What is the best time to pollinate pear trees?

Pear trees have a cultivation history of at least about 3000 years in China, and their output is second only to apples among fruits. In order to increase yields, artificial pollination is now mostly used, so what is the best time to pollinate pear trees? How many years of planting before they bear fruit?

1. The best time to pollinate pear trees

The best time to pollinate pear trees is within 5-7 days after the pear flowers open, and it is preferable to complete artificial pollination within 3 days; pollination can be carried out from 8 am to 4 pm. If the temperature during the pollination period is below 10 degrees, choose to carry out artificial pollination in the afternoon when the temperature rises back above 12 degrees; if the temperature is above 30 degrees, carry out artificial pollination in the morning or evening.

2. How many years of planting before pear trees bear fruit?

In general, newly planted pear trees need about 5 years before they bear fruit, and some varieties may need a shorter time, only 4 years. Basically, pear trees enter the full fruit period after 6-7 years of planting. If managed properly, the yield per mu of pear trees in the full fruit period is 5000-6000 jin, and high-yielding ones can reach about 8000 jin.

In addition, several situations can cause pear trees to bloom but not bear fruit. First, excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer. Excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer causes the tree to grow excessively vigorously, producing only branches and no fruit. In addition, some fruit growers apply unrotted farmyard manure to the orchard, causing the pear trees to grow tall but bloom without bearing fruit; second, poor drainage. The flowering period of pear trees generally has too much rain, and water accumulation in the orchard will hinder tree growth, resulting in fewer fruits; third, a lack of pollinator trees. Pear trees are cross-pollinated plants, and pollination within the same variety has a low fruit-setting rate.

The main pear trees cultivated economically in China include Ussurian pear, white pear, sand pear, European pear and Xinjiang pear. Growers should determine the specific variety to plant according to the market at the time, the planting environment, and so on.