Champlain Valley Harvest Maturity Program Report: Week 9

Posted on by mrb254

Champlain Valley Harvest Maturity Program Report: Week 9

Mike Basedow and Jenn Stanton, CCE-ENYCHP, Northern NY

This week we are reporting on NY-2, Aztec Fuji, and Early Cripps Pink (Pink Lady™) ‘Barnsby’. The untreated NY-2 blocks are ready for picking. The Aztec Fuji and Early Cripps Pink are likely a week away from picking. 

This week’s samples were collected on Monday October 7th 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 Macoun and NY-2.  Fuji and Early Cripps Pink were “spot-picked” for the reddest fruit.

As blocks continue to 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 

NY-2 for 10/7/2024

Comments: We looked at two blocks of NY-2 this week. Color is very good in both of the blocks. Firmness is holding well in both blocks still, despite not being treated with either ReTain or Harvista this season. Brix is within the target range for block 1, but is still on the low side in block 2 where the crop is heavier. Flavor was very good in both blocks, and the background colors are starting to pick up some yellow. The starch pattern is within the recommended 3-5, but this tends to be unreliable in this variety. I think these blocks are ready for picking this week. While I haven’t looked at them formally, I expect PGR treated rows may be ready later this week into next week.

Look to harvest when you have a minimum of 3/4 dark red color. If 90% of fruit meet the color requirement, clean the tree. Target firmness is 16-20 pounds. Target brix is 12-13%. The starch pattern index (SPI) is recommended at 3-5, but starch is unreliable. Watch for greasiness, an indication of over-maturity. The wax will not adhere well to greasy apples on the packing line. Most (if not all) NY-2 are to be put into CA.  Therefore, you want to harvest the fruit on the early side of maturity. In addition, varietal flavor does not develop on the trees as it does for NY-1. However, if you do not harvest fruit with at least some varietal flavor, it will not develop in storage. Stay in close contact with your individual marketer/packer for harvest timing and marketing plans for your NY-2 blocks. Testing finished here.

Aztec Fuji for 10/7/2024

Comments: We looked at one untreated block of Aztec Fuji this week.  Flavor was good, with the typical Fuji sweetness.  Color was also fairly good within the block, but perhaps could use a few more cold nights to get the final pop of red to clean the trees off.  Firmness is still above the recommended threshold of 16 pounds for CA, and the SPI is still below the recommended 4.5-6.   I think this block could use a few more days for final maturing, possibly being ready later this week into next week.

For Fuji for CA or long RA storage, target fruit greater than 16 pounds firmness with a SPI of approximately 4.5-6. We will test again next week, unless it has been picked over by then.

Early Cripps Pink (Pink Lady™) ‘Barnsby’ for 10/7/2024

Comments: Fruit in this sample can still use additional color, and the block on average is still in need of additional color development. Brix is still below the recommended 13%, are still above the firmness recommendation of 17-18 pounds, and SPI is still below the recommended 3 for harvest and 5-6 for ready to eat.  The fruit sampled still needs some flavor development, as there wasn’t enough sugar present to balance the acid. I’m thinking this block is likely still another week out.

For Cripps Pink, the recommendation we have seen for optimal maturity is brix above 13%, firmness of 17-18lbs, a pink/red surface color, a background color of green with yellow-blonde tinges, and an SPI just beyond a 3.0, with ready to eat fruit ranging from about 5-6 SPI. You can access a guide with helpful photos here. We will test again next week, unless it has been picked over by then.

Early Cripps Pink starch beginning to clear.  

Next week we will continue testing the Aztec Fuji and Early Cripps Pink (Pink Lady™) ‘Barnsby’. We will also begin testing MAIA-1 EvercrispTM and Wild Twist.