Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/40315
Pears Forelle Grow perfect Forelle pears on Tatura When managed properly, Forelle plantings can produce good yields of high-quality pears. by Bas van den Ende (bins per acre) each year, is no mean feat. The pear's white, melting, juicy flesh, I Forelle is an attractive, medium- size pear that requires special management and skill to grow it to perfection. The pears need sunlight to remain red throughout their development and obtain the red blush at harvest. and absence of grit cells, make Forelle a culinary favorite. Forelle is a small pear, and probably the most difficult pear to produce. Pruning, pollination, and development of a distinc- tive deep-red blush are critical factors for producing perfect pears. Fruit that is not exposed to the sun will not develop color. A difference in day and night temperatures is not enough to create a red blush. Forelle is predominantly a spur-bearing variety. The trees are vigorous, show strong apical dominance, do not bear on one-year-old wood, and are not willing to branch. Transplant shock often delays tree development. Since Forelle is self-sterile, and the trees flower earlier than most other pear varieties, another early flowering pear variety, plus honeybees, are required for adequate cross- pollination, fruit set, and good fruit shape. An even distribution of seeds in the pears is associated with symmetrical development of the fruit. Forelle is very susceptible to infection by bacterial blossom blast (Pseudomonas syringae) and fireblight (Erwinia amylovora). When these traits are understood and the trees are managed properly, Forelle can consistently yield well and produce pears of good size, shape, color, and taste. Here are some hints on how to achieve this. • Buy large, unheaded trees of high quality with good root systems. • Prevent or minimize transplant shock (see "Prevent transplant shock," Good Fruit Grower, April 15, 2011). •Use Open Tatura with cordon (see "Open Tatura with cordon: A new way to grow fruit," Good Fruit Grower, April 15, 2005), or Open Tatura with four leaders (see "Use Open Tatura to grow superb apricots," Good Fruit Grower, July 2009). Make rows 4.5 meters (15 feet) wide and plant trees 1 meter (3 feet) apart on a diagonal. This means that on one side the trees are 2 meters (6 feet) apart. The space between the two lines of trees is 0.5 meter (18 inches). Since Forelle is very susceptible to fireblight, the cor- don and four-leader methods allow minimal mutilation of the tree when fireblight strikes. • Plant two Ya Li (Chinese pear) trees as pollinizers at every trellis frame—i.e., no more than 15 meters (45 feet) apart. Alternatively, graft fruiting units over to Ya Li, alternating trees left and right every 7 meters (20 feet). •When the canopy is established and trees are not yet in production, spray Ethrel (ethephon) in summer and fall to terminate extension growth, promote development of fruit buds, and keep buds shut. The rate is usually between 200 and 300 milliliters per hectare (about 3 to 4 fluid ounces per acre in the United States), depending on ambient temperature. Sprays might have to be repeated several times. www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER SEPTEMBER 2011 23 n Australia, growing Forelle pears can be highly profitable, provided the pears are blushed and have good size and shape. To achieve this, and to produce 30 to 35 tons per hectare bas van den ende