Pear variety Simply Maria (34 photos): description, pollinators, winter hardiness, planting and reviews from gardeners

Simply Maria is a new breeding variety of pear with late autumn ripening period. The tree does not require special care, so it is popular among gardeners. And although Maria was bred for cultivation in the northern regions of Belarus, the taste of the fruits of this pear is in no way inferior to its southern relatives, among which you can find the best varieties of pears for the Rostov region and Kuban. Due to the excessive sugar content of the fruit, it was even nicknamed honey.

History of selection

Simply Maria is a new elite pear variety, bred by Belarusian scientists M. Myalik, O. Yakimovich and G. Alekseeva. The tree was obtained by crossing the hybrids Belorussian Late and Ukrainian Oily Ro. The breeders managed to obtain plant seedlings, which were codenamed Hybrid 90-39/79.

Simply Maria is a hybrid pear variety bred at the Belarusian Research Institute of Fruit Growing

First, the pears were placed in a breeding garden, where careful observations were made of the growth and development of the trees. When the bred crop produced its first harvest, scientists selected specimens that were distinguished by winter hardiness, abundant fruiting and high taste characteristics. The selected seedlings became the first specimens of a new pear variety, which was later named Maria, in honor of its creator Maria Myalik.

After some time, the pear was renamed, borrowing the name from the then popular television series - Simply Maria. In the commercial sphere, the hybrid was nicknamed the Beauty of Mary.

The history of the variety Simply Maria

The Prosto Maria pear was obtained at the Belarusian Institute of Fruit Growing in 1990. A group of scientists worked on hybridization, including the famous breeder, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences Maria Grigorievna Myalik, who developed a number of popular varieties of this crop. The new variety received the entire complex of economically useful traits from its “parents”. They were the following pears:

• winter-hardy and disease-resistant hybrid form 6/89–100 [Belorusskaya late x (Bere gray x Dulya ostzeyskaya)];
• productive, disease-resistant, and high-quality fruit variety Maslyanaya Ro.

The new variety did not immediately receive its final name; at first it was called Maria.

At the age of five, the seedling bore its first fruits; it was selected based on a set of positive characteristics, and in 2003 it entered the elite. In 2011, after passing variety testing, the pear was included in the State Register of Varieties of the Republic of Belarus.

In Russia, Simply Maria was applied for admission in 2006. The variety was registered in the Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation in 2013 in the Central region. It is widely grown in mid-latitudes.

Description of the variety

Pear Maria is a late-ripening variety and bears fruit in September-October. The variety has two namesakes - Crimean Maria and Italian Santa Maria. However, the Belarusian Beauty of Mary has a number of distinctive features.

Tree

The tree of the Maria variety belongs to medium-sized crops with a dense, wide-pyramidal crown. Some features of the plant differ depending on the rootstock chosen for the seedling.

The pear variety Simply Maria is characterized by a wide-pyramidal crown of medium density

Below we will consider the characteristics of the variety grafted onto the trunk of a wild forest pear.

Height

In adulthood, the hybrid tree of the Beauty of Mary reaches 3-3.5 meters in height. The main growth occurs in the first 10 years, then the tree only changes the width of the crown and produces abundant growth.

Crown width

The crown of the pear has the shape of a pyramid or cone with a radius of about 2-2.5 meters in each direction from the trunk. The branches grow almost horizontally, with the ends bent upward.

Characteristics of wood

The plant is medium-sized, but has a wide pyramidal crown. By the age of 5, it reaches 2.5 m in diameter. The branches from the trunk grow almost at a right angle and are directed upward, which makes pruning the pear much easier. Read about the features of the Nika pear variety here.

The leaves are oval, do not have serrations, but are thick and large. The pear blossoms with typical five-petaled flowers. The fruits are borne on spears and ringlets.

• It’s just that Maria is a partially self-pollinating variety. However, in the absence of pears of other varieties, the harvest will be meager. As pollinators, it is recommended to plant Duchess, Pamyati Yakovlev, Carmen, Cathedral or other pears that coincide in flowering time.
• It’s just that Maria only grows up to 3–4 m, but has a wide crown, which must be taken into account during planting.

It is not allowed to stretch the crown in height. To avoid this, vertical branches are weighed down for a year to force them to grow at an angle.

• The lifespan of the pear has not been established; the variety is too young.
• It’s just that Maria has very high frost resistance. Mature pears can be left uncovered for the winter, even in frosts down to -39 C. If frozen, even severely, the tree recovers very quickly. Young trees must be protected before fruiting begins.
• Pear yield is estimated as average - up to 40 kg per season from 1 tree. It begins to bear fruit early - at 3–4 years. Over time, the yield increases and reaches its maximum by the 9th year of life. With good care, the yield can increase to 50 and even 60 kg per tree.
• There is no data on yield cycles yet. It is known that cold winter does not affect crop yields. But a dry or too cold summer means that the fruits take a very long time to ripen and may not reach the required sweetness.
• It’s just that Maria is quite resistant to most diseases of fruit crops. However, with high humidity, the tree becomes more sensitive to fungal diseases, especially if potential carriers are located nearby. Most often, gardeners have to deal with scab, fire blight, and septoria.

To avoid infection, it is necessary in the spring, even before the buds open, to treat pears with Nitrophen at the rate of 300 g per 10 liters of water.

2–3 weeks after treatment with Nitrofen, it is recommended to spray the crown with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture.

The best preventative measure for the garden is timely cleaning. Fallen leaves, dry and damaged branches should be immediately removed and burned, as they are carriers of fungal spores.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the variety are:

• high taste characteristics;
• commercial appearance;
• frost resistance;
• immunity to certain diseases;
• precociousness;
• good yield indicators;
• lack of cyclicality in fruiting;
• small tree sizes.

