Pear Growing in Our Subtropical Urban Eden

We have been growing several imported pear varieties for the last decade. Unlike our imported apple varieties, pears were slower to adapt to our climate due to prolonged droughts and a longer time to bear fruit, requiring patience. While pear tree cuttings and grafts have better success rates than apple cuttings, they struggle more in waterlogged and drought conditions.

Challenges Of Growing Pear Trees in Challenging Weather

Three pear varieties, which need mild winters, died before they could flower, which was disappointing. For the last three years, one variety produced flowers but did not produce fruit due to a lack of cross-pollination. Warmer winters and unpredictable weather meant that different varieties did not bloom simultaneously. However, our efforts were rewarded when one self-fertile variety bloomed for the first time and kept its flowers. Even though it was a small potted tree in its first fruiting year, most flowers developed into fruits. The size and taste of the fruit may not be consistent in the first year, but we stay hopeful.

Growing Conditions and Requirements

The self-fertile pear variety shows good potential. We will grow more plants from cuttings or graft them onto quince rootstocks. This year’s higher rainfall may help the pear trees grow and mature better. However, like apple trees, they can face issues with fungus and nutrient shortages, like low calcium, so we use antifungal sprays in the rainy season and add soil nutrients before flowering. The trees thrive in full sunlight or partial shade.

In Summary

Over the past decade, we’ve cultivated various pear varieties, facing challenges with acclimatization and weather conditions. Notably, some varieties struggled to cross-pollinate due to inconsistent flowering. However, one self-fertile variety successfully flowered and produced fruit. Plans to propagate more plants are underway, hoping improved growth occurs with recent higher rainfall.

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