Secrets of a Column-shaped Pear

Column-shaped pears attract the attention of gardeners with a decorative look, plentiful harvests and a pleasant taste of fruits. Numerous nurseries and online stores offer various varieties of these plants with minimal data on their characteristics and characteristics. Therefore, before buying a seedling, you should familiarize yourself with the information in detail and understand what a columnar pear is.

General Description of Columnar Pear

Column-shaped pears belong to dwarf trees, they got their name for the unusual shape of the crown in the form of a column, when very short skeletal branches with a lot of shortened shoots - ringlets with fruit buds are placed on the trunk. As a result, it seems that the flowers and fruits are located directly on the trunks. At the same time, the size and taste of the fruits remain the same as those of tall pears. The maximum height of the tree is about 2-2.5 m.

Colon-shaped pears bear fruit abundantly and look very decorative

By the method of production, all varieties are divided into seed (natural dwarfs) and grafted onto a stunted clonal stock. The trunks of young seedlings are much thicker than ordinary pears of the same age, and they also completely lack lateral branches.

Column-shaped pear is partially self-fertile culture. It bears fruit without third-party pollination, but to increase productivity nearby it is better to plant pollinating trees. For this, any varieties of pears with the same flowering period are suitable.

Currently, there are not many varieties on the market that can be classified as columnar.

Video: what columnar apple and pear trees look like in autumn

Advantages and disadvantages of columnar pears

Due to its size, the columnar pear does not spend energy on the growth of the vegetative mass, which gives it a number of advantages:

• thanks to the compact crown, there is the possibility of a denser planting of trees, which saves space in the garden;
• the bulk of the trees begins to bloom and bear fruit already in the second year after vaccination;
• they are characterized by higher productivity than ordinary pears;
• the fruits are juicy, sweet, well transported;
• a small crown makes tree care easier - pruning, spraying, and harvesting.

The disadvantages include:

• short term fruiting of the tree is about 10 years. This is significantly less than that of ordinary pear varieties and subsequently requires updating the garden;
• if there is no experience in the care of columnar plants, then they quickly lose their shape and reduce productivity;
• with intensive fruiting, these varieties greatly deplete the soil, which requires regular fertilizer application.

Despite some shortcomings, columnar trees grown on the site will delight not only the fruits, but also their decorative appearance.

Key Representatives with Feature

Many varieties of columnar pears can be bred both in the southern regions and in central Russia. The main thing is to choose the variety that is most adapted for breeding in your climate zone.

The main varieties of columnar pears

Everyone who wants to grow a columnar pear needs to know that these varieties are not registered in the State Register of Selection Achievements of the Russian Federation, for them in most cases there is no information on tree productivity and resistance to diseases, only the appearance and taste of the fruits, as well as the timing of their ripening and keeping time are described.

All varieties of columnar pears on the market share:

• on summer;
• summer - autumn;
• autumn (early autumn, autumn, late autumn);
• winter.

Columnar pears have no variety names, only numbers: from G-1 to G-5.

• G-1 - refers to winter varieties, has good frost resistance, the crop is harvested in late September and early October. Fruits are yellow, tuberous, weighing up to 250 g, with juicy and tender flesh. In a cool room they are stored until the end of December;
• G-2 is a late autumn frost-resistant variety, perfect for cultivation in Siberia. Harvested in the last decade of November. The fruit is green with brown spots, tuberous, the mass does not exceed 200 g. The taste is sweet, the pulp is very aromatic;
• G-3 - an early autumn grade, withstands frosts down to -25^aboutC. The fruits reach mature maturity in September-October. Large fruits of yellow color, weighing 400 g, the pulp is sweet, tender;
• G-4 - an autumn grade with good frost resistance. The fruits are wide, large, weighing up to 300 g. The peel is saturated yellow in color, in the sun acquires a pink blush. The taste is excellent, the pulp is tender, tastes like a cream;
• G-5 is a late summer variety. The fruits reach a ripening maturity in August-September. The variety is resistant to major diseases, tolerates frosts, is suitable for cultivation in the Urals. Fruits are yellow-brown in color, with an average weight of about 250 g, with a wonderful taste and aroma of sweet and sour flesh.

