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Pakham pear appeared on the market relatively recently. This variety grows in South America and Australia. For its excellent taste, many gardeners fell in love with the fruit. The pulp is quite dense, but at the same time juicy, it tastes sweet with a slight presence of sourness. Once harvested, Pakham pears can be stored in a cool, well-ventilated place.
Where does the Pakham pear grow?
The Packham pear is a variety of the Bartlett variety. In the XNUMXth century, the breeder C. Packham began to breed the hybrid, after which the tree received the appropriate name.
Fruits were brought to Our Country from Chile, Argentina and South Africa. Planting material is suitable for breeding in places with a temperate climate, so it must be taken into account that seedlings need shelter for the winter.
Description of the Pakham pear variety
Ripe fruits of the Pakham variety are oblong and irregular in shape, as a rule, there are small tubercles. The average weight of the fruit is 200 g. The peel is rough, saturated green, there are inclusions. At the time of ripening, the shade changes to yellow or cream.
Young seedlings look like pyramids with a spreading crown. The size of the leaves is medium, there are a small number of them on the tree. When the fruits begin to ripen, the branches drop to the ground, making the shape of the tree irregular. As an adult, the tree can grow up to 3 m in height. Flowering and fruiting is rather late, the tree can please the harvest for about 80 years.
Fruit Characteristics
At the time of ripening, the fruits turn yellow, after which the pears become creamy. The flesh is juicy and sweet, crunchy when eaten.
Ripe fruits are low-calorie, while pears contain a large amount of vitamins, micro and macro elements. By eating Pakham pears, toxic components can be removed from the body. If you provide optimal storage conditions, then the harvested crop will last in the basement for about 2 months.
Pros and cons of the variety
Studying the benefits of Pakham pear varieties, it is necessary to highlight:
- high level of productivity;
- excellent taste;
- long shelf life of the crop.
According to gardeners, the main disadvantages are:
- rather low level of frost resistance;
- susceptibility to diseases and insect pest attacks.
Before giving preference to a particular variety of pear, it is recommended to study the available features.
Optimal growing conditions
If we take into account the description of the Pakham pear variety and the reviews of gardeners, we can conclude that the seedling is suitable for growing in any region where moderate climatic conditions are observed. The only drawback is the low level of frost resistance, and the need for shelter for the winter. Without covering, the root system may freeze, which will lead to the death of the entire tree.
Planting and caring for Pakham pear
To achieve high yields, it is necessary to provide the Pakham pear with proper care. In order for the trees to be healthy, it is necessary to carry out preventive work to combat pests and diseases.
Rules of landing
For planting, seedlings up to 2 years old and up to 1,5 m high are chosen. The branches of a young tree must be flexible and the root system strong. Before planting a Pakham pear in open ground, you should hold the roots in a growth stimulator for 12 hours (for example, in Kornevin or Heteroauxin), which will allow the seedling to take root much better. After completion of work, pear trees should be watered, about 20 liters of water are spent on each root.
Watering and top dressing
Fertilizers are applied throughout the year:
- in spring, liquid fertilizers are used under the roots, in summer – preparations containing nitrogen;
- in July, it is recommended to make mineral and nitrogen supplements, if necessary, phosphorus can be added;
- in September, nitrogen substances are used;
- before the onset of winter, potassium and superphosphates are added.
Saplings recently planted in open ground are watered regularly. After watering, the earth is loosened, which helps prevent the appearance of an earthen crust. So that the water evaporates slowly, the ground around the pear tree is mulched, falling asleep with manure or dry leaves.
Trimming
The formation of young trees begins in the spring, before the onset of the growing season. To do this, weak side shoots are removed completely, as a result of which stronger branches freely strengthen the base of the tree.
Pruning of adult pear trees is done 2 times throughout the year:
- in early spring;
- late autumn, when the movement of juices slows down. In this case, it is required to remove old branches and thin out the crown.
Whitewash
Pakham pear needs to be whitewashed so that during the growth process the trunk is not subject to frostbite and sunburn. Otherwise, cracks appear on the tree bark, into which pests, fungal spores penetrate, and the process of infection of the fruit tree begins. You can buy a ready-made solution in a specialized store or prepare it yourself.
Preparation for winter
The root system of the Pakham pear variety needs shelter for the winter. The algorithm of work is as follows:
- The trunk is wrapped with paper, cardboard or straw.
- Existing weeds are removed around the planting pit.
- Before sending a tree for the winter, it is watered abundantly.
- Fertilizers can be applied if necessary.
In order for the pear tree to better tolerate low temperatures, it is necessary to pre-treat the plant with an Ecobin or Zircon solution.
Pollination
When growing pears, it is taken into account that there are varieties capable of self-pollination, but most pear trees, including the Pakham variety, are self-fertile. If the pollination process occurs naturally, then there will be no result, and the fruits will not be tied. As pollinators for this variety, Forest Beauty, Olivier de Serre, Clapp’s Favorite are used.
If necessary, you can pollinate fruit trees yourself. To do this, they purchase a special preparation in the store and, according to the attached instructions, pollinate the Pakham pear.
Productivity
Before proceeding with the planting of planting material, it is recommended to first study the advantages, disadvantages and features of the Pakham pear variety. As a rule, planting should be in groups; trees should not be planted singly, as there is a high probability that the seedling will die.
As a rule, fruiting is plentiful. You can start harvesting the finished crop 4 years after the tree was planted in open ground. The period of active fruiting falls on the seventh year of the tree’s life. As experienced gardeners have noticed, from 80 to 150 kg of ripe fruits can be collected from each specimen.
Pakham pear calories
The calorie content of Pakham pear is 42 kcal per 100 grams, in addition, the composition includes:
- proteins – 0,7 g;
- fats – 0,2 g;
- carbohydrates – 10,9 g;
- acidity is moderate.
Fruits contain useful substances, but they can adversely affect the digestive tract, so it is not recommended:
- drink fruits with water;
- eat on an empty stomach;
- combine with meat and curd products.
If you follow these recommendations, then Packham pears will bring significant benefits to the body.
Diseases and pests
Most often, the Pakham pear is affected by rot, fungus and insects. Carrying out preventive measures and timely treatment, you can save the health of the tree. Common gardening problems include:
- destroyed – the fruits of an infected tree begin to crack and stiffen;
- rot – a disease that birds bring, as a result of which growths appear on the fruits;
- black cancer – the tree itself is infected, the bark begins to deform.
To prevent diseases, you can use folk methods or insecticides.
Pakham Pear Reviews
Conclusion
Pakham pear is valued by many gardeners for its high yield. From 80 to 150 kg of ripe fruits are harvested from each tree, up to 1 tons of pear are obtained from 40 ha. Fruits have a large number of advantages: excellent taste, juiciness, long storage. Pears of this variety contain many vitamins, so they are recommended for children and adults.