Publication 360, Fruit Production Recommendations:
Pear Calendar - Dormant

Excerpt from Publication 360, Fruit Production Recommendations 2010-11,
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Table of Contents

1. Thinning Pears
2. Other Pear Calendar Sections
• Dormant
• Green tip
• White bud (white petals showing on flowers)
• Bloom
• Petal fall
• Special spray (when monitoring indicates the need at Petal fall)
• First cover
• Special spray (when monitoring indicates the need at First cover)
• Summer sprays
• Second cover
• Special sprays (when monitoring indicates the need about mid-Aug. and early Sept.)
• Postharvest fruit treatment
3. Other Information on Pears
   • Notes on Tender Fruit Insects & Diseases
   • Table 7-9. Products Used on Pears
   • Table 7-11. Activity of Fungicides on Stone Fruit Diseases
   • Tender Fruit Nutrition
4. Pear Calendar PDF 130 KB
5. Chapter 7 - Tender Fruit Calendar PDF 401 KB
6. Related Links

Thinning pears

The main pear cultivars benefit from fruit thinning. The thinning of fruit is particularly beneficial during seasons of heavy fruit set or inadequate moisture. Bartlett and Bosc can set fruit in clusters of three to five fruit per spur. See notes on irrigation under Thinning Peaches.

• If fruit set is excessive, reduce the number of fruit per cluster to one or two. If the set on the tree is not excessive, 2-3 fruit per cluster will reach a satisfactory size without fruit thinning. To obtain large sized fruit, irrigate after fruit set, during extended dry periods in midsummer and a few weeks before harvest.
  
• Start thinning near the end of June drop (mid-June) when it can be determined which fruit will abort and fall on their own. Thinning at early fruit development has more benefits than late thinning.
  
• Thin pears on dwarfing rootstock early in the season in order to obtain a high percentage of marketable fruit and prevent limb breakage.
  
• De-fruit trees during the first four years of establishment. Reduce the crop to one fruit per spur, spaced 12-15 cm apart during normal years. Consider spur pruning on older trees, especially for cultivars on dwarfing rootstock. These pear trees can "runt out" if allowed to bear too heavily in years three to six. The combination of proper fruit thinning and irrigation has the most positive results on pear fruit size.
  
• Response of pears to chemical thinners, under Ontario conditions, is inconsistent between years. Try chemical thinning on a small scale until response can be evaluated with respect to tree vigour, cultivar and fruit size. Use either NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid) or NAD (naphthaleneacetamide) for chemical thinning. Suggested rates are: NAA at a concentration of 15-20 ppm approximately 3-6 days after petal fall, or NAD at 10 ppm, 6-9 days after petal fall, depending on tree vigour and amount of thinning desired. For specific application instructions consult the product label. See notes on NAA and NAD in Chemicals available for thinning.
  

Related Links

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Pesticide Application and Safety
• Pesticide Companies and Agents
• Search the PMRA website
• Ontario Minor Use Program
• OMAFRA Publication 505: Ontario Weeds
• OMAFRA Publication 360: Fruit Production Recommendations