Unpretentious high-yielding pear variety "Victoria"

Pear Victoria is a late summer ripening variety with excellent varietal characteristics. Trees bloom profusely, flowers do not fall, forming 100% ovaries. The culture has an enviable frost resistance and is adapted for growing in regions with a warm climate. The increased resistance to drought allows the tree to grow and thrive in risky farming conditions. Juicy, sweet fruit contains practically no seeds and is suitable for fresh consumption.

Description and history of the appearance of the pear variety Victoria

Summer pear Victoria was brought out in 1973 by engineers of the Ukrainian Institute of Irrigated Horticulture in Melitopol. Authors - G. I. Kulikov, E. A. Avramenko, P. V. Grozditsky, I. N. Boyko, I. N. Maksimova. The varieties Bere Bosk and Tolstobezhka were used for crossing. The culture took root in the gardens of central and southern Ukraine.

The culture was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation in 1993 after the conducted variety tests. The variety received an admission for cultivation in the North Caucasus region and in the Crimea. In the central regions of Russia, it is not grown due to unsuitable climatic conditions.

Specifications

The table shows the distinctive features of the Victoria pear.

Pollinators

The variety is characterized by a high level of fruit set. The plant is capable of self-pollination and parthenocarpic type of fruit formation. This means that there are no seeds in the box. Experienced gardeners recommend planting Victoria next to pollinating varieties Nikolai Kruger, Williams red, Vienna's Triumph as a safety net.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the variety:

• high productivity;
• large-fruited;
• excellent taste and aroma;
• frost resistance;
• resistance to heat and drought;
• scab immunity;
• lack of seeds;
• stable fruiting.

The disadvantage is a deterioration in taste in a cold summer with few sunny days.

Interesting! The pear is considered a “female fruit” because of its peculiar curved shape and a large amount of vitamin E, which helps to preserve beauty and youth for a long time.

Planting seedlings

For the normal development of the Victoria pear, comfortable conditions are provided. The culture loves the sun and warmth, does not tolerate drafts and excessive humidity.Ideal soil - loose structure, drained, with a neutral (pH = 6.5-7) or slightly acidic reaction (pH = 5-6).

For landing, choose a place on the southeastern or southern slope with a slope of no more than 20 °. On the north or north-east side, there should be protection in the form of tall, dense trees or buildings. Pollinators must be within a 50 m radius.

When growing pears in the area of ​​tolerance, planting is performed in early spring or autumn.

Basic requirements for seedlings:

• a state of rest;
• age 1-2 years;
• developed rhizome with fibrous roots without cones and growths;
• the bark is smooth, without cracks and signs of infectious diseases.

Gardeners recommend planting in the spring. By the time of the first frost, the seedlings will have time to take root and gain strength.

Saplings purchased in the fall are stored in the basement or buried in the ground until spring. The roots are pre-dipped in a mixture of cow dung and clay.

Step by step guide:

1. The planting hole is prepared in advance: 2-3 weeks before the spring planting and before the onset of frost for autumn planting.
2. The depth of the pit is 60-70 cm, the diameter is 80-100 cm.
3. 10-15 cm of expanded clay, crushed stone or broken brick are placed on the bottom.
4. A nutrient mixture is prepared from equal parts of peat, black soil, sand and compost. 0.3 kg of superphosphate and 3-5 l of ash are added to it.
5. The nutrient mixture is poured into the pit and waiting for shrinkage.
6. The roots of the seedling are immersed in clean water or a solution of a growth stimulator ("Epin", "Kornevin") for 2-4 hours before planting.
7. A meter-long wooden stake or metal rod is driven in 10-15 cm from the center of the pit.
8. A part of the earth is raked out of the hole so that a depression is obtained in which the roots are freely distributed.
9. When planting, make sure that the root collar is at ground level.
10. The hole is completely filled with soil mixture and the seedling is tied to a support with a rope or soft tape. In this case, the trunk is not squeezed.
11. The pit is watered abundantly with water so that the roots adhere tightly to the soil. Then the surface is loosened and covered with a 10-15 cm layer of sawdust, peat or straw mulch.
12. Formative pruning is performed - the central conductor is removed at a height of 60-80 cm and branches at a distance of 20-30 cm from the trunk.

