syn: Asian pear Japanese pear Apple pear Sand pear Chinese pear Korean pear, Pyrus pyrifolia (the species)
Nashi Kosui
$50.00
The Nashi Kosui is a popular Japanese pear (nashi) known for its excellent sweet flavor and crisp, juicy texture. It is an early-season variety, favored for eating fresh, and is a reliable, heavy cropper.
The Kosui pear tree is a medium-vigour, deciduous tree that produces a moderate but consistent annual crop. It features glossy green leaves and a rounded canopy, reaching a height of about 5–6 meters with a 4–5 meter spread, though smaller options on dwarf rootstock are available. White blossoms appear in spring.
The fruit is typically small to medium-sized and round to oblate (slightly flattened). The skin is a golden-bronze color with an attractive, partially russeted surface, covered in prominent, pale lenticels (pores). The skin is tender enough to be eaten without peeling. The flesh is firm, crisp, and dense, with a fine-grained, ivory-white color.
Kosui pears have an excellent, complex flavor profile that is both sweet and slightly acidic, with aromatic, vanilla, and butterscotch undertones. It is one of the highest quality and most aromatic Asian pear cultivars. It is an early-ripening variety, with harvest usually occurring from mid-July to early August, depending on the climate. The fruit’s skin may crack after heavy rain. Kosui does not store as well as some other varieties and is best eaten shortly after harvest.
The Kosui pear tree is a relatively hardy variety, suitable for growing in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 9. It is also known to be resistant to the disease fire blight.
Site and soil
Sunlight: Plant in a sunny, sheltered spot to maximize fruit production.
Soil: Requires fertile, well-drained soil. Heavy or light soils are acceptable with the right rootstock. Adding organic matter, like compost, can improve soil health.
Planting: For best results, plant in autumn or early spring. For multiple trees, space them about 3.5 to 5 meters apart.
Pollination
Kosui is only partially self-fertile and requires cross-pollination with another Asian pear variety or an early-blooming European pear.
Recommended pollinators: Hosui, Nijisseiki, or Chojuro.
Pollinator considerations: When choosing a pollinator, ensure their bloom times overlap. Double-grafted trees with a compatible pollinator on the same trunk are also an option.
Care and maintenance
Watering: Water regularly during the first year, especially during dry periods and fruit development. Once established, watering is less frequent but important during droughts.
Fertilizing: A balanced fertilizer should be applied in early spring to support growth and fruiting.
Pruning:
Training: Can be trained as a central leader, which is the most common system for nashi pears, or as an espalier.
Annual: Prune annually in winter to remove dead or diseased wood and shape the canopy.
Fruit thinning: Kosui is a heavy cropper and can benefit from fruit thinning to prevent limb breakage and improve the size and quality of the fruit.
Harvest: Fruits ripen from mid-July to early August. They are ready when the color brightens, and a few fruits begin to drop. Unlike European pears, Kosui is picked when ripe and does not require further ripening off the tree.
Pests and diseases
Preventative care: A preventative spray program, including winter oil and copper sprays, can help protect the tree from pests and diseases.
Resistance: Kosui is generally resistant to fire blight.
Vulnerability: The blossoms are susceptible to damage from late frosts.
