I have a conference pear tree and an Albert? pear tree.?

I picked some last year and they failed to soften at all. They were so hard you couldnt get your teeth in them!



I have a really good crop again this year and I havent picked any as yet, although it was about this time last year when I did.



If I leave them too long they will probably disapear.



Any advice?
I have a conference pear tree and an Albert? pear tree.?
Both Conference pears tree and Albert pears are the type of pears that are for storing over the winter, some can be picked staight from the trees to eat now.



The only way to tell if apples and pears are ripe enough to eat is in the way they are picked.



Place your palm on the side of the pear furthest away from you, with the bottom of the pear resting in your palm, with the first and second finger each side of the pear and gently lift the bottom of the pear up towards the sky, if it come away with just the stalk then it is ready to eat, if it beaks away with leaves at the top then it is not ready.



This must be done daily.
Reply:My neighbour usually takes them down when there is a noticeable colour change to the skin, and they are barely soft to the touch around the stem.(He has not picked his yet) Then he refrigerates them for a minumum period of 10 days to two weeks. The refrigeration is vitally important to their proper ripening,(apparently) and the closer to 32 degrees, the better.

After the cold treament, they are then taken out into room temperature, and usually soften up to eating quality in 2-3 days. Howevever, if it is inconvenient to use them all at once, they may be left in refrigeration and will normally keep for 2-3 months, or even longer...
Reply:Leave them as long as you can,then when you pick them they must be stored in a dark dry place to finnish ripening of,check evry day to make sure there are no rotting ones.
Reply:I also had a conference pear tree. I had to try to leave them as long as possible. You know when they're ready by lifting the pear gently upwards, the stalk will snap easily away from the tree. Conference are slightly harder and with a rough skin...very nice if you skin them, then dip them into melted chocolate and serve.
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