Pear Vyzhnytsia

Pear Vyzhnytsia (Pyrus communis) – a cultivar of the common pear. One of the best cultivars of Ukrainian breeding, it was obtained by Kopan V.P. and Kopan K.M. at IS UAAN in 1962 from the cross Bere Gardy x Zhozefina Mikhelska. A cultivar for intensive cultivation. In 1999 it was entered into the Register of Plant Varieties of Ukraine; it is promising for establishing intensive commercial and amateur plantings in the Forest-Steppe and Southern Polissya of Ukraine.

It is a fast-growing tree with an inverted pyramidal, upright crown. Shoots are of medium thickness, straight, long; young shoots are pink, later becoming brownish-yellow. A characteristic feature of the cultivar is well-developed subaxillary bud cushions, which cause difficulties when budding; therefore it is better to carry out budding using buds from immature shoots. The type of fruiting is mainly simple and compound spur rings, with spear-shaped fruiting spurs.

Fruits are uniform, weighing 240–300 g, with a beautiful pear shape. Skin of medium thickness, dry; at harvest maturity green with russeting, later becoming bright golden-yellow. Flesh at ripening is creamy, very juicy, buttery, without grittiness, of excellent sweet-and-sour taste, with an almond aroma. Taste rating 4.5–4.8 points. Harvest maturity occurs in late September; consumer maturity from late October to early November. In refrigeration it stores until January–February; long storage does not affect taste quality. Begins bearing early on quince rootstock – in 3–4 years, on seedling rootstock – in 6–7 years.

Hardiness zone: 4 (-28°C).

Location: demanding of external conditions. Less winter-hardy and more warmth-loving than apple. Poorly tolerates early autumn frosts, alternating thaws and frosts, and spring frosts (buds die at -4 °C). Prefers loose, moist soil with a small clay content. Prefers sunny but not scorching, wind-protected sites. The cultivar is suitable for creating intensive high-density plantings - 3.5–4 x 1.5–2 m.

Planting: plant seedlings preferably in spring, but autumn planting is also possible. Pear seedlings generally have a poorly developed root system, so the pear practically does not grow during the first 2 years. Soil from the planting hole should be mixed with organic and mineral-potassium fertilizers. Fill the mixture to the top of the hole. Leave the root collar 3 cm above ground level.

Propagation: propagated by grafting onto quince or wild pear.

Diseases and pests: resistance to diseases is high.

Usage: fruits are consumed fresh. Popular due to high and stable yields, disease resistance, winter hardiness, and high taste and market qualities of the fruits. Transportability is good.