Content
The Kieffer pear was developed in the American state of Philadelphia in 1863. The variety was the result of crossing a wild pear and a cultivated variety, Williams or Anjou. The selection was carried out by the scientist Peter Kieffer, after whom the variety was named.
In 1947, the variety was imported and tested in the USSR. The Kieffer pear is recommended for planting in the North Caucasus, but it is grown in other regions. The variety is used by breeders to obtain new varieties of pear that are resistant to disease.
Description of the variety
According to the photo and description, the Kieffer pear variety has the following features:
- medium-sized tree;
- dense pyramidal crown;
- skeletal branches are located at an angle of 30° to the trunk;
- Fruiting occurs on branches at the age of 3 years;
- shoots are smooth and straight, brown with a reddish tint;
- in the upper part the branches are drooping;
- gray bark with cracks;
- leaves are medium and large, leathery, ovoid;
- the leaf blade is curved, the edges are pointed;
- thin short petiole;
- inflorescences are formed in several pieces.
Characteristics of the Kieffer pear fruit:
- medium and large sizes;
- barrel-shaped;
- thick, rough skin;
- the fruits are picked light green;
- upon reaching maturity, the fruits acquire a golden yellow hue;
- there are numerous rusty spots on the fruits;
- when exposed to the sun, a reddish blush is observed;
- the pulp is yellowish-white, juicy and rough;
- the taste is sweet with specific notes.
The Kieffer pear is harvested at the end of September. After 2-3 weeks, the fruits are ready to eat. Fruiting is stable. The first harvest is harvested in 5-6 years.
The fruit hangs on the tree for a long time and does not fall off. Productivity is up to 200 c/ha. Peak fruiting is observed at 24-26 years. With good care, the harvest reaches 300 kg.
The collected fruits retain their properties until December. The variety can withstand transportation over long distances. The fruits of the Kieffer variety are consumed fresh or processed.
Planting a pear
The Kieffer variety is planted in a prepared place. Healthy seedlings are selected for planting. According to the description, photos and reviews, the Kieffer pear is undemanding in terms of soil quality, but requires constant sunlight.
Preparing the site
Planting work is carried out in early spring before the beginning of the growing season. Autumn planting is allowed at the end of September, when sap flow in the plants slows down. Trees planted in the fall take root best.
For the Kieffer variety, choose a place located on the south or southwest side of the site. The place should be constantly illuminated by the sun, located on a hill or slope.
Poor, clay and sandy soil is not suitable for planting. Groundwater must be deep, since the root system of the pear grows to 6-8 m. Constant exposure to moisture negatively affects the development of the tree.
The soil for the Kieffer variety is fertilized with compost, humus or rotted manure.One pit requires up to 3 buckets of organic matter, which is mixed with soil.
The addition of coarse river sand helps improve the quality of clay soil. If the soil is sandy, then it is fertilized with peat. Of the mineral fertilizers when planting Kieffer pears, you will need 0.3 kg of superphosphate and 0.1 kg of potassium sulfate.
The Kieffer variety needs a pollinator. At a distance of 3 m from the tree, at least one more pear is planted for pollination: the Saint-Germain or Bon-Louise variety.
Work order
Healthy two-year-old Kieffer pear seedlings are selected for planting. Healthy trees have a developed root system without dry or rotten areas, and the trunk is elastic without damage. Before planting, the roots of the Kieffer pear are immersed in water for 12 hours to restore elasticity.
Procedure for planting pears:
- Preparing the planting hole 3-4 weeks before transferring the seedling to a permanent place. The average size of the hole is 70x70 cm, depth 1 cm. The root system of the tree must fit completely into it.
- Application of organic and mineral fertilizers to the top soil layer.
- Part of the resulting soil mixture is placed at the bottom of the hole and compacted thoroughly.
- The remaining soil is poured into the hole to form a small hill.
- The roots of the seedling are dipped into clay diluted with water.
- A peg is driven into the hole so that it rises 1 m above the ground.
