Belorusskaya Late pear variety (14 photos): description, planting, care, characteristics and reviews from gardeners

Late Belorussian pear is a representative of winter varieties that are distinguished by an abundant yield of tasty fruits and tolerate severe frosts. Therefore, this tree is in great demand in the Central Economic Region, where a temperate continental climate prevails.

History of the variety's creation

As the name suggests, the birthplace of the variety is the Republic of Belarus. It was bred in the 60s of the last century at the Belarusian Research Institute of Fruit Growing, located in the Minsk region. Its authors are talented breeders N.I. Mikhnevich, N.G. Myalik and Yu.K. Kovalenko, who used the French pear Good Louise in their work.

In Belarus, pear received official permission for cultivation in 1989. In the Russian federal institution “Gossortkomission” it appeared in the register only in 2002. The Central and Northwestern regions were identified for its cultivation, where it showed good productivity.

Belorussian late is often chosen as one of the main types of pear trees when forming industrial orchards in Belarus, Russia and the Baltic states. The variety is also used in breeding trials and becomes the basis for creating new varieties of fruit trees.

History and characteristics of the variety

The variety was obtained by breeders from the Research Institute of Pear Fruit Growing in Belarus. Suitable for cultivation in the northwestern regions of Russia.

Late Belorussian pear is a medium-sized tree with branches extending horizontally from the trunk. This makes the crown formation process much easier.

The harvest is represented by fruits with an average weight of about 120 g

The small, broadly pear-shaped fruits are covered with a rough skin. When ripe, they have a green color, which during storage changes to yellow and then crimson.

The harvest is represented by one-dimensional fruits with an average weight of about 120 g. When ripe, the pear pulp is very sweet, but dense. At consumer maturity, which occurs approximately 3-4 months after harvest, the pulp becomes very juicy and oily. The pears received a taster rating of 4.4 out of 5 points. Despite the sweetness, their taste is not cloying.

Fruits can be stored until mid-spring at a temperature of 0-2 °C.

Main characteristics

The Belorussian pear is a medium-sized tree, which usually does not exceed 5 m. The skeletal branches extend from the trunk almost at a right angle. Their ends are directed upwards. The shoots are medium thick, pubescent, brown in color, covered with tubercles and streaks (lentils). The buds are small, sharp, conical in shape.

The crown is very thick. It has a round spherical shape. The leaves are oval, short-pointed, relatively small in size, slightly curled. The surface is smooth, bright green, with finely toothed edges. The venation is pinnate, weakly expressed.

The flowers are large, white, five-petaled. Solitary or collected in inflorescences. Flowering occurs around May. Its start will depend on weather conditions. The flowers have a pleasant aroma that attracts pollinating insects to the plant.

The fruits are formed on short fruiting branches - simple and complex ringlets. They are attached to short straight stalks growing at an angle. They reach harvest maturity by the end of September, and can be stored until January-February (sometimes until March).

According to the originator's description, the fruit consumption period is from November to March.

The variety is frost-resistant. In some years with extremely harsh winters, trees experienced moderate freezing. The immune system cannot be called strong. The plant can be susceptible to common pear diseases such as scab and fire blight. The development of diseases can depend on many factors. Therefore, wood does not always require mandatory treatment with chemicals.

Diseases

Late Belorussian pear is characterized by good resistance to most diseases of pome trees. Scab and fire blight can affect trees under unfavorable weather conditions (cold, high humidity, frequent rainfall in summer and spring).

The table presents possible pear diseases, their symptoms and methods of combating them.

Scab

Fruit rot

Bacterial burn
Thickening of the crown creates favorable conditions for diseases and pests of pears

Description of fruits

The fruits of the Belarusian late pear, in most cases, weigh 100-120 g. Most often they are approximately the same size. They are characterized by a regular, beautiful pear-shaped shape and medium one-dimensionality. The funnel is narrow, heart-small in size. The color at ripeness is green with a brown outer tint. With the onset of consumer ripeness, pears become bright yellow, almost orange with a blurry brown-red integumentary tint.

