What is this pear for?

[sweetleaf]

If this is really an old variety 4P, and I dont doubt it is, perhaps you ought to take cuttings, it could become as famous as "Bramleys seedling" I would be willing to grow one in the interests of preserving it

A superhero name ... hmmm.... The Buxom Avenger? no, too obvious!!!

[4pygmies]

Oh, crumbs, the responsiblilty...I don't know how you propagate a pear tree - would it come true from seed? I'll have to do some research..

[sweetleaf]

If its anything like Bramleys seedling it would have to be cuttings to get a clone or you would risk getting a mystery tree, depending on whether its self fertile (can you tell I`ve been on the internet smiley)

[4pygmies]

Me too...! Sounds a bit technical to me. I might ask my mate Pru to see if she can do it - she's a REAL gardener, don't you know! Clones, rootstock, grafts..bit too sci fi for me...

[sweetleaf]

Heres some sci fi for you then, seems pretty straight-forward actually
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit_tree_propagation

[oldmoleskins]

4P, the guys at Gressenhall gave me this for the same grafting job on a Crimson Bramley I have and they ID'd for me:

Keepers Nursery, www.keepers-nursery.co.uk

Apparently they will supply the right rootstock and maybe even graft your cutting to one for you... haven't had time to check it out myself yet...

OM.

[4pygmies]

This is great! I've just emailed Keepers Nursery, so I'll let you know what they say ASAP. Thanks, Sweetleaf and Moley.

[4pygmies]

Just a quick update for anyone who's interested - now I know how to cook these pears I poached one for an hour and then put a crumble topping on it - the flesh went pink with the cooking and it was delicious!
I had a reply from Keepers which seems a tad complicated OM so I'm putting that little project on hold until I've sorted out the rest of the garden....

[Deleted]

Phew ! I've been unable to stop thinking about your huge pear for a while now 4P. I'm glad you've finally worked out what to do with them.

;D

FA x