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The Kieffer pear was bred in the US state of Philadelphia in 1863. The variety was the result of crossing a wild pear and a cultivated variety of Williams or Anjou. The selection was carried out by the scientist Peter Kieffer, after whom the variety was named.
In 1947, the variety was brought and tested in the USSR. The Kieffer pear is recommended for planting in the North Caucasus, but it is grown in other regions. The variety is used by breeders to obtain new varieties of pear that are resistant to disease.
Variety description
According to the photo and description, the Kieffer pear variety has the following features:
- medium-sized tree;
- dense pyramidal crown;
- skeletal branches are located at an angle of 30 ° to the trunk;
- fruiting occurs on branches at the age of 3 years;
- shoots are even and straight, brown with a reddish tint;
- lowered branches in the upper part;
- bark gray with cracks;
- leaves are medium and large, leathery, ovoid;
- the leaf plate is curved, the edges are pointed;
- thin short petiole;
- inflorescences are formed in several pieces.
Characteristics of the fruits of the Kieffer pear:
- medium and large sizes;
- barrel-shaped;
- thick rough skin;
- fruits are harvested light green;
- upon reaching maturity, the fruits acquire a golden yellow hue;
- there are numerous rusty spots on the fruits;
- when exposed to the sun, a reddish blush is observed;
- the pulp is yellowish-white, juicy and rough;
- the taste is sweet with specific notes.
The Kieffer pear is harvested at the end of September. After 2-3 weeks, the fruits are ready to eat. Fruiting is stable. The first harvest is taken in 5-6 years.
The fruits hang on the tree for a long time and do not crumble. The yield is up to 200 q/ha. The peak of fruiting is observed at 24-26 years. With good care, the harvest reaches 300 kg.
The collected fruits retain their properties until December. The grade maintains transportation on long distances. The fruits of the Kieffer variety are consumed fresh or processed.
Planting a pear
The Kieffer variety is planted in a prepared place. Healthy seedlings are chosen for planting. According to the description, photos and reviews, the Kieffer pear is undemanding to the quality of the soil, but it needs constant sunlight.
Site preparation
Planting work is carried out in early spring before the start of the growing season. Autumn planting is allowed at the end of September, when sap flow slows down in plants. Trees planted in autumn do best.
For the Kieffer variety, a place is chosen located on the southern or southwestern side of the site. The place should be constantly illuminated by the sun, be on a hill or slope.
Poor, clay and sandy soil is not suitable for planting. Groundwater should be located deep, since the root system of the pear sprouts at 6-8 m. Constant exposure to moisture negatively affects the development of the tree.
The soil under the Kieffer variety is fertilized with compost, humus or rotted manure. One hole requires up to 3 buckets of organic matter, which is mixed with the soil.
The introduction of coarse river sand helps to improve the quality of clay soil. If the soil is sandy, then it is fertilized with peat. From mineral fertilizers, when planting a Kieffer pear, 0,3 kg of superphosphate and 0,1 kg of potassium sulfate will be required.
The Kieffer variety needs a pollinator. At a distance of 3 m from the tree, at least one more pear is planted for pollination: the Saint-Germain or Bon-Louise variety.
Order of work
Healthy two-year-old Kieffer pear seedlings are chosen for planting. Healthy trees have a developed root system without dry or rotten areas, the trunk is elastic without damage. Before planting, the roots of the Kieffer pear are dipped in water for 12 hours to restore elasticity.
Pear planting procedure:
- Preparation of the planting pit 3-4 weeks before transferring the seedling to a permanent place. The average size of the pit is 70×70 cm, depth 1 cm. The root system of the tree should completely fit into it.
- Application of organic and mineral fertilizers to the upper soil layer.
- Part of the resulting soil mixture is placed at the bottom of the pit and carefully tamped.
- The remaining soil is poured into the pit to form a small hill.
- The roots of the seedling are lowered into clay diluted with water.
