Abbé Fétel

Taste

Susceptibility & resistance

Parentage

Zufallssämling

Breeder

Abbé Fétel

Pollination

self-sterile – needs a pollinator variety

Fruit weight

250 g

Given in thirds of a month (early / mid / late) for the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate; altitude and season shift them.

Fruit

Very juicy, sweet dessert pear with a fine, noble spicy aroma and low acidity. Large fruit that keeps about four months in natural storage.

Growth

Weak-growing, reaching at most about 5 m in height and width. Suited only to small tree forms such as bush or espalier; sensitive to wind.

Yield

Comes into bearing early and cropps heavily and regularly, though it tends to drop fruit despite good storability.

Notes

Chance seedling from 1866 in France, the second most important variety in commercial growing after Conference. Needs very warm, wind-sheltered sites, no upland positions; poor sandy soils are tolerated. Tree-ripe mid-September, ready to eat mid-November.

Care

Pick in good time before tree ripeness because of fruit drop. Grow only as small tree forms in intensive culture and choose a warm, wind-sheltered site. Watch for chlorosis on limey soils.