Concorde (pear)
The Concorde is a cultivar of pear originating in England. A cross of the Conference and Comice varieties, it has some of the traits of both parents.
| Concorde pear | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genus | Pyrus |
| Species | Pyrus communis |
| Hybrid parentage | Conference × Comice |
| Cultivar | Concorde |
| Origin | Kent, United Kingdom |
Cultivar history
The Concorde was developed at the East Malling Research Station in Kent. After artificial pollination was completed in 1968, a number of candidate varieties were developed and the Concorde was selected as the best one in 1977. It was released commercially in 1994.[1] It received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in 1993.[2]
Growing characteristics
The tree of the Concorde pear is upright and moderately vigorous. It flowers about five days after its parent varieties, and like the Comice is a late harvest pear.[3] It is partially self-fertile, and is classed as group 3/4 in the RHS pollination groups. It is a regular cropper that can sometimes overproduce fruit, and it produces a first crop about a year earlier than most varieties.[1]
Fruit characteristics
The Concorde's fruit is considered a blend of its parent varieties, with the elongated shape and crisp texture of its Conference parent combined with the sweetness of the Comice.[4] The fruit has a greenish color initially, becoming more yellowish with ripening, and may exhibit slight russeting.[1]
References
- Concorde Pear Tree
- Plant details at the Royal Horticultural Society
- European Pear Varieties, NSW Agriculture, pp. 10-11
- Pear Varieties: Concorde
