Medlar plant Belle de Grand-Lieu Half-stem diameter 6-8 cm bare-root conventional

Technical sheet of the Medlar variety 'Belle de Grand Lieu'

• Fruit flesh color: Dark brown, slightly fibrous, melting, creamy, sweet, with a slight acidity.
• Skin color: The epidermis is pubescent, dark green in season, and turns reddish brown when ripe.
• Size and shape: Fruits 3 to 4 cm in diameter, weighing about 20 to 30 grams each, rounded in shape and crowned with sepals.
• Tree size: From 1.5 m to 3 m in height and from 2 m to 4 m in width.
• Fruit maturity: The fruits are harvested after brittleness, generally in November or December, just after the first frosts which soften the fruits.
• Fruit Taste: Creamy and smooth texture. The taste is mild and sweet, blossoming fully when they reach their ripe stage. The taste is a subtle blend of apple and pear, reminiscent of a delicate compote with hints of caramel.
• Earliness of the variety: Medlars of the 'Belle de Grand Lieu' Medlar tree are considered late, generally ripening from the end of October.
• Fruiting period: Medlars from the 'Belle de Grand Lieu' medlar tree are produced in large quantities and are harvested in autumn, mainly from the end of October.
• Disease resistance and storage: Variety appreciated for its productivity and disease resistance. The fruits have a long storage life.
• Variety Yield: Considered a medium yielding variety.
• Is this variety self-fertile? Yes, the 'Belle de Grand Lieu' medlar is self-fertile, meaning it does not require the presence of another variety to bear fruit.
• Commercial use: The fruits can be used to make compotes, jams and syrups.
• Comments: Very hardy and can withstand temperatures down to -20°C. Flowering occurs in April-May and attracts many pollinators.

Quick read / the essentials on the Medlar 'Belle de Grand Lieu'

The 'Belle de Grand Lieu' medlar is a French variety renowned for its hardiness and adaptation to temperate and cold climates. Selected in the Loire-Atlantique region, this variety is distinguished by its disease resistance and the taste quality of its fruits, which combine sweetness and slight acidity. With its medium-sized fruits, a taste reminiscent of applesauce and caramelized notes after ripening, it is an excellent choice for growers looking for a robust and profitable crop.

If you want to buy Belle de Grand Lieu medlar plants , it is essential to use a specialist medlar plant wholesaler who can guarantee healthy plants adapted to the climatic conditions of your farm. The variety is suitable for both fresh consumption and processing into jams, jellies or liqueurs, thus offering numerous possibilities for commercial development.

One of the major advantages of the Medlar 'Belle de Grand Lieu' is its ability to withstand negative temperatures down to -20°C, or even -23°C, making it ideal for planting in many French regions. It adapts well to a variety of soils, provided they are well-drained, and is not affected by drought or chalky soils. To ensure optimal development, choose a suitable rootstock such as Quince BA29 or Medlar franc, depending on your soil type.

Growers looking to buy Belle de Grand Lieu medlar plants can rely on a specialist medlar plant wholesaler to provide them with high-quality plants. The self-fertile tree ensures a regular and generous production, with flowering in April-May and harvest between late October and early December. Its low susceptibility to diseases such as brown rot and medlar scab reduces the need for treatments, making it a low-maintenance and environmentally friendly crop.

Choosing the 'Belle de Grand Lieu' medlar tree means choosing a reliable, hardy variety with good potential for growth. To ensure the success of your crop, be sure to purchase Belle de Grand Lieu medlar plants from a recognized medlar plant specialist wholesaler , to ensure you receive healthy, productive plants that meet the demands of professional fruit production.

Presentation of the Medlar 'Belle de Grand Lieu' for professional apple growers and producers in France

The 'Belle de Grand Lieu' medlar is a French variety native to the Loire-Atlantique region. Valued for its hardiness, disease resistance, and the flavor of its fruit, this medlar variety is particularly suited to temperate and cold climates. Producing fruit with sweet, slightly tart flesh, it is suitable for fresh consumption as well as for making jams, compotes, and jellies.

Origin and general characteristics

The 'Belle de Grand Lieu' variety takes its name from Lake Grand-Lieu, located in Loire-Atlantique, where it has been selected and cultivated for several generations. This hardy fruit tree is particularly appreciated for its ability to adapt to varied climatic conditions, with remarkable tolerance to negative winter temperatures.

Description of the fruit

The fruits of the 'Belle de Grand Lieu' medlar tree are rounded, slightly flattened, and orange-yellow in color when ripe. Their diameter varies between 4 and 6 cm, with an average weight ranging from 20 to 70 grams depending on growing conditions.

The flesh is dark brown when ripe, slightly fibrous, tender and sweet, with a subtle acidity that balances its taste. When eaten fully ripe, the fruits develop aromas reminiscent of applesauce with hints of caramel.

Growing conditions and adaptation to French soil

The 'Belle de Grand Lieu' medlar is a particularly hardy tree, capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -20°C or even -23°C. It adapts well to temperate and cold climates, making it ideal for French producers, particularly in regions with severe winters.

It tolerates a wide variety of soils, but prefers well-drained and fertile soils. It tolerates calcareous and sandy soils, but fears soils that are too wet or poorly drained, which can cause root asphyxiation.

