Duchess pear (summer, winter): 21 photos, variety description, reviews, pollinators, Moscow, cultivation, characteristics

History of selection

This pear tree was bred at the end of the 18th century by a specialist from Great Britain, Wheeler. Translated from English, the name of the pear means “duchess”. While the original breeder of the variety was alive, Duchess was not particularly popular among English gardeners. But already in the last century, farmers all over the world appreciated the tasty and aromatic berries, so they began to grow them not only in their personal plots, but also in industrial areas.

It must be remembered that fruits from these trees must be collected fully ripe; unripe fruits do not ripen at home, their taste and appearance deteriorate, and their shelf life is reduced.

Fruit from these trees must be picked when fully ripe.

Characteristics of the variety

The variety was bred by the English breeder Wheeler. They are cultivated on small estates and farm enterprises.

The most popular and widespread varieties:

In addition to them, there are still several varieties, namely:

Angoulême;
Moscow Wild;
Moscow Garden;

Some gardeners mistakenly assume that Bere is also one of these species. They are actually two different varieties.

Juice from the fruit is low-calorie. It is used in various diets. It will be useful for infants. Fruits have also found their use in medicine. Saturated with a whole complex of useful substances. They are used as one of the components of antiviral drugs. The juice has good hypoallergenic properties.

The main advantages of Duchess pear

Of course, different varieties of Duchess have certain characteristics, which is clear from the description above. But they also have common qualities, thanks to which the variety is mainly classified as an industrial type.

Duchess pear is easily transported even over long distances. On the road, the fruits do not spoil or rot. They arrive at the final destination without damage, almost in its original form.
Shelf life is long. Fruits can be stored in special storage facilities and cellars. But often they are simply left on the branches. In this form, even after full ripening, they can be stored for more than a month! They are then collected, sent for processing or stored in cold storage or similar facilities.
The taste is sweet and pleasant, although it differs slightly between varieties. In particular, tasters highlight the Duchess Summer pear. There is a lot of sugar in the fruits, but despite this, all varieties contain a light, refreshing sourness, for which Duchess is loved.

Description of the variety and photo

This variety is not demanding on weather conditions; it can be grown on different types of soil, which only need to be loose and fertile.

Tree

The trees are medium-sized, can reach 4-5 m in height, with a dense round-pyramidal crown, which can be asymmetrical.

Trees can reach 4-5 m in height, with a dense round-pyramidal crown

The color of the bark of the trunk and skeletal branches is gray. And the straight arched shoots of the current season have a yellowish color.

The foliage is large in size, with a glossy surface and embossed veins. Its shape is ellipsoidal, the tips are elongated and sharp. The color of the leaf blades is rich emerald.

This variety begins to bloom in May, before the leaves appear. The flowers are usually collected in inflorescences of 5-7 pieces each, they are medium in size, painted white, matte.

It is characteristic that the buds do not fall off even under the influence of strong winds, do not freeze during spring frosts, and are resistant to stressful situations and bad weather conditions.

What type of pear is it?

It is a universal variety with wide application. It has tender, juicy flesh with a sweetish aftertaste. On a 5-point scale, tasters rated Duchess at 4.8 points.
It is excellently used in medicine - it is an excellent component in the manufacture of cold remedies. Juices made from pears of this variety have hypoallergenic properties.

Duchess is loved by children and adults; juice from it is even given to infants. Pears are low-calorie and form the basis of dietary menus. Contain a large amount of vitamins and minerals.

Duchess is divided into several varieties:

Duchess Angoulême.
Duchess Moscow wild.
Duchess Moscow garden.
Winter Duchess.
Summer Duchess.

Often, novice gardeners confuse pear varieties and think, for example, that there is a Bere Duchess variety. This is the deepest misconception, Bere and Duchess are two completely different varieties of pear!

Pear Duchess Angouleme is low winter hardy. Widely distributed in the Caucasus and Crimea. Refers to medium-yielding varieties. Bears fruit from 70 to 150 kilograms from one tree.
The fruiting period can begin quite early. Pears are very large, weighing up to 1 kilogram. The shape is blunt-conical. The ripening period is on average reached in early August.
The fruits on the trees can be stored for a long time - until November. Valued for its beauty, wonderful fruit aroma and delicate taste.

The following varieties can also boast of beauty and taste: Skazochnaya, Krasnobokaya, Krasulya, Lada and Lyubimitsa Yakovleva.