The Simply Maria variety has many advantages, which is why experienced gardeners prefer this particular pear. The
variety has no serious disadvantages. The only thing that can be noted is the lack of information about the drought resistance of the tree and the possible crushing of fruits if the harvest is too large.

Reproduction methods

All pears have a big plus. They reproduce well, and this can be done not only by purchasing a new seedling.

The first method is to propagate Simply Maria by cuttings. It looks like this:

• Cuttings are prepared from an adult pear. They need to have leaves. It is easier to determine survival rate using them. In order for the cuttings to develop roots, they are placed in a warm place, where the temperature is constantly maintained from 20 to 25 ° C.
• To maintain an optimal microclimate, pear cuttings are placed under a film cover. A canopy of damp cloth is pulled over them. It will protect the cuttings from sunburn. But the canopy should not completely create shadow. In the dark, the cutting will weaken and may die.
• Cuttings must be sprayed. In hot weather, this is done 5 times a day, and in cloudy, cool weather - no more than 3 times. After spraying, all leaves should be covered with droplets of water.

The cuttings under the film cover are positioned so that they are slightly higher than the ground. The use of growth stimulants can speed up the appearance of roots. You can take heteroauxin tablets and dissolve them in warm rainwater. The cuttings of the Simply Maria pear are placed in this solution.

The easiest way to propagate a pear is considered to be layering. The branches will take root on their own according to natural conditions. They do not need special care, you just need to water them on time. The essence of the process is to prepare nutritious soil, inside which part of the branch of an adult tree will be buried, but the top should protrude outward. The cuttings should be exposed to the sun. After the roots appear, the branch is cut off from the parent tree with pruning shears and planted as a seedling.

And the last, most difficult method of propagation is grafting onto another tree. Cuttings are harvested from an adult pear in early December. One-year-old branches 3–4 eyes long are suitable. Until spring, Simply Maria's cuttings are stored in a cold cellar. In spring they can be used for their intended purpose. There are many vaccination schemes. They can be seen in the presented photo. An important question remains what the Simply Maria pear is grafted onto so that the cutting takes root well.

The best rootstock is considered to be any variety of pear, even a wild one will do. Grafting on quince, cherry plum and apple shows good results. Rowan is less commonly used as a rootstock. Very rarely the rootstock is cotoneaster, hawthorn and serviceberry.

To summarize, let's read about the Simply Maria pear reviews to get better acquainted with this variety.

Inna Anatolyevna, gardener

It’s just that Maria gave birth for the first time in her fourth year. The fruits are very tasty and juicy. There is a harvest every year. I tried to propagate this variety by grafting. Of the seven cuttings, two took root on a wild pear tree and one on an apple tree.

Egor, summer resident

The productivity of pears is simply Maria beyond all reasonable limits. The whole family likes the fruits, but I don’t really like them. I just don't like very sweet pears. You can make juice from them without adding sugar. In six years, the tree grew to 3 m in height.

Features of cultivation in different regions of Russia

After registration in Russia, the Prosto Maria pear was recommended for cultivation in Moscow and the Moscow region. It is in these areas of the country that the plant will feel most comfortable and will not need additional care.

When grown in other regions, it is recommended to grow pears on a zoned rootstock. This will provide the plant with better resistance to local weather conditions.

In the northern parts of the country, where frosts in winter can drop well below 30 degrees, the roots and trunk of the pear are additionally insulated. For this purpose, spruce branches, cardboard, agrofibre and other breathable materials are used.

Pear variety Simply Maria - an excellent choice for the Middle Zone

Pollination of the variety

For pears, the ability to self-pollinate is a very rare valuable property. The characteristics of the originator do not mention the degree of self-fertility of the described variety. In other sources you can find information about the partial self-fertility of the Prosto Maria pear. To increase the number of ovaries, it is worth taking care of the possibility of cross-pollination. The Pamyati Yakovlev variety is considered the most suitable for this purpose. You can also plant Coschia, Duchess or any other varieties that bloom at similar times nearby.

The Simply Maria pear needs cross-pollination; it is worth planting varieties blooming at the same time next to it

Landing

The health and productivity of any fruit tree directly depends on the gardener’s compliance with all planting rules. Knowing the main characteristics of a pear, you can choose the most favorable place for it with good soil and light.

Landing dates

Typically, pear seedlings are planted in the ground in early spring or late autumn. It’s just advisable to plant Maria in the spring. If you plant a tree in the fall, it most likely will not survive winter frosts. Of course, residents of the southern regions can ignore this rule.

Spring is the most favorable time for planting Prosto Maria pears

The seedlings are planted when the trees are still dormant. The main sign of a dormant plant is the absence of sap flow and blossoming leaves.

What is the best thing to grow from?

The most productive trees usually grow from seedlings purchased from a nursery in the fall. It is during this period that mass digging of plants occurs, and there is a chance to get the most healthy planting material.

When planting, the age of the tree should not exceed two years. The best options are annual plants that have not yet taken root in their old place.

The main indicator of the health of a seedling is its root system - it should be well developed, without damage, strange spots and growths. You should also pay attention to the bark. A good tree is clean and smooth, and the branches are elastic and green.

Pear seedlings must have a well-formed root system. A seedling purchased in the fall should be buried in the ground before spring. To do this, it is placed in a small hole so that only branches remain above the ground and buried.

You can also store the seedling in the basement or cellar. To prevent the roots of the plant from drying out, they are covered with moss and sawdust, watered with water and packaged in plastic. To allow oxygen access, several small holes are made in the film.

