Just yesterday I refreshed my research, because my Potomacs are ripening two weeks ahead of schedule. If you start seeing a few fallen fruits that are not a dark shade of green, lift a few of the largest fruits 45 degrees and see if they easily break off. That seems to be the test.

We brought in a bushel of the biggest ones last night, and the picking will go on for a couple of weeks. We set them in the cool basement for a week and then we can, can, can.

Potomac is rated as 2 week after Bartlett, so I bet you have some ripe ones.

Here's a cut-and-paste from a thread of a few years ago. Lucky wrote this the first time:

>>From a friend of mine who's spent his life growing fruits and fruit trees, and used to operate one of the foremost fruit nurseries in the eastern US:

"Most all European pears (exception is the new Green Jade), require post-picking chill to properly mature. Or, when fruit exhibit slight color changes, begin to test pressure (using your thumb) near the stem. When there is a slight "give", pick all the fruit, store at or near 35 degrees for 7 or more days. Then you can remove them as needed, allow them to sit at room temps for 2-4 days which allows them to ripen to peak flavor.
Years ago, I got a letter from an older NAFEX fellow who told me that European types were very difficult to ripen due to varietal quirks or requirements in post harvest handling. He said "If you live long enough to learn how to properly ripen 10 varieties, you'll be lucky".
I'm still working on it!!!"The rest of the thread may be useful too.

Good luck,

M

Here is a link that might be useful: Ripening pears per Lucky

M, can you re-post the link? Sounds like some very helpful info. I'd like to save it in My Clippings.

Patty S.

planatus, I don't mean to change to subject, but how are Potomac pears? You're the first person I know of growing them

My euro pear trees are too young to bear, haven't had to figure out when to pick yet

For everything I've read, it seems Seckel ripens in Sept, so I'll let mine hang another month before picking.

Patty, it appears that the link is dead. But here it is, FWIW:

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fruit/msg101057145319.html?2

:-)Mark

More from my friend/mentor, the famous nurseryman; this one, I saved from back in 2004:

"Of those which I'm familiar with, Harrow Sweet, Blake's Pride and the soon-to-be-released Shenandoah will store for up to 4 months if picked at the proper time.
For long term storage of any European type, they must be picked when the fruit begins to soften a bit near the stem end. Or simply start checking them once per week a few days prior to "advertised or published" maturity dates. To check them simply use your thumb or finger to press the fruit near the stem. When a slight "give" occurs harvest immediately. And for reasons unknown, maturity will vary like crazy from year to year.
Immediately after harvest place them in your refrigerator in perforated plastic bags and set the thermostat to its lowest temperature (mid 30s if possible) for at least 10 days. Bring them out to ripen at room temperature as you need them.
I've held Magness for three months by doing this."

Then, there was another accomplished orchardist who chimed in with this:
"I would say it is a case by case basis.
For instance, Harvest Queen, Harrow Sweet were tree ripened to a yellow complexion and a smooth buttery texture. My gosh they were so sweet, they melted in your mouth and the neighbors could not believe these were pears. Same pears ripened off tree were very good - on the tree simply stellar. On the other hand, Warren rotted on the tree, and Potomac would not ripen on it."

hawkins, our Potomac came from Edible Landscaping fifteen years ago. It's standard size and last year was the only year it didn't make a crop. It's a D'anjou x Moonglow cross, definitely unique in how it ripens. The pears are delicious fresh when ripened nicely indoors. We can most of them, because we have Asian pears and apples for drying.

Potomac's main claim to fame is its high level of fire blight resistance. Even in cool, wet springs, it seldom loses a branch.

Thanks everyone!