SPECIFICATIONS:
- Projected height and spread: 10–12 ft. on Pyrus betuaefolia rootstock; grows well in heavy and light soils
- Growth habit: Upright, moderately vigorous deciduous tree; highly productive and reliable
- Light requirements: Full to half-day sun; well-drained soil
- Fertilizer requirements: Low to moderate; balanced fruit tree fertilizer in early spring; avoid excess nitrogen
- Water requirements: Moderate and regular during the growing season; drought-resistant once established; well-draining soil required
DESCRIPTION:
Shinseiki is one of the most rewarding and reliable Asian pears for Bay Area home gardeners. Its large, round fruit has bright yellow skin and firm, refreshingly sweet flesh with just a hint of tartness — all the satisfying crunch of an apple with the flavor of a pear. The fruit holds well on the tree and stores excellently after harvest. One of its best qualities is that, unlike European pears, Shinseiki ripens fully on the tree — no cold storage wait required. Simply pick and eat.
Asian pears are generally quite disease resistant and easy to grow, with occasional pest problems limited mostly to codling moth. Shinseiki requires only about 250 chill hours to fruit, making it well suited to both the milder coastal East Bay and the warmer inland areas of Alameda County. It is cold-hardy, heat-tolerant, and drought-resistant once established. For best fruit set, plant a second Asian pear variety nearby — 20th Century, Hosui, or another compatible variety — or pair with an early-blooming European pear. Thin fruit to one per spur for the largest, best-quality pears. Mature trees reach 10–12 ft. in height and yield 50 or more pounds per season.
