Ussuri pear: description, photos, reviews

Ussuri pear is an excellent option for growing in cold climates. It is used as a rootstock for other varieties. The tree is unpretentious and develops well with minimal care. The fruits are used in cooking.

Description of the Ussuri pear

Ussuri pear is a representative of the Pear genus, the Rosaceae family. It is found naturally in the Far East, the Korean Peninsula and China. It grows singly or in groups near rivers, on islands, mountain slopes and forest edges. Under good conditions it reaches 10 - 12 m, the trunk diameter is 50 cm.

Usually the tree grows up to 10 - 15 m. The bark is uneven, dark gray, almost black. The shoots are bare, yellow-gray. The roots are located in the upper layers of the soil and do not penetrate deeper than 1 m. The crown is wide, oblong, thickened. The leaf blade is ovate with a rounded base, serrated edges. The leaves are dark green and glossy on top, light and matte below. In autumn they turn purplish-red.

Flowering begins before foliage appears and lasts 7 days. The flowers are 3 cm in size, white, frost-resistant. Pollination occurs at the expense of another tree, so single plants do not produce a crop. The flowers have a pronounced fragrant aroma.

You can evaluate the appearance and features of the Ussuri Pear variety in the photo:

Characteristics of pear fruits

Fruiting begins in late August and September. Ussuri pear ripens in clusters of 5 - 10 pcs. The fruits are medium-sized, yellow in color with a purple blush. The shape is round or oblong, the taste is tart. The pulp is rich in vitamins and organic acids. Average weight is 50 - 70 g, maximum - 90 g.

The pear is suitable for consumption after a long period of storage. The fruits are processed: dried, prepared into jam, compotes, tea.

Pros and cons of the Ussuri pear variety

The Ussuri pear has a number of advantages:

1. Frost resistance. The crop is grown in Siberia, the Urals and the Far East. The tree tolerates frosts down to -40 °C without problems. Minor damage is observed when the temperature drops to -50 °C.
2. Unpretentiousness. Grows in almost any soil and tolerates excess moisture and drought.
3. Durability. In gardens, the lifespan is up to 80 years, in natural conditions - up to 200 years.
4. Productivity. Although the fruits are small in size, the crop produces a high yield.
5. Wide selection of varieties. More than 30 hybrids have been obtained based on the Ussuri species. They are distinguished by high frost resistance and productivity.
6. Decorativeness. A flowering tree looks spectacular in the garden. The crown looks like a ball consisting of beautiful white flowers.

When planting the Ussuri species, its disadvantages are taken into account:

• Low precociousness. The first harvest from Ussuri pear is obtained after 10 years.To shorten this period, the culture is provided with constant care.
• Marketable type of fruit. The variety has no dessert purpose. Its fruits are small, have a sour and tart taste.

Using Ussuri pear as a rootstock

The Ussuri pear rootstock is valued for its winter hardiness and durability. However, it is poorly compatible with varieties obtained from the common pear. Hybrids bred from the Ussuri pear species take root best: Severyanka, Long-awaited, Early Summer, Uralochka. As a result, the tree bears fruit earlier and the taste and quality of the fruit improves.

For vaccination, one of the following methods is used:

• Into the cleft. Suitable for cases where the rootstock is much larger than the scion.
• For the bark. It is used when the scion is smaller than the size of the rootstock.
• Budding. Single bud grafting method.

The graft is disinfected with garden varnish to protect against diseases and pests. The scion is secured with tape and a plastic bag.

Optimal growing conditions

The Ussuri pear is unpretentious to environmental factors. For successful cultivation, the crop is provided with a number of conditions:

• sunny place without shade;
• moderately fertile soils;
• no stagnation of water;
• supply of fertilizers.

To plant Ussuri Pear, choose a flat or elevated area. Landing in the middle of the slope is allowed. The soil must be drained and allow water and air to pass through well. Stagnation of water in the soil is detrimental to the plant.

Planting and caring for Ussuri pear

The further development of the Ussuri pear depends on proper planting.Throughout the season, the tree is given attention: ensuring the supply of moisture, nutrients, and the formation of the crown.

Landing rules

Ussuri pear is planted in spring or autumn. Choose plants no older than 1 - 2 years. A planting hole is dug under the pear, which is left for 2 - 3 weeks for shrinkage. For spring work, the pit is prepared in the fall.

The procedure for planting Ussuri pear in the garden:

1. First, dig a hole measuring 60x60 cm and 70 cm deep.
2. If the soil contains clay, a layer of crushed stone is poured onto the bottom.
3. Then a substrate is prepared from chernozem, humus, 200 g of superphosphate and 100 g of potassium salt.
4. The soil mixture is filled into the pit and a small hill is formed.
5. The plant is planted and its roots are covered with earth.
6. The soil is compacted and the pear is watered.

After planting, the soil under the seedling is mulched with humus. At first, the tree is watered every 1 - 2 weeks.

