North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[tanis cuff <tanistanis@hotmail.com>]

Sorry I'm not reading the VanWell catalog, just thinking out-loud---

How about Patten?  Isn't it rated as hardier than Fl.Beauty?

Luscious is the best flavor, but it wants to over-bear and break its branches.

I've got a Clapp's Favorite which seems as hardy as others, but it is a very 
mild flavored pear.  I wanted to get a Summercrisp going, but it gets a leaf 
disease.

I like the comment about rootstock hardiness-- that's the key, after all.

tc, sWI, practically z4


> Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 04:19:25 -0400
> From: dwoodard
> To: nafex
> Subject: Re: [NAFEX] a pear for Iowa zone 4
>
> I doubt that any pear in the Van Well catalogue would suit your climate
> with the *possible* exception of Flemish Beauty, and then I might be a
> little doubtful about the rootstock if you ever have open winters.
> Flemish Beauty is a very high quality pear for fresh eating, not so good
> for canning I hear. It is prone to fireblight and pear scab.
>
> Luscious would be hardy with you and is of good quality, originated in
> South Dakota I believe.
>
> Have a look at St. Lawrence Nursery
> http://www.sln.potsdam.ny.us
>
> Do your shade tree pears bloom enough for pollination? If not you might
> need two kinds. I also wonder a little about the timing if they are of
> another species.
>
> Doug Woodard
> St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
>
>

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