Pear Conference: selection, description and characteristics, pros and cons of the variety + subtleties of planting and growing crops

The history of selection of pear varieties Conference

When the British get down to business, a thorough approach can be guaranteed. This is confirmed by a variety with excellent characteristics, which was bred back in 1885. It is believed that the culture appeared as a result of uncontrolled, free pollination of the Léon Leclerc de Laval variety by a wild variety. For 10 years, scientists have researched and evaluated the variety, and only after that it was presented to the general public. The variety does not need special care and is highly profitable. However, it will not be possible to cultivate a variety in all regions.

Video “How to plant a pear”

From this video you will learn about the rules for planting pears in the garden.

Distribution area

The unexpected result turned out to be so good that in a decade the culture began the triumphal conquest of Europe, from where the tree came to America and even China. The variety has perfectly adapted in Moldova and Ukraine. On the territory of Our Country, the most favorable regions for growing are the southern regions, from where they are brought to places with a more severe climate.

There are cases of growing the Conference in the Moscow region, some quite successful, but there are very few of them. For the optimal development of the tree and obtaining the result, it will be necessary to create additional adequate microconditions.

On the territory of the Federation, the pear was registered in 2014 and recommended for cultivation in the North Caucasus region.

Characteristic of the variety

The description of the tree itself differs little from the description of other pear trees. This is a tall, vigorous tree, about 5 m high, with a broad-pyramidal, well-leafed crown. The shoots are smooth and flexible, the leaf plates are deep green in color, medium in size.

Fruiting and maturity

The variety begins to bear fruit no earlier than 4 years after planting at a permanent place of cultivation. Under favorable growing conditions, it bears fruit generously and regularly. The flowering period begins in early May and lasts a long period of time. High degree of self-pollination, more than 70% of flowers have ovaries. The fruits ripen in late September or early October.

The fruits never fully ripen on the branch, even under optimally warm conditions. Therefore, pears are harvested and stored in a well-ventilated warm place..

Yield and application

Even young trees give a crop of 30 kg. The yield increases with age and can reach more than 70 kg. The appearance of the pears is rather unsightly. But due to the taste characteristics, the variety has a table purpose. A high degree of transportability and the possibility of long-term storage make it possible to eat fresh pears even in early spring. They are also great for making jams and preserves.

Flavour and Fragrance

Behind the thick, tough skin lies an attractive, yellowish-pink, oily flesh that is juicy and delicate in texture. Sweet, with a touch of pleasant sourness, the flesh is very tender and literally melts in your mouth. Also, the fruits have a persistent pleasant aroma. Professional tasters rate the taste very highly – at 4,9 points.

Winter hardiness

The conference does not have a high degree of winter hardiness and does not tolerate winters even in central Our Country. Therefore, the recommended growing place is the Krasnodar Territory and the North Caucasus.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

When purchasing a tree, it is imperative to take into account not only the pros, but also the cons of the variety, which can be very significant.

Agrotechnics of pear variety Conference

Since the crop is grown in warm regions, both spring and autumn can be acceptable times for planting. However, during the autumn planting, it is necessary to additionally cover the tree for the winter.

Site and soil selection        

For cultivation, a sunny place that is well ventilated, but protected from strong gusts of wind and drafts is optimal. The most suitable type of soil is loose fertile loam or black soil.

The depth of groundwater should be at least 2 m, and the acidity should be in the range of 5–6,5 pH.        

Landing scheme and rules

For tall trees, the optimal distance is 5,5 or 6 m, for undersized trees, 3 to 4 m will be sufficient. The trellis method of growing involves a distance of about 2,5 m with row spacing of 3,5 m. If necessary, the distance can be reduced by half a meter.        

The size of the pit depends on the type of soil: sandy soils – 1 m in diameter and depth, loam and chernozem – 80 cm. Fertile soil consists of the following components necessary for making: peat, humus, chernozem, sand, a small amount of superphosphate (up to 400 ) and potassium chloride (200 g), which can be replaced with several liters of wood ash.        

The planting process is similar to planting any other fruit tree.        

Thinness of care

The conference needs regular and abundant watering – the lack of moisture directly affects the quality of the fruit. During drought, a tree may shed some or all of its fruit. The need of a tree for watering can be determined simply: take a little earth, squeeze it in a fist and throw it from a small height – if the lump crumbles, then water it.        

Also, the tree needs annual top dressing, which begins to be applied under seedlings from the 3rd year of cultivation. In the spring, the pear is fed with ammonium nitrate, urea or nitroammophos. Add organic matter as well. During flowering, spraying with a solution of boric acid is recommended. In the summer, potassium complexes are introduced, and in the fall – the time of superphosphate.        

Ways of trimming

The rapid growth of the tree makes pruning one of the most important care activities. Young shoots grow in huge quantities, while thickening the crown and limiting the access of light and air.

Formation of a tall pear

For the formation of tall trees, the sparse-tiered crown shape is optimal. It involves the annual formation of 2-3 tiers of 6-8 skeletal branches for 5 years.

Formation of a stunted pear

The optimal crown shape for low trees is an ordinary bowl. The period of formation is similar to tall trees, but at the same time they leave skeletal branches growing to the sides (3–4) and branch them 1–2 times. The rest of the shoots are cut out.

Formation on a trellis in the form of a palmette

Skeletal branches are cut so that only those in the same plane remain. The number can vary from 8 to 12. For the lower branches, the slope level should be in the range of 45–55 °, for the upper ones – from 60 to 80 °. The central conductor is cut annually, it should be 70 cm higher than the base of the upper branch. Excess branches are cut out.

Sanitary and maintenance pruning

Sanitary pruning is carried out in the spring, before the start of active sap flow. Improperly growing, damaged and dry shoots are removed. Maintenance pruning is carried out in the summer, it consists in a small pruning (up to 10 cm) of actively growing young shoots.

Major diseases

According to gardeners, most often the Conference suffers from scab, rust, moniliosis and soot fungus. Diseases can be prevented and treated with the help of copper-containing preparations, fungicides.

Only preventive measures are effective against pests, because the appearance of a flower beetle or fruit-eating caterpillars can be noticed too late.

The conference is another proof that appearances are deceptive and a real treasure is hidden behind the unpresentable appearance of the fruit. Therefore, if you live in regions with a warm climate, be sure to pay attention to this variety.