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Pear variety

20th Century

Also known as Nijisseiki, Twentieth Century

The short answer

20th Century requires 300–400 chill hours[1]. It is self-fertile[1].

Growing facts

20th Century growing facts
Chill requirement300–400 chill hours[1] (nursery figure)
HardinessNot published for this variety
PollinationSelf-fertile, bloom group 3[1]
Harvest windowAugust[1]
Years to bearing2 years[1]
20th Century pearSpecies illustration — no historical watercolor exists for this cultivar

Notes

  • Self-fruitful, or pollenized by Shinseiki, Bartlett, or other; usually bears by the 2nd year.[1]
  • A late-blooming Asian pear in the nursery pollination chart.[3]

A year with your 20th Century

When the work happens for a pear in USDA zone 6, anchored to typical frost dates.

Months for pruning, thinning, spray-timing windows, and harvest for Pear in zone 6
TaskJFMAMJJASOND
Prune———————————
Thin——————————
Spray timing———————
Harvest—————————
Care———————————

See the full month-by-month pear calendar for zone 6 →

Can I grow 20th Century where I live?

Check the verdict for a few regions, or your exact ZIP:

Growing a 20th Century? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, with email reminders.

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Questions

How many chill hours does 20th Century need?
20th Century needs 300–400 chill hours.
Is 20th Century self-pollinating?
20th Century is self-fertile, though a pollination partner can improve cropping.

Sources

  1. [1] Dave Wilson Nursery. Asian pears — DWN Variety Finder product list — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. How soon will a newly planted fruit tree begin to bear fruit? (Yard and Garden FAQ) — accessed July 2026
  3. [3] Burnt Ridge Nursery. Asian pear pollination chart — accessed July 2026