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Apple trees and pears are traditionally the most common fruit crops in Russia. Although pear trees are only in fourth place in terms of winter hardiness. In addition to apple trees, they are also ahead of plums and cherries. True, even a hundred years ago in Russia, pears were called 10-20-meter giants with a huge crown, but with hard and not very tasty fruits. Currently, with the emergence of a large number of tasty and productive varieties with fairly large fruits, it seems that a new southern culture has come to Russian gardens. And although in terms of winter hardiness they still could not get ahead of plums and cherries, most modern varieties of pears can still withstand frosts down to -26°-28°C.
In addition, many modern varieties are distinguished by earlier dates for trees to begin bearing fruit. Previously, pears began to bear fruit no earlier than 5-6 years after planting. Now many varieties of pears begin to bear fruit in the third or fourth year.
Among modern pears, varieties of foreign origin stand out. The Santa Maria pear is a typical example of this variety. Of course, they are not best adapted to the climatic and weather conditions of most regions of Russia. But for residents of regions south of Voronezh, we can safely recommend this pear for planting.
Description of the variety
This variety is fraught with many mysteries, which are not always possible to solve due to its foreign origin. Firstly, the Santa Maria variety was bred in Italy by breeder A. Moretinni by crossing two varieties: the famous old variety Williams (or otherwise Duchess summer) and Coscia. Naturally, this variety has not yet managed to get into the State Register of Breeding Achievements.
But in the database of the All-Russian Research Institute for Breeding Fruit Crops, there is a pear variety called Bere early Moretinni, the description of which also confirms that it was obtained by A. Moretinni by crossing the Williams and Coschia varieties. This pear variety is an early summer one, that is, it ripens in late July - early August. And according to the description of the Santa Maria pear, it is a typical autumn variety with ripening dates in September. True, some foreign sources indicate that in the countries of southern Europe and Turkey the fruits of this variety ripen at the end of July. Apparently, the ripening time of the Italian Santa Maria pear has undergone serious changes, having found itself in the rather harsh climatic conditions of Russia.
Apparently, these two varieties are sisters with very similar characteristics. However, this occurs in pear breeding; for example, the varieties Chudesnitsa, Feeria and Nika were obtained from the same parents.
Santa Maria pear trees can be classified as medium-sized, but due to their good compatibility with quince, this variety is often grafted onto quince rootstock. As a result, the height of fruit-bearing trees decreases, and the timing of the first fruiting, on the contrary, approaches. Thus, the first fruits from trees of this variety can be obtained already in the third year after planting.
Trees of this variety are characterized by a compact, spherical crown.
The variety is partially self-fertile. It is able to bear fruit normally without the additional help of pollinating trees. Nevertheless, to obtain stable and high yields, we can recommend using the following varieties of pears as pollinators:
- Abate Fetel;
- William;
- Coscia.
The Santa Maria variety is characterized by high productivity; from one mature tree you can easily remove from 50 to 120 kg of tasty pears.
In addition, the description of the variety states that the Santa Maria pear is resistant to many unfavorable growing conditions, scab, and has high winter hardiness. But since there are practically no reviews on this variety, since it only recently appeared on sale in Russia, it is not possible to confirm or refute this information. It is known only according to the Association of Fruit, Berry and Planting Material Producers (APPPYAPM) in Russia that the Santa Maria variety is considered unstable in relation to bacterial blight of fruit crops, or otherwise to bacteriosis. Apparently, even in terms of winter hardiness, it can be recommended for cultivation only in the more or less southern regions of Russia.
Fruit characteristics
It is not for nothing that Santa Maria pear fruits are sold in the most elite supermarkets and retail outlets in Russia. They truly have incomparable external and taste characteristics:
- The shape of the fruit is classic pear-shaped, very regular. Moreover, all the fruits on the tree are uniform in shape and size.
- The size of pears is quite decent, the average weight of one fruit is about 180 grams, but they are also found weighing up to 230 grams.
- The skin is thin, smooth, tender, yellow-green in color with small lentils.
- The pulp is yellow-white, very tender and juicy, oily, there is no graininess, it really “melts in your mouth.”
- The taste of pears is excellent. They are distinguished by a real dessert taste with a light harmonious sourness.
- The appearance of the fruit is also very attractive - when fully ripe, they acquire a beautiful bright lemon hue. And in those places where the sun's rays directly hit, they leave a nice blurry pink blush on the pears.
- Fruit preservation is average. According to some sources, Santa Maria pears can be stored for up to two weeks, and according to other sources - up to two months.
- The transportability of pears of this variety is quite acceptable.
- The use of Santa Maria fruits is truly universal.
Pears contain phytoncides and valuable pectin substances. The fruits are very tasty and healthy when eaten fresh; you can use them to make a variety of preparations for the winter - preserves, marmalade, marshmallows, candied fruits, jams. In cooking, the unique taste of these pears combines harmoniously with cheese, broccoli and many herbs. From the fruits you can prepare bekmes - a unique healing pear honey, and also use them to make various types of cider, kvass, compotes and essences.
Features of cultivation
When purchasing pear seedlings, especially those with an open root system, give preference to those that have a large number of small suction roots.It is better if the surface of the roots is protected with a special clay mash, which does not allow the roots to dry out for a period of up to 7 days. In the southern regions, it is optimal to plant Santa Maria pears in the fall. If you live further north, then it is better to plan to plant a seedling in the spring, so that it has time to acclimatize well in a new place during the warm season.
When planting a pear seedling, make sure that the root collar is at ground level, and do not bury it under any circumstances. Pears do not tolerate heavy moisture in the root collar area. On the other hand, in order for a seedling to take root well, it needs constant maintenance of moisture not only from the surface, but also at the depth of all the tips of its roots. To do this, dig a small ditch in a circle around the trunk, at a distance of about 70-80 cm from the trunk, and during the first month after planting, approximately one bucket of water is poured onto each seedling several times a week.
In addition, make sure that nothing grows in the tree trunk circle in the first year. weed, for which the surface of the earth in it must be regularly loosened or mulched with a layer of organic matter 7-10 cm thick.
Fertilizing, especially mineral fertilizers, should not be applied earlier than the pear seedling is two years old. The trees are fed either by spraying the branches, or by watering into the same groove along the perimeter of the crown of the seedling.
Reviews from gardeners
Since the Santa Maria pear variety only recently appeared in our country, Russian gardeners have not yet had time to become closely acquainted with it.In addition, it is often confused with the Belarusian pear variety “Simply Maria”, which is somewhat similar to Santa Maria in many characteristics, but is distinguished by greater frost resistance and later ripening.
Conclusion
Of course, the fruits of the Santa Maria pear are so attractive in appearance and taste that it is difficult to resist the temptation to plant and grow this variety on your own plot. But you should remember the southern origin of this variety and compare the climatic and weather conditions in your area and the ability of Santa Maria to withstand a harsh winter.
