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It is almost impossible to buy a pear variety of the old domestic selection Severyanka now. Nurseries have stopped breeding it. However, Severyanka is still often found in private courtyards in the Urals. The variety is loved by many gardeners because of its tasty fruits, so many fans propagate it by grafting. The Severyanka pear was bred by crossing two varieties: Clapp's Favorite and Koperechka.
Characteristics of the variety
The fruit tree is characterized by a large height of up to 5–6 m. However, a pear grows to such dimensions at the age of 14 years. The young tree has an average height, but the crown is initially wide. Severyanka branches have intensive growth. As a result, the pear forms a pyramidal, almost rounded crown up to 6 m wide. The branches grow powerful, but do not create density. The bark is smooth gray. Young shoots are distinguished by their green color with a feathering present at the tips of the branches. The foliage color is dark green. The shape is oval-elongated with a sharp apex. The leaves are slightly curved inward, and have small serrations along the edges.
The flower petals are white, not completely closed. The edges are semicircular without serrations. The shape of the Severyanka flower is similar to a small saucer. There are from four to six of them in the inflorescence.
Many lovers are looking for a description of the Severyanka pear variety, photos, reviews for the sake of describing the fruit. They can be described as red-cheeked handsome men.Severyanka fruits grow in different sizes. Most pears weigh about 85 g, but larger specimens weighing up to 120 g are found. The shape of the fruit is conical with a truncated tip. The technical maturity of a pear is determined by the yellow-green color of the skin. Moreover, the yellow color is present on a smaller part of the surface of the fruit and looks like a faint tan. On the skin of a fully ripe pear, ready to eat, there are few green glimpses left, and the yellow color is more dominant. The barrel of the fruit is covered with a pink blush. This is where the second name of the variety comes from - Severyanka red-cheeked.
At any stage of fruit ripeness, the skin always remains matte and never becomes glossy. It is quite thick, but it does not feel rough when eaten. The stalks are quite long and often curved. The core of the fruit has a bulbous shape. Inside there are small seed chambers, but with large grains. Ripe seeds become brown in color.
The frequently asked question about what Severyanka pear tastes like can be answered this way:
- the pulp of the fruit is crispy, with a high content of juice;
- the taste resembles wine sweetness with the presence of acid and lack of astringency;
- the aroma is weak;
- The color of the pulp is cream.
In percentage terms, the amount of sugar in a pear is 11.8, and acid is 0.38. According to its intended purpose, the Severyanka Red-cheeked pear variety is considered universal. Harvest time falls at the beginning of the second ten days of August. Fruits are stored in the cellar for no more than 10–15 days. After this time, the pulp becomes looser and acquires a brown tint.
The fruits are held quite firmly on the stalks and are not afraid of strong winds. However, this only lasts until the pears are fully ripe. After the fruits ripen, they fall off the tree in three days. Pears collected from the ground will not be stored. To avoid crop loss, it is recommended to begin harvesting approximately five days before the fruits are fully ripened.
Considering the description of the Severyanka pear variety, it is worth noting the high yield rate, as well as early fruiting. Already in the fourth year after planting the seedling, you can get the first fruits. Further, productivity will increase rapidly. A pear in its seventh year of life can bear up to 20 kg of fruit. The yield of an adult tree ranges from 40–60 kg. But this is not the limit. In a good year, a pear can produce up to 110 kg of fruit.
The variety is considered partially self-fertile. To obtain a good harvest, the Severyanka pear still needs pollinators. They may be other varieties that have the same flowering period. In case of self-pollination, an adult tree will give a maximum of 35% of its harvest.
In terms of winter hardiness, the Severyanka red-cheeked pear is superior to many varieties. The freezing of two trees was recorded in Ufa. The winter of 1978 was marked by severe frosts down to -50OC. At a temperature of –42OComplete freezing of the crown was observed, but the root system was unaffected. The pears sprouted new shoots and fully recovered.
The Severyanka pear variety tolerates drought moderately, but it is better not to bring the tree to such a state. If artificial irrigation is not provided in a dry year, the ripening of the crop will be delayed. The fruits will gain little juice, will be small and will lose their taste.
A positive feature of the variety is its resistance to common pests: codling moth and pear mite. However, late frosts can freeze the leaves. In this case, the risk of bacterial diseases increases.
The video provides an overview of the Northern Red-cheeked:
Growing pears and caring for trees
For the Severyanka pear, planting and care involves almost the same actions performed for other varieties. Nurseries probably no longer sell seedlings, but you can find them on the market from private owners. Hobbyists who still have this variety propagate it by grafting. If you managed to buy a Severyanka seedling, then you immediately need to choose a suitable place for the tree:
- The tree loves loamy or sandy soil. Before planting, you need to add a large amount of humus to the soil.
- The pear tree does not like groundwater. If the layers are located above 2 m, the root system of an adult tree will become wet.
- The northerner loves sunlight and does not tolerate wind.
Planting time falls in April or late September early October. It all depends on the climatic conditions of the region. If severe frosts are observed in winter, then it is better to plant a pear seedling in the spring. Before autumn, the tree will have time to take root and will not freeze. The place for the seedling is prepared at least a week in advance. First, dig a hole measuring 80x100 cm. Two buckets of humus mixed with a bucket of fertile soil are poured onto the bottom. To this mixture add 200 g of fertilizer containing potassium, as well as superphosphate - no more than 800 g.
After purchasing a pear seedling, they begin planting it:
- First, a liquid solution is made from clay - mash. The roots of the seedling are dipped into it.
- The next step involves inspecting the crown. Long branches are shortened, and damaged ones are completely cut off.
- The seedling is immersed in the hole with its roots, a peg is driven in nearby and the tree is loosely tied to it.
- The root system is lightly sprinkled with soil, and then watered abundantly. When the water is absorbed, the soil will settle a little. The hole must be completely filled with earth, and the seedling must be tied more tightly to the peg.
When the pear is well rooted, the support can be removed.
The main action during care is considered to be pruning the Severyanka pear, and this should be done from the first days of the seedling’s life. If the tree was purchased without skeletal branches, then the trunk must be shortened with pruning shears so that a twig 90 cm high remains above the ground. If there are skeletal branches on the seedling, they are partially pruned. Leave twigs with three buds. Similar actions have been carried out for three years in a row. Further pruning of the pear is considered sanitary. Dry, frozen and damaged branches are removed from the tree. Be sure to trim the shoots.
Caring for a pear involves periodically loosening the soil around the trunk. This is necessary to provide oxygen to the roots. From weed It is advisable to get rid of it immediately. They draw moisture and nutrients from the soil. Severyanka is a rather moisture-loving variety. The pear tree needs to be watered more often so that the soil does not dry out, but waterlogging should not be allowed. Once a season, the tree is fed with minerals. In autumn, humus is added to the roots. Before winter, it is important to water the pear abundantly and mulch the soil. This procedure increases the chance of the tree overwintering.
Reviews about the variety
Severyanka is not currently used on an industrial scale, but gardeners love this variety, as evidenced by numerous reviews. Most often people write that the old selection is much better. The trees are hardier, resistant to pests and produce tastier fruits than modern varieties.
