Pyrus bretschneideri×Pyrus communis
‘PremP027’
The new variety of pear tree ‘PremP027’ was created in the course of a planned breeding program carried out at Motueka, New Zealand. ‘PremP027’ originated as a result of a controlled cross of ‘Max Red Bartlett’ (seed parent, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 741) and ‘Snowflake’ (pollen parent, not patented) in 1989. ‘PremP027’ was selected in 1996 as a single plant from among a population of seedlings derived from the parents, and was selected for its quality of fruit. It is distinguished from its parents by its shape and color. ‘Max Red Bartlett’ fruit is pyriform in shape with high coverage of red skin color compared to ‘PremP27’ which has no red skin color. ‘PremP27’ is almost round with slight tapering at the stem and calyx end. Fruit of ‘PremP27’ ripens 7-10 days later than ‘Max red Bartlett’. Fruit of ‘PremP27’ has less prominent lenticels than ‘Snowflake’ and ripens approximately 14-21 days earlier. ‘PremP27’ is also distinguishable from other known varieties, such as ‘Nijisseiki’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,529). ‘Nijisseiki’ has more round fruit than ‘PremP27’ and ripens approximately 7-10 days earlier. Asexual propagation by budding was first carried out in Motueka and Havelock North, New Zealand. The variety has since been observed over a number of asexually propagated generations, and has been found to remain true to type.
The following detailed botanical description is based on observations made during the 2013 growing season at Parker, Wash. on 5 year old trees. All colors are described according to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart as published in 2001. It should be understood that the characteristics described will vary somewhat depending upon cultural practices and climatic conditions, and can vary with location and season. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of individual plants of the new variety. The measurements of any individual plant, or any group of plants, of the new variety may vary from the stated average.