hard pears?

[Silverbird]

I've inherited an pear tree and have no idea what type.

The pears have got really big now but any time I pick one they just don't seem to soften and go straight to wrinkle.

Am I just picking them to early?

Will they stay hard?

If so waht to I do with loads of hard pears?

Thanks for any ideas!

[moonlitemama]

I'm fairly new to harvesting pears, too, having inherited mine 3 years ago. However, my understanding is that you want to harvest them when the stem easily snaps from the branch. Like just bending the pear a different angle will release it. Then they ripen after picking. I've kept mine in the cool garage to finish ripening the last two years and it's worked well, although make sure you keep checking them - you don't want them to start spoiling or you'll lose them all very quickly.

[plantnerd]

I beleive pears don't fully ripen until picked, like avocados.

[Silverbird]

Originally Posted by plantnerd

I beleive pears don't fully ripen until picked, like avocados.

See this was my understanding but it's my third time of picking some when the stem snapps and after about two weeks it goes hard to wrinkly with no stops at ripe in the middle.

[lotus.blossom]

I have had the same problem with my tree. I am not sure what variety it is and for the last 3 years I haven't been able to enjoy a single one. I read online that you have to pick them when ready (when they start falling off the tree by themselves) and then put them in the fridge for at least 2-4 weeks and then when you take them out of the fridge they will ripen. I'm going to try it since I have nothing to lose!

[limette]

Are they aisan pears? All the asian pears I've had from the grocery store were crisp like an apple, never soft like other pears.

[NiteNicole]

We inherited a pear tree with our last house and the pears, no matter how they were picked or "ripened", just stayed hard. Inedible-hard. My grandmother told me they were "canning pears" and that I should can them, then use them for cooking. Worked much better. I guess it takes a harder pear to hold up and keep any texture when you can them?

Maybe you can try putting up a small batch and see how that goes?

[Silverbird]

Thanks all,

I've not idea what sort of pear they are which is part of the prob. I ceritanly can't eat them raw. I cooked one in wine last year and it was good so I could do that again.

What does canning involve? Is it expensive? the only preserving I've done is slow gin and blackberries in brandy.

Oh dear this post makes me look like an alchi! I'm not I promise!