Soil requirements

The soil for planting pears should be:

• loose;
• with good drainage;
• neutral or slightly acidic.

The soil for planting a pear should be loose and moist.
If you take into account all these nuances when choosing a planting site, you can completely eliminate the possibility of the tree becoming infected with white scab.

Lighting requirements

It’s just that Maria, like other pears, does not tolerate the lack of sunlight well, so heavily shaded places will not suit her. It is best to plant the tree on the south side of the garden, where the sun shines most of the day.

There may be other trees or buildings on the north side of the tree. This will create additional protection from wind and cold.

Preparation of planting material

Before planting, the seedling should be inspected and made sure that it has withstood the winter well. After this, it needs to be prepared for planting by soaking the roots in Kornevin’s solution. This will wake up the tree a little and ensure good growth.

Before planting, seedlings should be soaked in the root growth stimulator "Kornevin"

Landing algorithm

Planting any pear follows the same rules:

1. In the fall, they begin to prepare a pit into which natural fertilizers are added.
2. In the spring it is opened, removing part of the soil from it.
3. A small mound is formed in the center of the hole.
4. A peg is installed next to it to which the plant will be tied.
5. The seedling is placed on an earthen embankment so that the root collar is above the ground.
6. The roots are sprinkled with fertilized soil.
7. The soil is compacted a little, and the tree is tied to a peg.
8. The trunk circle is separated by a small mound of earth.
9. The soil is watered abundantly and mulched after drying.

Scheme for planting a fruit seedling
After planting, the seedling is immediately pruned.

Preparation and planting

Due to the fact that the variety is considered unpretentious, when planting it, in general, standard agricultural techniques for the crop are used. Planting a seedling does not require much time or special knowledge. But the procedure requires responsibility from the gardener.

Site selection

Pear is considered a light-loving plant, but can tolerate shading. But in this case, the fruits become smaller and their taste worse. It is advisable to choose a well-lit and heated area. The place should be spacious, especially if you plan to plant a pear and its two pollinators.

Choose an area protected from cold winds and drafts. It is better if there is a shelter nearby that will protect the plant without shading it. Plant seedlings not in a row, but at the vertices of an imaginary triangle, keeping a distance of 5-6 m between them. Do not plant trees in lowlands where water stands for a long time after the snow or rain melts. Do not plant pears in places where rowan grows - it attracts insects that love to feast on the fruits and leaves of the pear.

The advantages of the variety include its undemandingness to soil. The plant takes root well in both heavy and light soil. A place with acidic soil is not the best option for planting a seedling. To reduce the acidity of the soil, add slaked lime or crushed shells. Highly alkaline soil is fertilized with peat or pine needles. Pear prefers loose, fertile soil that allows air and water to pass through well.

Soil preparation

Prepare the planting hole for the pear in advance. If you plan to plant the plant in the spring, prepare the hole in the fall. The approximate size of the hole is 60x70x90 cm. Place drainage (pebbles, expanded clay or brick chips) at the bottom - it does not allow moisture to stagnate at the roots.

The top layer of soil removed from the hole is fertile. Set the soil aside and mix with fertilizers: 17-20 liters of humus or rotted compost, 60-70 g of superphosphate, 15-25 g of potassium nitrate, 30-40 g of ammonium sulfate. Pour the prepared mixture into the bottom of the hole, forming a mound. Cover with a sheet of slate or roofing felt to prevent nutrients from being washed out of the soil.

Staged planting

Plant pears according to certain rules. After preparing the pit, proceed to the following steps:

1. In the spring, just before planting, remove and inspect the seedling. Make sure it can withstand the winter. Soak its roots in water for several hours, adding root formation stimulants - Kornevin, Heteroauxin, Epin, etc.
2. Open the planting hole and remove some of the soil so that there is enough space to accommodate the roots.
3. Place a small mound in the middle, and at a distance of 10-15 cm from the center, drive a wooden stake, 1 m high from the soil surface.
4. Lower the seedling into the hole, straightening the roots.
5. Fill the hole with soil and compact it.
6. Make sure that the root collar is not buried - it should be located 3-5 cm above the soil level.
7. Tie the seedling to a stake using elastic material so as not to crush the trunk.
8. Form a tree-trunk circle around the seedling, creating an earthen ridge along the diameter of the planting hole. Use a hoe or flat cutter.
9. Water the tree thoroughly to thoroughly moisten the hole. After drying, loosen and mulch with rotted sawdust, freshly cut grass, pine needles, etc.
10. Trim the seedling to a height of 60-80 cm. If there are branches, shorten them by a third.

Care

After planting, the tree needs to be well looked after. This will avoid most diseases and ensure abundant fruiting of the crop.

Watering

It's just that Maria is not a drought-resistant variety, so it needs to be watered regularly.
The first watering is carried out in early spring, before flowering begins. Then the procedure is repeated once every 3-5 weeks. The intervals between waterings should be adjusted based on local weather conditions. The pear needs regular watering. It is worth considering that the root system of the pear is located 30-40 cm underground, so irrigation should not be superficial.

To retain moisture in the ground, the tree trunk circle should be covered with a layer of mulch. Humus, compost, sawdust or hay are well suited for this purpose.

Feeding

Only mature trees that have entered the fruiting period need additional feeding. In this case, fertilizers are applied according to the following scheme:

1. Once every 3-4 years in the spring, compost or humus is added to the digging.
2. After the ovaries appear, the tree is watered with liquid organic infusions every 2-3 weeks.
3. At the beginning of summer, watering with potassium fertilizer is carried out once a season.
4. In the fall, superphosphate is added to the digging.