The skin is dry, of medium thickness. Chews well and does not spoil the taste of the fruit. Covered with small brown-gray dots. The pulp is white, juicy, fine-grained in consistency, melts pleasantly in the mouth. The aroma is weak. The taste is predominantly sweet. Professional tasters rate it at 4.3-4.5 points on a five-point scale.

The level of dry matter in fruits is 14.5%, sugars - 9.3%, titratable acids - 0.1%. There is a high content of vitamin C - 12.1 mg/100 g. Fruits are stored for a long time, so you can enjoy them all winter. They are recommended to be consumed fresh, however, they can also be used for preparations.

Details about the Belarusian late pear

The Belorussian late was bred by N. Mikhnevich, G. Kovalenko and M. Myalik, employees of the Belarusian Research Institute of Fruit Growing. It was grown from the seeds of the open-pollinated French pear Good Louise. The variety is included in the State Registers of Belarus (1989) and Russia (2002).

The Belarusian late one was created by employees of the Belarusian Research Institute of Fruit Growing

The late Belorussian tree is low, the crown is spherical, the branches have upward-pointing ends. The main ones extend from the trunk at an almost right angle.

The light green leaves are small, elliptical, with wavy, serrated edges. Large white flowers appear on the ringlets. They are considered self-pollinating, but the harvest will be greater if Bere Loshitskaya or Maslyanistaya Loshitskaya pears grow nearby - the best pollinators for Belorussian late.

Not far from the late Belorusskaya pear, it is worth planting other varieties - Bere Loshitskaya or Maslyanistuya Loshitskaya

The tree begins to bear fruit early, already in the 4th year of growth. The harvest is abundant - a young pear can produce up to 100 kg of fruit, and an adult one - up to 180 kg. The fruits of the Belorusskaya late variety are medium in size (110–120 g), have a regular wide pear-shaped shape and are almost the same size. They are covered with thin, rough skin with light brown dots. When picked from the tree, pears are green in color with a brownish-red outer tint. The fruits usually ripen by the end of September, and they can be stored until February of the following year or longer. When the fruits reach consumer maturity, the color turns into a rich yellow, close to orange, and the outer shade becomes a blurred crimson.

The fruits of the Belorussian late pear are regular in shape and almost identical in size

Pears have straight, short, sloping stalks and a small, narrow funnel. The hearts of the fruits are small, slightly elongated. The seeds are brown and small. White pulp of medium density, juicy, tender. The pleasant sweet taste with a slight sourness was rated by tasters at 4.2–4.4 points out of 5.

Belorussian late is universal in purpose; it can be used fresh, for preparing desserts and dried fruits, and canning.

Positive and negative aspects of the variety

The undeniable advantages of the late Belarusian pear are:

• winter hardiness;
• precociousness;
• productivity;
• Possibility of long-term storage of fruits.

The disadvantages of the variety include:

• the need to thin out the thickened crown;
• frequency of fruiting;
• reduction in fruit size when there is a large number of them;
• the likelihood of pear disease or damage to the tree and fruit by insects.

Pollinator trees

Belorussian late is a partially self-fertile plant. It is capable of pollinating itself, and if only one tree grows on the site, it will produce a harvest. However, to increase productivity, pears with the same flowering period should be planted nearby. Ideal companions for this variety would be Bere Loshitskaya and Maslyanistaya Loshitskaya.

Bere Loshitskaya

Oily Loshitskaya

Planting and preparation for it

A correctly selected seedling, planted in prepared soil in a suitable place at the optimal time, guarantees a good harvest of pears of this variety.

Did you know? According to ancient Chinese superstition, sharing a pear with a person means separation from him.

Optimal timing

It is best to plant this variety in the spring, when the soil has warmed up and the danger of returning frost has passed. In the regions of the middle zone, this period occurs mainly in the second half of May. In more southern regions, autumn planting is also practiced, which is carried out 2 months before the onset of frosty weather.

Choosing the best seedling when purchasing

It is best to buy seedlings from specialized nurseries at 2 years of age, which is characterized by maximum survival rate. In this case, you should pay attention to:

• tree bark, which should be smooth, without signs of peeling or cracks;
• tap roots, of which there must be at least 3;
• shoots, the number of which must also be at least 3 and which must be flexible and resilient;
• the presence of a grafting site, the absence of which indicates that the seedling being sold is a seedling, very often unable to reproduce the characteristic features of the variety.

