History: Ping Guo Li (translated from Mandarin as 'apple pear') was developed by Jilin Sheng in China and likely named for its round, apple-like shape. While its exact age is unknown, this pear is considered to be an old variety.
Why We Grow It: This Asian pear is nothing but sweet and juicy melting goodness! Its flavour is quite sweet and is comparable to that of a European pear. So far it has performed very well in our test orchard and displays good cold-hardiness.
Canadian Hardiness Zone: 5
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: Cold hardy and yields good crops. Resistant to scab and mildew. Very vigorous and precocious, bearing its first little crop within 3 years typically.
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: Early
Bloom Colour: White
Ripens: Late October
Recommended Use: Fresh Eating
100-200 cm whip, 1 year grade
100 cm+ with 3 or more branches, 30 cm or more, 2 year grade