Family Pear tree

Joyce Goldenlily

I was given a family pear several years ago. I have grown it in a very large vine pot, fan trained on the end of my workshop facing due West. It has at last produced some flower buds, I was quite excited at the prospect of picking and eating my first pear but reality has just struck home. The buds are on one branch so are unlikely to produce fruit because most pears need a cross pollinator, hence family trees. Unless it is the Conference branch of the tree, in which case I might have some fruit. We gardeners are such optomists!