before the start of a new growing season, when the pear is at rest. Light pruning can be done at any time of the year.
Additional information! Shape pruning is given to young pear trees. It should be continued for the next five years to train the tree to grow upward and outward by thinning out crossing branches.
Pruning does not harm the tree, but encourages new growth and creates a stronger and more vigorous specimen for producing quality fruit. An unpruned tree may not bear fruit or grow at all. Once a tree has reached maturity, it should only be pruned during its dormant period. Branches are reduced for mature trees in order to achieve good fruiting.
- Remove all diseased, dead, broken, blighted branches.
- Remove intersecting branches by removing the least desirable branch.
- Shoots that grow out of the soil from roots below the soil surface are cut.
The tree must have good air circulation inside. Thin out and prune long shoots as needed to maintain the shape of the tree. If it is not pruned, the tree will begin to bush and lose vigor, resulting in small fruits and poor quality pears. Remove dead, damaged, and diseased wood annually, as well as any badly spaced or intersecting branches.
Unwanted growth should be removed in early summer or after harvest between late August and early September. Summer pruning is recommended, especially to remove root shoots and wood affected by fire blight. Summer pruning can also be used during the first three years to give them the desired shape.
Grow from seed. One small pear seed can grow into a fruitful pear tree. Fruit seeds germinate best in late winter or early spring.
The outer shells of pear seeds are hard and must be softened before planting in the soil. Soak the seeds in water overnight. If any float to the top, get rid of them.
Seeds are planted in a plastic cup with soil to a depth of 1 cm, watered until the soil is moist to the touch. They should appear in 2-3 weeks. seedlings.
Pear propagation by grafting. Pear varieties are propagated by grafting on wild pears or quince. They grow better grafted on quince rootstocks. If a pear is grafted onto a quince, it comes into bearing earlier, but has a shorter productive period. Grafted to wild pear, they are more resistant to adverse conditions, and grow well even on dry and calcareous soils.
Propagation of pear cuttings. For propagation by cuttings, lignified pear shoots (cuttings) about 25 cm long are taken for the winter and planted in seedling pots containing peat, sand and perlite in a ratio of 1:1:1.
To have a higher propagation success rate, root cuttings are used. Pots with cuttings are placed in a cool place with enough moisture to quickly develop the root system. Pear seedlings are planted in early spring in a larger pot or immediately in a permanent place in the garden.
Diseases of the pear tree
The most common means of controlling pests of apple and pear trees are insecticides. They are sprayed on a tree to kill any insects that may be on it.
Fire burn is a disease that affects pear trees but is easy to diagnose and treat. Fire burn is a bacterial disease in which the branches turn black and die. Cut off infected branches to green, healthy growth. Disinfect tools between cuts. There is no cure for burns. Blight resistant varieties are planted where summers are warm and humid.