Description and characteristics of the Packham pear variety, planting, cultivation and care

The pear tree, known as Packham, emigrated to Russia relatively recently. Before that, she grew up in Australia and South America. Its taste qualities are loved by many Russians. Pakham is a sweet, sour fruit, very juicy, but with dense pulp. After harvesting, the fruits are stored in a cool place. When properly stored, fruits do not lose their aroma and taste.

Description, characteristics and history of the origin of the variety

The Packham pear appeared in the gardens of domestic gardeners relatively recently. She is originally from Australia. It is a variety of the Bartlett variety. Packham was bred at the end of the 19th century by Australian C. Packham. These fruits are exported to Russia from Chile, Argentina and South Africa. Seedlings can be planted in regions with a temperate climate, but they must be insulated for the winter.

Description of the tree

The plant has a pyramidal shape. Grows up to 3 meters. The branches of the tree are strong. The leaves are medium sized, smooth, green. Under the weight of the harvest, the branches droop and give the tree a spreading shape. Pakham produces a harvest only 4 or 5 years after planting. Then it bears fruit regularly for 30 years.

Productivity is more than 100 kilograms of fruit from one tree.

Description of the fruit

Pakham forms large fruits. The weight of one fruit is 150-190 grams. In appearance they are pear-shaped, slightly lumpy. Their skin is rough. The fruits are initially greenish in color, but turn yellow as they ripen. Greenish-brown dots are visible over the entire surface.

The ripe fruit has aromatic, sweet and juicy pulp. When cut, it is light cream in color and has a dense structure. Pakham has a sweetish-sour taste. When bitten, the ripe fruit crunches, and its flesh has rocky formations.

Pros and cons of Packham pear

Pros:

• high productivity;
• excellent taste properties;
• picked fruits are stored for a long time.

Minuses:

• low frost resistance;
• often get sick and are attacked by pests.

Features of growing a plant

Pakham is a heat-loving plant. It is recommended to plant it in places protected from the wind. Pear loves a lot of sunlight and does not tolerate swampy soil. Excess moisture can cause root rot.

Choosing a place and time for landing

Pakham grows on any soil, but prefers clay soil and black soil. It can produce crops on sandy soil if it is fertilized with organic matter and minerals. Pear does not like too wet soil. It is not advisable to plant it in the shade of other trees. Packham is not prone to self-pollination. It is recommended to plant it near other varieties of pears.

Pakham can be planted in early spring or late autumn. Spring planting is preferable for regions with warm climates. Seedlings are buried in the ground until the buds open. In autumn, trees are planted before frost sets in so that they have time to adapt to the new environment.

Preparing the planting hole

Before planting, you need to dig a shallow hole - up to 1 meter deep. It should remain open for some time. The excavated soil is mixed with humus, sand and mineral fertilizers (potassium and superphosphate).

Preparation of seedlings

It is better to buy planting material from nurseries. Seedlings should be no more than two years old. The height of the plant for planting is about 1.5 meters. The tree must have flexible branches and a strong root system. Before planting, the seedling is placed in a Heteroauxin solution for 12 hours. It stimulates the growth of the root system.

Planting scheme

Part of the excavated and fertilized soil is poured back into the hole. Then the seedling is immersed in it and sprinkled with soil up to the root collar. After planting, two buckets of settled water are poured under the root.

Rules for caring for pears

With proper care and regular fertilization, Pakham gives a good harvest. Trees need annual pruning and rejuvenation. During dry seasons, it is recommended to water them.

Fertilizer

Pakham is fertilized several times a year.First, in early spring, before the first flowers appear, nitrogen fertilizers and mullein are added to the soil. In the first half of summer, the pear needs potassium, magnesium and phosphorus fertilizing. After harvesting the fruits for the winter, the tree can be fertilized with potassium and phosphorus.

Watering

It is advisable to water trees during dry periods. Mandatory - during flowering and fruit set. Young trees need regular watering. After spring planting, they need to be refilled every other day (one bucket of water at a time). After watering, it is advisable to loosen the soil. It is recommended to mulch the ground around the tree with dry hay or tree bark.

Pruning and rejuvenation

The formation of the crown is carried out in early spring, before the buds open. Side, old, dry and diseased branches are trimmed. They are cut off completely, leaving no stumps. Young shoots and several large branches near the trunk are left. It is recommended to thin out the crown in late autumn. Every 5 years the tree is rejuvenated. Young shoots are left and old shoots are cut off.

Wintering

It is advisable to insulate young trees before the onset of frost. Their trunks are lined with straw, reeds or dry corn stalks. The top of the tree is additionally wrapped with burlap or film.

Protection from diseases and pests

Packham gets sick often. This fruit is often attacked by insect pests. To prevent diseases, it is recommended to carry out preventive measures and spray the tree with special chemicals. In case of disease, the tree is treated, and diseased fruits or branches are removed.

Diseases:

1. Scab.

Due to the fungus, brown spots appear on the leaves, and then on the fruits themselves. The fruit cracks and its flesh becomes ossified.Infected pears are removed from the tree, and the fruits are sprayed with a one percent Bordeaux mixture or a solution of copper sulfate.

2. Moniliosis.

Fungal infection leads to fruit rotting. Infected fruits are removed from the tree, and the pear itself is sprayed with chemicals (Chorus, Bordeaux mixture, Strobi). Fitosporin-M is used for prevention.

3. Black cancer.

The disease affects the trunk and branches. Microorganisms form small cracks, they tear the bark. Fungi enter the wound and cause rotting. The affected area is cut off and treated with a solution of copper sulfate, then covered with clay.

Insecticides are used to control insects. Damaged leaves and ovaries, as well as dead pests after spraying, fall to the ground under the tree. This garbage must be raked up and burned in a fire.

Harvest and storage

It is recommended to collect fruits in early September, before they are fully ripe, when they have turned slightly yellow. The fruits are picked from the tree and placed in baskets or boxes. It is recommended to store fruits in a cool place. Here they ripen for 14 days. Storage temperature - from 0 to 2 degrees. Pears do not lose their taste and appearance for 1-2 months.