When is the best time to plant pears?

The pear tree is a perennial deciduous fruit tree belonging to the genus Pyrus in the Rosaceae family. It is distributed in many places. The pear tree likes warmth and requires higher temperatures to promote growth. It requires a certain low temperature during its dormancy period. Different types of pear trees have different requirements for the annual average temperature. For example, the average annual temperature for autumn pears is about 4-12℃, for white pears and European pears it is about 7-15℃, and for sand pears it is about 13-21℃. The roots of the pear tree begin to move when the soil temperature reaches above 0.5℃, and when the air temperature reaches above 5℃, the pear buds begin to sprout. So when is the best time to plant pears?

When is the best time to plant pears?

The planting time of pear trees is usually divided into two periods: spring and autumn. The specific period to be chosen depends on the local climatic conditions.

1. Spring planting

In the cold northern winter areas, due to the low temperature, seedlings are prone to frost damage and sprouting during the winter, so spring planting is more suitable. The time for spring planting is generally from late March to early April, when the temperature rises and the soil moisture is moderate, which is conducive to the growth and root development of pear trees.

2. Autumn planting

In southern areas with warmer winters, autumn planting is more suitable because the temperature is moderate at this time, which is conducive to the growth of pear seedlings and the adaptation of the root system. Autumn planting is generally done from mid-November to late February, which is conducive to the rapid growth and fruiting of pear trees in the spring of the following year.

In addition, pear seedlings can also be planted from September to November or from February to May. The specific time should be determined according to the local climate environment. In southern China, due to the warm climate, pear trees can be planted in November.

In order to increase the survival rate of pear trees, when planting in spring, the ground should be covered with plastic film immediately after watering to increase the ground temperature, maintain soil moisture and promote root activity. After planting in autumn, bury soil at the base of the seedlings to protect them from the cold. Cover the seedling trunks with plastic bags to retain moisture. In spring, remove the anti-freeze soil and then water and cover the seedlings with mulch.

When planting pear trees, you should choose soil with a deep layer, good drainage and irrigation conditions, loose and fertile soil, and decide the planting time according to the variety and habits of the pear tree. The spacing between plants is generally 2 meters, and the spacing between rows is 3 meters or more to ensure that the pear trees have enough space to grow. Before planting, dig the planting hole, apply enough base fertilizer, and water immediately after planting.

Pear tree planting conditions

Climate conditions: Pear trees like warmth and require higher temperatures to promote growth, while they require a certain low temperature during their dormant period. The annual sunshine requirement is between 1600-1700 hours. The light compensation point of pear leaves is about 1100 lux (lx), and the light saturation point is about 54000 lux (lx).

Temperature requirements: Pear trees have strong adaptability to temperature, but different types of pear trees have different requirements for the annual average temperature. For example, the autumn pear is about 4-12℃, the white pear and Western pear are about 7-15℃, and the sand pear is about 13-21℃.

Water requirement: Pear trees need more water during the growth period, and the transpiration coefficient is high, with about 40g of water transpired per square meter of leaf area.

Soil conditions: Pear trees are highly adaptable to soil, and the most suitable soil is sandy loam with a deep, loose layer, good permeability and water retention, and a low groundwater level. It has a wide adaptability to soil acidity and alkalinity (pH value) and can grow normally between 5-8.5. The most suitable pH value is 5.8-7.

Light requirements: Pear trees love light, and insufficient light will affect their growth and fruiting.

In short, the planting time of pear trees should be determined according to local climatic conditions and soil conditions, and attention should be paid to planting techniques and management measures to ensure the healthy growth and high yield of pear trees.