Important! Under no circumstances should a pear tree of the Belorusskaya late variety be planted on soil where the distance from its surface to groundwater is less than 2 m.

Choosing a place to plant a pear

Like all pears, late Belarusian pears require good lighting. In its absence, the yield decreases, the fruits become smaller and lose their sugar content. The lush crown of this variety also requires space. Each tree requires a space of at least 16 m². There will not be a full harvest if the pear is planted in sandy or clay soil. It feels best on loose chernozem soil with an acid-base balance of pH 5.5–6.

Diseases and pests

Belarusian pear is often affected by scab (brown spots on leaves and fruits). To prevent this disease (especially if there are already infected trees in the garden), plants are sprayed in early spring with a 3% solution of Bordeaux mixture. The procedure is repeated after flowering ends, using a 1% solution. Bordeaux mixture will also help get rid of other fungal diseases, such as moniliosis.

If a bacterial burn is detected on a tree, the damaged area must be immediately carefully cut off and burned. Subsequently, the plant is treated with an antibiotic and drugs that have a general strengthening effect are added.

Among the pests that most often damage the crop, hawthorns, codling moths, weevils, sawflies and aphids. The simplest and most effective way to combat these parasites is to use industrial insecticides. However, to preserve the quality of fruits with a slight spread of pests, it is recommended to carry out the following measures:

• manually collect caterpillars and eggs (later they are burned);
• place traps at a distance from the tree to attract harmful butterflies;
• use catch belts;
• remove plant debris in a timely manner;
• monitor the cleanliness of the tree trunk circle.

The use of all insecticidal and fungicidal preparations is stopped a month before harvest.

Pests

The most common pests are presented in the table.

To combat insect pests, insecticides are used in accordance with the instructions supplied with them.

Advantages and disadvantages

The winter variety of Belarusian pear has long been known to domestic gardeners. It does not lose its relevance today thanks to many positive qualities:

• high productivity;
• fruits of excellent taste;
• long shelf life;
• frost resistance.

Among the disadvantages are:

• average immunity;
• the need to use pollinators to increase harvest volumes;
• thickening of the crown, as a result of which the fruit may not receive enough sun and heat, which has a bad effect on their taste and size.

Features of culture

The variety “Belorusskaya late” tolerates frosts down to -30 without damage. In temperate areas it can tolerate lower temperatures. To prevent the tree from freezing, it is important to cover it for the winter (especially young seedlings that have not reached the age of five years).

Gardeners highlight the following advantages of the variety:

• precociousness – the ability to get the first harvest within four years;
• excellent frost resistance;
• excellent keeping quality of pears - until spring (April);
• interesting and multifaceted taste;
• versatility in processing - pears are good both raw and as jam,
• compotes and jams.

Among the shortcomings are noted:

• susceptibility to fire blight and scab;
• periodic fruiting;
• tendency to thicken the crown - periodic pruning is required;
• With large yields, fruit shredding may occur.

Landing

It is best to carry out planting work in early spring, as soon as the ground thaws. You can do this in the fall after leaf fall and before the first frost. Pear is a light-loving plant. Therefore, she needs to be given a place well lit by the sun. The plot must be at least 16 m2 (4x4m). In this case, it will develop normally and bear fruit abundantly.

The pit is prepared in advance (in the previous season in the fall or two weeks before planting). It is dug to a depth of 80 cm and the same diameter. For the seedling, you will need to make fertile soil that will provide nutrition to the plant for the first few years. The soil mixture consists of the following components:

1. The top layer of soil is about 2 buckets.
2. River sand - 1 bucket.
3. Rotted manure or compost – 20 kg.
4. Simple superphosphate – 200 g.
5. Potassium sulfate – 60 g.

All ingredients are mixed and poured back into the pit.

On the day of planting, the roots of the seedling are placed in a bucket of water at room temperature for 2-3 hours. Immediately before work, they should be dipped in a manure-clay mash. The planting hole is dug so that the root system fits freely into it.

