Pears are a fine staple fruit eaten in India. Pear, also called nashpati, is a green-skinned, white-fleshed sweet fruit. Pears are often enjoyed by Indian households raw and are added to fruit salads. Additionally, they are incorporated to prepare many dishes due to their versatility, like pear chutney, pear halwa, nashpati sabzi, pear cake, and others.
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Growing pears from seeds at home is a possible and rewarding task as it requires patience, which is quite fulfilling in the future. By knowing the right tips and care, you can easily grow a pear plant that will ultimately bear fruit. Below the guide shows step-by-step information about how to grow pears from seeds.
Extract The Seeds
Start by obtaining pear seeds from ripe, organic pears. Slice the fruit open and carefully remove the seeds. Rinse them to remove any fruit residue, and then let them dry on a paper towel for a few days.
If you want to increase the chance of germination, you need to stratify the seeds, which means mimicking the natural cold period they would experience in the wild. For doing this, place the seeds in a wet paper towel, then put them in a plastic bag. Store the bag in the refrigerator for 4-6 weeks. Monitor them periodically to ensure the paper towel remains moist.
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Choose The Right Container
Select the container with good drainage. It should be at least 18-24 inches in diameter and have small drainage holes at the bottom to prevent waterlogging. Make sure the container is well drained so that problems like root rot can be avoided in the early stages and can lead to healthy growth in the future.
Sowing The Seeds
After stratification, sow the seeds in the container. Fill the container with a good-quality potting mix and plant the seeds about an inch deep; make sure to space them a few inches apart so that all seeds can get enough nutrition. Cover them lightly with soil and water gently to settle the soil.
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Ensure the container should be in a sunny spot, as pear seeds need enough sunlight to germinate.
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Process Of Germination And Its Seedling Care
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, as pear seeds can take a few weeks to properly germinate. Once you see that the seedlings are appearing, thin them out, leaving the strongest one to grow so that nutrients and energy can concentrate on a single plant.
Transplanting
The growth of a pear tree may outgrow its initial container. So when the tree reaches about a foot in height, it's time to repot it into a larger container. Choose a pot that's at least 24 inches in diameter and fill it with fresh potting mix. Carefully remove the tree from its current container with the help of the gardening tool, being mindful of the roots. Place it in the new pot and fill in with soil, gently pressing it down.
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Care And Fertilise
To ensure good, healthy growth, fertilise the pear tree with a balanced fertiliser every few weeks during the cultivating season. Remember to follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper application.
Also, prune the tree regularly to maintain its shape and remove any dead or diseased branches, and additionally encourage better air circulation and light penetration, which are essential for fruit production.
Pollination And Harvesting
Pear trees require cross-pollination to produce fruits, which means you'll need at least two compatible varieties of pear trees for proper pollination.
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However, pearls usually start to bear fruit within 3-5 years, which depends on the variety and growing conditions. It means you have to be patient for the fruits. The fruit should be harvested when mature but still firm. Allow the pears to ripen at room temperature for a few days before eating them for better taste and juicy flesh.