Asian pear tree: Lush however delicate

Asian pear trees produce golden, apple-shaped fruits that have a sweet pear flavor with the texture of a crispy apple. Not only does the Asian pear tree produce an abundance of delicious fruit, but it is also aesthetically pleasing without taking up too much space. It has beautiful white flowers in spring, lush green foliage in summer, and colorful falling leaves in autumn. The species name Pyrifolia means fiery leaves because of its intense autumn color.

Asian pears are occasionally found in grocery stores in the United States, but the fruit is very susceptible to bruising. Growing Asian pears at home is the best way to get lots of quality products. Unlike European pears, apple pears are best when picked ripe. So when you grow them in your yard, you are guaranteed to pick them and enjoy them when they are perfect.

Remember that these trees are only partially self-fertile and therefore need to be cross-pollinated to produce satisfactory fruit yields. It is helpful to plant two different varieties within 50 feet for optimal pollination, or you can plant a cocktail tree with multiple varieties on the same tree. To extend the harvest time, choose varieties with different harvest times. Most varieties are cross compatible for pollination, but it is advisable to confirm this before planting. European varieties are also suitable for pollination. Make sure the flower windows overlap to allow cross-pollination.

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Brief instructions for care

The Asian pear tree produces juicy but tender fruits that are valued by many. Source: Jillian Balli

Everything about Asian pears

Asian pears are also commonly referred to as Nashi or apple pears. The Asian pear comes from East Asia. Most of the varieties commonly grown in the United States come from Japan, China, and Korea. Pears are large and often sold for a high price, which makes them a great gift or treat for guests. The juicy, delicious fruits can be enjoyed alone or go well with cheese and salads.

Pyrus pyrifolia is a deciduous tree with alternately symmetrical, teardrop-shaped leaves. The small white flowers grow in clusters and cover the entire tree in spring. The tree size ranges from 8 to 20 feet tall, depending on the rootstock. Dwarf, semi-dwarf and standard rhizomes are available. Dwarf rhizomes produce an 8-10 inch tree. Semi-dwarf rhizomes produce a 12-15 inch tree. Standard rhizomes produce an 18-20 inch tree.

The Asian pear belongs to the Rosaceae family, along with apples, cherries, apricots, and plums (to name a few). Growth and development are similar to apple trees. They bloom in spring, the fruit tree develops in summer and is ready to pick at the end of summer and autumn. In winter the trees let all the leaves fall and rest. In winter the trees have to get a certain number of cooling hours to produce fruit for the following season. Each variety has its cooling needs in order to produce fruit. Cooling hours are accumulated when the temperature drops below 45 ° C. Asian pears require a range of 300-500 hours of cooling, depending on the variety grown.

Types of Asian pears

Shinko (shown here) is a popular variety of Asian pears. Source: Puddin Tain

There are two main types of Asian pears; rust-red pears and green pears. Russet pears have a yellow-brown skin, while green pears have a yellow-green skin. Below are some popular strains and brief descriptions of each strain.

Hosui

Consistently rated one of the best tasting Asian pears. Hosui is considered a rust-red pear. The fruit begins yellow and turns golden brown when ripe. This variety has a cooling requirement of 300 to 400 hours and the fruits are ready in August.

20thth century

This pear from Japan is considered a green pear and is juicy with a mild taste. The cooling requirement is 300-400 hours and the fruits are ready for harvest in August.

Shinseiki

Shinseiki produces bright yellow fruits that can be kept well in the refrigerator without affecting the taste or texture. The cooling requirement is 250-300 hours and is ready for harvest from late July to early August.

Shinko

A golden-brown, rust-red pear with a strong taste and a crunchy, juicy texture. The cooling requirement is 450 hours and is ready for harvest in September.

plants

The first step in growing Asian pears is to find the perfect location. Choose a sunny location in an area with good soil drainage. Give the tree 6 to 15 feet from the nearest structure or trees. Unless you're planting a cocktail tree, don't forget to plant an additional variety within 50 feet.

The best season to plant is in spring, when the temperature stays between 50 ° C and 90 ° C. When planting, dig a hole that is at least twice the size of the root ball. Loosen all the circular roots and place the root ball in the hole. Fill in the hole, making sure the graft is at least 2 to 3 inches off the floor. After a tree is planted, it will settle a little deeper in its hole as the soil settles. Always make sure the rhizome is above the soil line to take advantage of the disease tolerant properties.

maintenance

Pyrus pyrifolia flower clusters appear in spring each year. Source: Puddin Tain

Maintaining healthy fruit trees is critical to preventing disease and pest problems. Follow the guidelines below and you will have an abundant harvest year after year!

