The Kieffer pear was developed in the American state of Philadelphia in 1863. The variety was the result of crossing a wild pear and a cultivated variety, Williams or Anjou. The selection was carried out by the scientist Peter Kieffer, after whom the variety was named.
In 1947, the variety was imported and tested in the USSR. The Kieffer pear is recommended for planting in the North Caucasus, but it is grown in other regions. The variety is used by breeders to obtain new varieties of pear that are resistant to disease.
Botanical description of the variety
Pear Kieffer is an American guest who has firmly established himself in Russian gardens. The plant was obtained as a result of pollination of a wild pear and a cultivated variety Anjou. The famous breeder Peter Kieffer worked on breeding this plant, after whom this tree was named.
Initially, the Kieffer pear was intended for cultivation in the North Caucasus, but gradually the variety spread to other territories.
Tree
Trees of this variety are characterized by a high growth rate. Plants of medium height (3-5 m) grow relatively quickly from small seedlings. A standard with gray bark, which is covered with small cracks. The crown is pyramidal. Since the shoots grow quickly, formative pruning is necessary.
The main skeletal branches are dark gray. The side shoots are directed straight, the young growth is greenish-brown. Most of the fruits are formed on perennial shoots, multi-stage calchatkas.
Many gardeners highly value Kieffer for the decorativeness and beauty of trees. The leaves of the crown are dark green. In autumn they become a rich crimson color, which makes the tree very beautiful and interesting.
Trees of this variety are characterized by a high growth rate
Flowering begins very early; the ovary may suffer from return frosts. For proper pollination, Kieffer pears need to be planted nearby with pollinators. Their role can be played by fruit trees with a similar ripening period.
Fruit
Trees of this variety belong to the autumn species. Many gardeners value these plants for their fruit characteristics. The harvest ripens by the end of September. If favorable storage conditions are created, fresh pears can last 60-70 days. The average weight of pears is 120-180 g, but sometimes they weigh 300-400 g. The fruits are similar in appearance to quince, as they have a barrel- or cube-shaped shape.
The surface of the fruit is lumpy. The peel is thick and rough. At the stage of removable ripeness, pears are colored light green. Over the course of 2 weeks, the fruits will ripen; the golden-yellow hue of the skin will indicate complete ripening. On the sunny side, a pink blush gradually appears. The pulp is yellowish-white, juicy. The taste is average, as there is a strong astringency and coarseness.
The fruits of this variety are most often used to prepare tasty and aromatic preparations.
The surface of the fruit is lumpy. The peel is thick, rough
Taste qualities
The full maturity of the Kieffer pear fruit is determined at the end of September. Ripe specimens are held very firmly on the branches. Thanks to this, they do not crumble. When laid down, they reach maturity in 15-20 days. The pear retains its taste until the beginning of December. The fruits can be transported without any difficulty.
A ripe pear has a pleasant white flesh with a slight yellow tint. The fruit is medium soft and has slightly hard granules near the core. The pear is crispy and very juicy. The pulp is characterized by high sweetness with a slight tart aftertaste.
Depending on the growing region, the chemical composition of the fruit includes dry soluble substances and a certain amount of sugar. The variety is ideal for fresh consumption, as well as for canning.
Plant characteristics
The Kieffer pear is of great value as genetic material for the creation of new varieties. Hybrids based on it are obtained with good characteristics.
Fruiting
The first complete material can be collected already 5 years after planting the seedlings. This indicator is considered average. Gardeners are attracted by the high productivity of plants. From one mature tree it is possible to collect at least 300 kg of fruits.
Pollination and reproduction
The Kieffer pear cannot pollinate on its own. To obtain a harvest, it is necessary to plant pollinators nearby with the same ripening period.
The best pollinators for this variety will be:
- Bon Louise;
- Saint Germain.
A distance is maintained between the trees so that the crops feel comfortable and do not shade each other.
Taste qualities
The peculiarity of the fruits of the Kieffer variety is that they are firmly held on the branches. But pears should be harvested at the stage of technical maturity. To ripen, they are stored in a cool, well-ventilated area. After 2-3 weeks, they will change the color of the peel and acquire a sweet taste and a light tart aroma.
