To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] a pear for Iowa zone 4
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:28:43 +0000
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
>
>