Almond-Leaved Pear Care
Pyrus amygdaliformis
A thorny, extremely hardy wild pear species that is part of Turkey's natural vegetation. It is very tolerant of drought, heat and chalky soils. Its white flowers in spring are beautiful, and because of its hardiness it is used as a rootstock for pear varieties.
Hardy · -30 °C / -22 °F
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
January
- Pruning: Main pruning time. Remove only branches that spoil the shape, as well as dry, diseased and overlapping branches. It is usually left to grow naturally.
- Plant protection: Bordeaux mixture or dormant oil (mineral oil) can be applied for overwintering pests and diseases.
- General care: Dormancy period.
- Pests & diseases: Check the trunk and branches for scale insects (Coccoidea).
February
- Pruning: While dormant, remove dry, broken, crossing and inward-growing branches so that air and light reach the inside of the crown.
- Plant protection: Just before the buds swell, Bordeaux mixture or a copper-based fungicide can be applied.
- General care: Clear away pruning debris.
- Frost risk: As the buds swell, its sensitivity to frost increases.
March
- Watering: Not needed. Spring rains are sufficient.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer as the plant emerges from dormancy.
- Plant protection: Against fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) risk, copper-based preparations may be applied at the start and end of flowering, though plants are usually resistant. Do not use insecticides on plants in flower, as this harms bees.
- General care: White flowers open just before leafing out or together with the leaves.
- Pests & diseases: Shoot tips that suddenly darken may be a sign of fire blight.
- Frost risk: Flowers are very sensitive to frost.
April
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
- General care: The leaves emerge and fruit set begins.
- Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
May
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
- General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
- Pests & diseases: Check fresh shoot tips for aphids (small clusters of green or black insects). If there are few, you can knock them off with a strong spray of water. If you see black spots with yellow rings on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
June
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
- Fertilizing: Apply the second fertilizer dose during the growing season. Do not fertilize after August; late growth will not survive winter.
- Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
- General care: Growth slows.
- Pests & diseases: Check fresh shoot tips for aphids (small clusters of green or black insects). If there are few, you can knock them off with a strong spray of water. If you see black spots with yellow rings on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
July
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
- General care: It shows full tolerance to the hottest and driest conditions.
August
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
September
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Fertilizing: It must absolutely not be given.
- Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
- General care: The fruits (wild pears) ripen but are still very hard and tart. Wait until late autumn for harvest.
- Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
October
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- General care: The leaves begin to fall. The fruits soften after the first frosts and can be picked.
- Frost risk: Light frosts are beneficial for the ripening of the fruits.
November
- General care: Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under leaves.
December
- Pruning: Once the tree is fully dormant, major pruning can begin toward the end of the month.
- General care: Full dormancy period.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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