From North Holland to Haspengouw: A Close Look at Pear Growth in Week 29

Pear Growth Update Week 29: Hageland Extends Lead, Regional Differences Increase

Summer is in full swing, and it shows in the pear orchards! Using our WolkyTolky systems and Ecomatik dendrometers, we measure daily pear growth in five key fruit regions: North Holland, Betuwe, Zeeland, Hageland (BE), and Haspengouw (BE). Time for a new update: how are the pears growing in week 29, and what stands out when we look at the longer period?

In addition to the text, you will see a recent measurement from the WolkyTolky app, which closely monitors the growth of a pear and the humidity in the orchard. It is striking that around July 18, the growth of the pear diameter temporarily stagnates: the blue line runs flat, while the green line shows that the humidity drops sharply below 70% at that time. This indicates that the pear loses more moisture than it absorbs during this dry period, causing growth to come to a standstill. As soon as the humidity rises again, the diameter recovers and growth continues. This measurement clearly shows how directly fruit growth responds to fluctuations in the microclimate of the orchard.

Average Growth and Distribution

Since mid-June, the average growth of the pear diameter in the five regions has been approximately 20 mm, with a spread of 18 to 23 mm. Most regions started around 36-39 mm and are now between 54 and 62 mm. Hageland (BE) shows the largest increase, while Betuwe remains structurally below the average.

To provide insight into the differences between the regions, the average growth per day is shown below, along with the growth percentage relative to Betuwe (the region with the lowest growth, which is taken as 100%):

Region	Starting Diameter (mm)	Ending Diameter (mm)	Average Growth per Day (mm)	Growth Compared to Betuwe (%)
North Holland	38	57	0,59	105%
Betuwe	36	54	0,56	100%
Zeeland	37	56	0,59	105%
Hageland (BE)	39	62	0,72	129%
Haspengouw (BE)	38	59	0,66	118%

Outliers and Deviations

Hageland (BE) stands out due to a clear acceleration in growth from the beginning of July, putting this region about 5 mm ahead of the rest. Haspengouw (BE) follows, with a slightly less steep growth curve. Zeeland and North Holland move fairly equally, while Betuwe lags behind throughout the entire measurement period. Zeeland shows a slight catch-up after July 10.

Notable Growth Moments and the Weather

Around June 26-30, an acceleration in growth is visible in all regions, which coincides with a period of moderate temperatures and some showers. A warm, sunny period follows at the beginning of July. It is striking that Hageland (BE) accelerates precisely then, possibly due to a combination of heat and sufficient water. After July 10, growth flattens in most regions, except in Hageland (BE) and Zeeland, where the growth lines become steeper.

Factual Conclusion

The growth data from week 29 show that the differences between the regions are increasing. Hageland (BE) is extending its lead, Betuwe is lagging behind, and Zeeland is showing a recovery after an earlier lag. The growth curves show clear reactions to weather changes, especially around the end of June and the beginning of July. The data underscore the importance of local conditions and weather influences on fruit growth.

Questions? We are happy to help you!

Would you like to know more about these measurements, the possibilities of WolkyTolky or do you have other questions? Please visit our contact page for more information or to contact us directly. We are happy to think along with you!