It is possible the fireblight resistance of potomac comes from anjou not moonglow. Anjou seedlings like farmingdale are occasionally resistant to fireblight. I’m growing farmingdale for fun. It tastes pretty good , much better than many of the so called improved fireblight resistant pears. It should since it is related to anjou which van mon’s created.
" Moonglow pear tree
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Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
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Pollination group: 3
A high quality early season dessert and culinary pear, very resistant to fireblight.
Moonglow is a high-quality early-season pear, which ripens about a week before Bartlett. The fruits are large with a sweet flavor, reminscent of Bartlett and Comice - from which it is descended.
As with most pears, pick slightly early and then ripen indoors. Newly-picked fruits will have some acidity and can be used at this point for cooking.
How to grow
Moonglow is very resistant to fireblight, one of the most serious diseases of pears.
Advice on fruit tree pollination.
History
Moonglow was raised in the 1960s by the US Dept.of Agriculture as part of a program to develop pears which were resistant to fireblight. Moonglow is a cross between an old variety called Roi Charles de Wurtemburg and an experimental variety called Michigan 437 which was derived from Bartlett and Comice. This parentage explains its good flavor characteristics.
Moonglow characteristics
- Gardening skillAverage
- Self-fertilityNot self-fertile
- Pollination group3
- Pollinating othersGood
- PloidyDiploid
- Bearing regularityRegular
- Fruit bearingSpur-bearer
- WildlifeRHS Plants for Pollinators
- Picking seasonEarly
- UsesEating freshCulinary
- CroppingGood
- Keeping (of fruit)1 week
- Flavor style (apples)Sweeter
- General resistanceGood
- FireblightVery resistant
- Summer maximum temperaturesCool ( 20-24C / 68-75F)Warm (25-30C / 76-85F)
- Country of originUnited States
- Period of origin1950 - 1999
- Fruit colorGreen - light"