pear 'Merton Pride'
pear
A compact, deciduous pear tree producing sweet, yellow-green fruits, which are undoubtedly one of the best quality English pears. Created...
9 litre pot | QA root stock | 1.2m
£54.99
In stock (shipped within 3-5 working days)
bare root | QA root stock | 1.2m
£26.99
available to order from autumn 2024
1
Plant description
A compact, deciduous pear tree producing sweet, yellow-green fruits, which are undoubtedly one of the best quality English pears. Created from a combination of the English 'Williams' pear and the French 'Glou Morceau', this pear is known for its juicy, buttery flesh. Pick when fruits are still hard, and allow to come to ripeness indoors, 'Merton Pride' has superb tasting fruit, disease resistance, and vigour. ‘Conference’ makes for a suitable pollinating partner.
Pollination information: This pear requires a pollinating partner from another variety of pear nearby. Ideally this should come from the same pollination group 4, however it is possible to use one from group 3 as well.
Pollination information: This pear requires a pollinating partner from another variety of pear nearby. Ideally this should come from the same pollination group 4, however it is possible to use one from group 3 as well.
Eventual height & spread
Flowering period
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Plant features
Position
Full sun / light shade
Rate of growth
Average
Soil
Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free general purpose compost
Hardiness
Fully hardy
How to care for pear Merton Pride:
When planting your pear tree, prepare a hole up to three times the diameter of its root system. Fork over the base of the pit in readiness, incorporating plenty of organic matter into the backfill and planting hole. Avoiding frozen and waterlogged soil, trees should be planted out as they arrive. If you've ordered a bare root tree, soak the roots in a bucket of water for half an hour prior to planting, or if this is not possible, they can be heeled in temporarily, covering their roots with soil, or potted up. In exposed positions, stake firmly and keep the base weed-free. Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring to support growth and fruiting and provide regular watering during hot, dry spells. The main winter prune, avoiding frosty conditions, involves removing dead, dying, and diseased wood to create an open crown. Additionally, reduce leaders and laterals by a third to establish an airy structure without crisscrossing branches. In August, summer prune by shortening side shoots longer than 20cm (8”) back to three leaves, promoting fruit ripening and encouraging more fruit buds. Always ensure that the growth you trim feels firm to the touch. Pears naturally shed a small quantity of the developing fruits in mid summer. After this has occurred, thin out the remaining pears, leaving one pear per cluster.
Please note:
This tree is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.
