All was looking most promising with my 'Doyenne du Comice' pear tree until towards the end of May/beginning of June. Firstly the rough weather at that time scattered a good number of would be pears to the ground. I presumed that was the phenomenon known as the 'June Drop' so just muttered to myself. What followed though has been more traumatic when closer inspection the other day revealed that some of the remaining fruits have the pear equivalent of the 'Black Death'. Not a pretty sight as you can see from above! Research revealed that the pear has been affected by pear midge. This is a pest which causes the fruitlets to turn black and fall prematurely. Apparently though I've not done this yet but if I cut up open one of the afflicted fruits it will reveal lots of tiny white grubs. The advice is to remove affected fruitlets before they fall to the ground or to spray with some nasty sounding chemical just before the blossom opens.
So it looks as if this year's crop will be counted on two hands that is presuming all the other so far healthy fruits mature. I'm happy to report that the neighbouring pear has not been touched by the midge and although not exactly groaning with fruits it bears a couple of promising clusters one of which you can glimpse above. This fruit growing lark seems to be full of challenges but I remain optimistic that I will consume at least one of my own pears this year.
Thanks as always to Lucy over at 'Loose and Leafy', who enables us to share the ups and downs of a fascinating and diverse range of trees each month.
There's always something just waiting to grab our crops before we do. Fingers crossed that the remaining pears go on to maturity and that you manage some kind of harvest.
ReplyDeleteDon't I know it Jo! Vigilance is essential :)
DeleteYou have my sympathy Anna, as Jo says there is always something waiting to eat our fruit before we can.We have a small cherry tree, it is a battle between us and the Blackbirds who eats the most (And I feed the birds!) Best wishes for the remaining pears.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian. I can just imagine that race for the cherries :)
DeleteWhat a shame when things were looking promising
ReplyDeleteIt's most disappointing Sue especially given the state of affairs just a few weeks ago.
DeleteI've never heard of the pear midge, what a shame your tree has been attacked, there is always something attacking our plants. I hope you manage to have some lovely pears by the end of summer!
ReplyDeleteIt was a new one on me too Pauline :)
DeleteMy pear tree suffers from rust every year and what looks like a promising crop early on soon leads to disappointment. I have half a dozen fruits hanging on so far but I guess they will all fall off like they usually do. Why are pear trees so difficult I wonder. I would, like you, like to eat just one pear from my tree before I pop my clogs - we can but hope.
ReplyDeleteOh your plight sounds familiar Elaine. Yes just the one pear would do me :)
DeleteThat is a shame, as I know you were looking forward to your pears! I hear from neighbours with fruit trees about all the terrible things that can occur, along with the wrong weather at the wrong time, so am glad in a way that I don't have any myself. I do hope those remaining pears are not affected and grow for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy - even if I end up with just the one it will still be much appreciated :)
ReplyDelete