After planting the seedlings of the Victoria variety, you have to wait 6-7 years before the start of fruiting. Grafting with quince stock can speed up this process.

Subtleties of care

Pear agrotechnics Victoria provides for moderate watering, pruning, mulching the trunk circle and making top dressing.

Watering

The plant tolerates drought in a southern climate. It is successfully grown even in the zone of risky agriculture - the steppes with minimal precipitation in summer. However, this does not mean that you can forget about watering. The best option is drip irrigation and sprinkling. Mulching the tree trunk circle helps to retain moisture in the soil and protect the tree from frost.

The bases of skeletal branches and stems are whitewashed with slaked lime with the addition of copper sulphate twice a year - in spring and autumn.

Top dressing

The first 3-4 years after planting, fertilizer is not applied - the young tree has enough nutrients from the pit. Further, the plant is fed with organics and minerals.

The table shows the optimal feeding scheme.

Pruning

For pears of the Victoria variety, the following types of pruning are used:

• sanitary;
• supporting;
• formative.

Formative pruning is done to shape the tree and make it easier to maintain and harvest.

The first type of branch formation is sparse-tiered:

1. 3-4 years after planting, in spring, the first tier of skeletal branches is formed. To do this, choose 2-3 shoots and remove the length of 25-40 cm. The remaining branches are cut "on the ring".
2. The center conductor is shortened by 20-30 cm.
3. The next year, the second tier is created in the same sequence.
4. After 1-2 years, the third tier is formed.
5. The final stage is trimming the center conductor above the base of the apex.

The second type of molding is cup-shaped:

1. Choose 3-4 branches, located at a distance of 15-20 cm, and cut the length by 25-40 cm. The remaining branches are removed completely.
2. The second stage is the complete removal of the central conductor above the base of the apex.
3. After 1-2 years, 1-2 branches of the second order are selected on the skeletal branches, the rest are removed.
4. Further, they monitor the uniform development of the branches and do not allow any of them to become the central conductor.
5. Every year, part of the shoots growing inside the crown is cut to prevent thickening of the tree.

Supportive pruning is done in summer. This is necessary to maintain a high level of fruiting. Young shoots are pruned with a secateurs by 5-10 cm. After 2 weeks, buds awaken on them, from which new branches develop - spear and ringlet. Fruit buds are formed on them, yielding the next season.

Sanitary pruning involves removing dry, diseased, and damaged branches. It is performed as needed.

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Wintering

When planting in autumn, the trunk circle is mulched with peat, compost, sawdust or straw to protect the rhizome from severe frosts.

Thin branches are tied with a rope along with the trunk so that the gusty wind does not damage them. The tree is covered with an awning or thick polyethylene.

Disease and pest control

Variety Victoria is immune to scab and is characterized by high resistance to moniliosis and powdery mildew. The table shows diseases that occur when the rules of agricultural technology are violated.

The table below provides information on the main pests affecting pear trees.

Harvesting and storage

The first harvest is taken in the 20th of August, the last - at the end of September. The pears are plucked together with the stalk, being careful not to damage the skin.

The harvest is put in wooden boxes and stored in the cellar. Optimum air temperature - + 1 ... + 4 ° С, humidity - 90-95%. Pears harvested at the stage of technical ripeness are 1-2 months old. In a cool cellar, they can be stored for 2 months longer.

The bottom of the container is lined with straw, the fruits are folded in one layer. Containers are placed one on top of the other, providing air circulation.

Conclusion

Heat-loving and frost-resistant pear Victoria for several decades in a row pleases gardeners with abundant white flowering and juicy, oily fruits. The culture is resistant to scab, bears fruit steadily from year to year, gives a high yield. Fruits with a skin of medium thickness have a sweet taste with a slight acidity.

When trees are damaged by fungi, they are treated with fungicides, copper sulfate and Bordeaux liquid. To prevent the spread of insects, plant residues are removed from the site, and the trees are whitewashed with lime.