Organic pear pollinator duo for a spreading harvest

The Self-fertile Pear Pollinator Duo allows for an abundant pear harvest, from mid-August to October. The 'William's' Pear, self-fertile, is an excellent pollinator for all other pear trees and specifically for the 'Doyenné du Comice' Pear which will in turn pollinate it. Both are excellent fruit trees for family gardens and organic cultivation, as they require very little treatment and maintenance under good growing conditions. They are offered as bare-root scion plants (a thick unbranched stem) from Organic Agriculture, to be planted upon receipt, preferably in autumn. They can be trained as goblet, espalier or any other desired shape.

This Duo consists of:

-x1 'William's' Pear: a very adaptable variety with easy cultivation, renowned for the excellent taste and quality of its large pears, and their ability to be stored. Its fruits, yellow when ripe, sometimes spotted with russet, offer a fine, juicy, melting, sweet and deliciously aromatic flesh. Fairly large, with a diameter of about 7 cm (3in), round and squat, they can be harvested from August and stored perfectly until November, either in a well-ventilated cellar or in the refrigerator.

- x1 'Doyenné du Comice' Pear: a vigorous variety, slow to bear fruit, with an average and sometimes irregular production, subject to alternating cycles. Pollination by the 'William's' Pear improves the yield. The tree produces large pears of excellent taste quality. Its fruits are golden yellow with red blush when exposed to sunlight, and mottled brown when ripe, revealing a pale flesh that is sweet, fragrant, melting, and juicy. Harvest takes place in September and October. The fruits keep well in cool conditions until December, but their thin skin makes them sensitive to handling. Self-sterile, this pear tree is a good pollinator for other varieties.

Labelled separately.

Although hardy, the Pear will still appreciate sheltered and sunny locations, avoiding frost-prone and windy situations. It likes fresh and deep soils, but dislikes excessively draining and chalky soils. In winter, adding a handful of wood ash, rich in potash, will improve flowering and fruit quality. Its upright habit gives it a tall and slender, very harmonious silhouette. Its leaves have an oval lamina, finely toothed on the edge, with a petiole as long as the lamina, measuring about 8 to 9 cm (3 to 4in). They turn yellow before falling in autumn. 'Comice's' late white flowering, in April, protects it from frost. Its flowers have 5 white petals and are keenly visited by bees.

Designed for organic cultivation, Pear cultivation will thrive under certain conditions. To prevent diseases and pests, you will need to:

- choose a deep, light, rich, and well-drained soil, well prepared
- avoid planting in an area previously occupied by other woody plants
- prune to promote tree aeration
- thin to prevent disease development on the fruits
- add compost in autumn, in limited quantities depending on the richness of your soil, and incorporate it into the soil
- plant multi-species hedges (except prunus), piles of stones and wood, and nest boxes (for birds, voles, and bats) to attract beneficial insects.

In case of disease appearance, removing and burning affected parts will be necessary. The 'William's' Pear is susceptible to scab, but less sensitive to Fire blight, and fairly resistant to Stemphylium leaf spot and Pseudomonas syringae. In case of scab attacks, a half-dose Bordeaux mixture spray is recommended.

Pears can be eaten fresh, in syrup, in pastries, in jams and compotes, and can be used to make alcohol.

For transport reasons, our tallest scions may be pruned before shipment. They are suitable for all common training sizes except for tall standards: cordons, espaliers, goblets, half-standards, and low standards. If you would like more information or advice on training your fruit trees, please do not hesitate to contact us.