They're ripening earlier than usual, and you've waited too late to harvest them. Most European pears, if left to 'ripen on the tree' do exactly what you've described - they 'rot from the inside out'.

Thanks for the reply. We usually don't harvest until now but it has been a hotter summer then usual. It is a Barlett pear, if that makes any difference.
Clare

I am from Illinois and I too had this problem, Thanks to the response received here I saved alot of my pears. Thanks

Kevin

I picked them all this weekend and yesterday. They are still a little under ripe in flavor but will let them ripen in the house.
Clare
{{gwi:124072}}

I'm jealous!

This "pick unripe and ripen in refridgerator" tip is great! I'll remember it when my bartletts finally bear. I'm experiencing my very first pear blossoms today and they smell great!

tomatozilla - "first pear blossoms today" I am curious, where are you located? My tree is losing it leaves and ready to go dormant.
Clare

Ripening in the refrigerator isn't necessary. I place mine in a paper bag and leave them in a cool dry place in the garage or kitchen, checking them every few days. Once they are ripe, move them to the refrigerator to slow any further ripening. I think the flavor is better if not moved to the refrigerator too soon.

Hi,

I came across your page and I'm very interested in if other readers have a solution to my problem apart from myself going back to the store to tell them what is happening.

My wife bought some pears from Woolworths here on the
Gold Coast,Queensland,Australia which were very hard and of a green color.

We have a very temperate sometimes high humid semi tropical
climate 20-28deg during the day most times of the year and in just about all cases with fruit after purchasing it we leave it on the dining room table to ripen in 2-4days. The only time we use the refrigerator is to hold the fruit in a ripen state.

With this last batch of pairs they were firm on the outside and of a good yellow color but when cut open were all brown and mushy. I'm sorry I can not tell you what variety they were or where they came from because the "bastards" don't either know or don't want to tell you anyway...knowing them probably China !!

Maybe I go back and buy some more pears put them straight in the refrigerator and see what happens. Either way I would be interested in what other people suggest.

Many thanks,

Rud

what if the flesh is still green on the inside?