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 #4
September 19, 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 (no samples). Most McIntosh in the area have been harvested.

Honeycrisp – Mature (3 samples). Firmness at 16.5 lbs., down from 17.5 lbs. last week. Starch index is at 6.2, up from 4.0. Brix level is 13.3. Color is improving at 89%. Well colored Honeycrisp are ready for picking. This variety needs multiple pickings over several weeks for premium quality fruit.

Gala - Immature (3 samples). Firmness at 20.5 lbs., down from 20.9 lbs. last week. Starch index is at 1.7, unchanged from last week. Brix levels are at 12.8. Color has improved over the past week to 95%. Gala should be ready for CA storage in 5 to 7 days unless the fruit was treated with Retain.

Empire – Immature (1 sample). Firmness at 18.1 lbs. and starch index is at 1.3. Brix level is at 12.9. Color has improved to 90%. Some Empire in the area have been harvested for the taffy apple market.

Jonagold – Entering the mature range (2 samples). Firmness at 18.7 lbs., unchanged from last week. Starch index is at 3.9, up from 2.5 last week. Brix level is at 14. Color has greatly improved to 85%.

Golden Delicious – Immature (3 samples). Firmness at 20.4 lbs and starch index is at 1.3. Brix level is at 14.5. Fruit are showing some blush, background color is still green.

Southwest – Jonathan - beyond LT CA window. Empire and Honeycrisp - nearly finished. Golden Delicious - ready for CA, some already picked for processing. Idared - some harvest, many blocks can wait. Jonagold - ready for harvest, unless color is poor. Red Delicious - harvest underway for LT storage.

Southeast – Empire - color improving. Redcort is being harvested. Jonagold - color improving, firmness dropped dramatically. Red Delicious - Low pressure, great color. N. Spy - blister spot and bitterpit being found. Labor supply and weather have both been great.

Ridge / Clarksville – Empire - nearly finished. Jonathan - most fruit still on trees. Cortland - waiting for better color. Golden Delicious - harvesting this week and next. Red Delicious - ready for LT CA in one week. Idared - ready for LT CA in 10 - 14 days. Jonagold in some areas are ready before Empire. Labor supply is good.

Mason / Oceana / Manistee – Gala - most blocks are finishing harvest. Empire - many are being harvested now.

 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: 9-19-07