Anyone grow and use seckel pears vs bartlett? vs. crabapple?
l pinkmountain
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
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bcskye
3 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Pear Tree Pollination Question
Comments (12)One year later ... reviving this thread. Does anyone have proof that a Bradford pear will pollinate a fruiting pear tree? Why I ask is that one of my two pear trees died last year and I replaced it this winter so obviously will not have flowers this year (or next?). However, the older pear tree had one or two flowers last year (while the sick one had none), yet I got one super delicious fruit off the good tree. How did it get pollinated? It is possible that one of my neighbors has a fruiting pear tree so that could be the pollen source, but I'm sure the breezes and bees in this neighborhood are loaded with pollen from the ubiquitous Bradford pear trees. The older pear tree now has many blossoms which will probably open this weekend. So... you pear experts out there.... should I make an effort to obtain a few blossoms from another fruiting pear to improve my chances of getting any fruit or should I take my chances with the "wild" pollen? Thanks, Ron, (Dallas GA, Zone 7b)...See MoreIf you could grow only one fruit tree
Comments (32)It can be any stinkbug or even tarnished plant bug. I usually don't see them on the pears- more likely to see them on my peaches but the damage is much greater on pears. Deformed and bumpy pears with hard spots in the flesh. I should probably go out at night when they are likely doing the damage and positively identify the culprits, but I'm certain it is plant bugs and probably stink bugs because the damage is so much more on pears than peaches. Three seasons ago I had green stinkbugs, mostly juveniles, which aren't actually green, all over my peaches, and they were on them day and night. Stinkbugs are much more prevalent if there are wild hedgerows nearby, or between the woods and the orchard or if the orchard is growing in a seldom mowed "meadow". You are less likely to have them on your fruit if you are in suburbia with lots of mowed lawns comprising most of the landscape. I suspect many are killed every time the lawns are mowed, but also the grass doesn't offer much nourishment to them. If there's clover in the mix, that will provide food for plant bugs. They say the TPB,s leap from the clover to the fruit trees when you mow, but they are quite small. I have read the BMS wounds leave a bitter taste in the fruit, and if this is always so than it is certainly another species in my fruit, although I've seen a few BMS on fruit in my orchard....See MoreHarrow Sweet, perfect home orchard pear
Comments (41)What I referred to as scion wood on this leaner is all perpendicular type top-growth (watersprouts ?). Looks to me as if the tree did a forced growth response for itself as one last flush of renewal growth in it's attempt to extend it's life. And ya harvestman, that thought was occurring to me as I typed my response last eve. I really do wish I had snitched one as a youngster. Didn't want to have to explain that one to pa though - HA! I will definitely inquire as to palatability when conversing with the current owners. The 6/7 or so fruits I saw hanging on it earlier this Fall seemed fairly bright yellow and with good size. Hence, my assumption towards it being a Bartlet or similar type. Then one day they were all mostly on the ground. Next time by they had all been gathered up. This tree is on a route that I regularly take traveling through town, so I have regular drive by looks at it....See MoreCleveland vs. Bradford Pear?
Comments (112)'The Pros and Cons of Bradford Pears' from the Frederick Co., MD. Master Gardener Program (see duluthinbloomz4- 2009 post which includes a portion of what is below) "A combination of plant physiology and physics makes the Bradford very susceptible to wind and ice damage - in fact, it's rare to see an old planting that doesn't have at least one tree missing a substantial chunk of its limbs and trunk. The angle of the Bradford's branches is generally too narrow, and as the tightly-crowded branches grow in girth, the tree begins to push itself apart. At the first strong wind or heavy ice storm, the tree self-destructs.'" duluthinbloomz4 goes on to say "Same can be said for the Clevelands" however the same article bolsters the Cleveland. "If you basically like the tree, but are concerned about its problems (or about your friend's snide comments) you might try another cultivar called Cleveland Select, also known as Cleveland, Select, Chanticleer or Stone Hill. This cultivar is less susceptible to wind or ice damage, and it also hardens up a little earlier in the fall,making it less likely to be hurt by an early frost." Also, thankfully jimbobfeeny(5a IN)-2013 shares descriptions from the UConn Horticulture website about the appearance of the callery pears...See MoreOlychick
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3 years agoOlychick
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