History: Clapp's Favourite Pear originates from Massachusetts where Thaddeus Clapp discovered it as a chance seedling on his property in the 1850s. It was introduced commercially in the 1860s and continues to be grown in the UK and US today.
Why We Grow It: This old variety is hardy and regularly bears excellent medium-large fruit that are yellow with pink blush. They have good flavour but need to be enjoyed rather quickly since the fruit doesn't store long. The fruit need to be picked about 10 days before completely ripe and allowed to ripen off the tree.
Canadian Hardiness Zone: 4
Soil Preference: Sandy loam, loam, clay loam. Prefers average to moist conditions with well-drained soils, avoid planting anywhere that floods for more than two weeks in the spring.
Growth Habits and Disease Resistance: Vigorous and hardy, large with an upright growth pattern, heavy crops. Susceptible to stony pit and very susceptible to scab, mildew, and fireblight
Sun/Shade: Full sun (approx. 8-10 hours of sun daily)
Pollination: Requires a pollinator of a different pear variety (European or Asian) that blooms around the same time
Flowering Time: Middle
Ripens: Late August, pick fruit ten days before completely ripe and allow it to ripen off the tree
Storage: Keeps until October when stored in cool, humid conditions
Recommended Use: Fresh eating, canning
Size including roots:
- 1m+ Whip: 100cm+
- 1m+ Branched: 100 cm+ with 3 or more branches, 30 cm or more
- <1m Whip: less than 100 cm