MSU Fruit Team Apple Maturity Report - 2005
Northwest Region

Jim Nugent, Dist. Horticulture Agent
Nikki Rothwell, Dist Fruit IPM Agent
Bill Klein, Farm Manager
Jim Bardenhagen, Leelanau Cty Extension Director

NW MICHIGAN APPLE MATURITY REPORT #3
September 14, 2005

2005 Predicted Harvest Dates

General Comments - If you are interested in having your fruit tested, drop off a 10 apple sample at the NW Station on Mondays, if possible. The fruit should be picked randomly from the outside portion of the trees and should be large in size and free of blemishes with the stem attached.

Brix readings are higher than normal this year across all varieties due to the warmer and sunny summer weather we experienced.

Regional Reports are available on the web at the following address:
http://web1.msue.msu.edu/fruit/ripeapple.htm

HoneyCrisp - Mature (5 samples). Firmness average is 17.0 lbs. and starch index at 5.7 up from 2.0 last week. Color on the ripest fruit is about 70%. Brix level is 13.7. This variety needs multiple pickings for premium quality fruit. First picking on this variety should take place now, but will probably be limited to fewer than 25% of the tree.

Gala - Approaching mature (6 samples). Firmness average is 20.8 lbs, down 1 lb. from last week. Starch index at 1.9. One block is entering the long term CA window. Brix level is 13.7. Color has increased this week and is good to excellent depending on the strain. Gala is expected to ripen prior to or along with McIntosh this season due to the warmer than normal summer temperatures we experienced. Retain treated samples were less mature.

McIntosh - Approaching mature. Firmness average is 16.2 lbs and starch index 2.4, slightly up from last week. Color is good at 65% and has deepened from last week. Brix level is 13.3. McIntosh is near maturity levels for CA storage in some blocks and will be ready in others in the next week. Some fruit drop has been seen in McIntosh. The expected cooler night time temperatures should increase coloring and help hasten maturity.

Empire - Immature. Firmness at 21.7 lbs. Starch index at 1.1. Color - fair. Brix at 12.6 

STATEWIDE REPORTS

Southwest - Gala - finished. Empire - about 7 days off. Golden Delicious - immature, some processing harvest. Jonathan - ready for processing, wait for fresh. Jonagold - waiting for better color. Red Delicious - moving into mature zone, expect harvest in 5 to 7 days.

Southeast - Gala - finished. McIntosh - nearly finished. HoneyCrisp - in 3^rd or 4^th picking. Empire - approaching mature. Cortland and Golden Delicious - immature. Jonathan - variable maturity. Jonagold - 7 to 10 days away, needs color.

Ridge / Clarksville - McIntosh - harvest nearly complete. Gala - moving to mid to short term CA window, may finish this week. HoneyCrisp - 3^rd picking. Empire - approaching mature, ready for export harvest. Jonathan - red sports will be harvested next week. Jonagold - next week for processing / storage, 10 days for fresh

Mason / Oceana / Manistee - Gala - harvest nearly complete. McIntosh - harvest ongoing. Honeycrisp - mature. Jonagold - needs color. Cortland - being harvested for processing. Golden Delicious - immature, some spot picking. Empire - harvest will begin next week.

This report is sponsored by:
Gerber Products
Valent USA 
Project GREEEN
Michigan Apple Shippers
Michigan State Horticulture Society
Michigan Apple Research Committee
MSU Extension
Michigan Agricultual Experiment Station

Current pricing information can be obtained at the following web sites:
www.ams.usda.gov/marketnews.htm
www.bhfm.com

Maturity Reports from other Regions

NW Michigan Pome Fruit Code-a-phone/Apple Maturity Line (231) 947-3063.

Please send any comments or suggestions regarding this site to:
Bill Klein, kleinw@msu.edu

Last Revised: 9-14-05