Growing pears (Pyrus spp.) in Florida’s subtropical environment presents distinct challenges, primarily due to the mild winters. The climate is not naturally conducive to most traditional varieties. Successful cultivation requires selecting specialized cultivars developed for warm regions and diligent management of diseases favored by the state’s heat and humidity. By focusing on low-chill varieties and implementing specific cultural practices, home gardeners can enjoy a reliable harvest.
The Chill Hour Requirement
Temperate fruit trees, including pears, must undergo a period of cold dormancy to properly break bud, flower, and set fruit. This requirement is measured in “chill hours,” defined as the accumulated time when temperatures fall between 32°F and 45°F during the winter. Standard European and Asian pear varieties typically require 600 to 1,500 chill hours, a number rarely met across most of Florida.
In central and southern Florida, insufficient chill hours lead to erratic or delayed spring growth for high-chill varieties. A tree planted in a region with inadequate chilling may exhibit poor leaf emergence and sparse, uneven flowering, resulting in poor fruit yields. Mild Florida winters necessitate choosing varieties specifically bred to perform with minimal chilling.
Recommended Low-Chill Cultivars
Successful pear growing relies entirely on selecting low-chill cultivars, many of which are hybrids developed to thrive with less than 400 chill hours. The ‘Hood’ pear is among the best choices, requiring only 100 to 200 chill hours, making it suitable for central and southern parts of the state. It produces large, smooth fruit with a mild, sweet flavor and is known for its high disease resistance.
The University of Florida developed ‘Flordahome,’ which needs 150 to 300 chill hours. This variety yields a soft-fleshed, green-colored pear excellent for fresh eating and canning. While ‘Flordahome’ is partly self-fruitful, it benefits significantly from cross-pollination with a compatible variety such as ‘Pineapple’ pear for optimal fruit production.
‘Pineapple’ and ‘Baldwin’ are two additional low-chill varieties requiring 200 to 300 chill hours. Asian pears, which are crisp and round, also offer low-chill options, with some cultivars needing 250 to 400 hours. The ‘Hosui’ Asian pear is well-suited to warm conditions, producing bronze-skinned, juicy fruit.
Managing Pests and Diseases in Florida’s Climate
The high heat and humidity of the Florida environment create ideal conditions for certain diseases, with Fire Blight being the most serious threat to pear trees. This destructive bacterial disease, caused by Erwinia amylovora, can quickly kill blossoms, shoots, and entire limbs. Warm, humid weather during the bloom period, especially when temperatures are between 65°F and 85°F, favors the rapid spread of the bacteria.
Infection often appears first as blossom blight, causing flowers to blacken. It then progresses to shoot blight, where new growth wilts and curls into a characteristic “shepherd’s crook” shape. The bacteria overwinter in sunken cankers on older wood, which must be removed during the tree’s dormant season.
Managing Fire Blight requires aggressive cultural practices and sanitation. Prune out any infected wood, making the cut at least 8 to 12 inches below the visible sign of infection to ensure complete removal. It is important to sterilize pruning shears with a 1:10 bleach solution or Lysol between each cut to prevent spreading the pathogen.
Applying preventative copper-based compounds to the blossoms during the spring bloom can also reduce the risk of infection. Choosing cultivars with known resistance, such as ‘Hood’ and ‘Flordahome,’ offers the best long-term defense against this common Florida issue.