Self pollination is one of the most known pollination processes found in plants. In this pollination process, the pollen is transferred within the same plant between the anther and the stigma.
Pear trees are known for their delicious and sweet edible fruits. Today, we are going to discuss about pear tree and find out whether pear trees self pollinate or not.
Are pear trees self pollinating?
According to gardening experts, all varieties of pear trees cannot self pollinate. Very few varieties of pear trees like bartlett, kieffer and anjou are blessed with the gift of self pollination. Most of the pear trees rely heavily on cross pollination in terms of fruit production.
There are many varieties of pear trees available throughout the world. Let’s discuss in detail about some of them and see if they have the ability to self pollinate.
Bartlett pear trees:
Bartlett pear trees also go by the name of Williams pear trees. This variety of pear trees is mostly found in different regions of Europe. It is important that you plant bartlett pear trees in a place that receives a lot of sunlight.
It is believed by gardening experts that bartlett pear trees possess the ability to self pollinate. But the important thing to remember here is that bartlett pear trees produce more fruits when cross pollination is applied instead of self pollination.
Asian pear trees:
The botanical name of Asian pear trees is Pyrus pyrifolia. Japanese pear trees, Korean pear trees, and Chinese pear trees are some of the other names of Asian pear trees.
Asian pear trees also have the ability to bear edible fruits during the Summer and the Fall.
But the important thing to remember here is that asian pear trees do not have the gift of self pollination. So you will need to rely on the other varieties of pear trees to produce fruits from asian pear trees.
Cross pollinating an asian pear tree with a compatible variety of pear tree will yield out the best results.
Kieffer pear trees:
Kieffer pear tree is not an original variety of pear tree. Rather it has been created through mixing Chinese pear trees and European pear trees.
But one of the best things about kieffer pear trees is that they are very easy to grow and require minimum amount of care.
According to gardening experts, kieffer pear trees possess the ability to self pollinate. But it is true that their fruit production capability increases when cross pollination is introduced.
Comice pear trees:
Comice pear trees are also known by the name of Christmas pear trees. Comice pear trees can reach a height of at least seventeen feet when they fully mature. You will need to plant them at locations that have plenty of sunshine.
It is believed by experts that self pollination can be done by comice pear trees. The nectar produced by comice pear trees is attractive enough for bees and this enables the comice pear trees to cross pollinate as well.
Pineapple pear trees:
Pineapple pear trees are known for producing humongous pear fruits. But it takes pineapple pear trees at least three years before bearing fruits.
Gardening experts have said that pineapple pear trees have the natural ability to self pollinate.
But cross pollination can also be introduced in order to increase the fruit production of pineapple pear trees. Hood pear trees are one of the varieties of pear that is compatible with pineapple pear trees for cross pollination.
Bosc pear trees:
Bosc pear trees are known for producing very sweet and delicious fruits. Bosc pear trees also go by the name of winter pear trees. They can grow up to at least twelve feet tall under right conditions.
But the important thing to remember here is that Bosc pear trees do not possess the gift of self pollination. So there is no alternative to cross pollination for Bosc pear trees in order for them to produce fruits.
Conference pear trees:
Conference pear trees are mostly famous for being a beautiful ornamental tree. But they are good at producing edible fruits too.
According to gardening experts, this variety pear trees can self pollinate and does not necessarily require a pollinator. But it is true that cross pollination improves the fruit production of conference pear trees.
Ayers pear trees:
Ayers pear trees are known for producing yellow edible fruits. It is believed by gardening experts that ayers pear trees possess the gift of self pollination.
But it is good to take the help of a pollinator to increase the fruit production of ayers pear trees. Other compatible varieties of pear trees can be useful during cross pollination of ayers pear trees.
Anjou pear trees:
Anjou pear trees belong to the category of dwarf pear trees. Because they can reach a height of eighteen feet only.
Anjou pear trees do have the ability to self pollinate. However, kieffer pear trees and bartlett pear trees can participate in the cross pollination of Anjou pear trees.
Do you need two pear trees to pollinate?
Most varieties of pear trees do not possess the gift of self pollination. For the non self pollinating varieties of pear trees, you will usually requite another variety of pear trees for the cross pollination process.
You will need to plant two compatible varieties of pear trees together for the pollination to happen.
Bees and the wind can participate in this cross pollination process. On the other hand, you will need two pear trees if you are working with a self pollinating variety.
Can pear trees cross-pollinate?
Pear trees do have the ability to cross-pollinate. In fact, most of the gardening experts suggest the application of cross pollination for pear trees. This is because of the increased fruit production in the presence of cross pollination.
For example, if you are going to grow a Kieffer pear tree in your garden, then planting a Bartlett pear tree or an Anjou pear tree gives you the best chance of getting higher fruit production.
Another important thing to remember here is that it is not easy to get abundance of pear fruits without cross pollination. Even the self pollinating pear trees do a better job of bearing fruits when cross pollination is introduced.
How to pollinate pear trees?
Pollinating pear trees might seem like a difficult task without prior experience. However, there are some steps and methods you can follow to accomplish the task successfully.
Choose a pollination partner:
First of all, you will need to choose a perfect pollination partner for your pear trees. The pollination partner will have to match the blooming period of your pear tree. Different varieties of pear trees can become good pollination partner.
If you are trying to grow Bartlett pear tree, then choosing Anjou or Kieffer pear tree as pollination partner will be fruitful.
Plant the pear trees:
You will need to plant your targeted pear tree and the pollination partner within fifty feet of each other. It gives the best chance of cross pollination. If there is too much distance between the pear trees, then this process might not work.
Attract the bees:
You will have to attract a decent amount of bees in to your garden as pollinators. Only wind is not enough for cross pollination process.
You will need bees to participate in the cross pollination of pear trees. Planting vibrant flower plants in the garden can attract the bees.
Why is the pear tree not producing fruit?
Pear trees might fail to produce fruit for a number of reasons. Let’s discuss in detail about some of them.
Due to prematurity:
A pear tree needs to become three or four years in order to produce fruits. If your pear tree has not reached its maturity, then it will not be able to bear fruit. You will need to give it enough time and be patient.
Absence of pollination:
Most varieties of pear trees lack the ability to self pollinate. These varieties of pear trees have to rely on cross pollination when it comes to producing fruits. Absence of pollination can be problematic for pear trees when it comes to bearing fruits.
Inadequacy of sunlight:
Pear trees require a high amount of sunshine to reach their optimum growth. A pear tree that is not able to get six hours of sunlight daily will struggle to bear fruit. Sunlight is a key factor for the fruit production of pear trees.
Unfavorable weather:
Growing a pear variety that prefers cold weather in warm weather can not bring great results in terms of fruit production. You will need to consider general weather of your area before selecting a variety of pear trees to grow.
Final Thoughts
Pear trees have the best chance of producing fruits when cross pollination is introduced. Self pollination can be done by some varieties of pear trees. Attracting bees to the garden helps the cross pollination process of pears. Because bees are known for being good pollinators.