Observations from Belchertown
Nothing unusual to report. Certainly the weather has been favorable for long stretches of picking weather, and it has been slightly below seasonal averages in terms of temperature. (Which is good.) Empire and Jonagold are just ready to be harvested beginning this week. A word about Jonagold -- this is one of the best apples out there, I think it compares favorably with Honeycrisp in terms of eating quality, and is under-planted. Delicious are not ready yet. Mac harvest should be wrapping up this week for sure, and we have reached the point -- at least in Belchertown -- where I would not put McIntosh in CA storage anymore.. Macoun are not ready yet -- they need until at least next week to develop best varietal flavor. Please avoid picking early. But Cortland are ready to go, so pick those this week instead of Macoun.
J. Clements
Apple maturity report
Below are some of my observations on apples we are or have been harvesting in Belchertown.
Harvest date: 16-September
| apple |
drop
|
diam. (in.)
|
% red skin
|
firmness (lbs.)
|
Soluble Solids
|
Starch Index
|
comments
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honeycrisp |
nil
|
3.3
|
85
|
14.7
|
13.1
|
7.4
|
still good to to go, excellent color |
| Buckeye Gala | nil | 2.75 | 99 | 17.9 | 14.8 | 6 | too late, should have been picked a week ago |
Harvest date: 17-September
| apple |
drop
|
diam. (in.)
|
% red skin
|
firmness (lbs.)
|
Soluble Solids
|
Starch Index
|
comments
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers Red McIntosh |
yes
|
3.2
|
65
|
15
|
12.8
|
5.6
|
classic Mac flavor |
| Brookfield Gala |
nil
|
2.75
|
98
|
17.3
|
13.5
|
7.3
|
fruity flavor, a bit mealy, too late |
Harvest date: 22-September
| apple |
drop
|
diam. (in.)
|
% red skin
|
firmness (lbs.)
|
Soluble Solids
|
Starch Index
|
comments
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macoun |
nil
|
3.2
|
80
|
15.8
|
12.6
|
3.5
|
wait a week to pick |
| Redcort Cortland |
nil
|
3.3
|
95
|
15.3
|
13.2
|
3.9
|
very nice, pick this week (starch test not useful with Cortland) |
| Rubinstar Jonagold |
nil
|
3.3
|
85
|
16.5
|
14.8
|
6.6
|
ready to go, one of the best Jonagold strains; under-rated apple, should be more planted |
Harvest date: 23-September
| apple |
drop
|
diam. (in.)
|
% red skin
|
firmness (lbs.)
|
Soluble Solids
|
Starch Index
|
comments
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Court Empire |
nil
|
2.8
|
95
|
18.3
|
13.8
|
4.2
|
almost ready, heavy crop on B.9 trees = small fruit size |
| Delicious |
nil
|
3.0
|
100
|
17.6
|
11.1
|
2.1
|
need another week at least
|
Jmcextman blog posts
TUESDAY, September 23, 2008 B.118 apple rootstock -- B.9 on steroids?
THURSDAYDAY, September 11, 2008 And the early Fuji winner is...
