pear 'Doyenné du Comice'

Grow in any well-drained, fairly moisture retentive soil . The ideal pH is 6.5. Incorporate plenty of organic matter on thin soils. Choose a sheltered position in full sun. Suitable for all training forms, including espalier, cordon and fan-trained. Needs another cultivar for pollination; it's not compatible with 'Onward'. Keep a weed free area of 60cm radius around the trunk. Thin fruit if necessary

Regular pruning required; a spur bearer. Prune according to form: cordons, espaliers and pruning established fans. Can also be grown as standards or spindlebushes. For further guidance see: pruning new pear trees, summer pear pruning, winter pear pruning, renovating pear trees

Propagate by grafting or chip budding onto a rootstock for fruit. Quince rootstocks are usually used for pears

May be attacked by aphids, caterpillars, codling moth, bullfinches, pear midge, gall midges, pear and cherry slugworm and pear blister mite

Susceptible to pear scab. It may be affected by pear rust, brown rot, blossom wilt, fireblight and replant diseases