a silly question about pears

[sandyshore]

so

having always bought my pears from a shop i dont know when to pick the pears from my tree, they look big enough, bigger than any in a shop but are still hard, do they ripen on the tree or do i pick them and if so do i need to store them in any special way?

thank you all

www.casadossonhos.co.uk

[Ellendra]

Most pears I've read about ripen inside because they tend to fall off before ripe. But, my pear tree hasn't reached that stage, so I can't tell from experience.

[red]

when you start to get windfalls, its time. The pears should come away when twisted in the hand. then keep them in the house until they go soft


my experience anyway...

[ina]

Depends on the variety - some stay hard!

[Jandra]

Not a silly question at all, as I find pear difficult to judge too. Can't offer fail safe advice I'm afraid, though I my experience tends to suggest you need to pick them before they ripen on the tree (taste was not so good on the tree-ripened pears). So far I've not had much luck, though.

Jandra

[Millymollymandy]

I learnt this from Gardeners World. When the pears come away from the tree easily in your hand that's the time to pick.

However they are not actually ripe for eating at this time and can take about 1 week to 10 days to ripen after that.

I don't think there are any pears that are ready in July - I do have an early tree (green fruit) that ripens in August/September but the Conference Pears (russet colour) are ready in October.

[sandyshore]

thank you all

there are only 5 pears on the tree but they are really big and i am going to try and twist them off as i cant afford to lose even one to windfall!

i knew someone would have the answer to my question

www.casadossonhos.co.uk

[MKG]

Woooooahhhh!

You don't necessarily lose any to windfall at the moment. The best place for your pears right now is on the tree. In the current unlikely event of windfall (at least, if you're checking your tree every day) then simply pick up the pear in question and use it - any insect damage will be superficial if it exists at all. Rela pear windfall damage is still a couple of months away, in my experience.

[Millymollymandy]

I agree, leave them on the tree until they are ready to come off like I said above!