Pear (pyrus communis) CURE

Pear (Pyrus communis) 'Cure' ('Pastorenbirne')

Historic French variety with long storage life and high yield.

'Cure' (also known as 'Dobrá Voda' or 'Pastorenbirne') is a very old French pear variety, cultivated since 1760. It is a rustic, long-lived, and adaptable tree, still popular mainly due to its high yield and excellent storage life of fruits until February.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Excellent long storage life (until February).
• Very high yield.
• Long-lived and hardy tree.
• Large fruits with a characteristic russet stripe.
• Good affinity with quince rootstock (also suitable as an interstock).

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: France
• History: Known since 1760, widely grown especially in the Balkans and Romania.
• Synonyms: 'Dobrá Voda', 'Pastorenbirne'

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Vigor: Strong, vertical growth. The crown has arching, drooping, brittle branches.
• Characteristics: Hardy, very long-lived, and adaptable.

Fruit

• Size and Weight: Medium to large, 180 – 300 g.
• Shape: Pyriform, elongated, asymmetric.
• Skin: Relatively thick, green-yellow to straw-yellow. A longitudinal russet stripe and russet dots are characteristic.
• Flesh: White to slightly greenish, dense, juicy, melting. Can form stone cells in poor conditions.
• Taste: Moderately sweet, tart, slightly astringent, without distinct aroma.
• Usage: Universal – fresh consumption, processing (compotes).

Resistance and Requirements

• Conditions: In cold, wet autumns on heavy soils, it tends to form stone cells (sclereids) around the core.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Pollination: Self-sterile. Suitable pollinators: 'Williams', 'Clapp's Favorite', 'Bosc'.
• Yield: Very high, but prone to alternate bearing.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: First half of October.
• Storage: Excellent, lasts until January or February.