Zero Water Pear Seeds

Currently Unavailable: Durable Pear For Adverse Dry and Cold Conditions-Heavy Fruiting-Rootstock for Other Pears

From Northern China, this species is one of the most rugged species we have grown. Trees are pyramidal in shape with horizontal branching. Trees produce an olive shaped fruit about an inch in diameter. All have very clean foliage and thick leaves. Rare species in commerce but has potential in hot dry areas or poor soils. The hard fruits are very juicy but durable and eventually melt on the tree. Some of the larger fruited drop their fruit. The wood of this species is very hard. Used for grafting stock for other pears too. The fruit can be collected and used for jelly but keep in mind the fruit is quite astringent until it 'blets' on the tree. After that, the fruit breaks down to a raisin like flavor that is highly viscous with a lot of grit cells. These easy blend in a good blender which removes the grittiness. It is possible to use but it takes some work. Normally species pears like this are not considered unless there is sugar to calm it down otherwise right off the tree, the fruit is good once a number of frosts hit it first so it is mushy. That is the ideal time to harvest and use it. Consumed by cedar waxwings on our farm in the fall as well as deer as they drop in December. 

For Germination:  Zero Water Pear seeds are like other pear seeds in that they are very easy to germinate and follow the same requirements as apples too.  Outside method:  Fall plant 1/4 inch deep . Tamp soil firmly around the seeds. Do not bury in mulch. Seeds will sprout in early spring. The young seedlings seem to be very frost tolerant.  Germination with the refrigerator method:  Store seeds in a lightly moist Canadian peat moss bag. Make sure to squeeze out all the water out of the mix as possible before adding the seeds. Mix thoroughly and store in a zip lock bag for 60-90 days in the refrigerator at 33-38 F.  Remove the bag after 90 days and store at room temperature. Most seeds will immediately sprout within 7-10 days. You may find some seeds sprouting within the bag as you go through the cold dormancy. Pick those seedlings out before they rot or become too elongated.