Photo gallery: main varieties of columnar pears

Varieties of columnar pears, which can be purchased in nurseries and online stores

After the columnar pears hit the market, the sellers themselves came up with beautiful, poetic names, since in this case the seedlings are much better sold. But in fact, these are the same varieties of columnar pears with markings from G-1 to G-5, often their number is even indicated next to the name of the variety.

In our nurseries and online stores you can purchase the following varieties of columnar pears:

Variety Decor - late summer hardy, resistant to fruit rot. Recommended for cultivation in Siberia and the Urals. Fruits can reach a weight of 260 g, stored 10-14 days. The skin color is uniform, yellow-green, there is no blush. The pulp is juicy, sour-sweet.

The Decor pear variety has good frost resistance, so it can be grown in the northern regions

G322 - late summer variety, medium-sized fruits, weighing 150-200 g, stored for 7-10 days. The skin color is yellow, sometimes a blush appears on the sunny side. The pulp is very juicy, buttery.

Pear variety G322 - late summer, has attractive fruits, covered with yellow skin with a pinkish blush

Sapphire is a winter-hardy autumn variety, resistant to the scab pathogen. Fruiting is annual, yield reaches 12-15 kg per tree. The fruits are elongated, with a greenish-yellow skin, covered with rusty spots and a reddish tan, reaching a mass of 200 g. They are stored until the end of December, eat fresh, as well as jam and jam.

The autumn high-yielding variety of paprika Sapifra is distinguished by good winter hardiness and immunity to scab

Pavlovskaya is an autumn variety with large fruits, which are characterized by an oily skin and an excellent taste of sweet and delicate pulp. Transportability of fruits is high. Productivity from one tree is 3-7 kg.

Large yellow fruits with an oily skin and a delicate taste are characteristic of the pear of Pavlovskaya variety.

Dalikor is a high-yielding winter variety of French selection. A ripe fruit can reach a mass of 500 g, the taste is sweet, dessert, juicy pulp without granulation and astringency. Store the crop until the end of January.

Dalikor pears are large in size and have an excellent dessert flavor.

Good frost resistance is declared for all of the listed varieties, therefore, they can be recommended for cultivation both in the southern regions, and in the Moscow Region and central Russia. Varieties G-2, G-5, as well as the Decor variety can be grown in the Urals and Siberia.

Varieties of columnar pear for growing in the suburbs

In addition to the varieties of columnar pears already described above, for cultivation in the Moscow Region, the market offers varieties of Tenderness, Carmen, Honey, Lyubimitsa Yakovleva.

The author of the article has studied many sites about colon-shaped pears and came to the conclusion that I want to share with readers.

Varieties of foreign selection, such as Night-Werth and Dalikor, are not available on English-language sites about colony-shaped pears, so they can be considered one of the representatives of pear varieties G-1-G-5.

Pears of varieties Tenderness, Carmen, Honey, Yakovlev's Favorite were bred by famous Soviet breeders in the last century. These are medium-sized trees with a narrow pyramidal crown (varieties Carmen, Honey) or tall, with a spreading crown (varieties Tenderness, Yakovleva Lyubimitsa). Grafted onto a super dwarf rootstock, they will grow low, but they cannot be attributed to the columnar varieties of pears. These trees are unlikely to get the original shape of the crown even after special molding under the column.

Table: varieties of columnar pears for growing in the suburbs

Photo gallery: columnar varieties of pears for the Moscow region

Features of planting (timing, site preparation, selection of seedlings, step-by-step process)

For cultivation of columnar trees, solar and windproof areas are most suitable. The pear is undemanding to soils, but grows better on chernozems, loamy and loamy soils. The optimal period for planting is spring, until the buds are swollen on the branches. The root system of the columnar pear is superficial, as a result of which there is a risk of frost damage during autumn planting.

Trees are planted in rows: the distance between plants is 0.5 m, the row spacing is about one and a half meters.

When planting purchased planting material, the plant is carefully inspected for defects, since a damaged tree is unlikely to take root. The easiest to tolerate planting is annual seedlings with a closed root system.

To lay the foundation for good growth and fruiting, trees are planted according to all the rules.

A tree is planted no earlier than two weeks after the preparation of the pit.