To ripen, they are stored in a cool, well-ventilated area.
Resistance to pests and diseases
Experienced gardeners who have been growing Kieffer for many years claim that the plant is rarely affected by pests and diseases. But you should not exclude preventive treatments.
Kieffer pears are unpretentious to soil and weather conditions. Fruiting does not decrease on any soil, subject to proper care. Thanks to these characteristics, trees of this variety are gaining popularity among gardeners.
Reviews from gardeners
Valery, 35 years old, Ryazan
I have been growing the Kieffer pear variety for 10 years. The taste is average, the tree constantly freezes. The variety is southern and does not tolerate our conditions well. I use it for grafting and holding cuttings.
Raisa, 57 years old, Stavropol
Kieffer is a good late-ripening variety. I grow it for a fall harvest. The fruits are stored until December and are suitable for making compotes. It is inferior in taste to many other varieties, but goes well in home preparations.
Mikhail, 46 years old, Rostov-on-Don
I identified the Kieffer pear variety from photos and descriptions on the Internet. The tree has been growing with its parents for more than 12 years. The variety is undemanding to growing conditions and bears a lot of fruit. Even in lean years, you can count on a good harvest. Disease resistance is high; the Kieffer variety is practically disease-free.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Kieffer variety has a number of strengths, because of which gardeners value and often grow the crop on their site.
Advantages:
- average level of precocity (first fruiting occurs 5-6 years after planting);
- high yields (up to 200 kg per tree);
- the fruits do not fall off;
- stable annual fruiting;
- unpretentiousness and endurance;
- grows well in all types of soil;
- resistance to waterlogging and drought;
- increased immunity to fire blight and scab.
This variety has stable annual fruiting.
The disadvantages of this plant include specific taste characteristics, as well as a not very high level of frost resistance.
The plant may freeze in the winter, but in the spring the shoots quickly recover.
How to choose seedlings
In order for the Kieffer seedling to take root better, you need to choose an annual seedling. It is advisable to immediately select a place for permanent planting; the tree will not tolerate transplantation well. The most important thing is that you purchase planting material from a specialized nursery. Because private companies or gardeners cannot guarantee good quality trees.
If you take a three-year-old seedling, it is not a fact that it will be able to take root.
Features of planting a pear
Having decided to plant a Kieffer pear in your garden, you should carefully study the characteristics and parameters of this plant, as well as the subtleties and nuances of cultivation.
Preparing the site
Kieffer pears easily adapt to different soil compositions. It is ideal to choose a sunny location for the tree to actively grow. Daylight hours should not be less than 8 hours.
When choosing a site for planting Kieffer pears, choose a place so that the root system is not in water. The soil must have good air and moisture permeability. The acidity level is also important. The ideal value is 6.5 pH.
Trees can grow up to 12 m, so they dig a spacious hole for the tree and provide space for the pear to feel comfortable.
They dig a spacious hole for the seedling so that the pear feels comfortable
When preparing a hole, the top fertile soil layer is not thrown away. Compost, humus, mineral fertilizers and wood ash are added to it.
Selection of planting material
Problems may arise with the purchase of high-quality seedlings, since the variety is rarely found on sale. In order not to run into scammers, you should choose trusted nurseries or specialized stores.
When purchasing planting material, pay attention to the following points:
- The root system must be well developed. The more powerful it is, the more strength the young tree will have.
- Since Kieffer needs an additional plant for pollination, they immediately purchase a pear with a similar ripening period.
- The bark, like any other parts of the seedling, should not show signs of disease or pest damage. The color of the trunk should be uniform, without inclusions.
The bark, like any other part of the seedling, should not show signs of disease.
Pears do not like transplants and transfers, so they immediately try to choose a permanent place and keep the plant in the air for the shortest possible period.
Step-by-step planting technology
To restore and straighten the root system of seedlings, before planting, they are soaked for several hours in a growth stimulator or plain warm water.
For normal growth of pears, it is important to choose the correct distance between seedlings when planting. A distance of at least 5 m is maintained from a neighboring tree, fence or structure. It must be taken into account that the crown of an adult crop will occupy a minimum of 7 m.
The landing algorithm looks like this:
- A peg is installed in the center of the hole, which will protect the young plant from the wind and determine its even, straight growth.
