Content
Carmen pear is a rather rare variety, bred in Russia relatively recently. It is distinguished by large red fruits with a pleasant sweet taste and juicy pulp. Suitable for growing in home and industrial conditions.
History of selection
The Carmen pear variety was obtained at the All-Russia Research Institute named after. Michurina. The author is breeder Yakovlev S.P. He carried out the selection of the William Red and Daughter of Blankova varieties. The variety is not yet included in the register of Russian breeding achievements. It is currently undergoing state tests.
Description of Carmen pear with photo
The variety is a fast-growing tree that produces attractive red fruits. A description of the main external features is presented below.
Tree
The Carmen pear grows quite quickly, the crown is narrow pyramidal, compact, height up to 2.5-3 m. The tree does not take up much space.The branches extend from the central trunk at sharp angles. Its shoots are quite thick, grow straight, and are partly elbow-shaped. The color is brownish-brown, the buds are small, pressed to the surface, conical type.
The leaves of the Carmen pear are medium-sized, round-elliptical in shape. They are slightly pointed, have a reddish tint, and shine beautifully in the sun. The leaf blade is weakly folded, slightly curved, with fine, smooth edges. Stipules are long, awl-shaped. The foliage diverges at sharp angles.
Fruit
The fruits of the Carmen pear variety are small, typical in shape, regular, symmetrical. The surface of the skin is dry. At the stage of technical ripeness, the color is burgundy and evenly distributed over the entire surface. After reaching consumer maturity, the color is rich burgundy, with brownish-red tints. Many subcutaneous points are noticeable. The stalks are short and thick.
The average weight is 120-170 g, but there are individual representatives weighing 250-300 g. The saucers are not very wide, small, and folded. The skin is slightly rough and somewhat shiny. The waxy coating is weakly expressed. The color is bright, which makes this pear noticeably stand out from other varieties.
Carmen pear fruits at the stage of technical ripeness are suitable for storage
Characteristics of the variety
Among the characteristics of the Carmen pear variety, special attention should be paid to the taste of the fruit, their ripening period and yield. These and other indicators are described below.
Taste qualities
The Carmen pear produces fairly large burgundy-colored fruits with white-cream flesh. It is juicy, the taste is light, with a balance of sour and sweet, refreshing. At the same time, there are no tart notes at all. The consistency is moderately thick, semi-oily.
Based on the results of the analysis, the following chemical composition was established (per 100 g):
- sugar total 8 g;
- acids – 0.12 g;
- P-active components – 135 mg;
- ascorbic acid – 7 mg.
Ripening time
The Carmen pear variety begins to ripen from late July to mid-August. This is a summer variety with a friendly yield. The fruits do not last long - they must be used within a few days. The taste is pleasant, so pears are good fresh. They are suitable for preparing all kinds of preparations, including jam, preserves, and compote.
Productivity
Specific data on yield is not provided. But the description of the Carmen variety indicates that the indicator is average. Therefore, we can assume that it is possible to get up to 30-40 kg of fruit from one mature tree.
Winter hardiness
Various data are given regarding the winter hardiness of the Carmen variety. Some sources indicate that the indicator is satisfactory, but not very good. According to other sources, trees can withstand frosts down to -30 degrees. We can say that it will be possible to grow such a crop in most regions of Central Russia.
The tree is not very winter-hardy and may freeze slightly
Pollinators of the Carmen pear
The self-fertility of the Carmen pear variety is partial. There are male and female flowers on the tree, so the harvest will be formed in any case. But it is best to plant pollinators nearby. Early varieties, for example, are suitable for this role. Vilnius is average. If space is limited, a pollinator branch can be grafted onto Carmen.
Growing regions
Since the winter hardiness of the Carmen pear cannot be assessed as good, much less excellent, it is permissible to grow it only in the regions of Central Russia:
- middle lane;
- Volga region;
- Chernozem region;
- southern regions.
In the North-West and the Urals, cultivation is difficult. Even in the middle zone, shoots can freeze. Therefore, mandatory shelter is required for the winter. This is especially important for young seedlings. Dense agrofibre is used as a covering material; the surface layer must be mulched.
