Very happy with the fruits of the 2018 harvest so far Here comes the 2018 apple & pear harvest!
A friend @39thparallel asked for help identifying some Asian pears so the best source I found is Starks for descriptions. @39thparallel orchard is one of the best sources for scion wood and trees I’ve seen. He is meticulous with tree identification. We use our own knowledge to fill in the gaps because some pears such as hosui and chojuro are the same color and size in his orchard. The only difference is the butterscotch flavor of chojuro and the rough texture of hosui. Most pear growers have 1 or two trees like this that make is scratch our heads because we cannot identify them easily. The pictures and descriptions below are not mine they belong to Starks.
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Chojuro-
Keeps for up to 20 weeks. A popular variety known for its butterscotch flavor. Green- to yellow-brown russeted skin surrounds crisp, juicy, flavorful white flesh. Similar to grocery store Asian pears, but homegrown tastes so much better! Pick when first yellow-brown in color (ripens after New Century variety). Originates from Japan in 1895. Ripens in late August. Pollinator required: Choose another pear variety, like New Century, Hosui, or Bartlett.
20th Century-
A beautiful and productive tree. This pear features a sweet flavor that makes it ideal for salads and snacks. Fruit is round, but sometimes lopsided, with a long stem. Thin, bright-yellow skin surrounds cream-colored, crisp, juicy flesh. Similar to grocery store Asian pears, but homegrown tastes better! Picks earlier than Chojuro variety. Tree is heat- and cold-tolerant. Originates from Japan in 1945. Ripens in late August. Best pollinators: Starking® Hardy Giant™ or Hosui.
Hosui
Snappy, tangy taste. Produces excellent-quality fruit with a slightly higher acid content than other Asian pears. Tree is moderately vigorous with a slightly spreading nature. Fruit is sweet like a pear and crisp like an apple with lots of juice. Medium to large size fruit has an attractive golden-russet skin. Best for fresh-eating but also makes great pies! Introduced from Japan in the 1970s. Heat-tolerant. Ripens in late August. Self-pollinating, but will yield larger crops when pollinated with another variety like New Century.
Korean Giant
Bears large pears! This easy-to-grow tree produces an irresistibly sweet, crisp and juicy fruit. Fruit weighs approximately 12 to 15 ounces! Stores up to nine months in proper refrigeration. Resistant to pear leaf spot. Cold-hardy. Originates from Korea in 1969. Ripens in mid September. Pollinator required: Choose another pear variety, like Hosui, New Century, or Bartlett.
Declared the favorite fruit of Stark Bro’s President, and chosen as one of our Stark Picks, you’ll find the Starking® Hardy Giant Asian Pear is one of the easiest fruit trees you can grow. Disease-resistance and hardiness to zone 4 make this particular tree a reliable choice for your home orchard.“