Q. We have had several trees die over the past year so we
are looking for replacements that will do well here. We do have a Kiefer pear which produces
really small, rock hard pears that never seem to ripen. Some suggestions please
for almond, nectarine, pluot and apricot.
are looking for replacements that will do well here. We do have a Kiefer pear which produces
really small, rock hard pears that never seem to ripen. Some suggestions please
for almond, nectarine, pluot and apricot.
A. If I were to plant only one almond tree, it would be
Garden Prince. It is smaller than the other almond varieties and the flower is
a beautiful purplish white instead of plain white. For a home landscape that
needs a smaller-sized tree, beautiful flowers and wonderful nuts, Garden Prince
can’t be beat. It is self-pollinating so doesn’t need a second almond for
pollination.
Garden Prince. It is smaller than the other almond varieties and the flower is
a beautiful purplish white instead of plain white. For a home landscape that
needs a smaller-sized tree, beautiful flowers and wonderful nuts, Garden Prince
can’t be beat. It is self-pollinating so doesn’t need a second almond for
pollination.
.JPG) |
| Almonds in bloom at UNCE orchard |
Arctic
Star nectarine has a remarkable flavor in our climate. It is floral, buttery
and one of the best fruits I have ever tasted. It makes wonderful sorbet. But
you must remember that you will have problems with thrips with that will result
in horrible scarring of the fruit if you don’t keep it under control. It must
be sprayed.
Star nectarine has a remarkable flavor in our climate. It is floral, buttery
and one of the best fruits I have ever tasted. It makes wonderful sorbet. But
you must remember that you will have problems with thrips with that will result
in horrible scarring of the fruit if you don’t keep it under control. It must
be sprayed.
.JPG) |
| Nectarines at the UNCE Orchard. |
Remember
that pluots require a pollinator tree for improved fruit set. A good pollinator
for pluot is also a great plum for our area called Santa Rosa. If you already
have a Santa Rosa plum or your neighbor does, you don’t need a pollinator tree
for pluot.
that pluots require a pollinator tree for improved fruit set. A good pollinator
for pluot is also a great plum for our area called Santa Rosa. If you already
have a Santa Rosa plum or your neighbor does, you don’t need a pollinator tree
for pluot.
Among
the pluots, the best tasting in my opinion is Flavor Supreme. Second on my list
would be Flavor King. The problem we have had with Flavor Supreme is low fruit
production even with a pollinator. Flavor King has such a large fruit set, it
must be thinned.
the pluots, the best tasting in my opinion is Flavor Supreme. Second on my list
would be Flavor King. The problem we have had with Flavor Supreme is low fruit
production even with a pollinator. Flavor King has such a large fruit set, it
must be thinned.
 |
| Flavor Supreme Pluot at the UNCE orchard |
The second
problem with all pluots is our late spring freezes in the developmental fringes
of our valley which are typically colder.
problem with all pluots is our late spring freezes in the developmental fringes
of our valley which are typically colder.
When we
get a freeze and they are in flower, you probably will not get any fruit that
year. So expect fruit in two or three years out of every five if you live in
these colder fringe areas of the Valley.
get a freeze and they are in flower, you probably will not get any fruit that
year. So expect fruit in two or three years out of every five if you live in
these colder fringe areas of the Valley.
A great
apricot, that is not really an apricot but a cross between an apricot and plum,
is the aprium. The fruit looks identical to and is marketed commercially as an
apricot. It has flavor attributes of plum and apricot in the fruit. The best
aprium out there is called Flavor Delight which will be available from the UNCE
Orchard.
apricot, that is not really an apricot but a cross between an apricot and plum,
is the aprium. The fruit looks identical to and is marketed commercially as an
apricot. It has flavor attributes of plum and apricot in the fruit. The best
aprium out there is called Flavor Delight which will be available from the UNCE
Orchard.
 |
| Flavor delight aprium 15 yrs old kept at 7 feet height at the UNCE Orchard |
Your
Kiefer pear is very different from pears like Bartlett or d’Anjou which are
desert pears. Desert pears will get soft and buttery in texture if you harvest
them slightly early and let them ripen at room temperature off the tree. Kiefer
pear is a salad pear that is also great for canning and used in stuffing for
fowl like turkey or chicken.
Kiefer pear is very different from pears like Bartlett or d’Anjou which are
desert pears. Desert pears will get soft and buttery in texture if you harvest
them slightly early and let them ripen at room temperature off the tree. Kiefer
pear is a salad pear that is also great for canning and used in stuffing for
fowl like turkey or chicken.
 |
| Keiffer pear ready for harvest. Note the color change. |
Kiefer
pear should be harvested just like you would a desert pear. To judge when to
harvest I use a change in color of the fruit and smell. The fruit color will
change from green to yellowish green and you will detect a distinct pear aroma
from the fruit. They will still be hard when harvested.
pear should be harvested just like you would a desert pear. To judge when to
harvest I use a change in color of the fruit and smell. The fruit color will
change from green to yellowish green and you will detect a distinct pear aroma
from the fruit. They will still be hard when harvested.
.JPG) |
| Bartlett pear ready to be eaten and should not be harvested at this stage but earlier when there is still a hint of green |
You can
also sacrifice a fruit and to cut it open and check the color of the seeds.
They should be dark brown when the fruit is ready to harvest. But if you
compare Kiefer pear with a desert pear, you will be very disappointed. They are
both great, but in different ways.
also sacrifice a fruit and to cut it open and check the color of the seeds.
They should be dark brown when the fruit is ready to harvest. But if you
compare Kiefer pear with a desert pear, you will be very disappointed. They are
both great, but in different ways.
I suspect another reason for low fruit production on Flavor Supreme pluot is its chill hours. It is the only DWN retail pluot I figure I don't stand a chance of fruiting in Phoenix. I finally figured the 700 or more chills required was a good estimate. DWN's estimate may even be based upon the experiences there in your orchard. Beautiful big fruit BTW!
I cannot emphasize the importance of letting a still unripe European type pear finish its ripening a week or more off of the tree to finish it off. Pears will rot from the interior out if allowed to fully ripen on the tree. Bob's clues as to examining a sacrificial fruit are spot on. The Kieffer is rather gritty when ripe. Maybe a Hosui Asian pear (which ripens on the tree) would be more trouble free for fresh eating.
http://davewilson.com/product-information/product/hosui-asian-pear