Asian Pears
20th Century (Nijisseiki "Apple Pear")
Juicy, sweet, mild-flavored fruit is crisp like apple. Early to mid-August in Central Calif. Keeps well. Easy to grow, heavy bearing small tree. 450 hrs. Self-fruitful or pollinated by Shinseiki, Bartlett, or other pear or Asian pear.
Chojuro
Russeted golden brown skin. Crisp like an apple when ripe. Harvest mid-August in Central Calif. 450 hours. Pollinated by Hosui, Shinko, or other pear.
Hosui
High-scoring in taste tests: perhaps the tastiest Asian pear. Large, juicy, sweet, flavorful, refreshing, crisp like an apple. Brownish-orange russeted skin. Harvest early to mid-August in Central CA. 450 hours. Pollinated by Shinko, Chojuro, Bartlett, or 20th Century.
Ichiban Nashi
The earliest-ripening Asian pear. Medium size fruit with a light golden-brown russet skin. Crisp, crunchy flesh is sweet, with especially fine flavor. Harvest mid to late July in Central Calif. Keeps six weeks. Productive, moderately vigorous tree. 400 hours. Pollenizer required.
Ishiiwase
Large, greenish-brown, russeted skin. Juicy, sweet, flavorful, refreshing, crisp like an apple when ripe. Early to mid-August in Central Calif. 450 hours. Pollinated by Kikusui, 20th Century, or other Asian pear.
Kikusui
Juicy, sweet, greenish-yellow skinned fruit - crisp like an apple when ripe. Superb fresh eating, one of the best. Easy to grow. Keeps well. Mid-August in central CA. 450 hours. Partly self-fruitful or pollinated by Ishiiwase, 20th Century, or other.
Seigyoku
Large fruit, smooth yellow skin. Very best quality - crisp, juicy, sweet, flavorful. Blooms later than Shinseiki and 20th Century. Ripe a few days before 20th Century. 500 hours. Partly self-fruitful or plant with Kikusui, 20th Century, or Bartlett.
Shinko
Late ripening-September in Central Calif. - and excellent quality. Juicy, sweet, flavorful, refreshing, crisp like an apple. Golden brown russeted skin. 450 hours. Pollinated by Hosui, Chojuro, Kikusui, Bartlett.
Shinseiki
Juicy, sweet, refreshing, crisp like an apple. Easy to grow. Keeps well. Harvest late July/early August in Central Calif. Bright yellow skin. Vigorous, heavy bearing (usually by 2nd year). 350-450 hours. Self-fruitful.
Shinsui
Small to medium-size, light yellow-brown russet skin. Flesh is fine-textured, crisp, crunchy, juicy, flavorful, very sweet. Ripens between Shinseiki and 20th Century (early August in Central California). 400 hours. Pollenizer required.
Tsu Li (Chinese)
Pollenizer for Ya Li in warm winter climates. Juicy, crisp, greenish- yellow pear-shaped fruit. Vigorous tree. Harvest in September with Ya Li. 300 hours. Pollinated by Ya Li.
Ya Li (Chinese)
High quality greenish-yellow, pear-shaped fruit is juicy, sweet, refreshing, crisp like an apple when ripe. Vigorous tree. Harvest in September in Central Calif. 300 hours. Pollinated by Tsu Li.
Yakumo
Early harvest, a few days before Shinseiki. Slight tapered neck, instead of round shape like other Japanese pears. Very nice quality - sweet, juicy, refreshing. Crisp like apple when ripe. 450 hours. Pollenizer required.
Yoinashi
Light brown to golden brown russet skin. Fine-textured, crisp, crunchy, juicy, sweet and flavorful. Harvest late August in Central California, after 20th Century. 400 hours. Pollenizer required.
