I saw mention of this pear elsewhere. It’s named Humbug and comes from the Ukraine. It certainly looks beautiful, but does anyone know anything about it? It looks like the pear version of a tiger panache fig!
Wow, it does look like a fig
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Very interesting, never heard of it, would be fun to grow as an ornamental even if not very good tasting. Available anywhere in the U.S.?
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It’s called Писанка (Pysanka) in Ukraine (the word Pysanka means an Easter Egg). It’s actually an Asian pear and is grown mainly for its aesthetic appeal rather than taste. From mid-summer, fruits acquire attractive color — yellow background with dark green stripes. In autumn, when the contrast in the color stripes is stronger, fruits look very ornamental. Fruit is medium-sized, weighing 130—150 g. Flesh is white, very firm. In summer and autumn fruits are inedible. In December, the flesh becomes sweetish, and in January and February, fruits become edible, although the taste is still mediocre. In some years, fruits achieve a good taste around March—April. Fruits can be stored in a rootcellar until the next harvest.
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[quote=“Derby42, post:2, topic:3952, full:true”]
Wow, it does look like a fig
[/quote]quite intriguing right?
it may sound crazy–considering that figs are not in the Rosaceae family(pear/plum/peach/apple axis), but Rosaceae and Moraceae(figs and mulberry family) are both sub-clans of the order Rosales, reportedly diverged into separate families millions of years ago.
this panache fig-pear sure makes an excellent visual about the ancient link and lineage.
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This pear is actually called “Schweizerhose” or also "Schweizer Hose"and it’s euro pear. As the name suggests it comes from Switzerland, beginning of 19th century. All the UK webs named it Humbug/Pisanka from Ukraine, don’t ask me why. Maybe to give it more mysterious feel (new recently discovered variety from Ukraine). I don’t grow it but was interested in this pear few years ago.
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Perhaps the interesting pattern is like Swiss hose of some period?
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How does it taste?
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I wish I could tell you but this will be my first crop. Once you move to France I can send you scionwood or you can buy also a tree, it’s available throughout Europe.
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Anyone state side? 
I feel like a parrot with this comment on the forums constantly lol!
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We are all watching for this pear to arrive in the USA.
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I’ll be waiting and watching eagerly!
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Where is the pear?
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I planted Schweizerhose maybe 8-10 years ago, but it struggled and died within 2 seasons before I got any fruit.
I was considering getting it again, but I may just try to get hold of a graft for a multi-tree.
Here’s a tasting video in German (you should be able to auto translate) https://youtu.be/rrywsWqTqWA?si=xaXpJOq-pC8h-F1Q What I hear between the lines is that it’s greatest value is the decorative appeal which is why I haven’t replaced it, yet.*
And another video on the history https://youtu.be/rrywsWqTqWA?si=xaXpJOq-pC8h-F1Q. Markus from Lubera says that there are several mutations but that all except the Schweizerhose are unstable.
*When this guy likes the taste of a particular fruit on his nurseries’ offer, he literally gushes with delight. 
No gushing in this vid…
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No, I have never seen them. I did a bit of research and what I found is that it is originally French 1860. Must be a northern pear. I will continue to look. I even looked for nurseries who might carry them, but all of the nurseries that do have them are in England.
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Try looking for “Schweizerhose”, " Poire Verte-longue panachée" or “Poirier ‘Culotte Suisse’” instead of “Humbug”. European nurseries are more likely to use non-anglicised naming. I know that Lubera carries it, but does not have it in stock at the moment. The Czech nursery, I buy from, has it on pre-order much cheaper. They have great packaging, but I don’t know if they ship to France.
Swiss nurseries like this one also carry it.
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