Asian Pear 4/1

It's finally starting to bud out. Not too many leaves but at least it's a start. I just love this time of the year!!

mimi

My four in one pear has its first bloom today, too.

My 3 in 1 has been blooming for 3 days. I hope some fruit will set this year.

How long has it been in the ground? Mine has been in the ground for 4 years or more. It bloomed last year, but set no fruit. I would like for it to set some this year, but the tree is very small and is in one of the least good spots in my garden. I mulch and water it frequently, but the soil is very poor. I am proud of it for surviving and growing, no matter how slowly. Still each year it is larger, and does more. All 4 branches are still there.

I planted it last spring.

If it set pears the first year after planting I would really be impressed. Normally it takes 6 or 7 years to get a pear tree to bear. Do keep me informed. Also, if it does bear this year, let me know where you bought it!

Here is my 4 in 1 pear -- Comice, Orcas, Bosc, Highlands. It was planted in 2003 and has grown very slowly, but has grown each year. It isn't in the best soil, but I keep it mulched with manure and leaves and pine needles and water it with a drip system. It had one cluster of blooms last year. It has one this year as well, but who knows if it will have more. Too soon to tell. It has not yet produced fruit, but the other pear tree I planted that year, had its largest crop ever last year, 8 seckel pears.
I would love it to grow faster, but at least it is growing.

Thank you for the picture! It's really interesting to see how things are growing in other peoples gardens, will, for me anyways. At least it gives me some hope (and reassurance) that I'm doing okay. :)

mimi

Actually, it sounds as if you are doing a lot better than I am. I guess the longer growing season makes a difference.

Just found out that my pear is not to set fruit this year - if it does I have to knock them off. :( Raintree Nursery said that it will be stunted if I let it fruit before the third year it is in the ground. Okay - but next year I'm having me some Asian Pears - there should be three different kinds, too.

Finally a bloom. I also purchased it from Raintree.

mimi

My asian pear did set fruit, and I knocked them off as Raintree said to do. I might have missed one or two. ~wink~

I don't think mine set any fruit -- probably to soon to tell for sure. I hope it provided some pollen for my Orcas out front. I hope it doesn't set fruit because even though it is pretty old, it is still quite small, but I would have a hard time convincing myself to knock the fruit off.


This message was edited May 10, 2008 11:28 PM

This message was edited May 10, 2008 11:31 PM

AYankeeCat,

Heres a little fruit that is on my tree that "I have don't know" anything about!! wink***

Sure glad you don't have any "wink wink" little fruits to knock off ! You will just have to wait -- and see if this one makes it.

what are the hardiest asian pear trees, I would like to plant one? I would like one that doesn't bloom too early.

I'm also interested in a cold hardy japonese plum.

I went out and took a picture of one of my ~wink~ escapees. I will post it after work.

I didn't know that about not keeping the fruit until the third year...hmmm...
My 4/1 gave me some really nice fruit the second and third year, but only 2 varieties. This year a resident bear broke off one of them, and I was unable to tend it as I usually do or give it any summer water. It has lots of hard, little inedible pears on it in its 4th year. Sadly, it might be its last. We don't get rain in the summer, and 4 year in the ground trees may not be established enough to survive without irrigation.

I think asian pears bear fruit sooner than european pears. This one of mine is in it's third year in the ground. I had fruit the seond year but not this much. It is a four in one tree. Interestingly I get only about 300 chill hours each winter. Yes the pears are firm, juicy and flavorful.

nice!

I let my asian pear set 4 fruits and a skunk got at least one of them and the others disappeared. :( But next year!

Wow! I need to try an Asian pear!

Wow! I need to try an Asian pear! Where did you all buy your trees?

I got mine from Raintree Nursery in WA and it is beautiful! Is was soooooo pleased! They are the ones that warned me not to let it set fruit this year.

That tree is awsome. What did you paint on the trunk, latex white paint? I think I need to do that to my fruit trees.

I really trust Raintree. I have nothing but good results with their trees.

I am a big fan, too. I had one tree die and they replaced it with no complaints. The replacement tree is doing well!

mimianvy, Yes, it is diluted latex paint. It is to protect the trunk from sunscald which can seriously damage a tree. Any tree that has exposed trunk or lower limbs needs it. If a tree has lots of foliage to shield the sun then it is not necessary. I don't know if it is necessary in higher climes but it is not going to hurt anything even if the need is only marginal.

Pajarito, I bought it at a nursery called Dangerman's when they went out of business. Got it for practically nothing. I now deal only for Dave Wilson Nursery trees. Can't buy direct but their website will direct you to a local nursery that can order whatever you want. Their stuff is top notch and their website is chockful of good info for the home grower.

This message was edited Aug 29, 2008 9:48 AM

This message was edited Aug 29, 2008 9:51 AM