Pyrus communis 'Humbug' (Pear 'Humbug')

Botanical name

Pyrus communis 'Humbug'

Other names

Pear 'Humbug', Pyrus communis 'Pysanka', Easter pear

Genus

Pyrus Pyrus

Variety or Cultivar

'Humbug' _ 'Humbug' is an upright, deciduous tree with striped young stems, ovate, finely toothed, glossy, dark green leaves and white flowers in mid-spring followed by large, green, pink, and yellow striped fruit with sweet, firm, creamy-white flesh ready for harvest in mid-autumn.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Broadly columnar, Upright

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Colour

Flower

White in Spring

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Orange, Red in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Blister mite , Bullfinches , Caterpillars , Codling moth , Pear fruitlet gall midge

Specific diseases

Apple and pear canker , Blight , Pear rust , Pear scab

General care

Pruning

Thin fruit as necessary. Regular pruning required. A spur bearer.

Propagation

Needs another cultivar for pollination. If grafting, the rootstock used will effect plant size. Quince is normally used.

Propagation methods

Budding, Grafting

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Pyrus communis 'Humbug' (Pear 'Humbug') will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 4m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Beds and borders, Celebrations/Rememberance, Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Specimen tree, Wildlife

Cultivation

Plant in neutral, well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position. Frost damage is possible since flowering is early. Keep a weed free area of 60cm radius around the trunk. Suitable for all training forms. Requires a pollinator.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Pyrus communis 'Humbug' (Pear 'Humbug')

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Pyrus communis 'Humbug' (Pear 'Humbug')

Common pest name

Decline of pear; Leaf curl of pear; Moria disease of pear; Pear leaf curl

Scientific pest name

Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri on perry pears

Type

Phytoplasma

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

The pest and vector are already present in the UK. Regulation appears to have been ineffective at preventing entry and establishment. A change of regulatory status is being considered at EU level. Industry may also want to review their management practices.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Pyrus communis 'Humbug' (Pear 'Humbug')

Common pest name

Round headed apple tree borer

Scientific pest name

Saperda candida

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

American wood boring beetle; single European incursion into a German Island in the Baltic; limited likelihood of introduction into the UK due to small volume of trade and import inspections. Possible EU listing will limit risk further.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/