Pear (pyrus communis) VILMA

Pear (Pyrus communis) 'Vilma'

A very early summer variety from Latvia with excellent taste, high yields, and an exceptionally smooth flesh without stone cells.

The 'Vilma' variety is an excellent choice for anyone who can't wait for the first summer pears. This extremely early Latvian cultivar combines high frost resistance with an early onset of bearing. It will charm you not only with its visually attractive fruits featuring a red blush but especially with its fantastic, melting flesh that is completely free of unpleasant grit (stone cells).

Main advantages of the variety:

• Very early ripening: One of the first pears to ripen in the season (as early as late July).
• Smooth flesh: Juicy, melting, and 100% free of stone cells (sclereids).
• High resistance: Excellent winter frost hardiness and good resistance to diseases (scab, rot).
• Reliable harvest: Very early fruiting onset and consistently heavy crops.
• Fruits do not drop from the tree before harvest.

Origin and Registration

• Origin: Latvia (Pūre Horticultural Research Centre). Breeders: Aleksandrs Maizītis and Roberts Āboliņš.
• Crossing and Registration: A cross between 'Mālnava No. 31' and 'Clapp's Favorite' (breeding code AMD 51-4-40). Registered and protected since 2008.

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Vigor and Habit: Medium vigor. Due to the heavy annual crops, the branches tend to bend downwards, creating a weeping (drooping) habit.
• Yield: The variety is characterized by coming into bearing very early and producing exceptionally high yields.

Fruit

• Size and Shape: Medium to smaller fruits (size depends on the crop load). The stem is medium-long.
• Color: The yellow base color is overlaid with a distinct, bright pink-red blush on the sunny side.
• Flesh: Fine-grained, soft, juicy, and melting. Completely without stone cells (grit-free).
• Taste and Use: Sweet, with a slight refreshing acidity, consistently rated as excellent every year. A pure dessert variety intended for immediate fresh consumption.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost: The variety exhibits high frost resistance, fully adapted to colder climates.
• Diseases: Shows good resistance to pear scab and fruit rot.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Canopy Care: Because the branches droop under the weight of the fruit, regular pruning and potential fruit thinning are recommended to maintain a nice crown shape and adequate fruit size.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest Time: A very early summer variety. Ripens at the end of July to early August. Ripe fruits do not drop from the tree.
• Proper Harvest Procedure: Fruits should be harvested gradually at "technical maturity" (while still slightly firm). To achieve the perfect melting texture, they need 2-3 days to ripen at room temperature indoors.
• Warning: This is a summer pear meant for quick consumption (within two weeks max). Do not let the fruits overripen on the tree—the flesh will become watery and start to spoil.