While not with the intensity reported in Lleida, other important pear production areas in Spain, like La Rioja, have also reported some irregularity in the bloom of the Conference variety.
"The initial assessments we have confirm a lesser bloom, though not worryingly so, and we believe this will not have a noticeable impact on the harvest. In the event of a more limited fruit setting, less thinning would be required, and the sizes and quality would both improve. In any case, we expect the larger fruit sizes to allow for an optimal harvest."
The phenological stages of plants largely depend on the weather conditions and patterns in the area where they grow. The anomaly in the blooming has thus been attributed to the high temperatures last summer and the drought in Lleida.
"All production areas have been affected, although the impact is more noticeable in some regions than in others. However, I recall that 2022 was a very hot year, hotter than 2023. We had several consecutive intense heatwaves, and the bloom was not affected in the same way."
"Regarding the drought, at least in our area, we have been irrigating normally, and the trees have not suffered any lack of water. Moreover, here the winter has been quite good and we've had enough hours of cold, so we are not quite sure what to blame it on."
"In fact, the rest of the pear varieties we cultivate, such as the Blanquilla, Limonera or Ercolini, have not had any blooming issues, nor have the stone fruits. We could say that, fortunately, the phenomenon has only affected the Conference variety and that it doesn't appear to be a widespread problem."
For more information:
S.A.T. Frutas y Verduras Valle de Rincón
Polígono Varillas, calle A, s/n
26550 Rincón de Soto, La Rioja, Spain
Tel.: + 34 941 14 17 04
info@vallerincon.com
www.vallerincon.com