1. Dig out landing holes with a depth of 70-80 cm, a diameter of about 60 cm.
   

   They dig a planting hole with a depth of 80 cm and a diameter of about 60 cm

2. The pit is half filled with excavated fertile soil mixed with three to four kilograms of compost or humus. In this form, it is left for 5 days.
   

   The pit is half filled with the soil mixture from the fertile layer of the earth mixed with three to four kilograms of compost or humus

3. After that, a bucket of water is poured into the pit. Further actions are performed only after it is completely absorbed into the ground. Then set the support for the seedling.
   

   A bucket of water is poured into the prepared pit and waiting for it to completely absorb into the ground

4. Before planting, the root system is soaked for several minutes in an earthen chatterbox. The seedling is placed in the center of the pit, the roots are carefully straightened. It is possible to plant a tree only in moist soil.
   

   Before planting, the roots of the seedling are soaked in an earthen mash, the tree is planted in moist soil, the roots are straightened

5. The roots of the sapling are covered with a fertilized soil mixture in two steps, each time tamping.
   

   When planting a seedling with an open root system, the earth is brought in two steps, after each application it is well compacted

   The root neck or the vaccination site after planting should rise 2-3 cm above the soil level.
   

   After planting a seedling, the vaccination site should be 3-4 cm above the ground

6. Around the tree form a watering circle 10-15 cm high, pour one or two buckets of water under the seedling.
   

   After the formation of the irrigation circle, one or two buckets of water are poured under the seedling

7. After watering, the earth is mulched with peat, humus or straw to avoid cracking.
   

   After watering the sapling, the trunk circle is mulched with peat, humus or straw. This will prevent cracking of the earth and retain moisture during the hot season.

Correct planting of a columnar pear takes a lot of time, but it will pay off with a good survival rate and rapid growth of a seedling.

Plant care (pruning, watering, fertilizers, shelter for the winter, etc.)

Caring for columnar trees includes irrigation, top dressing, loosening the soil, removing weeds, pruning, as well as preventative treatments against pathogenic microorganisms and pests. Agrotechnical techniques are carried out throughout the growing season, from early spring to late autumn.

Pruning

The peculiarity of the care of colon-shaped pears is the correct pruning, on which the formation of the shape of the crown and the growth of the tree depend. For trimming to succeed, the following conditions must be observed:

• pruning is done to a young tree (this is a necessary requirement);
• the plant must be absolutely healthy;
• during cultivation, all the rules of agricultural technology must be observed: the soil is well fertilized, the trunk circle is mulched, top dressing was carried out regularly and correctly, etc.

In such ideal conditions, after the first pinching on 60% of the branches, 2 or even 3 buds will wake up. One will give a powerful escape to continue, the second - a small thin branch, the third, if it wakes up, it will develop into a very small branch. On the remaining 40% of the pinched branches, only one, the kidney closest to the pinch, will wake up.

//www.umhoz.com/formirovanie-kroni-kolonovidnih-jablon/

If you do not adhere to all of the above conditions, then after the first pruning, only ten percent of the branches will wake up 2 buds, on the remaining 90% - one bud.

You can trim in the spring and autumn season and perform in two ways:

• shortening of young shoots, which stimulates the awakening of the lateral buds below the cutoff level;
• thinning branches, while the stump should not remain on the cut.

Thinning branches provides an even distribution of warm air in the crown

Spring pruning. The most favorable period for pear pruning in spring begins in March-April. At this time, the air will already warm up a little, but the kidneys are not yet swollen. The purpose of pruning is to allow warm streams to be evenly distributed along the entire crown of the tree. For an adult tree, pruning is limited to removing dry branches and reducing the load on large branches during the fruiting period.

Autumn pruning. As a rule, in the fall they carry out sanitary pruning of the pear, during which dry and diseased branches are removed. Perform it at plus temperatures in the period when the trees threw off the foliage. If this could not be done on time, then the work should be postponed until the spring, to prevent freezing of the branches.

Column-shaped pear pruning is best done in late August or early September, as they do not have very high frost resistance, and due to the August pruning, the wood ripens better.

