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Modern gardeners increasingly began to give preference to undersized tree varieties. Among the fruit crops of this kind, the Anjou pear, or, more precisely, Beurre d'Anjou, draws attention.
The origin of the Anjou pear
Historians suggest that this short-necked Anjou pear was originally called "Nec Plus Meuris" in Europe. It was bred by breeders in the middle of the 19th century in Belgium or France (primacy has not been established). When this variety was bred in America and England, the name Anjou was mistakenly applied to it. In the United States of America, this variety was recommended for general cultivation by the American Congress in 1852. In 2004, Oregon was recognized as the leader in Anjou production because 34% of the cultivated pears of this variety were registered there.
Some breeders suggest that the pear took the name Barre d'Anjou from the French word for "butter" due to its rich, buttery taste. Others claim that it was named after one of the regions of France. In breeding, Anjou has served as a producer of other new disease-resistant species. For example, in the description of the Kieffer pear variety, it is noted that it was created in 1863 by accidentally pollinating a Chinese pear with the pollen of Bere Anjou flowers. In terms of the size of the trees and the shape of the fruits, they are very similar to each other.
Pear Anjou
In 1947, Kiefer in Russia was sent for state testing and zoned him in the North Caucasus region. Then it was distributed in the republics of Central Asia, in the Ukraine and in Moldova. As a varietal relative, Anjou is a medium-sized fast-growing species, like the Kefer pear.
The description of the varieties contains many similar characteristics, including fruit size, scab resistance, yield and good taste. However, the Kieffer pear has a slight tart flavor. The tree is also self-fertile and needs additional pollinator trees in the neighborhood.
Varieties of varieties, their features
The variety has two varietal varieties - green Anjou and red Anjou. The green variety has a pale green skin that does not change color as the fruit ripens. More often, most green pears turn yellow as they grow.
In view of the fact that the ripeness of such a pear is difficult to determine, experts recommend slightly pressing down the upper part of it at the stalk with your thumb. If this place gives in to pressure, then it can be removed from the tree.
The red Anjou variety was bred by accident on the basis of the green variety and its fruits are almost identical, except for the color. Because of the spontaneous natural transformations that sometimes occur on trees, Anjou came to the red color twice. The first red variety was discovered in the early 1950s near the city of Medford, Oregon, the second variety - in the late 1970s in Parkdale of the same state of America.
In the markets of US cities, Anjou pears can be found from late September until the spring months.
The pear is classified as a large-fruited variety due to its size, which is 8.0 cm in diameter, 8.0-8.5 cm in height, weight - 270-290 g.
The variety has two varietal varieties
The green Anjou fruits are easily recognizable by their ovoid shape, which has a wide lower part that passes after the middle to a narrower rounded top. By the time the pear ripens, the color of its skin may change slightly imperceptibly. Harvesting of green pears is carried out in the fall at the end of September. The fruits finally ripen at room temperature for 3 to 5 days, or in the refrigerator, but longer.
Anjou pear (Kieffer, Kefer pear): variety description
Pear is distinguished by a peculiar bouquet of aromas, the taste of ripe fruits, their sweetness resembles the freshness of lemon-lime aroma. The pear is universal in its qualities, because:
- a large amount of excellent pear juice can be extracted from it;
- it bakes well in the oven or grill;
- it can be used for baking in pies and cookies;
- it gives an original taste to sweet salads;
- just delicious fresh.
There is information that you can store fruits of this sort for 6-7 months!
The Anji pear tree is unpretentious in agricultural technology and is very convenient due to its low growth. It prefers a lot of sunlight, but can grow in the shade of other trees. Resistant to short-term droughts and tolerates low winter temperatures well.
The height of a mature plant is 3.0-4.5 m, so it is not difficult to harvest in September, because the fruits at the very top of the tree are quite accessible for manual collection.
A good option for these purposes is Bartletta, Burr Bosk, Starking, Sekel pear. It is better to plant trees close to each other.
If gardeners wish to have only one tree in their garden, they can grow Anjou for decorative purposes. Fragrant, creamy white flowers begin to cover the branches of the tree in a lush layer already in April. This is a great solution for lovers of spring beauty.
