On Thu, 18 Jan 2007 02:27:21 +0000, Justin Wilson wrote:


"Mike Harris" wrote in message
news
On Wed, 17 Jan 2007 00:48:54 +0000, Justin Wilson wrote:
Justin,

What area are you in, and what variety do you have? I love pears, but my
tree never fruited and ultimately succumbed to fireblight.

I actually live just north of SA. I believe the pear tree is a Pfanstiel
hybrid - I don't recall the exact spelling. But the trees are very strong,
healthy, and almost too much fruit. Luckily the dogs help clean up the yard.
Plus, I try to remove many of the new fruit to prevent limb breakage.

I wonder of the Bayer systemic formula would prevent fireblight?

That's essentially an agricultural antibiotic. it can stave it off but
you have to be extremely diligent in its use, as well as treating
prophylactically before any sign of fireblight hits the tree. I
unfortunately did not start spraying until I had already lost a good chunk
of the tree.

If I were to try growing an asian pear - which I like very much but AFAIK
have no fireblight resistant cultivars, I might try this approach. For
ordinary pears I believe the surest course is to choose one that's
fireblight resistant.
--
Mike Harris
Austin TX