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 #3
September 12, 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, should be large in size, free of blemishes, and with the stem attached.

McIntosh – Mature for CA storage (2 samples). Firmness at 16.6 lbs. down from 19.2 lbs. last week. Starch index at 3.3 up from 2.5 last week. Brix level at 12.9. Color is at 68%. Mac’s are ready for Ca storage at this time.

Honeycrisp – Mature for 1^st picking (3 samples). Firmness at 17.5 lbs. down from 20.3 lbs. last week. Starch index is at 4.0. Brix level is 13.0. Color is improving at 77% and Honeycrisp is ready for its 1^st picking. This variety needs multiple pickings over several weeks for premium quality fruit.

Gala - Immature (3 samples). Firmness at 20.9 lbs. down from 22.5 lbs. last week. Starch index is at 1.8 up from 1.1 Brix levels are at 12.7. Color has improved over the past week to 78%.

Empire – Immature (2 samples). Firmness at 20.5 lbs. and starch index is at 1.5. Brix level is at 12.8. Color has improved to 70%

Jonagold – Immature (2 samples). Firmness at 18.7 lbs. and starch index is at 2.5. Brix level is at 12.9 and color is at 48%.

Cortland – Immature (1 sample). Firmness at 18.8 lbs and starch index is at 1.1. Brix level is at 13.9. Color is at 75%

Southwest – Waiting for color on many varieties. Red Delicious is more advanced this year; may harvest before Goldens. Rome harvest has started to prevent bleeding in flesh.

Southeast – Harvest is in a ‘gap’ right now. Looking at Empires, but they are not quite ready yet. Mac and Gala harvest is finished. Honeycrisp harvest is underway, and color is at 76%. Red Delicious is ahead of Goldens in this area too, and Red are almost ready to harvest.

Ridge / Clarksville – Macs are in the mid-term storage range, but most growers are finished with this variety. Empire harvest is underway, and there is better color this week. Jonathans are ready for long term CA storage. Reds are still immature, and Cortlands have not changed from last week. Still picking Honeycrisp and trying to get color on inside apples. Harvest labor is adequate.

Mason / Oceana / Manistee – Picking Macs now. Spot/color picking Galas, which are small in size this year. Cortland color is all over the board. Spot picking Honeycrisp, but color is not good as of yet. Jonagolds have good size.

 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: 9-12-07