Wild Moscow Duchess grows no more than 20 meters in height.
It has oval, rounded, slightly leathery leaves. The flowers reach 3.5 centimeters, white in color with pale pink petals.
Flowering occurs in May. It is an excellent honey plant. The fruits ripen closer to autumn.
Small-sized pears - from 150 grams, medium-sized - up to 400 grams. From one tree they take from 100 to 250 kilograms.
The life expectancy of the Moscow Duchess is 80 years. Repeat yield in two years. Propagated by seeds.
The Duchess Moscow pear grows in the Moscow region, the Caucasus, the European part of the Russian Federation, and Central Asia.
Garden Moscow Duchess reaches a height of 30 meters. Belongs to the Rosaceae family. It has snow-white flowers with a huge number of stamens.
Large pears, reaching more than 800 grams. The color is reddish with a soft yellow tint. Sugar accumulation in fruits is 16%.
When stored on bushes for a long time, the fruits do not lose their taste. Widely used in dried form. They are widely used in technological production.
The Duchess Winter pear originated from Belgium.
Grows widely in Uzbekistan, Crimea and the North Caucasus. Quite demanding on climate and soil. Fruits well on fertilized soils. Loves areas that are protected from bad weather and strong winds.
Pear variety Duchess Summer An old English pear variety with late-summer fruit. This variety is self-sterile and requires pollinators.
Other names for this variety are also known: Summer Williams, Williams, Williams Bon-Chrétien.
In terms of prevalence in Crimea, the Duchess Summer pear ranks third after Bere Bosc and Bere Ardanpont; below you will see a photo of the fruits of this variety and a full description of the characteristics.

Summer varieties also include: Carmen, Ilyinka, Kosmicheskaya, Limonka and Victoria.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of the Duchess pear include:

high productivity;
beautiful appearance and dessert taste of ripe fruits;
undemanding to growing conditions;
versatility of the harvested crop;
early ripening of the variety;
flowers do not fall off due to strong winds and are resistant to return frosts and bad weather conditions.

The Duchess pear has high productivity and early ripening.
But this pear also has its drawbacks:

it does not tolerate periods of drought well;
resistance to frost – low;
The variety is self-sterile.

The variety has low disease resistance, which is also one of its disadvantages.

The best summer pear varieties

The earliest varieties of pears are summer ones, which are distinguished by better taste, resistance to diseases, weather conditions, abundant fruiting, and drought resistance.

But at the same time, it is important to carry out preventive treatment and feed the plants in a timely manner. The fruit is covered with a thin skin that contains a soft, juicy texture.

You won’t be able to store them for as long as winter and autumn harvests, but you can use them in making juices, jams, compotes, etc.

Duchess

One of the most common varieties of pear around the world. It is distinguished by a lot of properties - unpretentiousness to the land, climate, stability of harvest, high tasting scores. The summer species of Duchess is not self-fertile; it requires pollinators. Flowering begins late compared to other trees of this type, the flowers are large and resistant to cold, even withstanding frost. You can enjoy Duchess 5-6 years after planting. One fruit weighs 170 g, has an elongated shape, a lumpy surface with a thin yellow peel. Unlike all the predecessors in the rating, this one has the most pronounced aroma with notes of nutmeg and taste. It can be picked by mid-August and stored for no longer than 1-1.5 months.

Advantages

Unpretentiousness;
Low risks of diseases (including scab);
Tasting assessments;
Appearance of fruits;
Versatility of purpose;
High potential.

Flaws

The tree needs treatment against aphids, Shrovetide;
The need for a pollinator.

The drier the soil, the sweeter Duchess will be, so experts advise choosing elevated areas for planting. Due to its high sweetness, the tree is loved by aphids, carnival and other pests, so regular treatment is needed. One mature plant can produce up to 250 kg, but this will require a pollinator nearby.

Victoria

A late-summer ripening crop whose fruits reach ripeness in the second half of August or early September. They can be collected in the 6th year after planting in the ground. Despite the fact that flowering often occurs during the period of spring frosts, the weather does not affect the ovary in any way. From the trees that breeders crossed, Victoria inherited high gastronomic ratings, frost endurance, and stable potential. As it grows, it reaches 5 m in height and acquires a spreading crown of a rounded pyramidal shape. A pear with a regular symmetrical shape is a dessert variety, juicy and sweet; it can weigh from 115 to 260 g, and due to its thin structure it is rarely used in canning. Victoria rarely crumbles and is stored for up to 3 months at 5 degrees.

