It is almost impossible to buy a pear of the old domestic selection of Severyanka now. Nurseries stopped breeding her. However, Severyanka is still often found in private yards in the Urals. The variety is loved by many gardeners because of its delicious fruits, so many amateurs propagate it by grafting. The Severyanka pear was bred by crossing two varieties: Clapp's favorite and Koperechka.
Characteristics of the variety
The fruit tree is characterized by a high height of up to 5–6 m. However, a pear grows to such dimensions at the age of 14 years. The young tree is of medium height, but the crown is initially wide. Severyanka branches have intensive growth. As a result, the pear forms a pyramidal almost rounded crown up to 6 m wide. The branches grow powerful, but they do not create thickening. The bark is smooth, gray. Young shoots are distinguished by a green color with the present edge at the tips of the branches. The foliage is dark green. The shape is oval-elongated with a sharp top. The leaves are slightly curved inward, and have small notches at the edges.
The flower petals are white, not completely closed together. The edges are semicircular without serrations. The shape of the Severyanka flower is like a small saucer. In the inflorescence of them appear from four to six pieces.
Many amateurs are looking for a description of the Severyanka pear variety, photos, reviews for the description of the fruits. They can be characterized as red-cheeked handsome men. Severyanka fruits grow in different sizes. Most pears weigh about 85 g, but there are larger specimens weighing up to 120 g. The shape of the fruit is conical with a truncated tip. The technical maturity of a pear is determined by the yellow-green color of the skin. Moreover, the yellow color is present on a smaller part of the surface of the fruit and looks like a weak tan. On the skin of a fully ripe pear, ready to eat, there are few green glimmers, and the yellow color is more dominant. The barrel of the fruit is covered with a pink blush. Hence the second name of the variety - Severyanka red-cheeked.
At any stage of fruit ripeness, the skin always remains dull and never becomes glossy. It is quite thick, but it does not feel rough when eaten. The peduncles are rather long, often curved in shape. The core of the fruit is bulbous. Inside there are small seed chambers, but with large grains. Ripe seeds turn brown.
The frequently asked question, what kind of pear Severyanka tastes like, can be answered as follows:
- the fruit pulp is crispy, with a high content of juice;
- the taste resembles a wine sweetness with the presence of acid and lack of astringency;
- weak aroma;
- the color of the flesh is creamy.
As a percentage, the amount of sugar in the pear is 11.8, and the acid is 0.38. According to its intended purpose, the pear variety Severyanka Krasnoshchekaya is considered universal. Harvesting time falls on the beginning of the second decade of August. Fruits are stored in the cellar for no more than 10-15 days. After this time, the pulp becomes looser and takes on a brown tint.
The fruits are quite strong on the stalks and are not afraid of strong winds. However, this only lasts until the pears are fully ripe. After the fruits are ripe, they will fall together from the tree in three days. Pears collected from the ground will not be stored. In order to avoid loss of yield, it is recommended to start harvesting about five days before the fruit is fully ripe.
Considering the description of the Severyanka pear variety, it is worth noting a high yield rate, as well as early maturity. Already in the fourth year after planting the seedling, you can get the first fruits. Further, the yield will grow rapidly. A pear in the seventh year of life can bear up to 20 kg of fruit. The yield of an adult tree ranges from 40-60 kg. But this is not the limit. In a productive year, a pear is capable of giving up to 110 kg of fruit.
The variety is considered to be partially self-fertile. To get a good harvest for Severyanka pear, pollinators are still needed. They can be other varieties that have the same flowering period. In case of self-pollination, a mature tree will yield a maximum of 35% of its yield.
In terms of winter hardiness, the Severyanka red-cheeked pear is superior to many varieties. Freezing of two trees was recorded in Ufa. The winter of 1978 was distinguished by severe frosts down to -50aboutC. At a temperature of -42aboutC was observed complete freezing of the crown, but the root system was unaffected. The pears sprouted and recovered completely.
The Severyanka pear variety tolerates drought moderately, but it is better not to bring the tree to such a state. If artificial irrigation is not provided in a dry year, the ripening of the crop will be delayed. The fruits will take up little juice, will be small and will lose their taste.
A positive feature of the variety is its resistance to common pests: the moth and pear mite. However, late frosts can freeze the leaves. In this case, the risk of bacterial diseases increases.
The video provides an overview of Severyanka Krasnoscheka:
Growing pears and tree care
For the Severyanka pear, planting and care provides for almost the same actions performed for other varieties. Nurseries probably no longer sell seedlings, but they can be found on the market from private traders. Lovers who have preserved this variety breed it with grafts. If you managed to buy a Severyanka seedling, then you immediately need to find a suitable place for the tree:
- The tree loves loamy or sandy loam soil. Before planting in the ground, you need to add a large amount of humus.
- Pear does not like groundwater. If the layers are located above 2 m, then the root system of an adult tree will get wet.
- Severyanka loves sunlight and does not tolerate wind blowing.
Planting time falls in April or late September and early October. It all depends on the climatic conditions of the region. If severe frosts are observed in winter, then it is better to plant a pear seedling in the spring. Until the fall, the tree will have time to take root and will not freeze. A place for a seedling is prepared at least a week in advance. First, they dig a hole 80x100 cm in size. Two buckets of humus mixed with a bucket of fertile soil are poured onto the bottom. 200 g of fertilizer containing potassium is added to this mixture, as well as superphosphate - no more than 800 g.
After acquiring a pear seedling, they begin to plant it:
- First, a liquid solution is made from clay - a chatterbox. The roots of the seedling are dipped into it.
- The next step is to inspect the crown. Long branches are shortened, and damaged ones are completely cut off.
- The sapling is immersed in a hole with its roots, a peg is driven in next to it and a tree is loosely tied to it.
- The root system is lightly sprinkled with soil, after which it is watered abundantly. When the water is absorbed, the soil will settle down a little. The hole must be completely covered with earth, and the seedling must be tied more tightly to the peg.
When the pear is well rooted, the support can be removed.
The main action during care is considered to be pruning the Severyanka pear, and this should be done from the first days of the seedling's life. If the tree was bought without skeletal branches, then the stem must be shortened with pruning shears so that a twig 90 cm high remains above the ground.If there are skeletal branches on the seedling, their incomplete pruning is performed. Twigs with three buds are left. Similar actions are performed for three years in a row. Further pruning of the pear is considered sanitary. Dry, frozen and damaged branches are removed from the tree. Be sure to cut off the shoots.
Caring for a pear involves periodically loosening the soil around the trunk. This is necessary for oxygen access to the roots. From weeds it is advisable to get rid of it immediately. They draw moisture and nutrients from the soil. Severyanka is a fairly moisture-loving variety. The pear needs to be watered more often so that the soil does not dry out, but waterlogging should not be allowed. Once a season, the tree is fed with minerals. In the fall, humus is introduced under the root. Before winter, it is important to water the pear abundantly and mulch the soil. This procedure increases the chance of the tree overwintering.
Variety reviews
Severyanka is not used on an industrial scale now, but gardeners love this variety, as evidenced by numerous reviews. More often than not, people write that the old selection is much better. The trees are more hardy, resistant to pests and produce better fruit than modern varieties.
