LolaLayla Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 My son has loads of pears on a tree in his garden. I just wondered when is the right time to pick them as I had read if they get soft on the outside they will have gone brown in the middle. Is this true? I am sure someone here must have pear trees and know the answer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 mom used to pick them whilest still rock hard but she didn't like them soft and sweet.but it depends on which they are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted August 23, 2011 Author Share Posted August 23, 2011 I have no idea what they are, but I am amazed how prolific the tree is. He pruned the tree last year (having no idea what he was doing) and it seems to have had a wonderful effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Are they green and then changing to yellow? - I have Concorde which are ripe at the moment although they are about a month early! William pears are also ready at this time. We usually watch for the wasps to start moving in - they do that just before they are really ripe - and then start picking them. If you lift them up gently they will come away fairly easily if they are ready, you don't need to pull them off. If they are still green then they will ripen in the house over a day or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted August 23, 2011 Author Share Posted August 23, 2011 I am sure they are not ready yet as they are a bit like a turnip inside I just don't want them going to waste once ready to pick. Colourwise they look similar to Conference but at the moment look a bit darker although there is some paler green starting. Shapewise they are very slightly dumpier although not a dumpy variety like Comice. I reckon it will be a common variety though. Thanks for the picking tips I will keep a watch on the wasps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 We have 3 young pear trees and one of them has 4 William shaped pears with a pink blush on it and I have been wondering when they will be ripe. I had read that they won't ripen fully on the tree is this correct? I love my pears juicy and soft not crispy. It was an unlabeled tree from Lidl a couple of years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 not all pears are ready to eat straight of the tree Catilac for instance needs storing till at least Febuary before it's slightly cookable makes great juice late October time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 I have a pear tree in my garden and I'm sure they're cooking pears, they fall off and rot about now and when you pick them they're rock hard and bitter. They're a mixture of green and russet colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted August 25, 2011 Author Share Posted August 25, 2011 Didn't know that you could get cooking pears? Hmm that could complicate the situation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Didn't know that you could get cooking pears? Hmm that could complicate the situation Nor do I, unless they're ornamental pears? In which case I might lop the tree down - as I am sick of having to move the netted area to stop chickens being bopped on the head by windfall! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 I have a pear tree in my garden and I'm sure they're cooking pears, they fall off and rot about now and when you pick them they're rock hard and bitter. They're a mixture of green and russet colour. if they are on the small side and dry your mouth out like blotting paper then it could be a perry pear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted September 3, 2011 Author Share Posted September 3, 2011 I have been back to my son's garden and have taken these photos of the pears. It appears there are two varieties. They do not appear to be ripe yet although there are some on the ground. They are still the texture of turnips and the seeds are still a light colour. Any idea what types of pears these are please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted September 4, 2011 Author Share Posted September 4, 2011 I have been back to my son's garden and have taken these photos of the pears. It appears there are two varieties. They do not appear to be ripe yet although there are some on the ground. They are still the texture of turnips and the seeds are still a light colour. Any idea what types of pears these are please I would hate to waste these pears by not knowing how to deal with them so any ideas on variety would be great, please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 have a look at this one for the red one http://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/Pear-Louise-Bonne-of-Jersey-Pyrus-communis-Louise-Bonne-Jersey also have a look a concorde or Conference for the green one sadly there aren't many photos of red pears about you could try traling through here there is one or 2 red ones with photos http://www.keepers-nursery.co.uk/stockresults.aspx you'll need to conpare the pics with a 4 or 5 fruits from differant sides of the tree really but it will only be a rough guess but you should then get an idea as to what they are the other option is to take a sample to an apple day were they are doing an ID's of apples and pears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted September 4, 2011 Author Share Posted September 4, 2011 have a look at this one for the red onehttp://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/Pear-Louise-Bonne-of-Jersey-Pyrus-communis-Louise-Bonne-Jersey also have a look a concorde or Conference for the green one sadly there aren't many photos of red pears about you could try traling through here there is one or 2 red ones with photos http://www.keepers-nursery.co.uk/stockresults.aspx you'll need to conpare the pics with a 4 or 5 fruits from differant sides of the tree really but it will only be a rough guess but you should then get an idea as to what they are the other option is to take a sample to an apple day were they are doing an ID's of apples and pears Thanks so much I am sure the red one is the one listed and the green one Concord. It did not quite look like Conference to me but I see it is related so that explains the similarity. I have not heard of an apple identification day up here but perhaps someone knows of one. Anyway now I will know when to harvest. Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Lovely looking pears! Have been reading up on fruit trees and it said that they ripen better off the tree because they are ready inside before the outside! I'd never heard of that before. Thought I might try one that has 2 varieties on one tree. Definitely want one now!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 We are having strong winds here at the moment so I don't think there will be many left on the tree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Hmmm, windfalls that might need to be collected from your next door neighbour then! Perhaps you could cook them a little and freeze them? Pear juice/cider home made brew? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 The pears are in my son's garden and he probably hasn't given them a second thought Perry would be great to make Wonder how I could do that OH did some home brew from a kit so we will have some equipment. Years ago (before children) we made pea pod wine..it was lethal, bit like paintstripper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Sounds more fun than the pea pod soup that my OH had in mind! Actually it probably is quite nice. He wasn't allowed to touch my peas as they were so yummy and sweet that I wanted to keep all the pods for next years seeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
