NW Michigan Apple Maturity Report | Publications | Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station

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 #6
October 5, 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 - Many varieties are maturing at the same time, and their harvest times are overlapping in the downstate apple regions. Our varieties will mature in a similar fashion in early October.

Brix readings in general, are higher than normal this year in all varieties due to the warmer and sunny summer weather.

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

Jonagold - Overmature (1 sample). Firmness still good in one sample tested. Starch index at 6.5. Brix level is 14.4. Color is fair to excellent depending on the strain. Jonagold is mature for short term storage and fresh sales.

Empire - Mature (1 sample). Firmness holding from last week. Starch index at 5.8, up from 1.9 last week. Color has improved. Brix level is at 12.4. Empire moved very quickly this past week and based on our limited samples should be harvested now.

Golden Delicious - Mature (7 samples). Firmness at 17.7 lbs., similar to last week. Starch index is at 3.2, up slightly from 3.0 last week. Brix level is at 13.9. Nice blush developing. Golden Delicious blocks are ready for long term CA or will be by the weekend. Reports around the state suggest the best Golden Delicious quality in years.

Red Delicious - Mature (4 samples). Firmness at 18.0 lbs. Starch index at 2.6 with brix levels at 12.0. Color is excellent. Three of the four blocks tested have reached the minimal level of starch conversion recommended for long term CA storage. Red Delicious is maturing about a week ahead of the predicted harvest date of 10/13.

Idared - Immature (3 samples). Firmness at 17.4 lbs. and starch index at 2.5. Brix level is at 11.7. Color is fair at 60%. Idared should be entering the mature range for long term storage in 7 to 10 days.

Rome - Immature (2 samples). Firmness is at 22.3 lbs. and the starch index is at 1.7. Brix level is 12.0 and color is good to excellent with no bleeding of skin color into the flesh.

Northern Spy - Immature (4 samples). Firmness is excellent at 21.5 lbs. Starch index at 1.9, up from 1.4 last week. Brix level is at 12.1. Some Spy blocks are currently being harvested, though the fruit is still immature.

STATEWIDE REPORTS

Southwest - Golden Delicious - harvest ongoing. Red Delicious - harvest for mid to short term storage. Rome - entering mature range for long term storage. Idared - mature for long term CA.

Southeast - Golden Delicious - nearly finished. Jonagold - harvest finished. Red Delicious - hurrying to finish, some drop. Spy - ready for CA. Idared - some harvest, can wait for other varieties if needed.

Ridge / Clarksville - Jonagold - finished, except a few waiting on color. Golden Delicious - nearly finished. Red Delicious - harvesting now, some blocks waiting for color. Idared - mature for long term CA. Spy - harvest ongoing. Rome - harvest to begin next week.

Mason / Oceana / Manistee - Jonagold - nearly finished. Golden Delicious - nearly finished. Red Delicious - entering mature range for long term storage. Idared - approaching mature. Rome - will follow Red Delicious.

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: 10-5-05


	Home Background & Projects Calendar Publications Staff Directory Station Videos Links Search	MAES Home \| Field Stations \| Station Home \| Publications \| NW Michigan Apple Maturity Report \| Report #6 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 #6 October 5, 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 - Many varieties are maturing at the same time, and their harvest times are overlapping in the downstate apple regions. Our varieties will mature in a similar fashion in early October. Brix readings in general, are higher than normal this year in all varieties due to the warmer and sunny summer weather. Regional Reports are available on the web at the following address: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/fruit/ripeapple.htm Jonagold - Overmature (1 sample). Firmness still good in one sample tested. Starch index at 6.5. Brix level is 14.4. Color is fair to excellent depending on the strain. Jonagold is mature for short term storage and fresh sales. Empire - Mature (1 sample). Firmness holding from last week. Starch index at 5.8, up from 1.9 last week. Color has improved. Brix level is at 12.4. Empire moved very quickly this past week and based on our limited samples should be harvested now. Golden Delicious - Mature (7 samples). Firmness at 17.7 lbs., similar to last week. Starch index is at 3.2, up slightly from 3.0 last week. Brix level is at 13.9. Nice blush developing. Golden Delicious blocks are ready for long term CA or will be by the weekend. Reports around the state suggest the best Golden Delicious quality in years. Red Delicious - Mature (4 samples). Firmness at 18.0 lbs. Starch index at 2.6 with brix levels at 12.0. Color is excellent. Three of the four blocks tested have reached the minimal level of starch conversion recommended for long term CA storage. Red Delicious is maturing about a week ahead of the predicted harvest date of 10/13. Idared - Immature (3 samples). Firmness at 17.4 lbs. and starch index at 2.5. Brix level is at 11.7. Color is fair at 60%. Idared should be entering the mature range for long term storage in 7 to 10 days. Rome - Immature (2 samples). Firmness is at 22.3 lbs. and the starch index is at 1.7. Brix level is 12.0 and color is good to excellent with no bleeding of skin color into the flesh. Northern Spy - Immature (4 samples). Firmness is excellent at 21.5 lbs. Starch index at 1.9, up from 1.4 last week. Brix level is at 12.1. Some Spy blocks are currently being harvested, though the fruit is still immature. STATEWIDE REPORTS Southwest - Golden Delicious - harvest ongoing. Red Delicious - harvest for mid to short term storage. Rome - entering mature range for long term storage. Idared - mature for long term CA. Southeast - Golden Delicious - nearly finished. Jonagold - harvest finished. Red Delicious - hurrying to finish, some drop. Spy - ready for CA. Idared - some harvest, can wait for other varieties if needed. Ridge / Clarksville - Jonagold - finished, except a few waiting on color. Golden Delicious - nearly finished. Red Delicious - harvesting now, some blocks waiting for color. Idared - mature for long term CA. Spy - harvest ongoing. Rome - harvest to begin next week. Mason / Oceana / Manistee - Jonagold - nearly finished. Golden Delicious - nearly finished. Red Delicious - entering mature range for long term storage. Idared - approaching mature. Rome - will follow Red Delicious. 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: 10-5-05
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