Description and characteristics of Nika pear, planting scheme and care

The Nika variety pear has a lot of positive qualities. It is classified as a young variety. It received its main distribution in the Black Earth Region. Currently, many gardeners are planting trees on their plots. The fruits of the variety contain a large amount of sugar and vitamin C. They are consumed fresh and also processed.

Breeding history

The variety is considered relatively new. It was developed in 2002, and later it was included in the Russian state register. At the moment it is grown in the Black Earth Region. A group of breeders from the Michurin Agricultural Institute worked on its breeding. Nika was obtained by crossing the Talgar Beauty and Daughter of the Dawn varieties.

Description and characteristics of the pear

The description and characteristics of a tree include several points: height, pollinators, frost resistance, fruiting, life cycle, description of fruits.

Important! The Nika variety is considered one of the best results of selection.

Pollinator varieties

Nika is partially self-fertile. If you plant it alone, it will produce only a third of the possible harvest. It is recommended to plant it near pollinators to increase yield. These include:

• Duchess;
• Feria;
• Bererusskaya;
• Williams.

Tree height

Nick's pear reaches a height of about 3 meters. Forms a spherical crown with sparse branching. Uniform growth of branches is a distinctive feature of the variety.

Lifespan

The average lifespan of a tree is 15 years. If you follow the rules of agricultural technology, create favorable conditions, and carry out anti-aging pruning, it is possible to extend the life of a pear by a couple of years.

Winter hardiness

Nika is distinguished by its winter hardiness. It easily tolerates temperatures down to -38°C. This property manifests itself by the third year of life; until this age it is recommended to mulch and cover the tree trunk.

Productivity

The Nika variety gives high yields. Fruiting begins in the 5th – 6th year of the growing season. After the 2nd season, the tree shows stability in the number of fruits. About 50 kg of pears are removed from one pear.Periodic pruning and thinning of the crown increases the number of fruits.

Cyclicity of fruiting

The tree begins to bear fruit at the age of 5. During the first 2–3 years, the number of fruits varies. Then the yield levels out, and the pear produces regular high yields. Flowering occurs in early May; ovary and fruit formation occur throughout the season. Harvesting takes place in September. The fruits ripen for another 2 weeks.

Disease resistance

The plant has high immunity to scab and fungal diseases. This reduces the number of chemical sprays required.

Description of the fruit

Pear fruits are cone-shaped. The size is large, weight is about 200 g. The skin is thin, dense, and when harvested it is green with red spots. The harvest is left to ripen for 2 weeks, after which the peel turns yellow. The pulp is cream-colored, dense, granular.

Important! Collected pears are stored for about 4 months, tolerate transportation well, are suitable for cultivation for sale, and are quickly sold out.

Pros and cons of the variety

Nika has its advantages and disadvantages. The positive aspects include:

• high productivity;
• partial self-fertility;
• high productivity;
• winter hardiness;
• unpretentious care;
• resistance to fungi;
• high taste qualities of fruits;
• transportability.

Disadvantages include the desirable presence of pollinators and constant tree pruning for crown formation and sanitation.

Rules for planting a tree

The pear has its own planting characteristics. It is necessary to take into account the place, time, choose the right seedling and carry out the manipulation according to a certain technology.

Time and place of landing

To grow Nick's pear, it is recommended to choose well-lit areas with light, airy soil.

The tree is not fussy about the composition of the soil, but frequent flooding will cause rot in the roots.

Planting is done in spring or autumn. To do this, prepare a landing hole in advance. A hole is dug in the area with a depth and diameter of about 1 m. The soil from the hole is mixed with organic matter and superphosphate is added. Half is put back.

Preparation of seedlings

Young trees can be purchased from nurseries. There are a few things to consider when purchasing:

• the pear should be one or two years old, it is at this time that it is characterized by high survival rate;
• there should be no chips, cracks, scratches or damage on the root;
• root system without rot and signs of other diseases;
• There should be no signs of disease on the shoots.

Before transferring to the ground, the roots of the seedling are soaked in water for several hours.

Landing technology

Planting in open ground is carried out following a certain technology:

1. Dig a hole and prepare it in the fall, but no later than 2 weeks before planting;
2. Cover half with soil with fertilizers;
3. Place a tree in the hole;
4. Straighten the roots;
5. Sprinkle with earth in layers, compacting each layer;
6. Leave a trunk circle 8–10 cm deep;
7. Water with 5 – 6 buckets of water.

Important! To protect the seedling from damage by strong winds, a tall wooden stake is driven into the hole in advance and a pear is tied to it..

Recommendations for crop care

The tree is easy to care for, but following certain rules increases the yield and quality of the fruit.

Watering

Irrigation is carried out as needed, when the soil in the tree trunk circle becomes dry.The first watering is done before the buds open, the second during flowering, the third after harvesting for the winter. An adult tree consumes 8 – 10 buckets of water at a time.

Trimming

Pruning is carried out in spring and autumn. The first 3 years in the spring form the crown. In autumn, damaged, dry and broken branches are removed. They also thin out thickened areas if necessary.

Pollinators

The presence of a pollinator next to the nick is mandatory. This increases the number of fruits and yield. For this variety, pears are used that have the same flowering period.

Top dressing

There is no need to fertilize the pear tree for the first 3–4 years. The tree receives its nutrition from the organic matter added during planting. Next, mineral complexes containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are used.

Important! Nitrogen is applied only in spring.

Diseases and pests of pear

Nika has strong immunity. Infestation by insects or fungi occurs when the soil is over-moistened and care rules are not followed. Among the diseases noted:

• powdery mildew;
• burn;
• rust.

To combat them, the foliage is sprayed with a fungicidal preparation.

Among the insects on the leaves and fruits of pears you can see:

• aphids;
• caterpillars;
• stalk

Harvest and storage

The harvest takes place in early September. The pears are removed slightly under-ripe. The fruits are placed in boxes and transferred for storage to a cool, dark place. In such conditions they last for 3 – 4 months.