Disease resistance
The description of the Carmen pear variety says that immunity is average. But it is also stated that the variety is resistant to septoria and scab. However, it may suffer from other fungal diseases. In winter, hares and mice pose a particular danger.
If trees are wounded, their winter hardiness and productivity decrease. Therefore, it is important not only to do preventive spring treatments, but to install a protective net around the trunk for the winter.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Carmen variety is the only variety with completely red, burgundy pears that are suitable for growing in the middle zone. As a rule, only yellow-green and orange varieties are cultivated in Central Russia. Therefore, such a crop can clearly have commercial success.
The taste is quite sweet, and the fruits themselves are moderately large and have an attractive presentation.
Pros:
- resistance to scab, septoria;
- compact crown - does not take up much space;
- undemanding to soil;
- the tree is easy to care for;
- transportability is good.
Minuses:
- the yield is average and grows relatively slowly;
- frost resistance is low;
- average early pregnancy - from the fifth year of life;
- keeping quality is low - up to two weeks.
Planting scheme
It is recommended to plant the Carmen pear variety only in early May, and in the fall - in the second half of October. Seedlings are purchased from nurseries or other trusted suppliers. It is characteristic that the tree is undemanding to soil; it grows normally even on sod-podzolic soils. But fertile and loose loam with a slightly acidic or neutral pH of 6 to 7 is best suited.
There are several requirements for the location:
- complete absence of shadow;
- without stagnant water (lowlands are excluded);
- groundwater should not rise higher than 2 m;
- free air flow. Close proximity to “dead ends” or next to buildings should be avoided;
- lack of proximity to rowan trees and tall trees (they take away too many nutrients).
The soil for planting Carmen pears is prepared in advance. It needs to be dug up and fertilized, compost or humus added (a bucket per square meter). If the soil is clay, it is also suitable for growing. But first you need to add sand or sawdust in an amount of 3-5 kg to the same area.
On the eve of transplantation, it is advisable to soak the seedling in a clay mash with a growth stimulator, for example, Zircon or Epin. The landing process itself is quite simple:
- Mark several holes at a distance of 3-4 m with a diameter of 80-100 cm and a depth of 60-80 cm.
- Place a wooden peg in the center.
- Place pebbles, expanded clay, and broken bricks on the bottom.
- Plant a Carmen pear seedling in the center and cover it with soil.
- Compact so that the root collar remains at a height of 1-2 cm.
- Tie it to the peg with a rope (wire cannot be used).
- Next, pour a bucket of settled water.
- After a few days, it is recommended to mulch with peat, sawdust or other materials. Since the Carmen variety is not very winter-hardy, the height should be at least 10 cm.
A diagram will help you plant a tree correctly.
Features of care
Caring for this variety of pear is not too difficult. The plant is unpretentious and bears fruit consistently even on depleted soil. However, productivity increases gradually and relatively slowly. Care comes down to the following actions:
- Watering of young seedlings is carried out weekly. Mature trees can be moistened 1-2 times a month. But if there is a drought, more water should be given.
- To prevent the soil from losing moisture too quickly, it is mulched not only in winter, but also in summer.
- After watering the Carmen pear and heavy rains, the soil is mulched and weeded.
- Nitrogen fertilizers are applied every spring; during budding and fruiting, complex mineral compositions with a high content of potassium compounds and superphosphate are given.
- In early spring, it is necessary to do formative and sanitary pruning of the Carmen pear variety.
- At the same time, fungicide treatment is carried out to prevent fungal diseases. Insects can be dealt with using folk remedies or special preparations.
Collection and storage
Carmen pear fruits are harvested from late July to mid-August. They are not very long-lasting - even in normal conditions (darkness, temperature 2-6 degrees Celsius, humidity up to 70%) they last only two weeks. At the same time, pears are transported quite well; they can be transported to different distances.
The fruits are consumed fresh, but since they do not last long, they are sent for processing. Carmen pears make delicious jam, jam, and marmalade. Compotes are prepared from the fruits.
Conclusion
The Carmen pear is undemanding, so even a gardener without much experience can grow it. The fruits are quite large and tasty. They are not long-lasting, but are quite suitable for preparing dishes and preparing food for the winter.
Reviews from gardeners about the Carmen pear
