MSU Fruit Team Apple Maturity Report - 2006
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 #1
September 6, 2006

2006 Predicted Harvest Dates

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 - If you are interested in having your fruit tested, drop off a 10 to 12 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. Ethylene levels have been noted high throughout the state this year, likely the result of this summers exceptional heat. Higher than usual ethylene, combined with crop load is resulting in high pre-harvest fruit drop in McIntosh and other drop susceptible varieties.

Zesta - Mature (1 sample). Firmness at 14.9 lbs. Starch Index is at 5.8

GingerGold - Mature (1 sample). Firmness at 15.0 lbs, GingerGold tends to soften quickly even before ripening. Starch level is 4 with brix level at 13.9. Harvest has begun in the area. Background color should just be starting to turn yellowish at the time of harvest. Fruit that ripens to the point of full yellow will not hold up well in storage.

McIntosh - Approaching mature (1 sample). Firmness at about 14.0 lbs., down from 17.6 lbs last week. Starch index at 2.8 up from 2.0 last week. Brix level at 12.3. Color has improved to 72 % from only 50% last week. Some drop has been noted as the fruit size and tend to crowd each other off the limb.

HoneyCrisp - Immature. This variety needs multiple pickings over several weeks for premium quality fruit. Watch for first 2 to 3 apples per tree to color for the first picking. Harvest of immature Honeycrisp has been noted throughout Michigan - this will hurt the Honeycrisp deal in the long run if it continues into the future.

Gala - Immature (1 sample). Firmness at 21.4 lbs., down from 22.7 lbs. last week. Starch index has increased by 0.5 to 1.9 and brix levels are up to 11.8. Early ripening / red strains may be mature at this time for spot picking.

Southwest - Gala is being spot picked with some blocks on their 3^rd picking.

Southeast - Mac - some harvest. Gala - spot picking. Honeycrisp - 1^st picking on early sites. Cortland - immature

Ridge / Clarksville - Excellent color and fruit size, fruit seems looser than normal. Gala - color picking, stripping red strains. Mac - color picking. Honeycrisp - spot picking (5% mature)

Mason / Oceana / Manistee - Gingergold and Paulared are being harvested. Honeycrisp nearly ready for 1^st picking. Some drop in Macs

This report is sponsored by:
Gerber Products
Valent USA 
Project GREEEN  
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: 9-6-06