About 5 years ago I planted 2 different zone 3/4 pears in my apple orchard and they’ve thrived (3 year old bare root). Far better growth on them than some apples I planted at the same time. What I overlooked when I planted them is their bloom timing.
Not that I’ve wanted them to set fruit this young……but they have both bloomed like crazy the last 3 years. One of them consistently blooms real early and the other late. No crossover at all! Since neither of them have ever set a single fruit, I further assume there aren’t any other appropriate pear trees in my neighborhood and I’m on my own.
So, is there a pear variety out there that is known as a great pollinator, like some crabs are known to be? Maybe I just need to plant a 3rd variety that’s known as a mid-season pollinator? Maybe my trees need more age to know for sure? Maybe on the ‘right’ spring weather my current 2 trees will have some overlap in bloom time? Any advice?
I’m in far N Wisconsin and I’d like to try to address this issue when the frost goes out (mid June this year??
).
Not that I’ve wanted them to set fruit this young……but they have both bloomed like crazy the last 3 years. One of them consistently blooms real early and the other late. No crossover at all! Since neither of them have ever set a single fruit, I further assume there aren’t any other appropriate pear trees in my neighborhood and I’m on my own.
So, is there a pear variety out there that is known as a great pollinator, like some crabs are known to be? Maybe I just need to plant a 3rd variety that’s known as a mid-season pollinator? Maybe my trees need more age to know for sure? Maybe on the ‘right’ spring weather my current 2 trees will have some overlap in bloom time? Any advice?
I’m in far N Wisconsin and I’d like to try to address this issue when the frost goes out (mid June this year??
).