//www.umhoz.com/kolonovidnaja-grusha/

Forming is carried out in the first year after planting. It doesn’t matter how many percent this or that branch will be cut, the main thing is that after molding the tree has the appearance of a harmonious column without protrusions and depressions:

• the main conductor is never cut;
• in the first year after planting, in the spring, all branches are trimmed so that they have two buds left, counting from the base of the branch;
• about two to three centimeters should remain to the nearest kidney from the cut. Slices are slightly slanted at an angle of about 30 degrees. Over the year, the remaining buds will grow into full-fledged shoots;
• for the next spring, on each last year’s branch, leave that shoot that grows more horizontally, and cut off a more vertical one according to the above principle (that is, two buds are left on it, counting from the base of the branch);
• flowers will appear on the horizontal, still short twig, and on the vertical by the next year two next shoots will develop. One of them will become fruitful, and the second one needs to be cut off again next year;
• this method of forming the crown is carried out for five years;
• to achieve a gradual expansion of the crown without thickening, pruning is carried out only on the external kidney.

If the apical kidney practically does not grow or died, then this part of the plant is cut to a strong shoot, which is left to continue the trunk.

After the central conductor reaches the required height (maximum 2-2.5 meters), it is cut off at the end of summer. In subsequent years, all branches that grow above the leader are pruned.

Proper care provides an annual growth of the top by 10-15 cm and the formation of another 2-3 lateral branches. With a weak leader, he is shortened to 2-3 kidneys.

Fruit load

In the first year after planting a seedling on a tree, flowers may appear. To make the plant better take root and grow, they are plucked. If the pear grows well, then the next year it is recommended to leave up to 4-5 fruits on it. In the future, their number on the tree is gradually increasing.

The fruit load for each plant should be selected individually. With overloaded branches and a sharp decrease in the size of pears for the next season, the number of fruits on the tree is normalized.

Watering

The frequency of watering a columnar pear is very dependent on weather conditions:

• in hot climates in the absence of rain, daily watering may be necessary;
• in cool weather, trees moisturize twice a week;
• for watering, use water heated in the sun;
• in the heat, after moistening, sprinkle the near-stem circle with mulch in order to retain moisture in the soil longer.

After watering, it is imperative to carry out loosening of the soil, this will provide oxygen access to the roots, and also protect the root system from decay. At the same time, weeds are removed during loosening.

Feeding pears

For the good growth of columnar trees, regular and proper feeding is needed. They make nitrogen fertilizers from the second or third year after planting, when the pear has taken root and gets stronger. For this, it is recommended to use urea (urea): 10 g is dissolved in two liters of water, introduced under each plant:

• the first top dressing is done in the spring, after the appearance of the first leaves. Two weeks after the first, the second top dressing is carried out, and two weeks after the second - the third;
• the soil between the rows should be kept under black steam. If the row spacing is more than two meters, regular and plentiful watering is necessary.

In the first half of summer, urea top dressing can be replaced with slurry or fresh chicken:

• mullein and slurry are allowed to be used immediately, having mixed in settled water at a ratio of 1:10. Under each tree contribute 1 liter of the mixture;
• Before use, bird droppings are necessarily fermented: half of the tank is filled with droppings, the remaining space is filled with warm water. The mixture was incubated for two weeks with occasional stirring. For fertilizer use only the liquid fraction, which is diluted with water twenty times. 0.5 l is poured under each plant.

Since the end of September, it is undesirable to carry out root feeding with nitrogen, since the plant may not have time to prepare for a state of rest and will die with the onset of frost.

Proper nutrition of the pear in the fall is the introduction of mineral fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus. You can cook them yourself or buy in a specialized store:

• 10 l of water;
• 1 tbsp. l potassium chloride;
• 2 tbsp. l granular superphosphate.

All components are thoroughly mixed and introduced into the trunk circle. The norm is designed for 1 square. m

Winter preparations

Despite the fact that the columnar varieties of pears are resistant to frost, it is advisable to warm them in the conditions of central Russia for the winter. This is especially necessary for young seedlings, since their root system is not yet ready for the upcoming cold weather.
There are a number of important agricultural techniques that will allow trees to survive the winter even in Siberia:

• after foliage falls from the trees, it, along with the fallen dry fruits, is removed and burned to destroy wintering harmful insects and pathogens;
• at the end of autumn, the trunks are bleached with water-based paint with chalk or lime diluted in it (a ready-made composition for whitewashing is on sale). This will protect the bark from cracking due to temperature differences;
• the trunk circle is covered with a twenty-centimeter layer of wood sawdust or straw.

