I have to tell you I'm feeling highly delighted today; Would you just look at this blossom! This Conference Pear was planted as part of the 'mini-orchard' in November 2009 on a bitterly cold day, immediately after clearing the choking ivy. After an anxious wait through snow-filled winter days, a few buds proved it had survived its first winter. Not much else happened in 2010. After seeing this, I'm tentatively looking forward to eating some delicious home-grown pears from this 18 month old tree later this year.
Stuff you might like to know...
- The pear trees were supplied on semi-dwarf rootstock so shouldn't grow taller than 10 feet. (A pear tree in a nearby park is SO tall you couldn't reach the fruit even with a high ladder!) The planting holes were part filled with good rich compost as the existing soil in the walled flower borders was pretty tired.
- Fruit trees should be left for their first year, with all blossom pruned off, so that all energy goes into establishing a strong root system.
- Second year trees may need feeding with potassium (for fruit and flowers) and/or nitrogen for growth. I'll use dried poultry pellets for our pear trees which is the organic option. They'll also benefit from deep mulching around the tree with organic matter (such as leaf mould or garden compost) in mid to late spring but make sure the mulch is applied at least 10cm away from the tree to stop the bark rotting. This will help to preserve moisture around the roots in the summer.
- RHS offers more detailed advice on this topic here.
Lovely!
ReplyDeleteThat's a fine looking pear tree, I hope you get to eat some fruit from it this year, and the bloomin' wasps leave it alone! My pear tree is almost ready to blossom too x
ReplyDeleteI've been walking around thinking how much I LOVE this time of year, it's so exciting seeing whatever next is sprouting, budding, blooming, etc.
ReplyDeleteThanks Plotkeeper for comment - all compliments gratefully received!
Karen, I don't mind wasps since I heard they're beneficial bugs. I've taught the kids to leave them alone so they won't get stung. Had loads around my beans last year. Good luck with your pear tree!
Fingers crossed for you! I'd like to have even one each small apple and pear trees on the plot but as it's only 30 by 60 feet it would be at the expense of something I already grow. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Flighty! My veg patch is very tiny, just enough space to be self-sufficient on veg and salads in the summer but the fruit trees went into a deep walled border at the side of the garden. I'm being careful what I grow this year because of space limitations but I have plans to reclaim some of the land under the concrete paving slabs! Could you have a miniature fruit tree in a tub or would that be too tempting for passers-by? Caro xx
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