A sunny exposure is recommended to maximize flowering and fruit production. Although it is drought tolerant once established, regular watering is necessary during the first few years of growth.

Pollination and yield

The 'Belle de Grand Lieu' medlar tree is self-fertile, meaning it can produce fruit without the need for another pollinating tree. However, the proximity of other medlar trees can improve pollination and increase productivity.

Its flowering, which occurs between April and May, attracts many pollinators, including bees and other nectar-feeding insects. This tree offers a regular and generous production, with a harvest generally spread between late October and early December.

Compatible rootstocks and recommendations

The choice of rootstock is crucial to optimize the vigor and adaptation of the Medlar 'Belle de Grand Lieu' to French soil and climate conditions. Several options are possible:

• Quince BA29 : Promotes rapid fruit set and good adaptation to fertile, well-drained soils.
• Medlar franc : Ensures long life for the tree and good resistance to water stress, but slightly delays the start of production.
• Frank pear tree : Offers good compatibility and better tolerance to calcareous soils.

Maintenance and cultivation management

The 'Belle de Grand Lieu' medlar is a medium-sized tree that can reach between 4 and 6 meters in height when mature. It has a naturally spreading habit, which makes harvesting the fruit easier.

Light pruning is recommended at the end of winter to remove dead branches and improve canopy ventilation. Thinning pruning can be carried out every 2 to 3 years to promote better fruiting and a balanced vegetation.

Adding organic compost in spring and a light potassium amendment in autumn helps improve flowering and fruit quality.

Harvesting and preserving fruit

The 'Belle de Grand Lieu' medlars are traditionally harvested after the first frosts, towards the end of October or the beginning of November. The cold helps soften the flesh and reduce the astringency of the fruit, making it more pleasant to eat.

The fruit should be stored at room temperature for a few weeks to fully ripen and become soft. It can then be kept cool for several weeks without affecting its quality.

Once fully ripe, they can be eaten directly with a spoon, made into jams, compotes or even fruit pastes.

Resistance to diseases and pests

The 'Belle de Grand Lieu' medlar is known for its good resistance to disease, making it a variety that requires few phytosanitary treatments. However, certain precautions must be taken:

• Brown rot : This disease can cause fruit rot in high humidity conditions. Proper ventilation of the branches and removal of affected fruit will limit the risk.
• Medlar scab : Can affect leaves and fruit in wet conditions. Regular pruning and good tree spacing reduce the spread.
• Aphids : Can attack young shoots in spring. Introducing natural predators, such as ladybugs, provides effective control.

Uses and commercial development

The 'Belle de Grand Lieu' medlar is mainly valued for its fresh consumption after bletting, but it also has strong potential for processing.

• Jams and compotes : Its melting and sweet flesh makes it an ideal ingredient for artisanal and gourmet preparations.
• Jellies : The richness of natural pectin in medlars allows for well-set jellies without the addition of artificial gelling agents.
• Liqueurs and syrups : Some local producers use medlars to make aromatic and traditional drinks.

Its hardiness and ease of cultivation make it an interesting choice for producers looking for an undemanding variety offering good potential for development.

Outlook for French producers

The 'Belle de Grand Lieu' medlar tree is an excellent opportunity to diversify a fruit orchard, particularly due to its resistance to disease and its good adaptation to French climatic conditions.

Its regular production, combined with a growing demand for old and rustic fruits, makes it an attractive product for niche markets, direct sales and short circuits.

To maximize its potential, it is recommended to optimize growing conditions with a suitable rootstock, ensure careful cultural management and enhance the value of its fruits in processed products to increase profitability.

Thanks to its robustness, its taste quality and its great versatility of use, the Medlar 'Belle de Grand Lieu' is establishing itself as a promising variety for apple growers and medlar producers in France.

To summarize: Medlar 'Belle de Grand Lieu'

The 'Belle de Grand Lieu' medlar is a fruit tree suitable for apple growers and professional producers looking for a hardy, disease-resistant variety with a good yield. Thanks to its tasty fruit, edible after ripening, it represents an excellent opportunity for orchard diversification and the artisanal production of processed products such as jams and liqueurs.

If you are considering purchasing Belle de Grand Lieu medlar plants , it is essential to turn to a specialist medlar plant wholesaler to ensure a healthy and productive crop. This variety's adaptation to cold climates and diverse soils makes it a strategic choice for producers looking to invest in a hardy, high-value species.

Its spring flowering attracts pollinators, promoting regular fruiting without the need for other varieties for pollination. In addition, light pruning techniques and the addition of compost ensure good growth and optimal fruiting. Maintaining the medlar tree remains relatively simple, with few phytosanitary treatments required, which reduces costs and promotes more natural production.

To maximize the potential of the 'Belle de Grand Lieu' Medlar, it is recommended to choose a suitable rootstock based on the local soil and climate conditions. Among the best options are Quince BA29 for rapid fruit set and Medlar franc for increased resistance to water stress.

In summary, the 'Belle de Grand Lieu' Medlar is a variety with great potential, both for fresh fruit production and for artisanal processing. Thanks to its hardiness, unique taste and low treatment requirements, it stands out as a profitable alternative for producers looking to diversify their business. For successful cultivation, it is essential to buy Belle de Grand Lieu medlar plants from a specialist medlar plant wholesale supplier , guaranteeing top quality plants, suitable for professional production in France.