- The Kieffer pear seedling is placed in a hole, its roots are straightened and covered with soil.
- The soil is compacted and watered abundantly using 2-3 buckets of water.
- The tree is tied to a support.
Young plants need frequent watering. In cold winters they are covered with agrofibre to protect them from freezing.
Variety care
The Kieffer variety is cared for by watering, fertilizing and crown formation.To prevent diseases and the spread of pests, trees are treated with special preparations. The frost resistance of the variety is low. In cold winters, the branches freeze, after which the tree takes a long time to recover.
Watering
The intensity of watering of the Kieffer variety depends on weather conditions. During drought, the tree is watered when the top layer of soil dries. The pear is drought-resistant and suitable for planting in steppe regions.
In the spring, after the snow melts, it is enough to water the pear 2-3 times. Be sure to use warm, settled water. You need to moisten the trunk circle formed along the border of the crown.
In summer, the Kieffer pear is watered twice: in early June and in mid-July. In dry summers, additional watering is required in mid-August. In September, pre-winter watering is carried out, allowing the pear tree to withstand winter frosts.
After watering, the soil is loosened to improve moisture absorption. Mulching with peat, tree bark or humus helps keep the soil moist.
Feeding
Regular feeding maintains the viability and fruiting of the pear. Organic and mineral substances are suitable for processing. During the season, the tree is fed 3-4 times. There is a gap of 2-3 weeks between procedures.
Spring fertilizing contains nitrogen and is aimed at the formation of the tree crown. Additionally, the tree is watered with nutrient solutions before and after flowering.
Spring treatment options:
- 100 g of urea per 5 liters of water;
- 250 g of poultry add to 5 liters of water and leave for 24 hours;
- 10 g of nitroammophoska per 2 liters of water.
In June, Kieffer pear is fed with superphosphate and potassium salt. Take 20 g of each substance per 10 liters of water, and water the trees with the resulting solution.When using dry components, they are embedded in the soil to a depth of 10 cm.
In cold summers, spraying the pear on the leaf is more effective. The root system absorbs nutrients from the soil more slowly. Spraying is carried out on the leaf in cloudy weather.
In autumn, fertilizers are applied in the form of wood ash or mineral fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus. The tree trunk circle is dug up and a 15 cm layer of mulch is poured on top. Mulching will help the tree withstand winter frosts.
Trimming
The first pruning of the Kieffer variety is carried out after planting the pear in a permanent place. The central conductor is reduced by ¼ of the total length. Skeletal branches are left on the tree, the rest are cut out.
The next year, the trunk is shortened by 25 cm. The main branches are cut by 5-7 cm. The upper shoots should be shorter than the lower ones.
Tree pruning begins in the spring before buds appear. Be sure to eliminate shoots growing in a vertical direction. At the end of August, broken and dry branches are removed. Annual shoots are shortened by 1/3, and several buds are left for the formation of new branches.
Protection from pests and diseases
Kieffer pear is resistant to fungal diseases: spotting, scab, fire blight, rust. To prevent diseases, pruning is carried out in a timely manner, watering is normalized, and fallen leaves are removed.
In early spring and autumn, after leaf fall, trees are sprayed with a solution of urea or Bordeaux mixture.
The pear attracts leaf roller, copperhead, ticks and other pests. To protect the Kieffer variety from pests, they are treated with a solution of colloidal sulfur, Fufanol, Iskra, and Agravertin. Products are used with caution during the growing season.The last spraying is carried out a month before harvesting the fruits.
Reviews from gardeners
Conclusion
According to the description, photos and reviews, the Kieffer pear is valued for its high yield and unusual taste. The variety is resistant to diseases and is suitable for cultivation in the southern regions. The tree is not demanding on the composition of the soil; it can grow on clay and sandy soils, with a lack of moisture. The disadvantage of this variety is its low frost resistance. The fruits of the Kieffer variety are stored for a long time and have universal use.