Additionally, complex mineral fertilizers can be used. They are usually used if the crop on the tree has become smaller or the plant has suffered a disease.

Feeding pears is a mandatory procedure that helps increase yield.

Pear pruning

An important step in caring for a pear tree is its pruning. Proper crown formation promotes better fruiting and facilitates the harvesting process.

Formation of the pear crown according to the type of improved “bowl”

Low cultivated trees are usually shaped like a bowl. This allows you to thin out the crown of the plant so that all the fruits are well illuminated by the sun both from the inside and the outside. At the same time, giving the pear the shape of a bowl is not difficult at all:

1. Immediately after planting, the seedling is cut to 1/3 of its length.
2. After 2 years, only 3-4 skeletal branches are left on the trunk, and all other shoots are removed.
3. Every year the main branches and the central conductor are shortened by 1/3 of the length.
4. After 2 years, 2 shoots from the upper side are selected on each skeletal branch, all other shoots are cut off.
5. Next, the branches are trimmed annually to the same length.

Scheme of crown formation using the “bowl” system
A correctly formed crown will be able to withstand large harvests and will not break under the weight of the fruit.

Regulatory trimming

Regulatory pruning involves periodically thinning the crown by removing some branches. However, when choosing which shoots to cut, it is important not to overdo it: too few fruit-bearing branches will affect the yield of the tree.

Maintenance pruning

Maintenance pruning is carried out in early summer. During this period, active growth of green shoots occurs. By shortening them by 10-12 cm, you can cause additional branching and increase the number of fruit formations.

Scheme of regulating pear pruning

Scheme of pear maintenance pruning

Sanitary pruning scheme

Sanitary pruning

By autumn, dry, diseased and injured branches appear on the tree. After stopping the sap flow, they all need to be carefully cut off and destroyed.

In case of severe frosts, additional pruning may be necessary in the spring. At this time, frozen shoots are removed.

Requirements for pruning

All types of pruning are carried out according to the same rules:

• Cutting tools must be sharpened.
• After trimming each plant, scissors, saws, and pruners are well disinfected.
• Shoots are removed using the “ring” method, that is, there should be no protrusions left on the trunk.
• Thick branches are removed in parts.
• All large cuts are well cleaned and covered with garden varnish.

It is worth noting that a good garden brew should contain natural ingredients. An excellent remedy is a preparation based on beeswax. But it is better to avoid components such as petrolatum.

After pruning, it is recommended to treat saw cuts with a beeswax-based garden varnish.

Growing process

To get a good harvest, carefully care for the plant, performing all the necessary procedures. This will accelerate the growth of the plant and allow you to obtain beautiful and juicy fruits every year.

Irrigation scheme

Water the newly planted plant every day, pouring 10 liters of water under it. Pear Simply Maria likes moisture, so water an adult plant several times during the season. Water after the snow melts, and then when the leaves unfurl. Also water the tree just before flowering.

In summer, watering depends on weather conditions. If there is severe drought, moisten the pear more often; if the summer is warm with sufficient rainfall, water the plant once a month.

The last watering is carried out in mid-September - it will protect the fruits from cracking, fill them with juice, and the soil will be moist.

Fertilizing

Apply fertilizer the second season after planting the tree. It’s just that Maria is a variety that responds well to natural organic fertilizers. At least once every three years, in the spring, when loosening, distribute humus or rotted compost into the tree trunk circle at the rate of 8-10 kg per 1 square meter. m. Apply mineral and nitrogen fertilizers annually – per 1 sq. m 10-15 g. It is permissible to divide the total norm into three feedings. In this case, apply nitrogen fertilizers after the leaves bloom, 10 days before flowering and immediately after it.

It is forbidden to apply nitrogen fertilizers at the same time as humus, otherwise this can lead to burning of the plant roots. Keep the minimum interval between feedings - 4-5 days.

7-10 days after flowering, the pear needs complex feeding. Use complex nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium preparations (Azofoska, Nitrophoska, Diammofoska) or special fertilizers for fruit trees (Gera, Master, Agricola). It is convenient to use natural fertilizer - infusion of mullein, bird droppings (25-30 liters per 1 adult plant).

During the summer, apply foliar fertilizing once a month. For 10 liters of water, take 25-30 g of potassium nitrate and simple superphosphate.

Pear pruning

An important stage in growing a pear is the formation of the crown:

1. In the spring, before the sap begins to flow, carry out formative pruning. Leave several fruit shoots on one skeletal branch. Carry out the very first pruning immediately after planting the seedling.
2. Shorten the central shoot by 15 cm, and trim all lateral branches to the growth point. Every year shorten the elongated crown to the tips of the uppermost tier of branches.
3. Cut out all shoots growing inside the crown.

The pear tree does not branch much, so in the future carry out formative pruning as needed.

In the fall, sanitary pruning is required: cut out broken, diseased, dried and pest-damaged shoots. Carry out the procedure after harvesting and the leaves have fallen, when the plant is “sleeping”. After pruning, always treat the cuttings with garden varnish.

Preparing for winter

Simply Maria pear is considered a frost-resistant variety that can withstand severe frosts without damage. If you grow a tree in the Urals, you cannot do without shelter for the winter. The preparatory process consists of the following procedures:

1. Clean the trunk circle. Remove all fallen fruit and leaves, broken branches and other debris.
2. Renew the layer of mulch so that its thickness in the circle around the trunk is up to 10 cm, at the trunk itself - up to 25-30 cm. Use humus.
3. Cover the trunk up to the first fork and the lower third of the skeletal branches with whitewash - it will protect the plant from rodents and sunburn.
4. Wrap the base of the trunk with several layers of covering material that allows air to pass through well.
5. When a lot of snow falls, rake it up to the trunk. During the winter, the snowdrift will gradually settle, so renew it several times, while simultaneously breaking up the hard crust on the surface.