Sun and temperature

Asian pears should be planted in full sun, where they'll be exposed to direct sunlight for at least 6-8 hours. They are robust against USDA zone 5-9. The temperature tolerance varies considerably depending on the variety and root stock selection. Some combinations are frost tolerant up to -10 ℉ and others up to 10 ℉. Heat tolerance also depends on the variety and rhizome.

Some varieties like Hosui and Shinko grow very well in areas like California's Central Valley, where summer temperatures exceed 100 ° C. Cooler temperatures during the spring bloom can slow pollination. Insufficient pollination can lead to smaller fruits and a lower yield. Two cross-pollinated varieties nearby and a surrounding habitat that encourages the presence of pollinators help overcome this potential problem.

Water and moisture

Asian pears require about 1 to 2 inches of water every week. During the summer, the frequency and / or duration may need to be increased. Remember that Asian pears are dormant during the winter months. So checking the soil is the best indicator to determine when to water. A simple way to check if you should water is when the top 2 inches of the soil is dry. The best time to water is early in the morning. This allows the soil to soak in the water with minimal evaporation. Avoiding standing water at night also helps prevent illness.

Both drinking hoses and sprinklers can be used for irrigation. It usually takes 200 minutes to apply an inch of water with a soaking hose. Sprinklers are much more variable, so a rain gauge should be used to determine the appropriate length of time. In the cooler months, the frequency of watering should be reduced to avoid overwatering.

ground

A sapling Asian pear tree can be a centerpiece for a garden. Source: Alasam

Asian pears like well-drained clay soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Trees survive in nutrient-poor soils but do not produce as expected. Adding organic matter can help add nutrients and improve soil structure. Trees do not survive in saturated or poorly drained soil conditions. Planting in a raised mound or bed is a good solution to overcoming drainage problems.

Fertilize

Young trees don't need a lot of fertilizer as long as they are planted in nutrient-rich soils. They usually don't need any additional input until they produce fruit. After the trees have become productive, they should be fertilized with a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 once a year in the spring after the bud break.

clipping

The best time to prune is in winter when the tree is dormant. Asian pears like to have a central leader, so pruning should be done to encourage a central leader and strong scaffolding branches. Scaffold branches should be selected in an alternate pattern along the central trunk and should not overlap. When choosing scaffolding branches, it is important to consider the angle of the branch. Tight angles tend to split. Therefore, look for sturdy branches with an angle of 65 ° to the central leader. Branches that grow vertically or towards the center of the tree should be removed. Branches that grow in the center of the tree create shade on the scaffold branches, reducing growth.

Pruning is an excellent tool for keeping the tree at the desired size. Pruning branches to the desired size can decrease yield for a season, but it may be necessary to maintain a manageable tree. Pruning should also be used to remove dead and old non-producing growth. Removing dead growth removes potentially infected material and encourages new growth. Old fruits should never be left on the tree. Leaving old fruit behind can save pathogens and bring them into the next season.

Fruit develops as it grows older. Fortunately, it is easy to tell which branches contain fruit buds and which growth buds. Fruit buds look puffy and have fuzzy bud scales, while growth buds are much smaller and inconspicuous.

Multiplication

Pear trees are created by grafting a variety onto a rootstock. Rootstock selection is based on growing conditions and preferred size. Rhizomes can provide traits such as disease tolerance, frost tolerance, and size control. Buying a grafted tree will also produce fruit years earlier than starting a tree from seeds or cuttings. Review your USDA growth zone and choose varieties and rhizomes that suit your conditions.

Asian pears can be germinated from seeds. However, it takes significantly longer and the fruit characteristics are unpredictable. Germinating seeds is a long process and involves breaking seed dormancy, so this method is not recommended.

Propagation by cuttings is another option. This will produce a genetic clone of the mother plant, but the tree lacks the beneficial properties that rhizomes such as disease and frost tolerance provide.

Harvesting and storing

A group of pears is sitting high on this tree. Source: linoleum jet

Harvesting Asian pears is easy once you know the perfect time to harvest! Read on for the right harvesting and storage tips.

harvest

The first clue that the pears are ready to pick is fruit drops. If a few pieces have fallen from the tree, that's a really good indicator that the pears are ripe. The second sign that the pears are ready to be picked is their color. Depending on the variety, the color is gold-red or yellow-green. When the color indicates the fruit is done, the next step is to lift the fruit up. If the pear doesn't come off the branch easily, it's not done yet. Ripe pears easily break off the branch without pulling. Handle with care after picking as apple pears bruise easily.

storage

Asian pears can be stored fresh in the refrigerator in the refrigerator for about a week and 2-3 weeks.

