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 #5
September 26, 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.

Honeycrisp – Mature (3 samples). Firmness at 15.4 lbs., down from 16.5 lbs. last week. Starch index is at 7.4, up from 6.2. Brix level is 13.3. Color is excellent at 93%. Well colored Honeycrisp are ready for picking. This variety needs multiple pickings over several weeks for premium quality fruit.

Gala - Entering the mature range (2 samples). Firmness at 18.9 lbs., down from 20.5 lbs. last week. Starch index is at 2.7, up from 1.7 from last week. Brix levels are at 13.2. Color is still over 90%. Gala should be ready for CA unless the fruit was treated with Retain.

Empire – Immature (1 sample). Firmness at 18.2 lbs. and starch index is at 1.0. Brix level is at 13.5. 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 17.7 lbs., down from 18.7 lbs. last week. Starch index is at 5.6, up from 3.9 last week. Brix level is at 14.3. Color has greatly improved to 95%. Some strains may need to hang to gain more color.

Golden Delicious – Immature (3 samples). Firmness at 19.5 lbs., down from 20.4 lbs last week. Starch index is at 2.0 up from 1.3. Brix level is at 15.9. Fruit are showing up to 25% blush, background color is still green. Goldens in some blocks may be ready for CA storage in about 1 week.

Red Delicious - Entering the mature range (3 samples). Firmness at 19.5 lbs. and the starch index is at 2.6. Brix level is at 13.6. Fruit is 100% colored, but could improve with some cool nights. The three samples tested are just entering the mature range for long term CA storage.

Southwest – Jonathan, Empire, Honeycrisp and Jonagold are mostly finished. Golden Delicious, Red Delicious and IdaRed are all being harvested. Fuji and Braeburn waiting for better size and color.

Southeast – Empire nearly finished. Jonagold and Golden Delicious are being spot picked. Red Delicious harvest is ongoing. IdaRed will be ready next week.

Ridge / Clarksville – Empire nearly finished. Jonathan and Jonagold coming off in good numbers this week. Red Delicious harvest is ongoing. Lots of drop in all varieties.

Mason / Oceana / Manistee – Empire and Jonagold are nearly finished. Red Delicious uniform ripening with excellent color and firmness. Mutsu is 7 to 10 days away from harvest with lots of Blister Spot. Northern Spy in nearly mature.

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: 9-26-07