Olivier de Serres

Taste

Susceptibility & resistance

Parentage

Sämling der Fortunée d'Angers

Breeder

Boisbunel

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

Juicy, half-melting to melting, sweet with wine acidity and a fine, slightly tart spice; very good flavour. Fruit flat-round.

Growth

Weak to moderate growth; only suited to low trunk forms in the garden and to espalier. Fruit hangs firmly against wind.

Yield

Cropping starts early and stays high and regular.

Notes

Fine winter dessert pear with very high site demands; only worthwhile in wine-growing areas and as a wall espalier, no upland sites. Needs the warmest, sheltered, free-standing spots. Pick late October to early November, ready to eat January to early March; harvest very late for full aroma. Keeps 2-3 months, tends to shrivel but stays fresh in a perforated foil bag.

Care

Train as a warm south-facing wall espalier; keep soils rich, warm and moist, and on sandy ground water and feed evenly. Pick as late as possible.