Tree-ripened fruit are also poorly favored. Harvest pears when the color of the fruit changes from a deep green to a light green. At the time of harvest, the fruit will still be firm, not soft. The ripening process should take 7 to 10 days. To hasten ripening, place the fruit in a tightly sealed plastic bag.
Pears give off ethylene gas which accumulates in the bag and promotes ripening.
Pears can be stored for approximately 1 to 3 months. Remove stored fruit about 1 week prior to use. Plums As plums approach maturity, the fruit develop their characteristic color. The ripened fruit color of other varieties vary from yellow to red. Color, however, should not be the sole basis for harvesting plums.