- A seedling is installed on a hill that was previously formed from fertile soil. The roots are carefully straightened so that they look down.
- The root neck of the pear should be 3-5 cm above the ground level. If this is not the case, then the elevation is slightly increased or decreased.
- The remaining soil is sprinkled on the young plant. Lightly compact the top.
- The seedling is watered abundantly.
Scheme for planting a pear seedling
After the water has been absorbed, the tree trunk circle should be protected with mulch of straw, sawdust, and fresh mown grass.
Pollination rules
The description of the Kieffer pear makes it clear that this tree belongs to self-pollinating varieties. However, the plant can bear fruit even when grown alone. However, it is recommended to pollinate such a tree for high fruiting.
Therefore, it is advisable to plant another similar pear variety nearby. This method of pollination is called cross pollination. It can occur even at a fairly large distance. When planting another variety of pear, the yield on both trees increases significantly.
The pollination process itself is carried out in different ways. It depends on the region of residence, climatic influences and other factors. It is also worth considering that fruit trees of the same variety are the best source for pollen.
Variety care
Caring for the Kieffer pear consists of regularly performing agrotechnical activities:
- glaze;
- feeding;
- application of fertilizers;
- preparation for winter.
Compliance with all rules and recommendations will help you get a good, stable harvest every year.
Watering
Particular attention should be paid to moisture during the first 3-4 years after planting. Since the root system of the pear is not yet very developed, it cannot independently provide the plant with moisture from the deep layers of the soil.
Pears are watered 3-4 times a week for the first few months, then the frequency is reduced to 1-2 times.
Pears are watered for the first few months 3-4 times a week, then the frequency is reduced to 1-2 times
Particular attention is paid to moisture in areas where the soil does not retain moisture and the weather is hot.
Mature trees are watered several times throughout the season. Be sure to moisturize in the spring after waking up and in the fall in preparation for winter. During long periods of drought, additional watering is carried out.
Feeding
To maintain the viability and fruiting of trees, it is necessary to regularly apply fertilizers. For such purposes, organic and mineral compounds are used. During the season, fertilizing is carried out 3-4 times. The minimum interval between feedings is 2-3 weeks.
In spring, nitrogen should predominate in fertilizing. This substance helps the crown and green foliage to form. Subsequently, fertilizing is carried out with compounds based on phosphorus and potassium.
Treatment options that can be carried out in spring:
- 250 g of bird droppings are dissolved in 5 liters of water and left for 24 hours;
- 200 g of urea are dissolved in 10 liters of water;
- 50 g of nitraphoska are diluted in 10 liters of water.
Since June, the Kieffer pear has been fertilized with superphosphate and potassium salt. Add 20-30 g of the composition to a bucket of water, dissolve and water the plants.
Since June, the Kieffer pear has been fertilized with superphosphate and potassium salt.
Nutrient compositions can also be used in dry form - in this case, the fertilizer is applied to the soil to a depth of 10 cm.
If the summer is cold, it is effective to spray nutrient solutions on the leaves. The procedures are carried out in cloudy weather. In the autumn, wood ash is added, which contains potassium and phosphorus.
Mulching
If the soil on which the tree grows is poor, mulching will help correct the situation. The additional layer performs several functions at once:
- delays the evaporation of moisture from the soil surface;
- protects the soil from the rapid growth of weeds;
- enriches the soil with nutrients.
Straw, chopped grass, peat, and rotted sawdust are used as mulch.
Straw, chopped grass clippings, peat, and rotted sawdust are used as mulch.
Trimming
From the first year after planting, the trees begin to form a crown. By the age of 4, all the main tiers should already be formed. Initially, the conductor is cut to slightly limit the growth of the tree. To avoid thickening, the side shoots are pruned, and the main skeletal branches are carefully bent.
In parallel with formative pruning, sanitary pruning is performed. Dry, frozen branches must be removed. They also cut off all shoots that show signs of disease or pest infestation.
Protection from pests and diseases
Pears are less likely to be attacked by bacteria and pests than other fruit trees. But there is no 100% guarantee of invulnerability, so preventive treatments of the crown and trunk are carried out annually.