The bottom is watered with a small amount of water. When it is completely absorbed, install the support (this can be done in advance) and make a small mound. A seedling is placed on it and carefully buried. A tree trunk circle is formed and watered with 20 liters of water. The young tree is tied to a support and the ground is mulched

You can use sawdust, fine bark, peat as mulch, or plant clover around it.

Harvesting

Late Belarusian pear ripens completely by mid-September or early October. This means that the fruits need to be collected in order to be stored well 2, or better yet, 3 weeks before this time. Consider your region, how warm it is, and how quickly other late varieties of pears ripen.

Pears are picked by hand. Use a bag whose bottom can be unfastened. The fruits are placed neatly in containers. It is important that their surface is not damaged, there are no dents or the stem does not accidentally come off.

The productivity of the Belorussian late is excellent. On a young tree you will collect from 70 to 100 kg of fruit. A mature plant that grows in excellent conditions will give you a minimum of 110 and around 180 kg.

Fruits of the Belarusian late pear

What is the best way to store fruits?

It has already been mentioned that pears of this variety can be stored for 5 months or longer. If you store them on an unheated balcony, in a basement or cellar, they will definitely last until the end of winter.

The room where they will be stored must have excellent ventilation and a temperature of 0 to 3°C. Fruits are placed in containers in one or two layers. It is best to place paper between them. Ideally, each pear will be wrapped in paper.

When storing fruits, it is important that there are no sudden temperature fluctuations in the room. This will help avoid fogging of the fruit and protect it from spoilage.

What to cook

The fruits are enjoyed when ripe, preferably fresh from the branch. Those that are slightly broken or without a stalk are processed into compotes or preserves, jams, jelly, various desserts, etc. You can use them to make pie filling, cook porridge, process them into purees, or squeeze out juice. Dried fruits are prepared from Belorussian late pears for the winter.

Care

Caring for Belorussian late will consist of standard measures applied to fruit crops.

Watering

The plant tolerates heat well, so if there is enough rain during the season, there is no need for additional watering. If the weather is dry, watering is done once or twice a week, adding 20 liters of water for a young plant, and 50 liters for an adult (over 5 years old). After any watering, the soil must be loosened.

In the fall, if there is no rain, it is necessary to perform water-charging irrigation before wintering. It includes about 100 liters of water, which is added gradually.

In August, watering is stopped to avoid cracking of the fruits.

Trimming

An important stage of care is pruning. It is necessary to form the crown correctly so that all the fruits are evenly heated by the sun. Since the crown of this variety is prone to thickening, pruning is carried out both in spring and autumn.

After planting, the seedling is left with 3-4 of the strongest shoots, which will form skeletal branches. They are shortened by a third, but not more than 5 buds. The central conductor is also cut, and it should be approximately 20 cm higher than all the side branches.

Subsequently, frozen, damaged and weak branches are cut off. And also those shoots that grow inside the crown.

Top dressing

The first feeding is carried out for the 3rd year. Until this time, the plant will have enough nutrients from the soil mixture. Fertilizers are applied throughout the season. The main ones include:

1. Early spring and during leaf blossoming - nitrogen-containing substances (urea, ammonium nitrate, etc.).
2. After flowering - complex fertilizers (Nitrophoska, Azofoska, etc.).
3. In mid-July - complex fertilizers containing potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, etc.
4. A week after harvest - superphosphate.
5. Every 2-3 years in the fall - organic matter for digging.

Wintering

The variety can easily withstand frosts down to -30 C. However, to protect the young plant from severe frosts, the following measures should be taken:

1. Cleaning the tree trunk circle from plant debris.
2. Water charging irrigation.
3. Loosening the earth.
4. Whitewashing the trunk and the lower part of the skeletal branches with slaked lime.
5. Wrapping the trunk with agrofibre, burlap or spruce branches.
6. Mulching the tree trunk circle with a layer of 10-15 cm.

Whitewash and spruce branches will also protect the young bark from winter pests - hares and mice. In the future, there is no need to cover the adult plant before wintering.

Collection, storage and use of crops

The first harvest appears 2-3 years after planting. The varietal feature of the Belorussian late is its stable annual fruiting. Up to 40 kg of harvest is harvested from one young tree.

