Mike Basedow and Jenn Stanton, CCE-ENYCHP, Northern NY
This week we are once again reporting on Gala, McIntosh, and Honeycrisp. Of the two Gala blocks we looked at this week, one has already been spot picked, and the other looks to be ready for a spot pick for fruit destined for CA storage. The three McIntosh blocks were all holding firm and starch was averaging in the upper 3’s, so we think picking can commence in these blocks. The harvest cutoff date for Mac CA storage was predicted to be September 19th for the Champlain Valley, according to the model by Blanpied and Silsby when we ran it back in early August. The earlier Honeycrisp block we looked at looks to be ready for a spot pick now, and the second block looks like it should be ready sometime late this week.
This week’s samples were collected Monday September 8th and processed the same day. Fruit were picked from orchards in Peru.
Sample size is 10 fruit picked for average maturity, from multiple trees, on both sides of the row for the McIntosh. Honeycrisp and Gala were “spot-picked” for the most red fruit.
As blocks receive harvest management PGR’s we will update their treatment in the final data column so you can better compare against your blocks.
Due to the large amount of variability associated with strains, rootstock selections, planting systems, the widespread use of ReTain, Harvista, ethephon, and local orchard microclimates, it is impossible to sample and process enough locations to make specific harvest recommendations. ENYCHP HMP data is meant to be used as a general indicator of apple harvest maturity, and nothing more.
When we have them, we’ll also include data from previous years to serve as a comparison.
Weekly Summary of Fruit Maturity Progress
Gala for 9/8/2025
Comments: Block 1 was spot picked last week, so we are now looking at 2nd pick fruit in that block. With that in mind, the remaining fruit are still immature and will need some time before a second pass should be taken through the block.
Block 2 has not been picked yet. Background color is changing to more of a cream than green in the fruit we looked at today. DA continues to come down, but on average is still above the 0.4 mark recommended for long term storage potential. SPI is within the recommended zone for CA storage as well, and brix is very close to the 12% benchmark. Fruit are still very firm, and flavor was pretty good. I think this block is ready for a first pick if the fruit are intended for long term CA storage. For short term storage, I would estimate they can probably be spot picked nearer to the end of this week.
For Gala, firmness is not a major issue, and the starch pattern is an unreliable indicator of maturity. It is not uncommon to have a range of 1-7 or 2-8 in SPI’s from one 10 apple sample from a block, in which all the fruit (externally) look to be of nearly the same maturity. However, you want to target an average SPI of 3-4 for longer-term CA fruit and 5-6 for short-term RA fruit. Target a brix above 12%, and varietal flavor development. For long term CA stored fruit, you do not need to wait for background color change from light green to cream. Fruit with a bright yellow background are over-mature and should not be stored long-term, instead market these fruit immediately. DA for long term storage is generally above 0.4. We will continue testing these blocks next week.
McIntosh for 9/8/2025
Comments: All three of the Mac blocks we looked at today are in good shape. Fruit are still holding nice and firm, above 17 pounds, and starch is slowly progressing to the upper 3’s, still well below the 5-6 cutoff range for CA storage. I thought flavor was good in the fruit I sampled. I think we are entering the window for picking macs for long term storage this week. When I ran the CA cutoff model for macs earlier this summer, the model suggested a CA cutoff date of September 19th for Peru.
For long-term storage with Macs, you are targeting a firmness of >15 lbs, and an SPI of 5-6. Note that starch conversion can be variable. We will continue testing the Rogers and Ruby Mac block next week.
Honeycrisp for 9/8/2025
Comments: We once again looked at two Honeycrisp blocks this week. The first block has fruit with red color that is really starting to pop. Background color is changing to cream, which is reflected in the DA value staring to come down. Starch in this block is also now within the target 5-6 for CA storage. Fruit are still holding firm at 16 pounds, and brix is just shy of the 13% recommended. I think this block is ready for a first pick this week for fruit destined for CA storage.
The second block we looked at is a few days behind the first block. Brix and SPI were a little bit lower, and the DA values a little higher in this block, with the background color a little bit greener. I think this block will likely be ready for a spot pick for CA storage later in the week.
To determine harvest readiness, look for color that “jumps out” when the yellow background color makes the red almost florescent or iridescent. Ideal is the ground color turning to cream with 80% bright red cheek. SPI is not relevant, but generally they’re over 7 in most fruit that are ready to pick. Target 5-6 for fruit destined for CA. A firmness greater than 14 pounds and a brix above 13% are desirable. Stem clipping is tedious, but will reduce the incidence of stem punctures in this high-value apple. Once color change has happened, then an every other day walk-through is warranted to determine readiness. We will continue testing these blocks next week.
We will continue testing some of the Gala, Mac, and Honeycrisp blocks next week, and will also begin testing Cortland and NY-1.