Reproduction

Reproduction of varietal pears can be carried out in three ways: cuttings, layering and grafting. The easiest way to get new seedlings is to sprout the roots of the cuttings. But the method of grafting requires certain knowledge and skills from the gardener.

Cuttings

To propagate a pear from cuttings, you need:

1. Cut a green shoot from a tree and place it in Kornevin’s solution.
2. Cover the shoot with film on top so that it is warm enough, but at the same time air gets inside.
3. The cuttings should be sprayed with water 3-6 times a day. The frequency of spraying depends on weather conditions, but the leaves of the plant should always be moist.

Method of propagating pears by cuttings
As soon as roots appear on the branches, they are planted in a greenhouse for further cultivation of the seedling.

By layering

Reproduction by layering involves selecting one separate branch from the pear, which is buried in soil until roots appear. To do this, you will have to build a mound of fertile soil under the tree. Despite a certain complexity, the method has its advantages:

• There is no need to make cuts on the pear, which can be especially painful during the growing season.
• The procedure occurs naturally, so the cuttings do not need to be looked after as much as the cuttings.

Pear propagation scheme by layering
When roots appear on a buried branch, it should be carefully separated from the parent plant and transplanted into a greenhouse.

Vaccinations

Reproduction by grafting is one of the most difficult procedures, during which a large number of scion dies. Its essence lies in the fact that a small branch is cut from one tree and implanted into the trunk of another. The general algorithm of the procedure is as follows:

1. In the autumn, after the end of leaf fall, several cuttings 3-4 buds long are cut from a varietal pear.
2. All grafting material is tied together and sent to the basement for the winter.
3. In the spring, thin branches of the same diameter as the scion are chosen on the rootstock.
4. The shoots are carefully cut at a slight angle.
5. There should be a three-centimeter stump left on the tree, to which a new branch is attached and wrapped with electrical tape.

Pear propagation scheme by grafting
When choosing a rootstock, you should pay attention to the compatibility of the plants. Maria just takes root well on other types of pears, some apple trees and quince. However, quince rootstock cannot be called frost-resistant, so it is better not to use it.

Description of the fruit

The Simply Maria pear has a completely standard shape and a medium-length stalk. Its skin is very thin, glossy, and smooth. The color of the fruit is yellow-green or deep yellow with a red blush, which depends on the degree of ripening. The surface is smooth, there are no stains or other flaws, only a pink “tan” is allowed.

The pears are picked from the tree unripe and yellow-green in color. Having reached maturity, the pear becomes yellow and very soft.

• Calorie content is the usual 42 kcal/100 g, despite the fact that the fruit contains a large amount of sugars - up to 80%.
• The taste of pear is rated 4.8 on the tasting scale. However, lovers of sweet fruits liked it more. It’s just that it’s not for nothing that Maria is considered the sweetest and most delicate autumn fruit. Its pulp is juicy, tender, fine-grained, creamy in color with a slightly golden tint. The taste is sweet and rich and lasts throughout the entire storage period. The size of the pear is relatively small: the fruit weighs 180–200 g, sometimes reaching a weight of 230 g.
• Maria just has a wonderful taste, so most of the harvest is consumed fresh. However, it is not stored for too long - about 3 months.

Pears can be used in cooking: for example, the fruit produces excellent juice, without any added sugar.
Fruit salads with pear are very tasty. You can also make preserves and jams from the fruits, but when cooking it is worth reducing the usual dose of sugar: pears are very sweet and it is easy to over-sweet the jam.

Possible difficulties during cultivation

Pear Simply Maria is an unpretentious tree, so there should not be any special difficulties in growing it. However, if the care is not good enough, some problems may arise. For example:

1. Redness of leaves. If all the leaves on a tree turn red prematurely, it means it is lacking nutrients. The diseased plant needs to be fertilized with phosphorus-containing fertilizers.
2. Lack of harvest. Low fruiting or its complete absence may indicate incompatibility of pollinating varieties. To correct the situation, you need to plant a suitable plant next to the tree.
3. Bitter fruits. If a pear is bitter, it means it was grafted onto an unsuitable rootstock. Unfortunately, this situation cannot be corrected, and the plant will have to be replanted.
4. Premature fruit loss. Pear trees drop fruit if they lack moisture. Timely watering will help solve the problem.
5. The young tree does not grow. If the seedling does not increase in size, it means it was planted incorrectly. The root collar of the plant should be several centimeters above the soil level. In order for the tree to start growing, it must be carefully dug up.

Most of the problems that arise when growing pears can be easily and quickly solved. And if you follow all the rules of planting and care, difficulties will not arise at all.

Reddening of the leaves indicates a nutrient deficiency in the plant.

