Pear Conference

Pear Conference is best suited in a position that gets

• Full sun

Pear Conference is

• Frost Tolerant
• Flowering
• Attracts pollinators
• Edible
• Cold hardy

Pear Conference will thrive in soil that is

• Free draining
• Nutrient rich

Plant Pear 'Conference' in full sun for the best flowering and fruit production.

Choose a position that:

Receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight.
Has good airflow.
Is sheltered from extremely strong winds.
Has enough room for the mature canopy.

A sunny position also helps the fruit develop its best flavour.

Water during:

Extended dry periods.
Flowering and early fruit development.
Hot summer weather.

Consistent moisture during fruit development will help produce larger, juicier pears.

Feed in late winter to early spring with:

Compost or well-rotted organic matter.
A balanced fertiliser formulated for fruit trees.

Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can produce vigorous leafy growth at the expense of flowers and fruit.

Pear 'Conference' is partially self-fertile, so it can produce fruit when planted on its own.

However, for heavier and more reliable crops, we recommend planting another compatible pear nearby.

Good pollination partners include:

Pear 'Packham's Triumph'
Pear 'Doyenné du Comice'
Pear 'Taylor's Gold'
Pear 'Williams' Bon Chrétien'

You don't necessarily need the second pear in the same garden. A compatible pear flowering nearby may provide sufficient cross-pollination, as bees can carry pollen between trees.

Prune established pear trees during winter while dormant.

Aim to:

Remove dead, damaged or diseased branches.
Remove crossing or congested growth.
Maintain an open canopy that allows sunlight and airflow through the tree.
Control overall height where required.

Young trees should be trained to establish a strong framework of well-spaced branches.

Light summer pruning can also be used to control vigorous upright growth.

If the tree sets a particularly heavy crop, thin some of the young fruit in early summer.

This helps:

Improve the size of remaining pears.
Reduce stress on branches.
Encourage more even cropping from year to year.

Remove damaged or misshapen fruit first.

Unlike many fruits, pears are generally best picked while still firm and allowed to finish ripening off the tree.

Conference Pear is ready to harvest when:

The fruit has reached a good size.
The skin begins changing from dark green towards lighter green.
Fruit comes away relatively easily when lifted and gently twisted.

Once harvested, allow the pears to ripen at room temperature. They are ready to eat when the flesh around the neck gives slightly under gentle pressure.

Pear 'Conference' is highly frost hardy and performs particularly well in temperate and cooler regions of New Zealand.

Cold winters help provide the chilling required for good flowering.

The dormant tree handles heavy frost well, although late spring frosts occurring while the tree is flowering can damage blossoms and reduce fruit set.

Monitor pear trees for common problems including:

Pear slug
Aphids
Scale insects
Codling moth
Pear scab

Good orchard hygiene makes a big difference. Remove fallen fruit and leaves, prune to maintain good airflow and keep the tree healthy with appropriate watering and feeding.