Up to 40 kg of harvest is harvested from one young tree

The fruits ripen in mid-September. Ready to pick pears are easily removed from the branch. They can be eaten immediately after collection. However, only during storage the taste of the pear is fully revealed.

Harvesting rules:

1. Choose warm and dry weather. The condensation released has a negative effect on the storage of fruits, so it is not recommended to harvest on very hot days and at midday.
2. Remove pears from the tree along with the stalks. Without them, shelf life is significantly reduced.
3. You need to wear gloves when harvesting. Even with short nails, the skin can be damaged, which will make the fruit unsuitable for storage.
4. The fruits are placed in wooden or plastic boxes. Each layer is sent with thick paper.

The consumption period is in winter, and the fruits can be stored until mid-spring. Store the crop in dry, cool rooms at a temperature of (0-2) °C. To maintain the required level of humidity in the room, place containers with salt or lime.

Growing late-ripening pears allows you to enjoy delicious fresh fruit all winter long. Proper planting and further care of a tree determines its high immunity and productivity. Belorussian late yields a rich harvest, which can be harvested in September. You need to remove only those fruits that can easily be unscrewed from the branch along with the stalk. Pears are stored in a cool place, avoiding excessive moisture. The best taste of the fruit is revealed several months after harvest.

Reviews

Elizaveta Krylova, Minsk region: Belorusskaya late variety of excellent taste. The fruits are sweet, slightly sour. They are stored for a long time. They didn’t spoil for me until the end of January. So we celebrated the New Year with pears on the table.

Arthur Borenko, Smolensk: Fruiting of Belorusskaya began in the 4th year. The first harvest was successful. The pears are juicy, sweet, but not cloying, with a light pear aroma.

Alla Morozova, Belgorod: Belorussian late is a successful variety. The fruits are medium in size. To stimulate them to grow, it is important to give them plenty of sun. To do this, you need to thin out the branches and remove excess ovaries.

How to grow correctly

Gardeners know that pears are unpretentious trees and the late Belarusian pear is no exception. All she needs is to apply fertilizing in a timely manner, prune dry branches in spring and autumn, and carry out preventive treatment against various diseases and pests. Years vary in yield. When you see that there are too many pears on a tree, they need to be thinned out, otherwise the fruits will grow smaller.

Tree trunk care

After planting the pear, you need to carefully care for the tree trunk. If weeds grow here, you can weed them by hand or mow them. The soil does not need to be completely dug up with a shovel, so as not to accidentally damage the roots. You can carefully loosen the soil around the trunk with a pitchfork or a pick.

It is better not to plant anything in the tree trunk circle. It is important to keep it clean. Weeds can become a haven for pests.

If you don’t want weeds to grow near the trunk, you can treat this area with herbicides. Carry out the treatment only in calm weather, when there are no gusts of wind. Do not allow chemicals to come into contact with the trunk or leaves of the tree.

When caring for the tree trunk, do not forget to loosen the soil after watering

Watering

Late Belorussian pear normally tolerates temporary drought in the summer. Additional watering will be required if there is no rain for a long time and the weather is hot. Then it is enough to pour 50 to 70 liters of water under 1 tree. Irrigation liquid is stored in large containers, such as barrels. Before watering, it is advisable to warm the water a little in the sun.

Young seedlings need generous watering

Trimming

In order for a young tree to bear fruit well and not grow too tall, you need to take care in advance and shape its crown. For a planted tree, it is enough to leave 3 or 4 strong branches, and trim the trunk at the top by ¼ of the total height.

Branches need to be trimmed in early spring, when there is no active sap flow. In the fall, inspect the tree and carry out preventive pruning, removing dry branches damaged by insects or diseased. Thin this way annually. This will protect the tree from the spread of diseases and reduce the number of pests. Thanks to these measures, productivity will be higher.

Remember that the branches that grow deeper make the crown thicker. They should be removed first. If you notice weak or long branches, cut them off too. When thinning, use sharp pruning shears or garden shears.

The wounds after pruning should be lubricated with garden varnish, which can be purchased at a specialty store.

Video: pruning a young pear

When large branches are damaged, they need to be cut into rings.