Planting and care

Growing pears of the Maria variety is not difficult, however, every gardener who decides to have a pear on their plot needs to know some subtleties:

• Pear Simply Maria tolerates shady areas quite easily, but excessive exposure to an unlit area can negatively affect the development of the tree. Therefore, if gardeners want to have high yields, then it is best to choose unshaded places on their site for planting pear trees.
• Pear trees of this variety love humidity. In this regard, you should not skip regular and abundant watering.
• Maria pear is a heat-loving tree, so it is best to plant it in such a way that it can enjoy the sun's rays most of the day.
• In order for the pear to delight you with its annual and voluminous harvest, you should not forget that it needs a balanced diet. It is necessary to apply fertilizers in a timely manner in the amount that the tree needs.
• The pear tree, like many plants, requires good care from gardeners. In its absence, the plant will begin to constantly get sick, while it will grow and develop at a slower pace. In autumn, a pear tree can become a victim of rodents; therefore, it is imperative to protect the tree trunks after planting. For this, it is best to use thick paper.
• Many amateur gardeners are faced with the problem that the root system of the tree suffers. To prevent this from happening, in the fall you definitely need to prepare the pear for winter and frost. To do this, you need to make a mound of earth on each side of the pear tree trunk. You can also sprinkle leaves around it to insulate the stem.
• The root system, especially of young trees, needs oxygen enrichment. In this regard, do not forget to periodically loosen and weed the pears.
• Do not forget that caring for a pear tree also involves regular application of fertilizers, such as phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. Nitrogen fertilization is best done by mixing it with soil and then pouring it into a specially designated hole before flowering. It is best to add potassium directly into the hole, then bury it with soil. This procedure should be performed once every five years.
• To achieve full ripening of the fruit, immediately after the tree begins to flower, you need to fertilize it with a 0.4% urea solution.

Don't forget about grafting trees. After all, this will help not only increase the yield, but also improve the quality of the fruit.

Diseases and pests

The variety Simply Maria has good immunity to some common pear diseases. However, this does not mean that the tree will not hurt at all. Every gardener needs to know what the main diseases of fruit crops look like.

Features of growing pears Just Maria

Since the variety is unpretentious, when cultivating it in general, standard agricultural technology for this crop is used. There are not many care nuances associated with varietal characteristics.

Landing

There is an opinion that the high level of winter hardiness of the variety allows plants to be planted in mid-latitudes in the fall, provided that the seedlings are reliably protected from possible freezing. However, spring planting will completely avoid the risk of frost damage to the young tree.

The growing conditions of the Simply Maria variety are typical for pears. In places where the microclimate is characterized by unfavorable conditions, it is recommended to graft Prosto Maria cuttings onto standard and skeleton-forming plants. In this case, it will be possible to avoid problems with supporting the root collar.

A more hardy variety of a fruit crop is called a standard-former, if a less winter-hardy variety is grafted into its standard; when grafting into skeletal branches, it is called a skeleton-former. The use of standard and skeleton formers helps to grow valuable varieties in unfavorable climatic conditions.

The planting pattern is usual for medium-sized trees - 4–4.5x5 m. The process of planting a seedling is standard for a pear, without any special features.

Care

For a medium-sized Just Maria pear tree, the optimal shape would be cupped; such a crown can easily withstand the load in productive years and creates conditions for good lighting and ventilation. And also the bowl-shaped crown is easily accessible for care and harvesting. Since the variety is not prone to thickening, when carrying out regulatory pruning, you should not get carried away with thinning - this will lead to the loss of part of the harvest.

Shaping the crown in the shape of a bowl is an excellent option for a medium-sized pear Just Maria

There is no information about the drought resistance of the variety, so the plants are watered at the usual time, moistening the soil to a depth of 30–40 cm. The plants are fed according to the usual pattern for pears.

The variety has good immunity to major diseases, so standard preventive measures are sufficient. During the rainy season, special attention should be paid to the prevention of fungal diseases.

As mentioned above, there is no information in the sources about resistance to pest damage. It is better to prevent their occurrence in a timely manner, since the fight against harmful insects once they have spread is ineffective: damaged fruits cannot be returned.

Reviews

Pears of the Simply Maria variety are distinguished by their excellent taste and good keeping quality.
The tree itself is highly productive and resistant to adverse environmental conditions. It is especially important for growing in Russia that the tree tolerates cold well and does not freeze even without additional insulation. Do you think this is a good variety for growing in our country? Leave your opinions in the comments.

Reviews from gardeners

Irina, 56 years old, Orel

Pears are tasty, but the taste of the fruit when ripened on the tree and at home is very different. The growth of the tree was stopped only at 5 meters; every summer it is necessary to get rid of the tops. Another drawback is that during return frosts it loses its ovaries.

Roman, 41 years old, Moscow

The variety is ideal for country gardening: it tolerates frost well and is easy to care for. To combat insects, I constantly keep sweet baits under the tree - sugar syrup or old jam.

Alla, 65 years old, Ryazan

The first harvest that we managed to harvest in the fourth year was eaten by wasps. To repel pests, you need to constantly spray the tree. We tried to propagate the variety by grafting, but the combination with a rootstock from a wild pear seedling turned out to be successful.

Features of reproduction

Maria simply reproduces in the following ways:

1. By cuttings.

A branch with leaves is cut from an adult tree and placed in a container of water. After a few weeks, the cutting produces roots. For better root formation, place a Heteroauxin tablet in the water. Then the cuttings are planted in the ground and watered abundantly. It is advisable to carry out this procedure in the summer. The cuttings can first be planted in a greenhouse. For better rooting, the plant is watered up to 4-5 times a day.

1. By layering.

A branch of an adult tree is bent down and covered with earth. The soil is well irrigated with water; the soil can be loosened first. The top of the branch with leaves remains above the ground. Roots form at the point where the shoot touches the soil. When the branch is well rooted, it is cut off from the parent tree. The time of the procedure is the season of intensive growth (from mid-spring to late summer). Branches for layering should be young and not yet lignified.

1. By grafting.

A cutting with dormant buds is cut from the mother tree. A sharp cut is made at one end and a blunt cut at the other. A thin branch with two or three unopened buds in early spring, at the moment the sap begins to flow, is grafted under the bark of a tree, for example, a pear of a different variety. You can insert the cutting into a rootstock cut in half. The tree branches into which cuttings from another tree are inserted are cut down to stumps. Then Simply Maria is implanted into them. The junction is tightly wrapped with tape.

