The Conference pear variety is one of the oldest in the world. It is believed that it was bred in the last quarter of the 19th century, and a decade later it was presented to the public at the British National Conference of Gardeners. It was this event that became decisive when choosing a name.

The pear of this variety has gained popularity both in the UK and in other countries, and recently it has been actively cultivated in Russia. This variety is appreciated for the sweetness, juiciness of the fruit, pleasant taste and aroma.

Features of the variety

The tree of this variety is quite tall, usually reaching five meters. The crown is wide, the structure of the tree is pyramidal or conical. During the season, shoots can grow up to 60 cm, so the Conference pear is considered a vigorous plant.

Important! This variety is recommended for cultivation in the southern regions of Russia, as it does not have a high winter hardiness.

A variety of pears called Conference is fruitful, with proper care, the harvest gives a stable. Refers to mid-season varieties - the fruits ripen by the second decade of September or a little later.

Pear Conference

Description of taste and appearance characteristics:

  • fruits are aligned in size - as a rule, they are not excessively large, there are not many small ones (the weight of one pear, on average, is up to 150 grams);
  • the taste of pears is juicy, sweet, with dense, but at the same time not coarse flesh, slightly grainy;
  • calorie content of pears - 46 kcal per 100 g of product;
  • the shape of the fruit is oblong, similar to a bottle, a curved, strong stalk is located at the top;
  • the color of the fruit is yellowish-greenish with acceptable brown sun spots, which is not a defect.

Often in stores, a pear similar to the Conference is sold, this variety is called Winter Williams, or Curé. Outwardly, it a little resembles the Conference, but the distinctive feature of the Conference is precisely the skin - spotty, rough, as if worn in places. It is dense, but not rough, which makes it easy to store and transport. The aroma is pronounced pear, the fruits are juicy, the pulp melts in the mouth.

The peel of a ripe pear may taste a little bitter, which is explained by the presence of tannin in the peel, which adds a little astringency. In addition to tannin, pear contains many useful substances, including it is rich in vitamins A, C, group B, as well as oxalic, malic and citric acids. Plus it contains copper, phosphorus, iron, zinc, iodine, potassium, calcium and many other useful substances.

Pear Conference contains many vitamins and minerals

Growing features

Pear Pakham

In order to grow this tree and achieve good results, you need to know some rules and features of working with a variety. So, planting is carried out taking into account the poor winter hardiness of the pear, therefore, it is possible to take on its cultivation only in a warm region. At the same time, it is important to know who the producer of the seedling is, where it was brought from.

Attention! The closer the nursery is located from the place where the seedling is supposed to be planted, the more likely the plant will survive well. And, on the contrary, the further the seedlings of the plant are transported, the worse it will take root in the new territory.

Since the seedlings are suitable for warm regions, both spring and autumn planting is allowed. A pear planted in the fall is sheltered from frost for the winter.

As for the conditions, they are standard: the thermophilic variety loves a lighted place, good ventilation will be useful for it, but subject to protection from the cold wind. The best soil is fertile and loose loam or black soil.

Planting pears

Pears of this variety can be grown in a trellis and in the usual way - in the first case, the distance between plants is at least 6 m, and in the second - in a row at least 2.5 m, in the row spacing - 3.5 m.It is good to lay peat, humus in the pit, black earth and sand, combined in equal parts. You can add superphosphate, wood ash. After planting, the seedling is watered and mulched.

Leaving is also the correct pruning, which depends on which rootstock the variety was grafted on. So, if the grafting was on a low-growing trellis-type tree, then this variety of the variety is cut in the form of a bowl. For tall plants, sparse-tiered pruning is used. Dwarf pears are formed in the form of a palmette, that is, in one plane.

Important! Of course, you need to remember about sanitary pruning - the removal of old and dry branches, damaged branches.

Watering is abundant, frequent, since this variety does not have drought tolerance. Lack of moisture results in poor fruit quality. Drought may increase the discharge of the ovary and even fruits.

Top dressing of the plant is made in the form of nitrogen fertilizers in spring and June; phosphorus and potassium will help when pouring the fruits (this should be done 3-4 times per season, but once it can be replaced with organic matter). When digging in autumn, fertilize with superphosphate. Spring application of organic fertilizers in the form of humus or compost is recommended every 3 years.

Pear feeding

Diseases and pests

Pear Elena

As for diseases and pests, this variety is quite resistant to scab damage and is not susceptible to fire blight. At the same time, entomosporiasis (also called brown spot) and other fungal diseases, including leaf rust (leaves turn red or brown), fruit rot, powdery mildew and black cancer, can harm the tree. In this sense, it is necessary to grow a pear with an understanding of possible problems.

All problems are not limited to diseases alone. Another pear enemy is pests, the most common are the following:

  • pear moth;
  • green aphid;
  • winter moth;
  • pear lungwort;
  • pear leaf roll;
  • spider mite;
  • pear pipe runner.

To combat diseases and pests, special preparations and folk compositions are used. As a preventive measure, it is imperative to collect and burn the affected leaves and fruits. Without these measures, growing a full-fledged crop will be problematic.

Processing pears from pests and diseases

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

This variety is extremely popular all over the world; it is also readily cultivated in the southern regions of Russia. The reason for such fame is in the undoubted advantages and positive aspects of the conference pear.

Pear is Klapp's favorite

The advantages include the following:

  • quick entry of the seedling into the fruiting period;
  • stability and regularity of the harvest;
  • the fruits have a pleasant taste, therefore the variety is recommended both for industrial production and for private plots of summer residents and amateur gardeners;
  • collected in medium ripeness, the fruits are well transported and stored.

Important! Self-pollination is worth mentioning separately - this quality of this variety is very valuable, since you can grow a pear tree without a pollinator in the garden. This is all the more important if the plot is small in area and several varieties of pears cannot grow on it.

The disadvantages of the variety can be considered as follows:

  • winter hardiness is low, when the temperature drops below minus 20 degrees, the tree will inevitably freeze;
  • delicious fruits can only grow in warm summer, under unfavorable weather conditions (if the summer is cold, little sun and windy) pears will not acquire the desired taste, sweetness and ripeness;
  • poor adaptability against pests and fungal diseases;
  • skin spotting - sometimes this feature is singled out as a defect and attributed to defects in presentation, although the statement is controversial, given the excellent taste.

Conference pear is an old variety tested by many generations of gardeners, which is suitable for cultivation in warm regions. Subject to agrotechnical rules and the creation of favorable weather conditions, it will delight you with a stable and abundant harvest.