Apple Maturity Report | Publications | Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station

Nikki Rothwell, Dist. Horticulturist, MSUE
Rob Sirrine, Leelanau County Extension Director, MSUE
Bill Klein, Farm Manager

NW MICHIGAN APPLE MATURITY REPORT #2
September 5, 2007

2007 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. Fairly heavy drop in McIntosh has been noted in other areas of the state.

Sunrise - Mature (no samples).

Gingergold - Mature (no samples). 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 - Immature (3 samples). Firmness at 19.2 lbs down from 23 lbs. last week. Starch index at 2.5 up from 1.6 last week. Brix level at 12. Color is at 68%. Estimated date for harvest in NW Michigan is 9/9 for CA Storage. Some drop has been noted.

HoneyCrisp - Immature (2 samples). Firmness at 20.3 lbs. and starch index at 2.2. Brix level is 12.9. Color is improving and a few apples per tree are nearing maturity. 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.

Gala - Immature (3 samples). Firmness at 22.5 lbs. down from 23.4 lbs. last week. Starch index is at 1.1 and brix levels are at 11.7. Color has improved over the past week.

STATEWIDE REPORTS

Southwest - Gala is being harvested. Honeycrisp is being spot picked. Empire are being harvested for the taffy apple and slice market and may start the end of the week for storage for the fresh market.

Southeast - Gala - 80% harvested. Mac - 40 to 50% done. Honeycrisp - spot picking. Empire, Jonathan and Jonagold - immature.

Ridge / Clarksville - Gala is being harvested now. Macs - 15 to 20% harvested. Honycrisp - spot picking. Empire should begin next week. Jonathan, Cortland and Jonagold - immature

Mason / Oceana / Manistee - Mac - harvesting, some drop. Gala - ready for spot picking. Honeycrisp - may begin spot picking by the end of the week. Empire and Cortland - immature.

This report is sponsored by:
Gerber Products
Valent USA
Project GREEEN
Michigan State Horticulture Society
Michigan Apple Research Committee
Michigan Apple Shippers
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:9-5-07


	Home Background & Projects Calendar Publications Staff Directory Station Videos Links Search	MAES Home \| Field Stations \| Station Home \| Publications \| NW Michigan Apple Maturity Report \| Report #1 MSU Fruit Team Apple Maturity Report - 2007 Northwest Region Nikki Rothwell, Dist. Horticulturist, MSUE Rob Sirrine, Leelanau County Extension Director, MSUE Bill Klein, Farm Manager NW MICHIGAN APPLE MATURITY REPORT #2 September 5, 2007 2007 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. Fairly heavy drop in McIntosh has been noted in other areas of the state. Sunrise - Mature (no samples). Gingergold - Mature (no samples). 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 - Immature (3 samples). Firmness at 19.2 lbs down from 23 lbs. last week. Starch index at 2.5 up from 1.6 last week. Brix level at 12. Color is at 68%. Estimated date for harvest in NW Michigan is 9/9 for CA Storage. Some drop has been noted. HoneyCrisp - Immature (2 samples). Firmness at 20.3 lbs. and starch index at 2.2. Brix level is 12.9. Color is improving and a few apples per tree are nearing maturity. 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. Gala - Immature (3 samples). Firmness at 22.5 lbs. down from 23.4 lbs. last week. Starch index is at 1.1 and brix levels are at 11.7. Color has improved over the past week. STATEWIDE REPORTS Southwest - Gala is being harvested. Honeycrisp is being spot picked. Empire are being harvested for the taffy apple and slice market and may start the end of the week for storage for the fresh market. Southeast - Gala - 80% harvested. Mac - 40 to 50% done. Honeycrisp - spot picking. Empire, Jonathan and Jonagold - immature. Ridge / Clarksville - Gala is being harvested now. Macs - 15 to 20% harvested. Honycrisp - spot picking. Empire should begin next week. Jonathan, Cortland and Jonagold - immature Mason / Oceana / Manistee - Mac - harvesting, some drop. Gala - ready for spot picking. Honeycrisp - may begin spot picking by the end of the week. Empire and Cortland - immature. This report is sponsored by: Gerber Products Valent USA Project GREEEN Michigan State Horticulture Society Michigan Apple Research Committee Michigan Apple Shippers 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:9-5-07
MAES Home \| Field Stations \| Station Home \| Contact Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station 6686 S. Center Hwy • Traverse City, Michigan 49684 Tel: 231/946-1510 Fax: 231/946-1404
Last Updated: September 5, 2007 © 2006-2007 Michigan State University Board of Trustees