New Zealand Treecrops Association

Information Exchange Mailroom

Information Request:

I would like to know the truth about pollination between Seckel and William Bon Chrétien (i.e. Bartlett).

From "The NZ Fruit Garden", by Colin Hutchinson, Pg 30, "This pear [Seckel] is incompatible with William Bon Chrétien". "It [William Bon Chrétien] will not pollinate....Seckel."

From http://info.ag.uidaho.edu/catalog/html-pubs/CIS0898.html
"Plant at least two varieties that are compatible for pollination and that bloom at the same time. Almost any pear will work as a pollenizer of any other pear; however, Bartlett is a poor pollenizer of Seckel. "

Yet the catalogue of Edible Gardens Ltd lists only two pear trees, both duals, one of them being Seckel and William Bon Chrétien, along with the statement, "Seckel pollinates all other pears."

It would not make sense to propagate a dual tree of incompatible varieties. Does anybody have further reliable information.

Replies Received:

http://www.treecrops.org.nz/knowl/infothr/pearpol.html
Created: Tuesday, 16 September 2003 - Updated: 2007 August 11