The 'Conference' pear adapts to a variety of conditions, and is widely grown in Europe. It thrives on land that is sunny, rich and not too chalky. In France, the production areas of this variety are mostly in the north (Loire, North Picardy) and the Alps (Savoie and the little Southern Alps).
Where can I find Conference pears?
Today Conference pears are grown in Belgium, the Netherlands, England, and in some parts of France and the United States. They can be found at farmers markets and specialty grocers and are also exported to China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Recipes that include Conference Pears.
What is the history of Conference pears?
Conference pears date back to 1884 when the variety was found as a seedling of the variety Leon Leclerc de Laval, the female parent. Conference shares many of the characteristics of its "mother" which unfortunately is no longer available in the UK.
Do Conference pear trees produce more fruit?
However it can produce more fruit when planted with one or more of the following other varieties nearby: Most of the normal rules for pruning a pear tree apply to Conference. They grow well in most forms including espaliers, fans and cordons.
How do you harvest Conference pears?
The fruit from Conference should be harvested when it is just under-ripe because they ripen best off the tree. In practice, wait till a few pears drop off the tree of their own accord and then harvest the remaining pears over a couple of weeks. They are ready for picking when they can be easily pulled off the tree.
Are Conference pears grown in the UK?
Conference is the most widely-grown pear variety in the UK. It crops heavily and reliably, and will grow in most situations. It is also one of the few pear varieties to be reliably self-fertile in most situations, so you don't usually need another pollinator nearby.
Why is a pear called a Conference?
Conference pears were named after the International Pear Conference that was held in 1885 in England. This was the place that the new variety was debuted, and it ended up winning first prize at the conference.
Are Conference pears good eating?
It's soft and juicy, and arguably the best choice to eat raw. Concorde Pear: Juicy, with a vanilla-like flavor and smooth texture, these pears are crisp right after harvest and soften as they ripen.
What month are Conference pears ready to pick?
October'Conference' pears begin to ripen from September and are usually fully ripe between October and the beginning of November. You will know the fruit is ripe when it is soft and yellow. For a crunchy pear, or if you want to store your pears, begin to harvest them before the fruit turns yellow.
How long does it take for a conference pear tree to bear fruit?
Conference produces fruit on average a year earlier than average and reaches its maximum cropping potential when it is about six years old, starting to produce fruit from three years old.
How do you know when a conference pear is ripe?
To test if a pear is ripe, apply gentle pressure near the stem end. If it gives slightly, it's most likely ready to be eaten. Pears are one of the few fruits that don't ripen successfully on the tree. They're picked when they have reached full size, but before the onset of ripening.
What is the sweetest pear?
Comice Comice pearsComice. Comice pears were originally cultivated in France. They're known as the sweetest pear variety, and are often the variety shipped in gift boxes. Because of this, they're sometimes given the nickname “the Christmas pear.” Comice pears have light green skin with a blush of pinkish red.
Can diabetics eat Conference pears?
Pears can be very tasty and are a great fruit to eat if you have diabetes. Their nutritional benefits can actually help you manage the condition, as many studies indicate. Pears also have a low glycemic index, so they won't raise your blood glucose too quickly.
Which pear is the healthiest?
The crispy Asian pear has an edge when it comes to fiber. See how the types compare in the table below. But these aren't the only nutrients found in pears. The biggest benefit of pears may be their phytonutrient content.
How do you store Conference pears?
How to store pears Two of my favourite varieties of pear, 'Conference' and 'Doyenne du Comice', just happen to be the best for storing. They need to be picked hard, green and under ripe. Do not wrap the fruit, but lay them out in dimple cardboard trays, so they are easy to inspect.
What can I do with a glut of Conference pears?
What can I do with surplus pears? Jam, chutney, wine and more!Grate. Pears don't properly ripen until they have been picked. ... Freeze. Like most fruits, pears are happy to spend a while in the freezer. ... Jam. ... Chutney. ... Booze.
How long does a conference pear tree live?
Height and Spread of Pyrus Communis Conference The Pyrus Communis Conference fruit tree will grow to a mature height and spread of 4-8 metres in 5 to 10 years. This tree can be expected to live more than 50 years.
Do Conference pears need a pollinator?
Pear Conference is a self fertile variety and does not need a pollination partner, but fruiting will usually be improved if there is a compatible partner of a different variety nearby.
How tall do Conference pear trees grow?
4-8 metresThe Pyrus Communis Conference fruit tree will grow to a mature height and spread of 4-8 metres in 5 to 10 years. This tree can be expected to live more than 50 years.
How do you grow Conference pears?
Once established, pears require very little care throughout the year. Water them during dry spells and from when the fruit starts to swell, particularly if they are newly planted or in containers. In early spring, feed with a high potassium general fertiliser, such as Vitax Q4.
How many grams is a conference pear?
NutritionTypical Values100g containsA typical pear (133g) containsCarbohydrate10.00g13.30gSugars10.00g13.30gFibre2.20g2.93gProtein.30g.40g4 more rows
Where did conference pears originate?
Conference pears were named after the International Pear Conference that was held in 1885 in England. This was the place that the new variety was debuted, and it ended up winning first prize at the conference. Conference pears then went on to win an Award of Merit in 1993 from the Royal Horticultural Society.
When were conference pears discovered?
Geography/History. Conference pears were discovered in 1884 by Thomas Frances Rivers, a well-known farmer and chairman of the pear conference, at his nursery in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire in England.