- A peg is driven into the pit so that it rises 1 m above the ground.
- The Kieffer pear seedling is placed in a hole, its roots are straightened and covered with earth.
- The soil is compacted and watered abundantly using 2-3 buckets of water.
- The tree is tied to a support.
Young plants need frequent watering. In cold winters, they are covered with agrofibre to protect them from freezing.
Variety care
The Kieffer variety is cared for by watering, fertilizing and crown formation. To prevent diseases and the spread of pests, trees are treated with special preparations. The frost resistance of the variety is low. In cold winters, the branches freeze slightly, after which the tree recovers for a long time.
Watering
The intensity of watering the Kieffer variety depends on weather conditions. In drought, the tree is watered when the topsoil dries. The pear is drought tolerant and suitable for planting in steppe regions.
In the spring, after the snow melts, it is enough to water the pear tree 2-3 times. Be sure to use warm settled water. You need to moisten the near-stem circle, formed along the border of the crown.
In summer, the Kieffer pear is watered twice: in early June and in mid-July. In dry summers, additional watering is required in mid-August. In September, winter watering is performed, allowing the pear to endure winter frosts.
After watering, the soil is loosened to improve moisture absorption. Mulching with peat, bark or humus helps keep the soil moist.
Feeding
Regular fertilizing maintains the vitality and fruiting of the pear. Organic and mineral substances are suitable for processing. During the season, the tree is fed 3-4 times. Between procedures make a gap of 2-3 weeks.
Spring dressings contain nitrogen and are aimed at forming the crown of a tree. Additionally, the tree is watered with nutrient solutions before and after flowering.
Spring treatment options:
- 100 g of urea per 5 liters of water;
- 250 g of poultry is added to 5 liters of water and infused for a day;
- 10 g of nitroammophoska per 2 liters of water.
In June, the Kieffer pear is fed with superphosphate and potassium salt. For 10 liters of water, 20 g of each substance is taken, the trees are watered with the resulting solution. When using components in dry form, they are embedded in the ground to a depth of 10 cm.
In cold summers, pear sprays on the leaf are more effective. The root system absorbs nutrients from the soil more slowly. Spraying is carried out on a leaf in cloudy weather.
In autumn, fertilizers are applied in the form of wood ash or mineral fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus. The trunk circle is dug up and mulch is poured on top with a layer of 15 cm. Mulching will help the tree endure winter frosts.
Trimming
The first pruning of the Kieffer variety is carried out after the pear is planted in a permanent place. The center conductor is reduced by ¼ of the total length. Skeletal branches are left on the tree, the rest are cut out.
The following year, the trunk is shortened by 25 cm. The main branches are cut by 5-7 cm. The upper shoots should be shorter than the lower ones.
Tree pruning begins in the spring before buds appear. Be sure to eliminate shoots growing in the vertical direction. At the end of August, broken and dry branches are removed. Annual shoots are shortened by 1/3, and several buds are left to form new branches.
Protection against pests and diseases
Pear Kieffer is resistant to fungal diseases: spotting, scab, bacterial burn, rust. To prevent diseases, pruning is done in a timely manner, watering is normalized, and fallen leaves are removed.
In early spring and autumn, after leaf fall, the trees are sprayed with a solution of urea or Bordeaux liquid.
The pear attracts leafworm, sucker, ticks and other pests. To protect the Kieffer variety from pests, they are treated with a solution of colloidal sulfur, Fufanol, Iskra, Agravertin. Means are used with caution during the growing season. The last spraying is carried out a month before harvesting the fruits.
Reviews of gardeners
Conclusion
According to the description, photos and reviews, the Kieffer pear is valued for its high yield and unusual taste. The variety is disease resistant and suitable for growing in the southern regions. The tree is not demanding on the composition of the soil, it can grow on clay and sandy soils, with a lack of moisture. The disadvantage of the variety is low frost resistance. The fruits of the Kieffer variety have a long shelf life and are universally applicable.
