| Most of the pears
grown in Texas are of the fire blight-tolerant Oriental hybrid
type. Fruit of all these varieties are harvested firm and then
ripened. The best available pear for combined dessert
quality and fire blight resistance is Warren, a seedling
selection discovered in Mississippi.
The Oriental hybrid and
European pears grown in Texas do not ripen well on the tree.
They are ready to harvest when they change from hard to firm
(firmness similar to a softball). Harvest maturity is usually
indicated by a slight change from green to yellow.
Mature fruit will begin to
drop even though still hard, if harvest is delayed. Most pear
varieties in Texas reach harvest maturity in August and
September. They should be picked and ripened off the tree.
Ripen pears at room
temperature in a well ventilated area. They will ripen in 1 to 2
weeks. Refrigerate the fruit after ripening until consumed or
processed.
Pears are self-unfruitful, so
two varieties are necessary for good fruit production.
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