Advantages

Frost resistance;
Presentable appearance;
High gastronomic scores;
High immunity;
Drought tolerance;
Stable harvest.

Flaws

With a lack of sun, glucose in the composition decreases;
Potential only in warm climates.

For 100% benefit, such a plant requires direct access to sunlight. This also affects the sweetness of the harvested fruit. The best growing environment is in regions with a warm climate.

Cathedral

The review ends with a seemingly simple pear, which can be bought inexpensively at any seedling market. In fact, this is a tree with great potential, stable, reliable, and easy to care for. It is distinguished by its medium size, conical crown, and sparse branch growth. Despite the fact that this is a summer plant, the ripening period depends on the weather and the number of sunny days. By the beginning of autumn, fruiting ends in any case. On average, one plant produces up to 40 kg of pears; the potential can be increased if you plant it next to pollinated relatives. The difference from other summer varieties is their unique resistance to frost down to -30 degrees, scab, and other fungal infections. The fruits are characterized by a regular shape, slightly uneven skin, weight 120-140 g, medium density filling with a fine-grained delicate texture. The aroma is weak, but there is an oiliness, a pronounced sweet-sour and juicy motif.

Advantages

Tolerance of adverse weather conditions;
High stable yields;
Rapid maturation in 3-4 years of life;
Low risks of fungi, scab;
Presentable appearance;
Availability.

Flaws

Poor transportability;
Short shelf life.

The Cathedral variety can be stored for only a couple of weeks, so it is more often used for preparation, preservation, and drying. You can feed only from the second year of life in the ground. Responsible care and protection of the tree must be provided in the first years. The gastronomic characteristics are not inferior to their southern relatives, according to reviews.

Landing

Although this variety of pear is quite unpretentious, there are some nuances in planting seedlings of this pear and further caring for the crop, on which the development of the fruit tree and its active fruiting depend.

Therefore, novice gardeners, before purchasing seedlings of this variety, are advised to first familiarize themselves with how to plant a Duchess pear and subsequently care for it.

Selection of seedlings

The choice of seedling directly determines how this pear variety will develop and bear fruit in the future. Therefore, you should not purchase planting material off the road or from unknown sellers - at best, you will purchase a seedling of an unknown variety, but it is possible that the plant will be diseased, and after planting it can infect other trees in the garden.

It is better to go to the nearest nursery for Duchess pear seedlings, where its workers will offer suitable planting material that will be strong and healthy, of the desired variety. Moreover, the tree will be dug up by the gardener.

To plant, you need to buy a two-year-old tree, which takes root better and faster in a new place. When purchasing, you should pay attention to the condition of its root system and how the shoots look.

The root system should have several developed branches - elastic and resilient. Dry, broken or damaged areas of the roots, as well as the presence of growths, are not allowed.

Dry or damaged areas of roots are not allowed. The seedling must have one central conductor and several side branches - at least 4. They are also carefully inspected so that the shoots are not dry or damaged. If they have foliage, it should also look healthy.

Place and conditions for landing

It is important to choose a suitable area in the garden for planting this pear, because it will grow in one place for several decades.

Since this fruit tree loves light and warmth, the site for its planting should be selected so that it is constantly illuminated by the rays of the sun and is protected from gusts of cold winds and strong drafts.

When planting the Duchess pear in shaded areas, it develops poorly, fewer flowers and ovaries are formed, and accordingly, the yield suffers in the future.

When planting planting material on chernozem or loamy soils, in the future these pear trees will bear fruit better and more actively. The Duchess pear does not tolerate sandy soils, salt marshes or wetlands, and it does not grow in lowlands where meltwater collects every spring. Also, you cannot plant it where the groundwater level approaches the ground surface closer than 2.5 m.

The planting area should be sunny and protected from drafts

Landing algorithm

The process of planting Duchess pear seedlings should be as follows:

This variety of pear is usually planted in the spring, since in the fall the trees may not have time to take root in a new place and become sufficiently strong before the onset of winter. As a result, they freeze out.
Planting time is mid or late April, depending on the weather conditions of the growing region. In this case, you need to focus on the trees themselves - they should not begin to flow sap at the time of planting.
The planting site and planting holes for spring planting of trees are prepared in advance - in the fall, or at least 12-14 days before this procedure, so that the soil in the hole has time to settle.
The planting hole should have the following dimensions: depth - 0.9-1.0 m, and diameter - at least 0.7 m. The main thing is that the root system fits freely in this hole.
Prepare a nutrient substrate. To do this, the top layer of soil selected from the pit is mixed with an equal amount of peat and 20-30 kg of compost. Do not mix soil with fresh mullein - this can lead to burns to the root system.
A mound is formed from the nutrient substrate in the center of the hole, on which the seedling is placed vertically, and its roots are distributed along the slopes of the mound.
A peg is driven into the side of the hole, on the south side, the height of which should be greater than the size of the seedling.
The hole is filled with soil, which is carefully compacted. The seedling is tied to a peg and watered.

