MSU Fruit Team Apple Maturity Report - 2005
Northwest Region

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

NW MICHIGAN APPLE MATURITY REPORT #5
September 28, 2005

2005 Predicted Harvest Dates

Maturity Reports from other Regions in Michigan

This year the NWMHRS will again be testing apples for maturity. Results will be sent via fax and email to past apple maturity list subscribers and results will be put on the pome fruit section of the code-a-phone (947-3063). The maturity newsletter and code-a-phone will be updated weekly on Wednesdays. If you have not received this information in the past and wish to subscribe to the list, please contact the NWMHRS (946-1510 or nwmihort@msu.edu). 

General Comments - 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 15.6 lbs., down from 17.0 lbs. last week. Starch index is at 7.2, up from 5.7 last week. Color on the ripest fruit is about 80%. Brix level is at 14.0. This variety needs multiple pickings for premium quality fruit. Some blocks with light crops are nearly finished, while trees or blocks with heavier crop loads still have multiple pickings to come.

Gala - Mature (4 samples). Firmness average is 19.1 lbs., down 1.7 lbs. from last week. Starch index is at 4.0, up from 1.9. Brix level has increased slightly to 14.4. Color on most fruit is excellent. 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 with firmness at 20.1 lbs. and starch index at 1.1.

McIntosh - Mature (4 samples). Firmness average is unchanged from last week at 16.1 lbs and starch index 2.9, up 0.5 from last week. Color is good at 67% and has deepened from last week. Brix level is at 13.8. McIntosh is mature for CA storage in some blocks and will be ready in others by this weekend or early next week. Some fruit drop has been seen in McIntosh.

Empire - Immature (3 samples). Firmness at 19.0 lbs. Starch index at 1.6, up from 1.1 last week. Color is good. Brix level is at 12.7. Some fruit is being harvested for taffy apples.

Golden Delicious - Immature (1 sample). Firmness at 19.2 lbs. and starch index is at 3.1. Brix level is at 13.4. Fruit still had full green background color.

STATEWIDE REPORTS

Southwest - Gala - finished. Empire - nearly ready for CA. Golden Delicious - the most mature blocks are ready for storage. Jonathan - mature for all uses. Jonagold - harvest is underway. Red Delicious - harvest of early and high colored strains is underway.

Southeast - Gala and McIntosh - finished. Empire - mature for mid to LT CA. Cortland - immature. Golden Delicious - entering mature range. Jonathan - mature, some harvest. Jonagold - mature, needs color. Red Delicious - approaching mature.

Ridge / Clarksville - McIntosh and Honeycrisp - most blocks finished. Empire - harvesting, at the minimum for export harvest. Jonathan - mature. Jonagold - ready for harvest, color fair. Golden Delicious - majority ready for LT CA next week. Red Delicious - about a week away.

Mason / Oceana / Manistee - Gala, McIntosh and Honeycrisp - wrapping up. Jonagold - mature for LT CA. Cortland - will finish this week for processing. Golden Delicious - immature. Empire - harvest will begin in 4 to 7 days. Jonathan - entering mature range.

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

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: 9-28-05