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

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 20, 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 growers are interested in having fruit tested for maturity, a 10 to 12 apple sample should be dropped off 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, free of blemishes, and with the stem attached. Reminder for storage operators using 1-MCP: recommendations state that fruit should be treated with 1-MCP within 7 days of harvest (3 days for McIntosh).

McIntosh - Mature (2 samples). Firmness around 16.5 lbs, and the starch index at 4.5, up from 3.9 last week. Brix level at 12.8. Color has improved to 90 % from 76% last week. Some drop has been noted as the fruit size, and the apples crowd each other off the limb.

HoneyCrisp - Mature (2 samples). This variety needs multiple pickings over several weeks for premium quality fruit. Many blocks have had two pickings at this point. Firmness at 16.6 lbs., down from 19.3. Starch index at 7.0, up from 4.6; brix level at 12.7.

Gala - Mature (4 samples). Firmness averaging 21.5 lbs., down slightly from last week. Starch index is at 3.1 this week, and brix levels are at 12.6. Color is excellent at over 90%. Three of the four samples were in the mature range for long term CA Storage.

Golden Delicious - Immature (2 samples). Firmness at 20.7 lbs. and starch index at 1.8. Brix level at 14.3.

Empire - No samples this week.

IdaRed - Immature (1 sample). Firmness: 21.9 lbs. Starch index: 1.1. Brix: 12.3. Color on this sample is excellent at 98%.

STATEWIDE REPORTS

Southwest - Gala - harvest finished. Jonathan, Empire & HoneyCrisp - harvest nearly complete. Jonagold - some harvest, waiting for better color. Golden Delicious - nearing mature. Red Delicious - some Early Chief harvest.

Southeast - Empire & Jonagold - spot picking. Jonathan - mature. Golden Delicious - early strains beginning harvest. Red Delicious - nearing mature (no harvest yet). IdaRed & Spy - immature.

Ridge / Clarksville - Empire - beginning harvest for export. Jonathan & Jonagold - entering the long term CA window. Golden & Red Delicious - still starchy

Mason / Oceana / Manistee - McIntosh - finishing harvest. Gala - suitable for long term CA. HoneyCrisp - nearly finshed. Empire - nearly mature, may begin this weekend. Jonagold - waiting for color. Golden Delicious - immature

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: 9-20-06


	Home Background & Projects Calendar Publications Staff Directory Station Videos Links Search	MAES Home \| Field Stations \| Station Home \| Publications \| NW Michigan Apple Maturity Report \| Report #3 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 #3 September 20, 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 growers are interested in having fruit tested for maturity, a 10 to 12 apple sample should be dropped off 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, free of blemishes, and with the stem attached. Reminder for storage operators using 1-MCP: recommendations state that fruit should be treated with 1-MCP within 7 days of harvest (3 days for McIntosh). McIntosh - Mature (2 samples). Firmness around 16.5 lbs, and the starch index at 4.5, up from 3.9 last week. Brix level at 12.8. Color has improved to 90 % from 76% last week. Some drop has been noted as the fruit size, and the apples crowd each other off the limb. HoneyCrisp - Mature (2 samples). This variety needs multiple pickings over several weeks for premium quality fruit. Many blocks have had two pickings at this point. Firmness at 16.6 lbs., down from 19.3. Starch index at 7.0, up from 4.6; brix level at 12.7. Gala - Mature (4 samples). Firmness averaging 21.5 lbs., down slightly from last week. Starch index is at 3.1 this week, and brix levels are at 12.6. Color is excellent at over 90%. Three of the four samples were in the mature range for long term CA Storage. Golden Delicious - Immature (2 samples). Firmness at 20.7 lbs. and starch index at 1.8. Brix level at 14.3. Empire - No samples this week. IdaRed - Immature (1 sample). Firmness: 21.9 lbs. Starch index: 1.1. Brix: 12.3. Color on this sample is excellent at 98%. STATEWIDE REPORTS Southwest - Gala - harvest finished. Jonathan, Empire & HoneyCrisp - harvest nearly complete. Jonagold - some harvest, waiting for better color. Golden Delicious - nearing mature. Red Delicious - some Early Chief harvest. Southeast - Empire & Jonagold - spot picking. Jonathan - mature. Golden Delicious - early strains beginning harvest. Red Delicious - nearing mature (no harvest yet). IdaRed & Spy - immature. Ridge / Clarksville - Empire - beginning harvest for export. Jonathan & Jonagold - entering the long term CA window. Golden & Red Delicious - still starchy Mason / Oceana / Manistee - McIntosh - finishing harvest. Gala - suitable for long term CA. HoneyCrisp - nearly finshed. Empire - nearly mature, may begin this weekend. Jonagold - waiting for color. Golden Delicious - immature 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: 9-20-06
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