When damaged, ethylene is given off more rapidly and will hasten the ripening of other apples in the container. Apples often pass their odor or flavor to more delicately flavored produce and the ethylene given off by apples can accelerate ripening in other crops. When possible, store apples separately. Pears For good flavor and texture, pears, except for Seckel must be ripened after harvest. Pick pears when they are fully mature.
Fruit is ready to harvest while it is quite firm but the color has lightened to a pale green.
It should part easily from the branch when you lift up on the fruit and twist. Pears left to ripen on the tree tend to become grainy or stringy. The center also may turn brown before the exterior shows deterioration. Ripening will take 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the type of pear. After ripening, pears should be canned or preserved.