Summer crops have been going well and now I am into the season of the pear. Though a few setbacks – my assorted cucumber plants delivered the cucumbers – large succulent cucumbers – but the cucumber pickelworm, a small green caterpillar is now resident in almost all of them. I will probably uproot the plants and start my fall crops in their place and next year keep a vigilant lookout for the larvae which appear at the budding stage.
It is nice to be surprised. I planted four pear trees. The blossoms on the Eldorado pear (purchased Mar ’09) were frost killed. I have been waiting patiently for the pears on the other three trees to ripen. All the pears feel firm so I decided to wait until the trees began dropping their pears and then I would start snacking. The past week I (and the chickens) have enjoyed the pears of the Warren pear tree (purchased Feb ’07) and the Kieffer pear tree (purchased May ’10). Although their exteriors were dimpled and uneven there were no worm infestations. Their flesh is firm, juicy and the Kieffer is slightly sweet, the Warren slightly sour.
The branches of both these trees seem very pliable and the weight of the pears has lowered some of the branches to almost ground level. Understandable that in Asia they can scaffold the branches horizontally.
However the fourth pear tree has not dropped any of its pears, also it branches are rigid and grow almost vertically. A mystery tree.
It has just 8 pears but they are very large, round, russet colored and unblemished. Since it has so few pears I would rather eat them now than risk them falling on the ground for other feasters.
So I picked my first pear and it was delicious. No imperfections on the exterior or interior. The flesh is firm, succulent and slightly sweet. Unlike the store bought pears which are very sweet but have soft, easily bruised flesh. A different type of pear eating experience.
My records tell me this is a Giant Korean pear which I purchased in March ’09. It is still small but I shall nurture it and take a few cuttings as well. I am especially impressed that it appears to be completely disease and insect resistant – well adapted for my environment.
Finally, a pic of some sunflowers.
The late season cosmos are beginning to flower and soon I should have a stupendous display.