Watering and fertilizing

Ussuri pear is watered before and after flowering. Lack of moisture during this period leads to shedding of ovaries and reduced yield. The tree is then watered only during dry periods.

The Ussuri pear tree responds positively to the supply of fertilizers. In early spring, nitrogen substances are added: a solution of mullein, urea, ammonium nitrate. When fruit sets, they switch to feeding with superphosphate and potassium salt. Fertilizers are incorporated into the soil or added to water before watering.

Trimming

The first three years after planting, it is important for the seedling to form a crown. Several skeletal branches are selected, the rest are cut off. Be sure to remove dry, broken, frozen shoots. The procedure is carried out during a period when the trees do not have active sap flow. Garden varnish is applied to the cuts.

Whitewash

Whitewashing is done in late autumn so that in the spring the bark does not get burned under the rays of the sun. The procedure protects the tree from the spread of pests. Whitewashing is repeated in the spring. Use a solution of lime and clay or buy ready-made compounds.

Preparing for winter

The Ussuri pear tolerates even harsh winters well. Preparation for cold weather includes abundant watering and mulching the soil with humus or peat. Young seedlings are covered with agrofibre for the winter. It is attached to a wooden frame.

For fruit trees in winter, rodents pose a danger: hares and mice. To protect the bark from pests, use a metal casing or mesh. The tree trunk is also wrapped in spunbond.

Pollination

Pear trees require a pollinator to bear fruit. Trees are planted at a distance of 3 - 4 m. The main condition is simultaneous flowering. The cross-pollination process is influenced by weather factors: warm weather, lack of rain, cold weather, strong winds.

A pollinator is not required if different varieties are grafted into the tree crown. Then, when they bloom, they will cross-pollinate and produce a harvest.

Productivity

The Ussuri pear is distinguished by high yields. Up to 70 kg of fruits are harvested from one tree. The yield is stable from year to year. Fruiting begins at 9-10 years of age. To speed up this process, other varieties are grafted into the crown. Then the fruits ripen in 5-6 years. To increase productivity, regular care is required: watering, fertilizing, crown pruning.

Diseases and pests

Most often, the crop suffers from scab. The disease appears as dark spots that appear on leaves, shoots, flowers and fruits. Gradually, the degree of damage increases, leading to drying out of the shoots and damage to the crop. Bordeaux mixture is used to combat scab.In early spring, preventive treatments with preparations containing copper begin.

Black cancer and cytosporosis are dangerous for pears. The disease is spread by a harmful fungus that attacks the bark, leaves and fruits. Good prevention is timely watering, fertilizing, whitewashing the trunk, and cleaning autumn leaves.

Fruit trees are susceptible to attack by mites, aphids, bark beetles, leaf rollers and other pests. Insecticides that work well against insects are: Karbofos, Iskra, Akarin, Metaphos.

Preventative work is effective: removing fallen leaves, stripping the trunk, digging up the soil under the tree.

Recipes from Ussuri pear

Ussuri pear is perfect for canning. Both recently collected and ripe fruits are used. The most popular preparations are compote, jam and marmalade.

Ingredients for pear compote:

• unripe dense pears for filling a three-liter jar;
• sugar – 500 g;
• water – 1.5 l.

Detailed compote recipe:

1. The fruits are washed and blanched in boiling water for 5 minutes.
2. Then mix the fruit into the jar.
3. Place water on the fire and add sugar.
4. When the syrup boils, remove it from the heat and pour over the fruit.
5. The jars are covered with lids and placed in a saucepan with water for pasteurization.
6. The containers are sealed and cooled.

Jam is a dessert consisting of boiled pieces of fruit. In addition to the pear, lemon juice, nuts, and other fruits are added to the mass.

Ingredients for pear jam:

• dense pears – 1 kg;
• granulated sugar – 1.6 kg;
• water – 2.5 cups.

Procedure for preparing jam:

1. The fruits are peeled and then cut into slices.
2. The pieces are placed in a saucepan and filled with cold water.
3. The mass is boiled until softened.
4. Pour water into the pan and add sugar. The syrup is brought to a boil.
5. Dip fruits into hot syrup and cook until tender.
6. The jam is placed in jars for the winter.

Jam is a homogeneous mass with ground fruit. Apples, nuts, and honey are added to the preparations to taste.

Ingredients for jam:

• ripe pears – 2 kg;
• sugar – 1.2 kg;
• water – 4 glasses.

Recipe for making jam:

1. Ripe fruits are washed and cut into slices. The seed pod is removed. The pear is placed on a blanching grid.
2. Pour water into the pan, lower the mesh and put it on the fire.
3. When the fruits become soft, they are passed through a sieve.
4. The resulting mass is put on fire and sugar is gradually added.
5. The jam is cooked until done.

To check how the jam is prepared, take one drop. If it doesn’t spread, it’s time to preserve the preparations.

Reviews of Ussuri pear

Conclusion

Ussuri pear is suitable for growing in cold regions. It is planted for its fruits, which are used for processing. Another direction was the use of Ussuri pear as a rootstock.

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