Did You Know?
Pears (Helianthus annuus) are native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Records indicate pears have been cultivated for over 4000 years – particularly in Asia. Pears are in the rose family (Rosaceae) as are many of the other fruits we like to grow in our area including peaches, plums, blackberries and strawberries. Botanically, the core area of the pear is the actual fruit while the surrounding fleshy area that we eat is considered a pseudo fruit – something produced to attract critters like us to eat and spread the seeds.
Types of Pears
There are over 3000 known varieties of pears of which four species produce most of the edible fruit. Varieties differ in size, shape color, taste and flesh texture. Sadly most of the melting flesh European varieties do not do well locally. In our area, pear varieties are limited to those with relatively low chill requirements and resistance to the bacterial disease fire blight. Varieties that do well are usually Asian/European hybrids. Recommended varieties include Kieffer, Orient, Moonglow, Ayers and Magness. The Asian varieties – often known as an apple pear – Shinko and Shin Li can also be grown locally. Most pears require another variety to pollinate although Kieffer and Orient are somewhat self-fruitful if you only have room for one tree. Orient has consistently been the best producer in our orchard.
When to Plant
Pear trees are almost always grafted and bought either bare root or in a pot. Pears can also be grafted onto dwarfing rootstock to keep the trees quite small. The best time to plant is after the trees are dormant in the fall through winter so the roots can get established before the heat of summer sets in. Pears naturally want to grow in a very upright and tight limb orientation. To maximize production, pears are usually pruned and trained into a more spreading and open form like central leader or modified central leader. Young trees may take 4 years and up to 8 years to begin to produce fruit – fortunately, once the trees are established, they can live for 100 years or more. A saying among fruit orchardists is “You plant pears for your heirs.”
Harvest and Storage
Pears are a climacteric fruit that unlike most fruit should be picked mature but under-ripe and then fully ripened off the tree. Fruit left on the tree will ripen from the inside out and will be over ripe or even spoiled before the outside ripens. The best test to determine when to pick the fruit is to gently lift and slightly twist the fruit. If it comes off the tree easily – it is ready to pick. Depending on variety, indoor ripening can take from a few days to 2 weeks. Refrigerating the fruit will slow the ripening process. When ripe, the stem end of the fruit will become soft first. Ripe fruit can be stored for 2 to 3 more days in the refrigerator. Long term storage options include freezing, canning and drying. Pears can also be made into a wonderful cider-like beverage known as Perry.
By: Michael Vidrine
