North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Bob Hartman <hartmansfruittrees@wport.com>]

Pear ripening experts:

I know that it is recommended to pick late summer/fall ripening pears before 
they are ripe and if you don't you
have a chance of having the core rot.  I usually check into picking when the 
pears start to drop (not preharvest
drop) and also when they start to turn from a green to a slight lightening to 
yellow.  This has worked great for
most varieties.  But for some it is difficult to tell for sure.  I had some 
Ubileen pears on my trees for the
first time this year and when I went to cut them open most all of them had 
the core rot.  I have problems with
Clapps Favorite in some years doing the same thing.

Are there any cultural considerations to keep in mind?  Any fertilizers 
and/or trace elements?  What are your
suggestions and experiences?  On some varieties I rarely ever have any core 
rot.

Thanks,
Bob Hartman
Western Washington