Pear Marble

Marble is a pear variety that is quite famous in Russia. Gardeners have been growing it for many years, never ceasing to admire the unpretentiousness of the plant and the amazing taste of its fruits.

The main parental variety for marble was Bere Zimnyaya Michurina. The creator of this pear did the impossible at that time - he developed the only winter subspecies that could grow in the climate of Russia. It was he who was taken as a basis by the breeders of Neporozhniy and Ulyanishchev. All developments were carried out at the Rossosh Zonal Experimental Gardening Station.

It was there that Bere winter Michurin was crossed with another variety, whose name is Forest Beauty. The works of breeders did not go unnoticed, and the new variety, Marble, received the best characteristics of its parents. The variety has been in the state register since 1965.

Marble is a medium-sized tree, the height of which usually does not exceed 4 meters. The foliage density is average, and the crown, according to the standards, is formed with a wide pyramidal shape. The bark is gray, with a greenish tint. There are few shoots, they grow upward and have a reddish-brown color. The branches of the Marble are very developed, powerful, the type of their growth is inclined-vertical.

The leaves have a classic green color and an egg-like shape. The surface of the plates is smooth, there is no fluff. Small serration is noticeable at the edges of the plates. The leaves are cast with a glossy beautiful shine.

The marble pear begins to bloom early, and this is its main problem, since with recurrent frosts, the flowers freeze slightly. They themselves are white, like a saucer. There is no terry, the flowers are not large. But they are very fragrant, therefore, during flowering, a swarm of bees buzzes around Marble.

Pears on Marble grow rounded-conical, not too large. Usually their weight is 120-160 grams. The main fruit color will be green-yellow. The integumentary is a blur of a red tint. A slight rustiness is observed near the stalk.

The main advantage of Marble is its pulp. According to gardeners, it is very delicate, it melts right in the mouth. The grain is large, and the juiciness exceeds all expectations. The shade of such pears is usually white, but it can also be creamy. The flesh is covered with a rather thick rind with an abundance of visible small subcutaneous dots.

Marble is a dessert variety of pears, so the fruits are incredibly sweet. Sugars in them - 10.8%, and the fruits are also rich in ascorbic acid. Experts rated the taste at 4.8 points, which is an excellent indicator. The harvested fruits lie perfectly and can be easily transported. Pears are eaten straight from the tree, and they also make a wonderful jam.

Marble belongs to summer pears. Fruits can be removed in late summer or early autumn, and their consumer maturity lasts from 3 to 4 weeks, ending only in mid-October. The first harvest is usually expected at 6 or 7 years of planting.

In the first years, the pear usually bears fruit poorly, but already at the 10th year of life, it begins to bear many fruits. The tree is very productive, the average figure per hectare is 160-240 centners.

Marble is usually grown in the following regions:

• Central;

• Central Black Earth;

• Nizhnevolzhsky;

• Volgo-Vyatsky.

This variety belongs to self-fertile, that is, the pear is capable of forming ovaries without the participation of companions. But it is worth considering that the yield can be reduced by 50%. Therefore, it is still better to plant a number of pollinators. These can be the following varieties:

• Chizhovskaya;

• Tatiana;

• Lada.

It is best to plant pears of the Marble variety on fertile soils, but in general this tree is not whimsical. But sunlight and protection from drafts are very important to him. The close proximity of groundwater should be avoided at all costs, since Marble does not tolerate it at all.

For planting, choose healthy strong seedlings at the age of one or two years. Previously, their roots are immersed in water with a growth stimulant or clay talker. The pit is prepared in the traditional way, from autumn or a couple of weeks before planting. Marble is planted in the same way as other fruit trees, not forgetting to spread the roots. The root collar should be slightly above ground level, later it will settle. After planting, the tree is tied up and watered well.

The marble pear needs regular watering. Very young seedlings are watered once a week, and specimens of the second year - once every 14 days, if it's cool, then at 21. Adult pears are watered several times per season. In this case, the hose cannot be used; it is better to dig grooves or apply sprinkling. Irrigation should be accompanied by cleaning the trunk circle from weeds.

It is imperative to feed the plant. For the first couple of years, it will feed on fertilizers laid down during planting, and then it will have to follow the schedule:

• compost is applied every 4 years (spring);

• give potassium monophosphate annually (May);

• during the growth and formation of fruits, liquid organic matter (mullein) is used;

• superphosphate is used annually (autumn);

• ammonium nitrate or urea is also added every year (early spring).

Pears may need other feeding as well. The use of complex mineral mixtures gives a good result. It is necessary to breed them, clearly following the instructions.

Another point to consider is pruning. This procedure is recommended in the spring. Sick and dead branches and shoots are removed, and they will also need to be shortened by ¼ of the length they have grown in a year. Plants will also have to form a crown. Old pears rejuvenate every year.

This variety resists powdery mildew very well, but it often suffers from scab. Fungicides have to get rid of the disease, but it is even easier to simply prevent it. To do this, it is worth observing the rules of agricultural technology declared by the originator:

• rake fallen leaves and branches, burn them;

• dig deep into the ground in the fall;

• cover up any cracks with garden pitch;

• do not allow the presence of a volunteer;

• timely spray with Bordeaux liquid and other fungicides at the beginning of the growing season.

Of the pests, aphids, suckers, moths, and scoops can attack the culture. To prevent this, it is enough to follow the measures described above. If the insects have already bred, it is recommended to resort to insecticides. But it is important to consider: strong chemicals should not be applied shortly before harvest.

Marble does not tolerate wet swampy soils, so such soil will have to be drained. However, at the same time, the plant will not grow on too dry soil. We'll have to control watering. As for winter hardiness, it is above average, but young pears will need to be covered for the winter, otherwise they will freeze.