Madame Verte

Taste

Susceptibility & resistance

Breeder

Kevers

Pollination

self-sterile – needs a pollinator variety

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

Fruit

Semi-melting to melting, juicy, sweet and finely wine-acidic, delicately to strongly aromatic. When preserved the pear turns sweet and takes on a reddish colour.

Growth

Only weak to medium vigour. Suited to garden and espalier.

Yield

Bearing starts in the 5th to 7th year, later medium-high to very high. On some sites weak yields for no apparent reason.

Notes

Prefers warmer areas up to mid elevations (up to 350 m), higher heat needs; does not tolerate cold, dry soils. On the NRW list of recommended old orchard varieties. Picked too early the fruit tends to shrivel and rot. Tree-ripe mid to late October, ready to eat late November to mid January; from warm sites 1 month, otherwise 2 to 3 months, in cold storage at 0 degrees up to 5 to 6 months.

Care

Do not pick too early or the fruit shrivels and rots. Ensure a warm site and adequately moist soil.