Troubleshooting
Conference Pear problems — and how to fix them
Conference Pear (Pyrus communis 'Conference') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Pear scab
Dark, scabby blotches on fruit and leaves in wet weather. Choose a warm, open site, remove fallen leaves, and prune for airflow to limit spores.
Frost damage to blossom
Pears flower early and the bloom is frost-sensitive. Plant in a frost-free, sheltered spot and protect blossom with fleece on cold spring nights.
Pear midge
Tiny larvae that cause young fruitlets to blacken and drop. Pick off and destroy affected fruitlets and cultivate the soil beneath the tree to disrupt pupation.
Gritty or over-soft fruit / wrong picking time
Conference is best picked slightly under-ripe and ripened indoors. Left on the tree it can go mealy or rot from the core, so harvest when fruit lifts easily with a slight twist.
Prevent conference pear problems before they start
Most conference pear issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
- Common european pear problems — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Common conference pear problems — our other guide for the same plant
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Conference Pear watering schedule
- Conference Pear light requirements
- Best soil mix for conference pear
- Conference Pear temperature & humidity
- Full conference pear care guide
Looking for conference pear in general rather than its problems? Read the full conference pear care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Conference Pear problems — FAQ
Why is my conference pear pear scab?
Dark, scabby blotches on fruit and leaves in wet weather. Choose a warm, open site, remove fallen leaves, and prune for airflow to limit spores.
Why is my conference pear frost damage to blossom?
Pears flower early and the bloom is frost-sensitive. Plant in a frost-free, sheltered spot and protect blossom with fleece on cold spring nights.
Why is my conference pear pear midge?
Tiny larvae that cause young fruitlets to blacken and drop. Pick off and destroy affected fruitlets and cultivate the soil beneath the tree to disrupt pupation.
Why is my conference pear gritty or over-soft fruit / wrong picking time?
Conference is best picked slightly under-ripe and ripened indoors. Left on the tree it can go mealy or rot from the core, so harvest when fruit lifts easily with a slight twist.