Before the buds open, all wounds on the trunk are sealed, and dry branches are also removed. During the same period, plants are additionally sprayed with a solution of Nitrophen or Bordeaux mixture (3%). After the buds have swollen, the pears are additionally treated with PAEK solution to prevent scab and spotting.
If trees were attacked by pests in the previous season, they are additionally sprayed with the drug Profilaktin MKE.
After positive temperatures are established, traps with pheromones are hung around the perimeter of the garden. Insects will flock to the smell and stick. In order to protect against ticks, use the drug Fitoverm, and against leaf-eating insects - Intavir.
To protect against ticks, use the drug Fitoverm
Before flowering begins, spray again with Tanrek against pests. After the end of the growing season and harvesting, all fallen leaves are collected and burned, since this is where pests often overwinter.
Preparing for cold weather
Any winter, even the warmest, is stressful for fruit trees. Therefore, the plants should be well strengthened and prepared for the upcoming winter rest period.
Mandatory preparation activities are:
- After harvesting, all foliage and fallen fruits from the tree trunk are removed.
- They carry out sanitary pruning of shoots, as well as treatment against pests.
- The trunk and base of skeletal branches are whitened.
- If the region has too cold winters, the trunk is wrapped with insulation. As an option, you can use spruce branches, which will additionally protect the crop from rodents.
If the region has too cold winters, the trunk is wrapped with insulation or spruce branches.
Well-prepared pears with strong immunity quickly recover after winter and begin to actively grow green mass.
Growing
Although the Kieffer pear is positioned as a variety that is not demanding to grow, gardeners who have it in their collection still recommend:
- apply fertilizers, both organic and mineral. They begin to feed the plant from the 2nd year of growth. Nitrogenous ones are added in the spring when digging up the surface of the tree trunk, phosphorus and potassium ones are added in the summer when loosening the soil. Fertilizer application frequency: every 4-5 years;
- watering. It is better to carry it out using the sprinkling method, the frequency is 3 rubles per season, 30 to 60 liters of water are poured under one plant, no watering is carried out at the time of flowering and the formation of the fruit ovary;
- protection against diseases and pests is carried out only if signs of scab, powdery mildew, fruit rot, sooty fungus, etc. appear;
- spring refurbishment. After wintering, frozen, dried, broken branches must be removed from the Kieffer pear;
- pruning and crown formation. For the Kieffer variety, a sparse-tiered formation is acceptable. To do this, the main conductive stem of a pear seedling is pruned in the first 2 years, and the lateral annual branches are cut in subsequent years. All types of pruning are best done in early spring, before the sap flows. The multi-tiered structure is finally formed in the 4-5th year of pear growth;
- bend and tie up fruiting shoots to increase the angle of their growth. Branches that are not bent, as a result, become too thick and can be broken by the weight of the pears;
- young seedlings must be covered at the roots for the winter.
Harvest and storage
Most pears have good productivity. But it is necessary to collect the fruits before they are completely ripe, since fruits that are overripe on the shoots will not be stored for long. It’s easy to check the fruits for readiness for harvesting. To do this, take the fruit in your hand and bend it parallel to the horizon. If it breaks off, then boldly begin harvesting.
You should not focus on the hardness of the fruit. Small overripe fruits can be stored for no more than a week. The approximate period for harvesting is late September - early October.
At room temperature, removed pears can be stored for 1-2 weeks. If you place boxes with pears picked at the stage of technical maturity in a cool room, the shelf life will be extended.
The Kiefer pear is loved by many gardeners for its high productivity, unpretentiousness and endurance. The variety is recommended for cultivation in the southern regions, as it does not have very high frost resistance. With the right agricultural technology, gardeners are satisfied with their choice.
History of the cultivar
The variety received its name in honor of the American breeder Peter Kieffer, who grew the seedling by sowing seeds of the Ussuri or sandy (Chinese) pear. The tree was randomly pollinated, presumably with pollen from Williams or Bere Anjou. Kieffer's seedlings were recognized as a new hybrid in 1863.
From Philadelphia, the seedlings came to Russia, where they immediately fell in love with gardeners from the southern regions. Since 1947, after testing, the cultivar was allowed to be grown in the North Caucasus region, but it is also found in Central Asia, Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova.