The correct scheme for planting a pear seedling
Its future development depends on compliance with the algorithm for planting a Duchess pear.

How to care for a pear

Caring for Duchess is not much different from caring for other cultivated trees, but it has its own characteristics, so it is worth studying it in detail.

Duchess pear loves moisture. A small tree is watered frequently because the root system is poorly developed. But an adult tree can already reach with its roots to the deep layers where there is moisture, so watering is carried out less often for it. In particular, a lot of water is needed when fruits are growing.
In spring, all dry and damaged branches are cut out. At 1 year, the side branches are shortened by ¼, as is the central trunk. In the 2nd year, the center is cut off by 25 cm, and the side branches by 5-8 cm. Already in an adult tree, it is necessary to carry out thinning pruning, in addition to sanitary pruning, to make it convenient to harvest.
Mulching for pears is recommended. It protects the earth from overheating and freezing, and also prevents the growth of weeds. You can buy mulch (special) or simply use high-quality peat, scrap, or humus.

Duchess pear harvest

Interesting!

In dry summers, you can sprinkle directly from a pear hose. Water is splashed onto the twigs and leaves of the tree

But it is important to carry out this procedure only at sunset or on a cloudy day!

A mandatory procedure for spring if pears are grown is whitewashing. You can buy whitewash at any gardening store; there are plenty of different types (with additives). This procedure protects the tree not only from pests, but also from sunburn!
In order for pears to bear fruit regularly, it is necessary to apply fertilizers on time. At the beginning of July, a solution of manure (1:6) or poultry manure (1:12) is introduced into the furrows along the perimeter of the root zone. 10 liters is enough. In July, after watering, a mixture of 150 ml of water, 20 g of potassium humate and 1 kg of nitrophoska should be added under the tree. After fruiting, in August, 150 g of superphosphate and 60 g of potassium chloride are embedded into the soil near the root zone.
Since pears often suffer from scab and other diseases, it is worth carrying out preventive spraying 2 times a year with special fungicides. And in order for the pear crop to be stored longer, it is worth spraying the crop against scab with a fungicide like Strobi or Tridex 20 days before harvesting the fruit from the tree. This will protect the crop and increase its shelf life.
In winter, the tree is usually mulched with a layer of 30 cm (you can take peat) and the trunk is wrapped in warm fabric (breathable, natural).

Care

Further care for growing pears will not be very difficult, the main thing is to maintain the watering regime and apply fertilizing on time, then the trees will develop correctly and bear fruit steadily.

Mulching

Mulching of the trunk circles of this fruit tree is carried out for the following reasons:

so that after watering, moisture evaporates more slowly from the soil;
to prevent the active growth of weeds;
also, a layer of mulch will become an additional fertilizer for the pear.

A layer of mulch is introduced into the tree trunk circle after watering and loosening the soil. Its thickness should be at least 4-6 cm. Straw, mown grass (without seeds), and peat can be used as mulching material.

A layer of mulch is added after watering and loosening the soil.

Top dressing

When planting seedlings, all the necessary mineral and organic fertilizers are added to the planting holes, so the Duchess pear does not need to be fed for the first two seasons.

Organic matter is added to the trunk circles of pears once every 3 seasons in the amount of 5-6 kg for each square of area. To do this, make depressions in the soil up to 20 cm deep, into which compost or rotted manure is placed.

In early spring, mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen are applied to the tree trunk circles - this mineral promotes the active development of green mass and shoots. Such fertilizing should be applied in accordance with the instructions for use, observing the dosage, the volume of which cannot be increased or decreased. Typically, fertilizers are used in dry form - they are scattered over the surface of the soil and incorporated into the soil when digging.

In early spring, mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen are applied

In the autumn, before the leaves begin to fall, another feeding of pear trees is carried out. For each square of area, 30 g of potassium chloride, 25 g of saltpeter and 25 g of superphosphate are scattered.

All these fertilizers are also scattered dry if the autumn is rainy, and embedded in the soil during autumn digging. If autumn is dry, then moisture-recharging watering of the trees is first carried out, and the next day a liquid solution of the above-described fertilizers is added to the soil.

