Pear 'Conference'

Pear Conference (Pyrus communis 'Conference') – an autumn cultivar of the common pear. The cultivar was first presented at the National British Pear Conference in 1885 and was named after that conference. It was entered into the State Register of Plant Varieties of Ukraine in 1975. The cultivar is recommended for cultivation in Polissia and the Forest-Steppe. In Europe it is a major commercial cultivar of the autumn ripening period. The largest producer of this cultivar at present is China.

It is a medium-vigor tree with a dense, broadly pyramidal crown. The cultivar is self-fertile, but pollinator cultivars can be planted to increase fruit set.

On quince rootstock, plants begin to bear fruit in the third year after planting. Cropping is abundant and regular. Fruits are large, elongated pear-shaped, weighing 140–220 g, uniform in size. Skin green or straw-yellow with a blush and russeting. Flesh tender, creamy, very juicy, aromatic, buttery, sweet in taste (taste score 8.4–8.6 points). Harvest maturity occurs in early September, consumer maturity in mid-October. Yield 35 t/ha.

Pollinator cultivars: Bon Chretien, Lyubimitsa Klappa, Williams, Williams Red, Thompson, Windsdor.

Hardiness zone: 4 (-34°C).

Site: demanding of environmental conditions. Less winter-hardy and more heat-loving than apple. Poorly tolerates early autumn frosts, thaw–frost alternations and spring frosts (buds are killed at -4°C). Prefers loose, moist soil with a small content of clay. Prefers sunny but not scorching, wind-protected locations.

Planting: plant seedlings preferably in spring, but autumn planting is possible. Pear seedlings typically have a poorly developed root system, so in the first 2 years the pear practically does not grow. Soil from the planting hole must be mixed with organic and mineral-potassium fertilizers. Fill the mixture to the edge 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 scab is high.

Uses: fruits are consumed fresh. Popular due to high and stable yields, disease resistance, winter hardiness, and high taste and commercial qualities of the fruits. Good transportability.