Cultivar 340: John

John is a prairie pear from the University of Saskatchewan. It was introduced in 1960 as a cross between Aspa and a Siberian or Ussurian pear, though sources reverse the parent order. [S2] [S4] It was bred at Saskatoon and was described as the largest of the University of Saskatchewan pear introductions. [S3] [S4]

Sources describe the fruit as about 7.5 cm long, or about 3 by 2 1/2 inches. It is greenish yellow to yellow, with creamy white flesh. [S1] [S2] [S4] It ripens in late September. [S1] [S4] One prairie production guide rates quality as fair, while the University of Saskatchewan introduction sheet rates it as good. [S1] [S4] A 1989 prairie index lists it for processing use. [S2] [S1]

The main growing notes are practical. Saskatchewan Hortfacts says John should be planted only on a trial basis in a well sheltered location, and that its hardiness was erratic except in the very southern parts of the province, where no injury had been reported. [S3] The same source lists it among the University of Saskatchewan introductions and identifies it as the largest of that group. [S3] Agriculture Canada also lists John among pears suited to less favorable zones in the Prairie Provinces. [S1]

John is part of the first wave of prairie hardy hybrid pears developed at Saskatoon. Its parentage combines European pear background through Aspa with Siberian or Ussurian hardiness, a pattern central to prairie pear breeding. [S1] [S2] [S4] The cultivar seems to have been remembered more for size, late season ripening, and its place in the University of Saskatchewan breeding effort than for exceptional flavor. [S3] [S4]

Sources differ slightly in how they state the parentage: some give Aspa x Siberian pear or Aspa x P. ussuriensis, while the 1960 introduction sheet prints P. ussuriensis x Aspa. [S1] [S2] [S4] The available sources do not give a fuller tree description beyond uneven hardiness and the need for shelter. [S3]

Summary source basis

• S1: Tree fruit production for the Prairie Provinces
• S2: An index of fruit cultivars tested or developed on the Canadian prairies.
• S3: hortfacts_1976_3.pdf
• S4: University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960

This summary currently draws chiefly from Tree fruit production for the Prairie Provinces, with 4 additional supporting sources linked below.

Featured source descriptions

“Cultivar developed at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Sask.”
— ^[3]

“Fruit ripe in late September.”
— ^[3]

“Maturity: Late.”
— ^[4]

“Has good quality.”
— ^[5]

Direct parent cultivars

• No direct linked parent cultivars promoted yet.

Parentage claim text

• Aspa x Siberian pear.
• Origin listed as 'Aspa' x P. ussuriensis.
• Parentage listed as P. ussuriensis x Aspa.

Derived or downstream cultivar links

• No derived or downstream lineage links yet.

Source-story quotations

• PR No. 15 John P. ussuriensis x Aspa 1960 3 x 2 1/2" under field conditions, without irrigation at Saskatoon; late Sept.; skin, thin and yellowing well before the flesh becomes soft, good quality.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p6
• PR No. 15 John P. ussuriensis x Aspa 1960 3 x 2 1/2" under field conditions, without irrigation at Saskatoon; late Sept.; skin, thin and yellowing well before the flesh becomes soft, good quality.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p6
• PR No. 15 John P. ussuriensis x Aspa 1960 3 x 2 1/2" under field conditions, without irrigation at Saskatoon; late Sept.; skin, thin and yellowing well before the flesh becomes soft, good quality.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p6
• PR No. 15 John P. ussuriensis x Aspa 1960 3 x 2 1/2" under field conditions, without irrigation at Saskatoon; late Sept.; skin, thin and yellowing well before the flesh becomes soft, good quality.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p6

Taxonomy context: No family-tree context surfaced yet.

Related cultivars mentioned in source context