What color are conference pear?
Conference pears are medium to large in size and have a narrow, rounded base that tapers to a long and thin neck connecting to a green-brown stem. The mottled, thick skin is green with patches of brown russeting and transforms into a pale yellow when ripe.
Why are conference pears so popular?
Conference pears are favored for their unique, slender shape and smooth texture, and are often regarded as one of the most well-known all-purpose pears in the British Isles. They are also exported to many countries in Asia because of their long storage capabilities.
What app do you use to share conference pear?
People have shared Conference Pears using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android .
When were conference pears first grown?
By David Marks. Conference pears date back to 1884 when the variety was found as a seedling of the variety Leon Leclerc de Laval, the female parent. Conference shares many of the characteristics of its "mother" which unfortunately is no longer available in the UK. It is the most widely grown pear tree variety in the UK because ...
What is the primary use of conference pears?
The primary use for Conference pears is for eating but they can also be used for cooking.
How to keep a pear ripe for 3 days?
The trick is to press lightly on the neck of the pear with your fingers immediately after you pick them. There will be absolutely no "give" in the flesh. Keep them indoors for three days and try again.
What does a conference pear taste like?
Unusually for a pear it is often eaten just before it is fully ripe. At this stage it still has crunch to it and the taste is slightly acidic. When fully ripe, the flesh is pleasantly soft and juicy with lots of sweetness.
How long do conference pear pears keep?
One of the great advantages of Conference pears is that they keep for for a long time when stored at a cool temperature. The commercial growers store them at -1°C / 32.2°F in a carbon dioxide saturated atmosphere. The nearest the average gardener can get to this is in the fridge where they will keep until January.
How long does it take for conference pears to ripen?
To ripen them fully, take them into the house (not on a window sill) at normal indoors temperature. They will be ready to eat after three to four days. Conference pears are notoriously difficult to judge for ripeness.
How long do pear trees live?
This variety of pear tree is likely to have a fully productive life of about 35 to 40 years if kept disease free, very similar to apple trees. The trees can live for many, many years after that but fruit production will gradually decline. This variety grows well in almost all areas of the UK.
What is a conference pear?
The Conference pear tree is one of the first English pears of note to arise from controlled breeding program in England in the 1800's The Conference pear tree was bred by Thomas Francis Rivers at his family nursery in England. He first announced it to the public at a 'Pear Congress' in 1885, which had been advertised as a 'Pear Conference', the name he settled with, but it could have easily been called the Congress pear. The Conference pear is medium to large, slightly long, gourd-shaped, smooth green tinted with russet. Flesh pale yellow, with slight pink tinge, melting, very juicy, sweet and delicious. Good fireblight resistance. Please refer below for more information on the organically grown Conference pear trees for sale.
When do fruit trees ship?
Shipping Note: Our fruit trees and berries are delivered to you bareroot during their winter dormancy from January through May depending on USDA zone. Trees are shipped with your invoice and helpful planting directions. There is no minimum quantity required but shipping rate for an individual tree is expensive since UPS/Fed Ex charge a dimensional weight and an additional handling fee to ship a tree. You'll find it's cost effective to consider a handful of trees,vines or our helpful Tree Starter Kits.
What are the nutrients in pear?
Pear Facts: • Pears are excellent source of water-soluble fiber. • Pears contain vitamins A, B1, B2, C, E, folate and niacin. • Pears are also rich in copper, phosphorus and potassium, with lesser amounts of calcium, chlorine, iron, magnesium, sodium and sulfur. All fruit & veg will be packed according to your wishes.
Can you eat conference pear?
Conference pears are an ideal snack, for example in the car on the go. Without making a mess you can eat a Conference pear, which acts directly as an appetite suppressant.
Origin and History of The ‘Conference’ Pear
- It is no coincidence that the ‘Conference’ pear is named as such. In 1885, a conference was held in England to promote the cultivation of pears on home soil. More than 600 pears were presented at this conference, but one variety stood out by far. Since known as the ‘Conference’ pear, this variety soon gained popularity at home and abroad. Thomas Fr...
Taste and Characteristics of The ‘Conference’ Pear
- ‘Conference’ pears are medium-sized, slender and elongated. The fruits are green in colour with a light brown rusting and turn yellow when fully ripe. The delicate, white-yellow flesh of the ‘Conference’ pear melts in the mouth. (For an even finer texture, look out for the ‘Beurre Hardy’variety!) The pears are sweet and very juicy, with a pleasant acidity and a slight muscat fla…
Planting and Caring For The ‘Conference’ Pear
- ‘Conference’ pear trees grow about 40cm a year, to around 4m. If you decide to graft your tree onto a rootstock, these growth rates may differ. The tree works well as a standard tree, but even better as a semi-dwarf or dwarf tree. In this case, Quince rootstocks are suitable for grafting. ‘Quince C’ is slow-growing, while ‘Quince A’ and ‘Quince Adams’ produce a medium to strong gro…
When to Harvest ‘Conference’ Pears
- ‘Conference’ pears begin to ripen from September and are usually fully ripe between October and the beginning of November. You will know the fruit is ripe when it is soft and yellow. For a crunchy pear, or if you want to store your pears, begin to harvest them before the fruit turns yellow. ‘Conference’ pears are perfect fresh, baked in cakes or preserved. If you harvest the fruits befor…