Resistance to adverse factors

When describing a variety, the frost resistance of the pear is always indicated. In the southern part of the Moscow region it winters without problems; when grown north of the capital, it freezes slightly, but is much smaller than the control varieties and quickly recovers. Mature trees are highly resistant to drought.

Important! The fruits remain tasty even if the summer was cloudy.

The variety is affected by pests, like other pears. Shows resistance to the following tree and fruit diseases:

• scab;
• bacterial cancer;
• septoria.

Growing conditions

Maria just tolerates shady areas well. However, keeping a pear in such conditions for a long time leads to unhealthy development. Because of this, this variety is grown in areas where there is no shade.

A sunny place where the shade partially falls on the tree is suitable for the tree.

Maria just needs moisture, especially in the summer. Therefore, conditions should be created for abundant and constant watering. Trees are watered not only in the first year after planting, but also throughout the subsequent period . Watering is carried out 4 – 5 times per season. For each tree you should use about three buckets of water. After watering, it is necessary to loosen the soil so that air penetrates to the roots.

If you do not follow the above recommendations, the level of frost resistance of the pear may decrease. Also, when watering a tree, you should not overdo it. If the roots of a plant are flooded with water, the hairs of the root system will begin to die due to lack of air.

Harvesting

In terms of harvest time, Simply Maria belongs to the autumn varieties. The consumer ripeness period for this pear lasts from October to November. In the refrigerator compartment, fruits remain fresh until January.

The tree brings its first harvest already in the third year from the moment of planting. It is possible to collect up to 40 kg of pears from one tree.

Fruits of the Simply Maria variety are picked unripe. Pear fruits ripen in a slightly cold and dark room for three months. After which they will be soft, juicy and sweet.

Peculiarities

The fruits have a greenish-yellow color and shiny skin. One pear fruit weighs approximately 200 grams. The fruit has subcutaneous dots of greenish color. The fruits contain small seeds that are dark brown in color.

Conclusion

Cold welding technology is accessible even to a beginner. It is simple and does not require special skills. The quality of the seam is very high, but only with strict adherence to technology. That is, do not forget to stick masking tape - without it, the joint will be sloppy and the linoleum pattern will be blurry. For the same reason, do not immediately remove random drops of glue, but allow them to dry completely.

In the video in this article you will see the agreed upon points (also find out whether it is necessary to glue linoleum to a concrete floor).

PEAR "SANTA MARIA, rootstock - pear, 2 years"

Bred by A. Moretinni by crossing the varieties Duchess Summer and Coscia.

The tree is medium-sized, early-fruiting, productive.

Winter-hardy, scab-resistant.

The fruits are large, weighing 200-230 g, elongated pear-shaped, with a diffuse pink blush.

The pulp is yellow-white, juicy, tender, oily, without granulations, with a pleasant dessert taste.

Autumn variety. Harvesting maturity occurs in mid-September. Stores in the refrigerator for 1-2 months.

ADVANTAGES: winter hardiness, early fruiting, productivity.

• — Are you interested in this variety? Do you need more information?

We are ready to answer your questions.

Write! Call! Consultation hours from 9:00 to 19:00

Please pay attention!

The first 20-25 days after planting the seedlings in a permanent place are key in terms of importance for the rooting of plants in a new place. The survival rate of young trees and shrubs in a new location and their further development largely depend on timely pruning and regular watering in the first three weeks.

Trimming.

Mandatory pruning is recommended for fruit plants. When planting, carry out post-planting pruning, leaving shoots no more than 40-45 cm long on fruit trees and 3-4 buds on rose shoots. It is also recommended to annually remove dry, damaged or fattening shoots, thinning, and crown formation. Watering. Young plants REQUIRE regular, proper watering

For successful rooting of the plant, it is important that the soil is wetted not only from above (by 7-12 cm), but to the depth of the tips of the roots of the seedling (up to 35-45 cm). To do this, after planting during the first month, you must water the plant 2 times a week, 1 bucket per tree.

In dry times, it is recommended to increase watering to 1.5-2 buckets of water per plant 2-3 times a week. Mulching. To preserve moisture in the soil for a long time, it is advisable to use organic mulching of the tree trunk circle with a layer of 7-10 cm. Loosening. Regular, shallow. Weeding in the tree trunk circle. Important to remember! Lack of pruning during planting and irregular or insufficient watering in the first months after planting significantly reduce the percentage of plant survival in a new location.

Unsecrets of Divosad.

1. Planting dates. To achieve successful survival of seedlings, the sequence of actions is quite simple - first, a cold snap in nature, then, as a consequence, leaf fall and the transition of plants to the dormant stage, and it is during this period of cold weather and leaf fall that the seedlings are transplanted. but not in reverse order. So, cold snap to +10°C and below → stopping sap flow → replanting plants. 2. A common mistake is irregular watering. Regular watering after planting is one of the most important non-secrets for the survival of young plants.

Good luck with your choice.

Welcome to the world of Divosad online

!

Dear guest! We invite you to join our group of amateur gardeners on Facebook under the same name Divosad

Receive in the Divosad group

not only free consultations, promotions, exchange of experience and support for caring for your plants, but also a friendly circle of friends, like-minded people and a charge of positive emotions.

We really want our group to be cozy and exciting for everyone who loves gardening, roses, ornamental plants and berry crops.

Harvest and storage

The first fruits appear on the trees 3 years after planting. The harvest takes place at the stage of consumer ripeness, then the pears are placed in a cool, dark place where they ripen. Pears of this variety can be stored in the refrigerator until mid-January.