Watering

Since the Duchess pear does not tolerate periods of drought (even short-term) and lack of moisture in the soil, it is watered according to the following scheme:

before flowering begins;
after the trees have bloomed;
in the autumn in the process of preparing trees for winter.

20-30 liters of water are added to each tree for each year of the crop’s life. For irrigation, it is recommended to use rain or settled water.

After watering or after rains, the tree trunk circles should be loosened to break up the dry crust that has formed on the soil surface. At the same time, all weeds are removed along with the roots. And only after this the tree trunk circles are mulched.

20-30 liters of water are added to each tree for each year of the crop’s life.

Pruning

Tree pruning is usually done in early spring before the buds begin to swell.

Immediately after the seedling has been planted, the first formative pruning is carried out. In this case, the conductor and side shoots are cut by about ¼, the sections are made above the buds. But at the same time, at least 4-5 healthy buds should remain on each branch.

In the next season, the side shoots are cut by 8 cm, and the central shoot by 0.25 m. In this case, the lower branches should be longer than the upper ones in order to form a pyramidal shape of the crown. In the future, trimming is carried out according to the same principle.

In addition to formative pruning, such procedures are carried out annually, if necessary, in order to remove all frozen, dried, damaged shoots, as well as some of the branches growing inside the crown. After such procedures, the cut sites are first disinfected with an alcohol solution and then covered with garden pitch.

Spring pear pruning diagram

Rejuvenation

Anti-aging pruning is carried out for those pear trees whose age is 15 years or more. They are necessary for the tree to recover and continue to develop and bear fruit normally.

Carrying out such pruning should begin with the removal of part of the shoots that thicken the crown. This procedure is carried out in early spring, until sap flow begins in the plant. The scheme for anti-aging pruning is as follows:

First, remove from the old pear all shoots that are broken, frozen, have signs of disease, or have dried out. After carrying out such a procedure, it will be clear whether something else needs to be removed, and as a result, the crown will be better illuminated by the sun in the future.
Then you need to remove those shoots that grow at an acute angle or parallel to the central trunk. You also need to remove those branches that grow too close to the fruiting shoots and interfere with their fruiting.
If the remaining shoots have grown too long, making it more difficult to care for the pear and pick ripe fruits, you can shorten them by about a quarter.

Rules for rejuvenating pear pruning
After completing the procedure, you should treat the cut areas with garden varnish.

Preparing for cold weather

Since the frost resistance of this pear variety is low, before the onset of frost, a layer of mulch up to 15 cm thick should be added to the tree trunk circles to protect the root system of the trees from freezing. And in winter, you should additionally rake fallen snow into the root zone.

The lower part of the trunk is wrapped in cotton cloth or a layer of paper.

Advice from professionals

Mulching is carried out in the fall before temperatures and rains drop.
Pear pruning is done in the spring.
In the first year of planting, it is advisable to reduce the lateral branches above the buds and the central stem side by a quarter.
In the second year of planting, the central part of the pear is reduced by 25 centimeters. Side branches are cut to 5 centimeters.
To protect the crop from wind and cold, it is closed for the winter. The bottom of the trunk is wrapped in cotton cloth and newspapers.
The pear should be watered before and after spring flowering - two or three buckets for each year of the plant’s life. One watering is done in the first ten days of autumn.
It is not recommended to feed Duchess in the first year, since the hole was improved during planting. Fertilizers are mostly applied in the fall. Mineral fertilizers need to be added every year:

per square meter 20-30 grams of potassium chloride;
20-25 grams of superphosphate;
20-25 grams of saltpeter.

Organic matter is added once every three years at the rate of 5-8 kilograms per square meter. Circular holes are formed around the pear and fertilizing is added to a depth of 15-20 centimeters.

Diseases and pests

Since this variety of pear is not very resistant to diseases and attacks by harmful insects, gardeners must first carry out preventive treatments of trees with various preparations in order to prevent the development of diseases or the appearance of pests.

In the spring, before the start of sap flow, Duchess pears should be sprayed with karbofos. You need to prepare such a solution as follows: dissolve 90 g of the product in a bucket of water and carry out the treatment.

In the spring, before the sap begins to flow, the Duchess pear should be sprayed with karbofos

Also, to combat diseases and pests, sanitary pruning of damaged parts of the tree is carried out. All cut shoots and collected fallen leaves should be immediately burned outside the site. After the end of leaf fall, you should collect all the foliage that still remains on the tree - pests can hide in it for the winter. It is also burned.

