To: "mailing list at ibiblio - Northamerican Allied Fruit Experimenters" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [nafex] Pears becoming self fertile
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2016 00:56:47 -0500
Despite the belief that pear trees are self sterile, I have observed
evidence that they become self fertile after experiencing a period of
producing no fruit/seed. As I mentioned in an earlier email (several years
ago), I know a fellow who had a single pear producing tree with no neighbors
for miles around - and, consequently, no pear trees.
I had a single pear tree for twenty years that began blooming after
twelve years but produced no fruit. I haven't been able to find another
pear tree for many miles around. When my tree became twenty years old it
produced a few fruits. The following year it produced nearly 2,000 fruits.
Some might argue that there must have been a nearby pear tree that began
blooming at the same time. That might be a plausible argument if a small
quantity of fruits were produced, but 2,000 fruits? Yes it is hypothesis
but the evidence suggests that pears can become self fertile after producing
no fruits/seeds for some years.