ARE ASIAN PEARS FOR NEW ENGLAND? 



James T. Williams 



University of Massachusetts Cooperative Extension, Concord, MA 



Asian pears that we see on the fruit 

 counters of local supermarkets are the cultivated 

 forms of Pyms serotina (pyrifolia) and Pyrus 

 ussuriensis. They are unique in flavor and are 

 sometimes called salad pears, apple pears, or 

 oriental pears. They are firm, crisp, crunchy, and 

 juicy when ripe. Unlike many of our domestic 

 pears {Pyrus communis), they obtain their best 

 quality when ripened on the tree. 



The Asian pear found its way to the United 

 States m mid-1800's during the Gold Rush when 

 early Oriental miners brought seeds with them 

 from China where these pears were first grown in 

 693 A.D. 



Cultivars . The most commonly grown 



cultivars in California are: Shinseiki (early), 

 Kikusui (mid-season). Twentieth Century, Chojuro, 

 and Ishiiwase (late). Most Asian pear cultivars 

 are partly self-fruitful, but better crops can be 

 expected when two or more cultivars are planted 

 together. 



Spacing, training, and culture . Asian Pears 

 can be planted anywhere standard pears can be 

 grown. They must have 400 to 900 hours of 

 chilling temperatures below 45°F. They are 

 planted in the spring as with standard pears. We 

 have little experience with spacing requirements; 

 however, in California spacings vary from 7.5 x 15 

 feet to 15 X 20 feet, depending on the rootstock 

 used. These trees can be maintained as free- 

 standing, central leader or modified-central leader 

 trees. Trellising in Japan using the Pergola 

 system gives a continuous, single-layer canopy 

 kept at approximately 5 feet off the ground. 

 High quality, large fruit are harvested without the 

 use of ladders. The Tatura or modified Tatura 

 systems, which are "V"-shaped, are established 

 with trees spaced 5 x 16 feet and with the two 

 main scaffolds sloped 60° from horizontal. 

 Fertilizing and other cultural practices are similar 

 to those for standard pears. 



Rootstocks . Pyrus betulaefolia is the most 

 commonly used rootstock for Asian pears because 

 of its vigor, tolerance of wet and poorly drained 



soils, and effect on fruit size. Most Asian pears 

 are severely dwarfed on P. communis rootstocks, 

 but a few such as TsuU and Ishiiwase are 

 compatible and have done well in California. 



Fruit thinning . Thiiming of the fruit is of 

 prime importance because premium prices are 

 paid for large fruit. During the winter of 1986- 

 87 New England supermarket prices for Asian 

 Pears ranged from $2 to $3 per pound! Heavy 

 crops are frequently set, often with 6 to 8 fruit 

 per cluster. Thinning to one fruit per cluster 

 and to 5 inches apart will insure good-sized 

 fruit. Most growers hand-thin fruit 3 to 6 

 weeks after petal fall. When trees are not 

 thinned, alternate bearing can develop. 



Pests. Pear psylla is the most serious pest 

 of Asian pears, but Asian pears appear to be less 

 attractive and suffer less damage than standard 

 pears. Codling moth and mites are lesser 

 problems but bear watching. Fireblight can be a 

 problem but so far has not seemed as severe as 

 with Bartlett and Bosc. 



Harvest . Harvest times in our area have 

 not yet been established but there are several 

 cultivars available that Hkely will ripen in 

 September and October. (Note: To begin 

 obtaining some information, such as harvest 

 dates, the three regional fruit agents in 

 Massachusetts are establishing Asian pear 

 cultivar trials including about 10 to 12 trees on 

 a site. Growers who are interested in being 

 involved in this study are urged to contact one 

 of the regional agents.) When harvesting Asian 

 pears care must be taken, because scarring and 

 bruising can occur very easily. Fruit should be 

 picked into Hned baskets. Yields in California 

 range from 150 to 200 pounds per 8- to 10-year- 

 old tree. 



Storage . Most Asian pears can be stored 

 for up to 6 months at 32°F, although some 

 cultivars store better than others. So far, 

 extended storage has not been required to a 

 great degree in California, since market demand 

 has remained high early in the season. 



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