The Alexander Lucas pear is a favored fruit known for its pleasant characteristics and good storage qualities. This variety, originating in France around 1780, remains a popular choice for those seeking a reliable dessert pear. Its cultivation can lead to rewarding harvests, making it a desirable addition to many gardens.
Understanding the Alexander Lucas Pear
Alexander Lucas pears are typically large, conical, and belly-shaped, with smooth, thin skin that ripens from green to yellowish, sometimes with a reddish blush. The white flesh, sometimes with reddish tints, offers a juicy, sweet flavor with subtle acidic notes. When ripe, its texture becomes buttery soft and melting. It is also known for its aromatic fragrance.
Cultivating Alexander Lucas Pear Trees
Site Selection and Soil Preparation
Alexander Lucas pear trees thrive in full sun exposure. They grow best in moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil. While they can tolerate a range of soil pH, neutral to slightly acidic conditions are generally suitable. Before planting, incorporate organic matter into the planting hole to enhance soil structure and fertility. These trees are fully hardy, capable of withstanding cold temperatures.
Planting Guidelines
Plant pear trees during their dormant season, though potted trees can be planted year-round. Dig a hole up to three times the diameter of the tree’s root system to allow for proper root spread. For bare-root trees, soak roots in water for about 30 minutes before planting for hydration. After placing the tree, backfill with soil, ensuring no air pockets, and water thoroughly. For multiple trees, ensure appropriate spacing for mature growth and air circulation.
Ongoing Care
Regular watering is important, especially during hot, dry spells and for young trees. Consistent moisture supports healthy growth and fruit development. Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to support growth and fruit production.
Pruning maintains the tree’s shape, improves air circulation, and promotes fruitfulness. A main winter prune, performed when dormant and avoiding frosty conditions, involves removing dead, dying, or diseased wood. Winter pruning also includes reducing leaders and lateral branches by about a third to create an open canopy, preventing crisscrossing branches. An additional summer prune in August involves shortening side shoots longer than 20cm (8 inches) back to three leaves, encouraging fruit bud formation and ripening. After natural fruit drop in mid-summer, thin remaining pears to one per cluster to enhance size and quality.
Harvesting and Storing Alexander Lucas Pears
Harvesting Alexander Lucas pears involves observing several cues. Pears are typically picked when mature but not yet fully ripe on the tree. A slight change in skin color from green to yellowish-green, or the fruit detaching easily with a gentle lift, indicates readiness. Harvest carefully to avoid bruising, as the soft flesh is susceptible to damage.
For optimal storage, keep ripe Alexander Lucas pears in a cool, dark place, such as a refrigerator, where they last one to two weeks. Unripe, firm pears can be left at room temperature to ripen, which enhances their sweetness and juiciness. Pears ripen from the inside out, and they are ready to eat when they yield to slight pressure at the neck. Store pears away from other fruits like apples or tomatoes to prevent premature over-ripening, as these release ethylene gas.
Addressing Common Challenges
Alexander Lucas pear trees can face challenges from pests, diseases, and environmental factors. Fire blight, a bacterial disease, is a common concern, though Alexander Lucas shows moderate susceptibility. Symptoms include scorched-looking leaves and branches. Pear scab, a fungal disease, causes dark, scabby spots on fruit and leaves. Codling moth larvae can tunnel into fruit, causing wormy pears.
Addressing these issues involves proactive measures. Good orchard sanitation, like removing infected plant material, helps manage disease spread. Proper pruning to improve air circulation within the canopy can reduce fungal diseases like scab. For pests like codling moth, timely application of targeted organic or synthetic insecticides can be effective. Environmental factors can also present challenges. While Alexander Lucas is partially self-fertile, planting another pear variety from pollination group 2 or 3 nearby can significantly improve fruit set and yield. Nutrient deficiencies can also impact tree health and fruit production, making regular fertilization important.