Pruning requires a well-sharpened garden tool. These are garden shears with a lopper, a sharp garden knife or pruning shears. If the tree has grown tall, you will need a stepladder.

Preparing for winter

Preparation for winter begins in the autumn. All fruits are removed from the pear. Fallen leaves are collected under the tree with a rake. After all, insects are definitely hiding under them, which can bite into the bark and lay eggs there.

In dry weather, the bark of adult pears is cleaned of moss and the old layer, which is cracked and curled in places, is carefully removed. Dry branches on a tree need to be trimmed in a timely manner. Generously grease the cut areas with garden varnish. Trunks and skeletal branches must be covered with lime mortar.

Around mature trees, the ground needs to be dug up with half a shovel. Most often, insects and the larvae they lay are located at a depth of no more than 15 cm from the surface.

The Belarusian late pear tolerates moderate cold well, but when it is below -20°C, the roots closest to the surface of the earth can freeze. To avoid this, the tree trunk circle must be covered with peat or small wood shavings. Be sure to cover the roots of young trees with mulch. Experts recommend insulating the pear trunk by tying it with paper or any breathable material.

Experts recommend wrapping the pear trunk with covering material

Whitewash

In spring, whitewashing protects against diseases, pests and sunburn. It is important to treat pear trunks with lime not only in spring, but also in autumn. Autumn whitewashing will help:

• prevent the development of fungal diseases;
• save from parasites;
• protect from frost.

Do not neglect the recommendations of experienced gardeners and process pears 2 times a year. In the fall, whitewashing must be done from October 15 to November 15 in dry weather.

You can buy whitewash at the store, but you can do it yourself. It's simple:

1. Mix the following ingredients: lime - 2.5 kg, copper sulfate - 0.5 kg, clean water - 10 l, wood glue - 0.1 kg.
2. Stir everything thoroughly so that the components are well dissolved.
3. Let the whitewash sit. It requires at least 2 hours, after which it can be used.

Feeding

In the first year of planting, the seedling does not need to be fertilized. The food provided during planting will be enough for him. The first fertilizing is applied after 2 or 3 years. This can be done foliar or root.

The plant needs to be fed in spring and autumn. In summer you can do foliar feeding. This is optional if you think the plant is weakened. You will notice a lack of microelements in the condition of the tree and its fruits.

In order for the Belorussian late to grow healthy, it needs to be fertilized on time.

Top dressing for pears depending on the time of year - table

Features of this variety

The Belorusskaya late pear variety is prone to strong and rapid thickening of the crown, which negatively affects fruiting. To avoid this, it is necessary to carry out regular anti-aging pruning .

Heavy harvests can lead to weakening of the tree itself, as well as significant reduction of the fruit.

Pears that are not stored are sent for processing - into jams, juices and preserves. Dried fruits are often made from Belorusskaya late pears .

Growing conditions

Caring for the “Belorusskaya Pozdnyaya” variety is simple and involves timely fertilizing, pruning, and treatment against diseases.

The pear tree trunk should remain free of weeds

For the first few years, the pear tree trunk circle must be completely cleared of weeds ; the soil should not be dug up. Planting clover, red fescue and meadow grass under a tree will enrich the soil with the necessary substances.

It is permissible to remove weeds using herbicides. However, during processing it is necessary to be extremely careful so that the toxic composition does not get on the foliage.

The pear of the Belarusian selection is drought-resistant, but during particularly dry periods, a volume of water of up to 70 liters per plant is applied to the tree twice a week.

The purpose of pruning young pear trees is to form the future crown of the tree. For this purpose, the trunk is cut to a quarter of its total height, and 3 to 4 strong branches are left on the trunk. Mature trees are pruned in the spring. In this case, all damaged, touching large branches are removed from the crown.

The first feeding is carried out only 2-3 years after planting. Fertilizers for pears can be applied by root and foliar methods . In the future, autumn and spring fertilizing is carried out on a regular basis, summer foliar feeding - if necessary.

Wrapping a pear trunk will save the tree from winter frosts

Preparing a fruit tree for winter , despite its frost resistance, is necessary. It is recommended to tie the trunk with paper, and cover the tree trunk circles with a layer of wood shavings.