Whitening the trunk of a pear will protect the bark from cracking and infection by microbes due to temperature fluctuations

The first two or three years in young trees protect the apical buds, as they are very delicate and can easily die from frost. To do this, you can use various materials, for example, plastic bags, dressed on branches.

To protect the kidneys from frost, you can put plastic bags on the branches and fix them well

A good protection against frost is ordinary snow, which spuds a tree trunk down to the base of skeletal branches. Small trees can be wrapped with non-woven material, over which a snowdrift is thrown.

For the winter, small trees are covered with a non-woven material that will protect against severe frosts

Trees that are more than three years old need trunk protection. He is wrapped in paper and neatly tied with a rope. To protect against rodents, use roofing material or ordinary coniferous branches, which tightly encircle the trunk and tie it to the rope.

Coniferous spruce branches not only protect the trunk from rodents, but also protect the tree from severe frosts

The young seedling can be completely covered with coniferous branches, which will also protect the tree from frost.

Diseases and Pests

Columnar pears, like other fruit trees, often suffer from a variety of pests. This reduces their productivity and affects the taste of the fruit.

The main prevention of diseases is to comply with the rules of agricultural technology, so that tree immunity is maintained at a high level.

For the prevention of diseases, the crown, trunk and trunk circle are sprayed six times a season with a solution of urea of ​​different concentrations:

• in the spring before the start of the growing season, a urea solution of 100 g / 10 l of water is prepared;
• on young foliage, before flowering - 75 g / 10 l of water:
• during flowering - 50 g / 10 l of water;
• twice in the summer - 50 g / 10 l;
• once in the fall, after falling of leaves - 100 g / 10 l of water.

Start spring spraying of the garden as soon as the air temperature rises above 5^aboutFROM.

Also, for the prevention of diseases in the spring, before the appearance of leaves, spraying with a one percent solution of iron sulfate is effective, after falling leaves - five percent.

If the plant is still ill, it is necessary to establish the cause and begin treatment. The main diseases of columnar pears, as well as measures to combat them are presented in the table.

Table: Diseases and pests of columnar pears

Photo gallery: various diseases and pests on the leaves and fruit of a pear

Most often, columnar pear diseases are found in the spring. To protect against pests, plants are planted in the garden - tobacco, lemon balm, dill, marigolds. They emit a strong specific odor that can scare away many insects.

Gardeners reviews

Reviews of gardeners about columnar trees and, in particular, pears are very controversial. Often there are negative reviews, which, most likely, are associated with the acquisition of low-quality planting material and improper care.

I am growing 12 pcs. kolonovidok, 1-2 of each grade. Everything was bought at the exhibition in the early years. Pears to taste nothing but small. On two trees - larger. But before the yield in "3 buckets from a tree!" oh how far! But this does not mean that it will not work for you - try it!

Igor V. Zaika

//forum.vinograd.info

What can I say from the columnar pear ... Definitely she does not like humus, too fertile soil - they simply fatten, bear fruit several years later ... Or do not bear fruit at all. Therefore, you can’t feed them. Many side branches appear. Varieties zoned. Those that are grown in our south - in the middle lane will freeze. I had several varieties. Everyone tastes great. I have several columns with side branches, sprawling. The rest are in the form of a stick. Planted very tightly - after 15 cm. Such a wall. All bear fruit. Enter fruiting very often in the first year.

Volodya

//forum.vinograd.info

For me, the columns are ideal. It's just that if you have REAL columns and GOOD care, then everything will work out, the column is a capricious girl, you won’t pour it once and that’s all, the root is superficial. He didn’t feed correctly - he won’t give birth either, but with which pear you will get another crop in the first year! Once again I say that I’m not campaigning for anyone, but blaming is just so worthless ...

Irina 029

//forum.vinograd.info

I grew 6 pears kolonovidki 5 years, I do not remember the variety. Complete disappointment: no crop, no taste. Autumn completely got rid of this miracle. I think that you need to know the subtleties of agricultural technology, but the useless taste and constant frost at the time of flowering - how to deal with this?

Oleg P.

//forum.vinograd.info

If you purchased a real seedling of a columnar pear, then as a result of hard work and following the rules of agricultural technology, a beautiful columnar tree with unusually tasty fruits will grow on your site.