Duchess pear is often affected by scab, as a result, damaged fruits lose their taste and aroma. To prevent the occurrence of this disease, trees should be sprayed with Bordeaux hexane (1% solution) after flowering. All fallen leaves are immediately collected and burned, and the soil in the tree trunk circle is spilled with Nitrafen (0.3% solution).

After the harvest is harvested, pear trees need to be sprayed with complex preparations if symptoms of disease or the appearance of harmful insects appear on them.

Before the onset of winter, the lower part of the trunk should be wrapped with spruce branches or barbed wire to protect the tree bark from rodents.

Harvest and storage

Duchess varieties determine the harvest time: from August to mid-October. Summer pear varieties ripen earlier, winter varieties later. To remove the pears, you will need a ladder and a basket with fabric placed at the bottom. Duchess fruits are removed carefully without damaging the branches. When filling the basket, pour the contents into the container.

The shelf life of early pear varieties is 2 weeks. Late-ripening Duchess is stored for up to 4 months. In the basement without loss of beneficial properties and taste. Late varieties can be transported over long distances. The ripened fruits are suitable for universal processing, from which we obtain:

juices;
smoothie;
baby purees;
canned foods;
fruit salads;
jams, preserves;
compotes.

The productivity of Duchess is up to 1 quintal per season.

Why doesn't it bloom

The main reason for the lack of flowers on pear trees is that the time for fruiting has not yet come. Other reasons for the lack of flowers in this tree may be as follows:

excess moisture in the soil;
the appearance of root rot;
lack of iron;
soil is too alkaline;
presence of diseases or pests;
the soil contains too much nitrogen, which is why the tree actively develops vegetative mass to the detriment of fruiting;
crown density;
flower buds froze due to returning spring frosts.

The pear may not bloom due to excess moisture or lack of iron.
It is important to eliminate all of the above reasons, and the pear will then bloom.

Description of the fruit

Duchess produces large, tasty fruits that are highly valued by consumers. They have an oblong pear shape, have a thin skin (when ripe it becomes honey-yellow) with a large number of small dots. The pulp of the fruit is white or creamy, juicy. The fruits of this variety are characterized by the following features:

Calorie content. 57 calories per 100 grams of product. Due to their low calorie content, pears are often included in the diet menu.
Taste. Wine-sweet with pronounced almond notes.
Fruit size. Medium or large, depends on the Duchess subspecies and growing conditions. The summer variety reaches a weight of 180 grams, the winter variety - 400 grams, d'Angoulême - 800 or more.
Usage. Duchess fruits have universal significance: they are used for raw consumption, making purees, compotes, preserves, jams, and baked goods. They are also used in pharmacology for the production of cold medicines.

This material will tell you about the calorie content of the Chinese pear.

The fruits of this variety are considered hypoallergenic. They are allowed to be introduced into the diet of infants with the permission of the pediatrician.

Duchess's analogues

Among the many varieties and hybrids of pears, there are some that are most similar to the Duchess variety:

August dew;
Victoria;
Cathedral;
Red-sided;
Marble.

And if gardeners were unable to purchase seedlings of the Duchess variety, then they can plant any of its analogues on their garden plot, which differ in characteristics similar to this pear tree.

Duchess pear is one of the best varieties of this fruit crop, which can be grown in many Russian regions. It is distinguished by high yield, good taste and appearance of the fruit, and the versatility of the harvest. Therefore, despite the presence of a large number of recently bred varieties with a huge number of positive qualities, the Duchess pear is still popular among Russian gardeners.

Reviews of Duchess pear

Natalya, Moscow : we planted a Duchess pear tree in our dacha a long time ago. A few years after planting, our beauty began to delight us with fruits - huge, beautiful and incredibly tasty. Duchess quickly became my favorite variety. We grow a winter variety and harvest in the fall, and sometimes earlier. The harvest also performs well in storage and can be eaten until spring.

Alena, Kostroma : I have been growing Duchess on my plot for a long time. My grandmother planted the first tree about 50 years ago, and it still pleases us with its harvest. I really like the taste, but the aroma cannot be described in words. The plant hardly gets sick, does not require special care measures, and for me this is very important, since sometimes I don’t have time to take care of it. Every year we collect 5 or more buckets from several trees; winter varieties lie in the cellar until spring (although we usually eat them earlier). Very pleased with Duchess!