In Japan they call it Nijisseikii, but the English translation is Twentieth Century. Now you know some Japanese! Asian pears are sometimes called apple pears, because they typically are round, juicy and more crunchy like apples. There is no graininess in this variety. The fruit is smooth skinned and ripens from a greenish to a semi-glossy, greenish yellow color. It is sweet, but rather bland. Ripens late in the summer, hangs well, and stores well.

Twentieth Century is the standard by which other asian pears are measured. It was introduced in Japan in 1898. Asian pears are rather newer introductions to the US, but you now commonly find them in the produce departments as they are becoming quite popular.

Twentieth Century is not one of the largest of asian pears. It is very productive and will set in tight, heavy clusters of fruit that must be hand thinned down to one-two fruits to gain adequate size. We suggest you clip or cut the stems when thinning or harvesting, since they will not "pop" off the limb like regular pears. Asian pears in general seem to have less problems with pear diseases than most pears. The trees are vigorous and upright growing.

Height

10-15

Spread

8-12

Zone

6-8

Color

Greenish yellow

Categories

Pear---- Asian Varieties, 

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