Pear Tree Marguerite Marillat – AB

Description

Pear Tree Marguerite Marillat

The Marguerite Marillat pear tree is an exceptional old French variety obtained around 1874 by Mr. Marillat, a horticulturist in Villeurbanne near Lyon. This remarkable pear is world-renowned for producing the largest pears ever seen, with fruits that can reach 700 to 750 grams each!

Sometimes nicknamed “Giant Pear”, this historic variety delights amateur gardeners and continues to fascinate with its spectacular dimensions while maintaining excellent taste qualities. It represents a true fruit heritage of the Lyon region.

Characteristics of the fruit

Marguerite Marillat pears are distinguished by their exceptional size – from very large to gigantic (up to 750g) – and their characteristic turbinate pear-shaped shape, belly towards the calyx, very elongated and sometimes asymmetrical. This unique shape is reminiscent of a giant fig.

The smooth and shiny epidermis has a beautiful straw yellow color dotted with tawny spots, sometimes tinged with red or pink tones in the sun. The off-white to yellowish-white flesh is remarkably fine, melt-in-the-mouth and extraordinarily juicy.

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Exceptional taste qualities

The Marguerite Marillat pear tree produces pears of excellent taste quality despite their imposing size. The flesh develops a pleasantly sweet, slightly acidic flavour, with a very present fragrance and enhanced by a touch of acidity that perfectly balances the whole.

🍐 Remarkable feat : Unlike many large-sized fruits, these giant pears retain an exceptional finesse and taste quality, which makes them a unique variety in the world.

Recommended Uses

• Table pear : Excellent to eat fresh, ideal to bite into
• Spectacular fruit : Perfect for impressing and wowing
• Refined tasting : Fine and melting flesh of high quality
• Fresh consumption : To be enjoyed quickly after harvest

Cultivation and maintenance

The Marguerite Marillat pear tree is a tree of low to medium vigour that reaches 3 to 4 meters in height, sometimes up to 7 meters depending on the conditions. Its habit is massive and round, with an elegant and slender stature.

This old variety is distinguished by its remarkable ease of cultivation and its great hardiness (resistant to -17°C). It has excellent resistance to scab and is highly resistant to diseases in general, making it an ideal choice for home gardeners.

Cultural requirements

• Exposure : Full sun, sunny location
• Soil : Cool, deep and not very calcareous
• Drainage : Avoid overly filtering soils
• Amendment : Potash-rich wood ash in winter

Production Particularities

⚡ Production tip : Pears of the best sizes are obtained from 2-year-old wood. The tree is quite productive but has an average yield, sometimes subject to alternation (fruiting every other year).

The wood of this variety is characterized by its distinctive yellow color, allowing for easy identification.

Pollination and associations

The Marguerite Marillat pear tree is not self-fertile and absolutely requires the presence of a compatible pollinator within 50 meters. ⚠️ This variety produces poor quality pollen and cannot be used as a pollinator.

To optimize fruiting, pair it with Williams Pear, Conference Pear or Hardy Buttered Pear.

💡 Other effective pollinators : Dr Jules Guyot, Countess of Paris, and Louise Bonne from Avranches.

Harvesting and storage

The harvest takes place from September to October, with a staggered period allowing for gradual picking. The fruits come off easily when they are ripe.

⚠️ Attention to storage : This variety has a very low resistance to transport and handling. The fruits are sensitive to shocks and must be eaten quickly after harvest to take full advantage of their qualities.

Handling tips

• Delicate harvesting : Handle large fruits with care
• Quick consumption : To be enjoyed within days of harvest
• Short shelf life : Can be stored for 1 to 3 months in the refrigerator
• Monitoring : Check the condition of the fruit regularly

Special flowering

🌸 Strategic flowering : White flowering occurs late (late March – early April), to avoid late frosts. This particularity contributes to the reliability of the fruiting.

The pinkish-white flowers with five petals are characteristic and imperatively require cross-pollination to ensure fruiting.

Disease resistance

🛡️ Excellent resistance : The Marillat Marguerite pear tree is very resistant to diseases, especially scab. This natural resistance, combined with its ease of cultivation, makes it a preferred choice for ecological gardens.

Its robustness and low susceptibility to pathologies allow a culture without major treatments.

Advantages and qualities

• 🍐 Exceptional size : Largest pears in the world (up to 750g)
• 🏆 Taste quality : Fine, melting and very fragrant flesh
• 🌿 Ease of Cultivation : Very easy to grow
• 🛡️ Remarkable resistance : Highly resistant to diseases
• 🌡️ Excellent hardiness : Resistant to -17°C
• ⏰ Rapid fruiting : Early fruiting
• 🏛️ French heritage : Historical variety of Lyon (1874)
• 🎯 Spectacular effect : Impressive in its dimensions

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