- Authors: Wheeler (Berkshire, England)
- Name synonyms: Williams Bon Chetien, English Pear, Bon-Chretien, Bon-Chretien Williams, Williams, Doene, Bartlett
- Year of approval: 1947
- Fruit weight, g: 150-200 and more
- Ripening terms: summer
- Fruit picking time: from the second decade of August
- Appointment: universal
- Growth type: low or medium height
- Yield: high
- Transportability: good
The Williams variety is loved by many gardeners due to its simplicity in care and cultivation. Even beginners can achieve high yields and harvest large quantities of tasty and healthy fruits every season. The fruits have a universal purpose and are perfect for preparing mouth-watering delicacies.
Description of the variety
The maximum tree height reaches 2.5 meters. Growth type - medium or low growth. The crown is formed from thick and vigorous branches that grow upward. The shape is pyramidal, slightly rounded. The density is medium. Shoots can be either arched or straight, covered with a small number of lentils.
The foliage with a short tip is shaped like an egg. It is large and smooth, with a slight gloss. Light lateral veins are visible. The foliage is strong. Flowers of medium size are collected in inflorescences of 6-7 pieces. The color of the petals is white with a delicate creamy shade.
Fruit characteristics
The average weight of pears is from 150 to 200 grams. Larger specimens can often be found. The shape is classic pear-shaped, slightly elongated. Sizes are marked as large or above average. The main color of ripe fruits is yellow-golden. And also on the surface, a pink-scarlet integumentary color is noticeable. Some fruits have rustiness, expressed in the form of small spots.
The pulp melts when eaten fresh. It is oily, aromatic and very juicy. Color - white with a yellow tint. The peel is glossy and thin, therefore it does not cause discomfort when eaten fresh. A large number of small subcutaneous dots of gray color are formed inside. Pears grow on thick and slightly curved stalks of medium length. Fruits harvested slightly unripe can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 45 days or up to 15 days indoors. The color of the seeds is brown, the shape is oval. The sizes are small.
Taste qualities
The main taste of pears is sweet. It is complemented by a slight sourness. A distinctive feature is the nutmeg aftertaste and aroma. The gastronomic quality of the crop is excellent. The tasters gave the variety 4.8 points out of 5 possible.
Ripening and fruiting
Ripe pears begin to be harvested from the second decade of August. Ripening dates fall in the summer. Early maturity depends on the structure of the tree: grafted on a pear - they bear fruit for 5 or 6 years, on quince - for 3 or 4 years. Trees bear fruit every season without taking a break.
Yield
High yield is another feature thanks to which the Williams variety has become widespread. From one tree, you can get from 69 to 230-250 kilograms of juicy pears.Yields are influenced by many factors, including care, tree age and climate. With commercial cultivation, up to 200 quintals of pears can be harvested from one hectare of land. The fruits are of high marketability and average transportability. When transporting crops over long distances, you need to harvest a little immature.
Landing
Before planting trees, you need to find the right place. The site should be well lit by the sun, because trees grow slowly in the shade and begin to ache. The variety does not make high demands on the composition of the soil. The main thing is that the soil is fertile and moderately moist. If there is groundwater in the area, they should flow low enough so that the roots do not start to rot.
It is better to immediately choose a suitable location, since trees do not tolerate the transplanting process well and take a long time to get used to a new place. If the transplant is forced, you need to be prepared for unpleasant consequences. Some seedlings may not survive the transfer and die.
Experienced gardeners recommend choosing young plants from 1 to 2 years old for planting. They adapt most easily to a new site. The height of the seedlings should be from 1.3 to 1.5 meters. The length of the roots is 20-30 centimeters, and the number of branches is 3-5 pieces. There should be no leaves on them. Trees with symptoms of diseases and traces of pests are not suitable for transplanting. Special attention is paid to the roots. Broken and dried roots are removed.
Disembarkation is carried out in spring or autumn. The first option is more preferable, since the trees will have time to completely take root before the onset of frost, however, in this case, the seedlings may suffer from heat and various diseases. Choosing an autumn planting, you need to choose the right time. There should be at least one month before the onset of frost. Otherwise, the pear may not survive the winter and suffer from low temperatures.
The depth of the landing pit is 80 centimeters, the diameter is 60 centimeters. A drainage 10 centimeters thick is laid at the bottom of each hole. Chipped brick or expanded clay will do. To prepare the planting substrate, you need to mix the soil from the upper layers of the earth with superphosphate, humus and potassium sulfate.
You need to place a peg in the pit. Part of the earth, mixed with nutrients, is poured into the hole, and a slide is made. A seedling is placed on it, and the roots are carefully distributed around the edges. They should not bend. Now you can fill up the remaining soil. The earth is carefully rammed and watered at the rate of 2-3 buckets per tree. After the ground has settled, it can be covered with mulch. Choose an organic product: straw, peat or sawdust.
Growing and care
Fruiting and growth activity of the Williams variety directly depends on the correct care. Fruit trees need regular irrigation for the first 3 years after planting. The garden is irrigated once a month or less often if damp and cloudy weather is established. It is important not to allow the trunk circle to dry out.
Pears must be watered before the upcoming winter or the beginning of flowering. During the rainy season, watering significantly reduces or completely eliminates them. In a hot season, irrigation is carried out using an increased amount of water.
When weeds appear, they must be removed immediately along with the root.The soil around the trunk is loosened so that it remains light and also allows water and oxygen to pass through without problems. To reduce watering, use mulch. It not only keeps the soil moist, but also prevents weeds from growing. And also this is additional food.
Pears are fertilized about 3 times a year. Substances with a high nitrogen content are chosen in the spring. 150 grams of azofoska are consumed per tree. With the onset of summer, they switch to a mullein solution or a mineral complex. When the season changes to autumn, superphosphate and potassium sulfate are added to the soil in a dry form. Fertilizers are introduced after the tree has been pruned. And also once every 3 years (in the fall) humus is added to the area around the trunk circle.
The pruning procedure is performed in early spring or autumn. Young pears are cut so that no more than 5 lateral branches remain (their height is about 50-60 centimeters). They should be shortened by about 30-50 centimeters each year. Otherwise, they will start branching and become too long.
In order for fruit trees to survive the winter without problems, they are abundantly fertilized and pruned. And also you need to remove all fallen leaves, and cover the soil around the pear with mulch (layer thickness - 25-30 centimeters). The trunk can be wrapped in burlap or agrofiber.
Like any other fruit trees, the pear needs protection from various diseases and pests. When planting a pear on your site, you need to know in advance what diseases you should beware of. To successfully carry out the struggle, it is necessary first to correctly identify the cause of the problem. It is important to distinguish signs of disease from manifestations of the presence of insects, mites, caterpillars and other types of pests.