There are a few options for long-term storage. Asian pears can be frozen or canned for later use in recipes. Pears should be cut into pieces before storage, leaving out the core. They can also become dehydrated for simple sweet snacks.

Troubleshooting

Delicate white flowers herald the beginning of fruit development. Source: Rachelle

Growing Asian pears are extremely rewarding, but occasionally present their challenges. Review the following common issues and how to fix them.

Growing problems

Insufficient cross-pollination can lead to low fruit yields. This can be caused by a lack of pollinators or a lack of compatible trees for cross-pollination. If the problem is a lack of pollinators, consider planting additional plants in your garden that will be attractive to bees. If cross-pollination is the problem, consider planting a different variety of pear within 50 feet to ensure cross-pollination. Before planting, make sure that the varieties are suitable for cross-pollination.

Improper cut can cause branches to break due to excessive weight during fruit production. Following appropriate pruning techniques and thinning fruit is of tremendous importance in maintaining the physical stability of a fruit tree.

Pests

There are a few different types of Moth larvae that feed on Pyrus pyrifolia, like the larvae of the Codling moth. Some feed on the fruits, others on the leaves. Signs of infestation are holes in the fruit, chewing marks on the leaves, and twisted or rolled leaves. Larvae can be physically removed in the case of light infestation. If the infestation is more severe, chemical applications may be necessary to combat it. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and Spinosad are two organic agents that can be used for treatment.

Pear psyllas are small, winged insects with bright red eyes in all growth stages except the ice stage. They are yellow during most of their nymph stages. During the final nymph stage and as adults, they are dark green or brown. These insects are sap eaters, so they produce honeydew. The honeydew can cause secondary problems as soot mold covers the leaves and prevents photosynthesis. In large numbers, pear psylla can defoliate a tree and cause fruit drops. Pear psylla attracts tender, young foliage. Over-fertilization can lead to unnecessary flushing of the delicate new growth and encourage insect infestation. Typically, natural predators can control the populations to a tolerable level. When surgery is required, horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps have been shown to be effective.

Scale insects Color palette from yellow to orange to brown. Scales are found on younger branches and twigs. They usually do not cause any significant damage. Some dandruff can produce honeydew, which can lead to soot mold. Natural enemies can naturally keep the population under control. When treatment is required, horticultural oils have been shown to be effective.

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of delicate plant tissue. They come in a wide variety of colors like yellow, orange, green, and black. Aphids can cause some deformation of the leaves. They also produce honeydew, which can lead to other problems like soot mold. Aphids are usually controlled by natural predators; However, the population can still be out of whack and harmful. Aphids can be controlled by manually removing heavily infested leaves and spraying them with water. Horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps are also effective in controlling aphids.

Diseases

Fire blight is a bacterial disease in which shoot tips and flowers turn black and die. The disease most often occurs when conditions are warm and humid. The best way to treat it is to remove infected tissue. Remove twigs and branches 4 to 8 inches below the visible lesion to ensure complete removal. The scissors must be disinfected after each cut to prevent further spread. It is important to remove any remaining fruit, leaves and dead wood in autumn and winter to prevent the bacterial cells from overwintering. If infected material is left on the tree, it can result in entire branches becoming infected and requiring removal.

Two main pathogens can cause Root and crown rot;; Armillaria mellea and Phytophthora spp. Both diseases favor persistently moist conditions, so overhydration or poor drainage can make the infection worse and faster. Symptoms of infection include a general decline in vitality, wilting, and sudden death. Armillaria mellea can be identified by digging up some roots and looking for white mycelium. Phytophthora needs to be diagnosed by a laboratory, but digging up some roots and checking root health is a good indicator. If the roots are dead and rotten, there is a good chance the tree has Phytophthora infection.

frequently asked Questions

Asian pear trees in an orchard setting. Source: linoleum jet

Q: How long does it take for an Asian pear tree to bear fruit?

A: If you buy a grafted tree in a kindergarten, it may come to fruit after the first year. In general, it takes 3-4 years for a tree to bear its first fruits.

Q: Do Asian pear trees pollinate themselves?

A: Asian pear trees are partially self-fertile. Trees that are not cross-pollinated produce very little fruit. It is therefore recommended to have two compatible cross-pollinated varieties nearby. Make sure the flowering times overlap to ensure that they pollinate each other.

Q: How tall do Asian pear trees get?

A: Asian pear trees can grow to around 20 feet tall. However, tree size can be managed with the help of dwarf roots and / or pruning.

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