Conference
Pear, Pyrus communis
Conference is a late autumn dessert pear that is widespread throughout Europe as one of the main varieties. This variety is highly valued for fresh consumption and as dried fruit, both in commercial cultivation and by self-sufficient growers and enthusiasts.
Sheltered locations with a mild, warm climate and sufficiently moist soils are ideal. Late frosts before flowering lead to even more russeting than is already the case with this variety. The above-average fertility of the variety requires consistent fruit thinning to achieve good fruit size.
Conference is resistant to scab infections. Its moderate susceptibility to fire blight should be taken into account when choosing a location.
This noble variety is well compatible with quince rootstocks and can also be used as an intermediate graft.
Blossom
Blooming date
Early to mid-early, not susceptible to frost, good pollen donor
Fertility
self-sterile, tends toward parthenocarpy
Pollinator
Boscs Flaschenbirne, Gute Luise, Köstliche von Charneux, Vereinsdechant, Williams Christ, Clapps Liebling, Gellerts Butterbirne
Fruit
Ripening time
Ready for picking: mid to late September/early October, ready to eat: from mid-October to late November
Shape, scale
Medium to large, 150-200 g, elongated pear-shaped/calyx-bellied, elongated towards the stem and tapering to a point, medium to long, thin stem
Fruit peel
firm, thicker skin with variety-typical russeting
Colour & Fruit flesh
Ready to pick: dark green; fully ripe: light yellow with brownish rust spots spread across the entire skin of the fruit
Taste
Very tasty, sweet with a slight spicy acidity
Storage
Very good storage capacity; the fruit can be kept in excellent condition until April (cold storage, CA storage)
Tree
Vigour
Medium strength, upright crown with dense, short fruit wood
Crop load
early onset, high and regular
Origin
Breeder
grown from seed by Th. Rivers Nursery in England, introduced to the market in 1894
Parents
unknown
Synonym
Konferenzbirne
Property rights
EU plant variety rights