Read more about the features of storing pears for the winter at home.

So, the Simply Maria pear variety is not difficult to grow, it is frost-resistant and drought-resistant, and has good disease resistance. However, it needs pollinators, its yields are low, and its fruits cannot be stored for a long time.

These shortcomings are compensated by a stable harvest and excellent taste of the fruits, which are usually eaten before the end of the shelf life.

Variety Simply Maria (breeding number 90-39/101).

In the breeding garden, the hybrid seedling entered the period of fruiting in the 5th year, was selected for winter hardiness, yield and quality of fruits, propagated on the wild forest pear seed rootstock and planted in the garden of primary variety study in 1996. Based on the results of a comprehensive assessment in the garden of the primary variety study, seedling 90-39/101 was allocated to the elite in 2003, and in 2005 it was transferred to the state variety testing network.
The trees are medium-sized; at ten years of age, on a wild forest pear rootstock, the height was 3.0 m, the diameter of the crown in two directions was 2.5 × 2.5 m. The crown was of medium density, wide-pyramidal. The predominant type of fruit formations are simple and complex ringlets and spears.

The fruits are pear-shaped, average weight 180 g, maximum 200 g. The surface of the fruit is smooth, the stalk is of medium length and thickness, slightly curved. The skin is tender, smooth, oily, shiny. The color at the moment of removable maturity is greenish-yellow, the integumentary color is dotted, pinkish in color. The color at the moment of consumer ripeness is light yellow, the integumentary color is on the smaller part of the fruit in the form of a light tan, blurry, pinkish. Subcutaneous dots are numerous, green, and clearly visible. The seeds are medium, wide, conical, dark brown. The pulp is yellowish-white, medium density, tender, oily, fine-grained, very juicy, sour-sweet, with a weak aroma, high taste qualities.

During the harsh winters of 1996/1997. and 1997/1998 freezing of bark, two-year-old wood and one-year growth of the mother tree did not exceed 2 points. In the garden of the primary variety study in the winter of 2002/2003, when the air temperature dropped to -29.6ºС, the freezing of fruit wood, bark, trunk, and annual growth of the new variety was lower than the control - 1.5 points.

In terms of resistance to scab, septoria and bacterial canker, the variety Simply Maria was included in the “resistant” group.

Trees of the Simply Maria variety begin to bear fruit 3-4 years after planting in the garden, the average yield for 2001-2005 is amounted to 14.2 t/ha, the yield of marketable fruits was 90%, the level of profitability was 89.8%.

As a result of the breeding work carried out at the Republican Unitary Enterprise "Institute of Fruit Growing", new autumn pear varieties with a complex of economically useful traits were developed, Yasachka and Prosto Maria, which were transferred to the State Variety Testing network in 2005.

Preparing for landing

The time for planting is late autumn, when the leaves fall on the plants and the first cold weather begins.

Before planting in the soil, they are soaked in water for 5-7 hours. For the seedling, prepare a hole in the ground from soil and peat 1.0-1.5 m deep, making it cone-shaped. The root shoots of the tree are distributed throughout the earthen cone and the hole is filled with fertile soil, lightly compacted.

A suitable place is the southern part of the plot. But it can bear fruit even in the shade.

A peg is driven in near the tree, which will become a support for the plant. It is to this that the seedling is tied with fabric strips. Immediately after planting, the pear plant is watered, and when the soil has absorbed all the liquid, the ground around it is loosened.

Pests and their control

Simply Maria has a lot of pests. Insects (aphids, pear flower beetle, mites, pear moth) damage leaves, flowers and the fruits themselves. Pests cannot tolerate too strong odors. It is recommended to plant wormwood, marigolds, lavender, and sage near the tree.

During the period of maximum insect activity, sticky tapes are hung on the branches. It is recommended to spray the tree with insect repellents (Lepidocide, Bitoxibacillin). To combat insects, insecticides are used (Aktellik, Aktara, Konfidor-Maxi). Ticks are destroyed using acaricides (Neoron, Apollo).

Characteristics of the variety

It’s just that Maria is a relatively late variety; its fruits ripen only in October. The fruits are large, pear-shaped. The weight of one fruit is 180-200 grams. The skin of the pear is smooth and shiny. Green dots are visible on the surface.

The color of the fruit is initially green. As the fruit ripens, it turns yellow and acquires a pink blush. The fruit tastes sweet and juicy, slightly sour. The pulp is a pleasant cream color, not very dense, but oily. This is a dessert variety.

The tree grows quickly, but only grows up to 3 meters. The crown of an adult plant takes the shape of a wide pyramid. The branches grow strongly upward and wide, but under the weight of the fruit they bend slightly towards the ground. 40 kilograms of fruit are harvested from one adult plant.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

According to reviews from farmers, Simply Maria has the following advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages and disadvantages

Pros:

• excellent frost resistance;
• disease resistance;
• regular fruiting;
• excellent taste characteristics of fruits;
• presentation of ripe fruits;
• Fruiting occurs in the third or fourth year after planting.

Minuses:

• relatively low yields;
• susceptibility to attacks by insect pests;
• crushing fruits for high yields.

pros

• precociousness;
• taste;
• stable productivity: the pear produces fruits despite unfavorable weather conditions, lack of sunlight, and irregular care;
• presentation: correct fruit shape, no deformation;
• easy reproduction;
• The variety's endurance in winter cold, resistance to mechanical stress.

Minuses

• the multiplicity of ovaries affects the reduction in fruit size;
• not everyone likes the sweet taste of pears;
• Transporting ripe fruits is simply difficult for Mary because of her soft and thin skin.