Agrotechnics
Choosing a planting site and soil
To plant the Anjou pear tree, you need a sunny location with well-drained fertile soil. The plant has enough sun for 6-8 hours. Planting a pear in heavy clay soils is not recommended. Loamy soil enriched with peat or leaf mixture with PH 6.0-7.0 is allowed. The tree reacts well to fertilizing.
Loam
For the growth and fruiting of a tree, it is necessary to plant another pear variety next to it. In order for insects and the wind to successfully transfer pollen from one variety to another, it is recommended to plant trees at a distance of 3.5-4.5 meters.
Planting stages
- Before planting, it is good to soak the roots of the tree in a small container and stand for 3-4 hours (but not more than 6 hours).
- The hole is dug to a depth of 0.7-1.0 m, the top layer is laid next to it.
- Fill the pit with fertile soil (soil from the top layer mixed with compost or peat moss to ⅓ concentrations).
- Having installed the seedling in the hole, sprinkle the roots and lightly tamp the soil around the trunk.
- The embankment of the planting pit is carried out so that water does not flow out during watering.
- After watering, in case of compaction, add soil to ground level.
Further wood care
The condition of the soil should be monitored and fertilizers applied on time. For vegetative growth, nitrogen fertilization will be required, with fruiting - phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Water-soluble fertilizers help provide young pears with nutrients and improve their immune system. Organic matter is usually the main source of nitrogen.
In the early years before fruiting, 4-6 years old, a young tree in the presence of fertile soil will not need fertilizing. Good plant growth can indicate this. If growth slows down, fertilizing is performed from next year.It is brought in as needed after bud break, but no later than July. First of all, they are guided by the instructions for fertilizers and territorial natural conditions.
Watering and pruning pears
Anji pear roots do not tolerate waterlogging well, so they water the tree once every 10-14 days, but abundantly. If the summer is too hot, water more often. But it is important to consider that it is better to keep the roots dry than waterlogged. Before the winter period, the pear's trunk circle should not be in the water so that the trunk is not injured.
As it grows, the pear tree is pruned. The main operation is carried out in the spring, performing the formation of the crown. Weak, injured or narrow-angled branches, weaker ones from intersecting or interfering branches, and one bifurcated branch are removed. Vertical branches and everything looking at the center of the tree are also eliminated. The crown should not be thickened so that light can freely penetrate inside.
Rejuvenating pruning of pear trees
Summer and autumn pruning is carried out if necessary: when weak shoots grow and grow quickly, when branches break from the wind. In this case, the excess is urgently cut off, and the cut sites are treated with garden varnish.
Disease Prevention and Pest Control
Although the Anjou variety is quite resistant to many diseases with proper care, prevention should be preferred over treatment. For prevention, early spring spraying is carried out before bud break.
The main pests of the variety are scab, rust and leafworms.
Spray against rust with Score 250 EC chemical or other protective agents. Also exclude the planting of juniper trees near the pear, which are a source of infection.
Leaf roll
In order to prevent scab disease, fallen leaves are collected and burned. The tree is sprayed with a carbamide agent. This will not only save the pear from disease, but also feed the tree well. The drugs Merpan and Ardent 500 EC are often used.
Against the leaf roll, which affects the pear in the summer, when there are already fruits on the tree, chemical preparations cannot be used. Folk remedies at this time help little. It is recommended to use biological compounds and enzymes against the leafworm: Lepilocid, Fitoverm and Akarin.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
- Anjou pear is useful for dieting, because it has a low calorie content - 100 g of pulp contains only 42 kcal, and 0.3 g of fat.
- Due to its low height (about 3 m), the tree is easy to care for and harvest.
- Fruits keep well and for a long time with proper handling in winter.
The main disadvantage of the Anjou variety is that it does not belong to the self-pollinating species and needs another pollinator tree for better growth and fruiting.
Gardeners who decide to start an unusual Anjou variety or the like will surely like the ease of caring for the tree and its delicious fruits.
