Origin
Pyrus angustifolia Ait. var. spinosa (Rehd.) Bailey is a plant species that belongs to the Rosaceae family which is commonly found in Japan, China, and Korea.
Common Names
The plant Pyrus angustifolia Ait. var. spinosa (Rehd.) Bailey is commonly known as "Sawtooth pear" or "Korean silver pear" because of the leaves' sawtooth-shaped margins and the silvery sheen on both sides of its leaves.
Uses
The fruit of this plant is round, about 3-4cm in diameter, and has a greenish-yellow color when ripe. The fruit is edible and is often used to make jams and pies. The plant has also been traditionally used in traditional Chinese medicine to aid with digestion and to alleviate the symptoms of colds.
General Appearance
Pyrus angustifolia Ait. var. spinosa (Rehd.) Bailey is a deciduous tree that grows up to 10-12 meters tall. The leaves are simple, alternate, and elliptic in shape, with serrated margins and a silvery sheen on both sides. The flowers are white and grow in clusters. The fruit is round and greenish-yellow when ripe. The tree bark is brown-gray in color and has large protruding lenticels that give it a rough texture.
Light requirements
Pyrus angustifolia Ait. var. spinosa (Rehd.) Bailey requires full sunlight exposure for optimal growth. The recommended amount of sunlight per day is between 6 to 8 hours.
Temperature requirements
The plant grows well in warm temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C. It is tolerant of cooler temperatures but can only withstand frost that occurs in short periods. It is recommended to avoid exposure to prolonged frosty periods as it can result in plant damage.
Soil requirements
Pyrus angustifolia Ait. var. spinosa (Rehd.) Bailey thrives well in well-drained soils that have a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5. The ideal soil should be loamy with good water retention capacity. The addition of organic matter such as compost aids in the buildup of the soil's water-holding capacity and nutrients necessary for plant growth. The plant is also sensitive to the soil's salinity; therefore, it is recommended to avoid planting in saline soils.
Cultivation Methods
Pyrus angustifolia Ait. var. spinosa (Rehd.) Bailey is commonly known as the Chinese sand pear. It is a small to medium-sized fruit tree that can be grown in a range of soil types including sandy loam to clay loam soils. The plant requires full sunlight and moderate temperatures for growth. It is suitable for cultivation in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions.
The plant can be propagated using vegetative methods like budding, grafting, or by planting the seeds directly into the soil. The seedlings should be planted in the field during the early spring months. The recommended plant spacing for the tree is around 4-6 meters apart for optimum growth and yield.
Watering Needs
The Chinese sand pear tree requires occasional watering. The ideal frequency of watering depends on factors like rainfall, temperature, and humidity. Generally, it is recommended to water the tree once or twice a week during the growing season. The soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged as waterlogging can lead to root rot.
Fertilization
Pyrus angustifolia can benefit greatly from regular fertilization. The plant requires a balanced fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content during the vegetative period and more potassium and phosphorus during the fruiting season. The recommended fertilization program for the tree is 300-400 g of N, P205, and K20 per plant per year. The fertilizer should be applied during the early spring months and can be repeated during the fruiting season.
Pruning
Pruning is essential for the growth and development of the Chinese sand pear tree. The best time to prune is during the dormant season during the early spring months. Pruning should be done to thin out the branches, remove dead or diseased wood, and improve air circulation and light penetration. It is recommended to prune the tree to maintain an open center shape to facilitate fruiting and also to reduce the weight and size of the branches.
Propagation of Pyrus angustifolia Ait. var. spinosa (Rehd.) Bailey
Pyrus angustifolia Ait. var. spinosa (Rehd.) Bailey, commonly known as the prickly ash pear, is a deciduous tree species that is native to China. Propagation of this plant can be done through both sexual and asexual methods.
Sexual Propagation
Sexual propagation for Pyrus angustifolia Ait. var. spinosa (Rehd.) Bailey involves collecting seeds from a ripe fruit during its fruiting period. Seeds should be cleaned and placed in a container with moist sand or peat moss for stratification at 4°C. After a stratification period of 60-90 days, seeds can be sown in containers or directly in the field. Soil should be kept moist and seedlings will emerge in a few weeks.
Asexual Propagation
Asexual propagation for Pyrus angustifolia Ait. var. spinosa (Rehd.) Bailey involves the use of vegetative parts such as cuttings, grafting, and budding.
Cuttings should be taken from mature trees during the dormant season. Cuttings should be 15-20 cm long with 3-4 buds and angled cuts on both ends. Cuttings should be treated with rooting hormone and placed in a container with moist soil or sand. Cuttings should be kept in a shaded area with high moisture until new roots emerge.
Grafting is another asexual method for propagating Pyrus angustifolia Ait. var. spinosa (Rehd.) Bailey. The scion should be collected in the winter from a mature tree and grafted onto a suitable rootstock. Grafting should be done during the early spring when the sap begins to flow.
Budding involves placing a bud from the desired cultivar onto a rootstock. Budding should be done in the summer when the bark of the rootstock slips easily. The bud should be placed on the rootstock and secured with a plastic tie. After a few weeks, the bud should begin to grow, and the tie can be removed.
Disease Management
Pyrus angustifolia Ait. var. spinosa (Rehd.) Bailey is relatively resistant to many diseases, but there are still a few common diseases that can affect the plant:
- Fire Blight: This bacterial disease can cause severe damage to pear trees, including Pyrus angustifolia. Symptoms include a darkening and wilting of blossoms and shoots, which can gradually spread to the entire tree. To manage fire blight, prune affected branches at least 12 inches below the visible symptoms.
- Pear Scab: This fungal disease causes dark spots on leaves and fruit, and can reduce the plant’s vigor. To manage pear scab, maintain good sanitation and hygiene practices, such as removing leaves and fruit debris around the tree, and spraying fungicides.
- Powdery Mildew: This fungal disease can cause white powdery growth on leaves and can distort them from growth. To manage powdery mildew, maintain good air circulation around the tree, prune any infected branches and leaves, and apply fungicides spray.
Pest Management
There are also a few pests that may affect Pyrus angustifolia. Some of the common pests are listed below along with their ways of management:
- Codling Moth: The codling moth’s larvae bore into fruit, affecting their quality and yield. To control, remove infested fruit, and install pheromone traps to monitor moth activity. Also, apply insecticides spray during the growing season.
- Pear Psylla: These sap-sucking insects can compromise the plant's growth and development. To control pear psylla, maintain good sanitation practices, such as removing any diseased leaves and removing any wild pear trees nearby that could be attracting the pest. Applying insecticides is also helpful in controlling this pest.
- Spider Mites: These tiny pests can cause significant damage to the plant by sucking the sap from the leaves resulting in yellowing and curling. To control spider mites, increase humidity around the tree and keep the soil moist, use high-pressure water sprays to wash off the spider mites, and apply insecticidal soap.
By taking these preventive measures, disease and pest management on Pyrus angustifolia can easily be done. Regular monitoring of the plant can also aid in identifying any potential issues and further taking necessary steps to control them.
