Origin and characteristics of Pyrus pyraster
Image - Wikimedia / Baummapper
Our protagonist is a kind of Pyrus or pear native to Central and Eastern Europe and Southwest Asia. It grows both in open fields and in mountainous regions up to 800 meters above sea level. Reaches a height of 20 meters, with a more or less rounded crown formed by deciduous, ovate or rounded, alternate leaves, with a size of 2 to 8 centimeters and a slightly serrated edge.
It blooms in spring, between the months of April and May in the northern hemisphere. The flowers are grouped in clusters of 3 to 9, they are hermaphroditic, and generally white although there may be pink. The fruit, the pear, ripens in autumn.
What are their cares?
Having a wild pear tree in a well-kept garden or orchard is not difficult. Here's how to take care of it:
Location
It is a tree that must be outside, whether in full sun or semi-shade, as long as it receives more hours of light than shade. It's also important to keep it at a distance of about 4 meters from pipes, walls, etc., to prevent problems and, incidentally, to ensure it can develop properly.
Earth
Image - Wikimedia / Stefan.lefnaer
- : grows in sandy, loamy or clayey soils, rich in organic matter and with good drainage.
- Flower pot: Fill it with garden substrate (on sale) mixed with 30% perlite.
Irrigation
It is necessary to try to maintain a more or less constant humidity level, but avoiding waterlogging at all times. The Pyrus pyraster does not withstand drought, nor have stagnant water in its roots for a long time, so depending on the season and the climate, you will have to water more or less often.
For example: if your area is very hot in summer (temperatures of 30ºC or more) and it hardly rains, you will have to water very often, about 3-4 times a week or so; On the other hand, if you live in an area where the climate is mild except in winter when it is cold with intense frosts, and it rains regularly, about 2 weekly irrigations during the summer season may be enough.
It is necessary to know a little about the climate of the place where you live, because in this way taking care of the plants will be much easier .
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Throughout the growing, flowering and fruiting season, you must pay it with organic fertilizers, such as guano, compost, or others that you may have at home (more information in this link). Keep in mind that if you have it in a pot it is advisable to use liquids, as this ensures that the drainage remains good.
Multiplication
, which can be sown in autumn in pots with seedling substrate (available for purchase). Space them as far apart as possible (ideally, no more than 2-3 in a single seedbed), sprinkle with sulfur to prevent fungus, cover with a thin layer of substrate, and finally water.
Placing the seedbed outside, in semi-shade, they will germinate throughout the spring.
Pests
Image - Wikimedia / Olei
You can be attacked by:
- carcocapsa: These are moths measuring 1,5 to 2 cm in length that cause holes to appear in fruit. See fact sheet.
- Fruitfly: Damage is caused to the fruit by puncturing it. The holes turn yellow or brown. See fact sheet.
- San Jose louse: they are parasites that feed on the sap of the leaves, specifically the underside. In these you will see a sticky substance, which is the molasses that they excrete in their nymph state.
- : causes purplish spots on leaves and spots on fruit, and its control is important to maintain tree health. See fact sheet.
Diseases
It is sensitive to:
- - Olive green spots appear on the leaves and fruits, which over time spread and turn brown as they dry.
- Roya: reddish spots appear on the leaves, which end up drying.
- stemphylium: causes damage to the leaves, which dry out, and reduces the size of the fruits.
Rusticity
It resists without problems frosts of up to -18ºC, but it does not live in tropical climates since it needs to be cold and the temperature to drop below zero degrees to be able to grow, flourish, and ultimately live healthily.
What uses is given to Pyrus pyraster?
Ornamental
In a garden, it looks great as a single specimen or in groups. It's also resistant to contamination. It's also cultivated as a bonsai. Learn how to integrate it into different environments.
Culinary
Pears can be safely eaten fresh from the tree. If you'd like to learn more about pear cultivation, visit our .
