2025 Apple Maturity Pilot Program [10.16.2025]
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Collapse ▲In cooperation with the Henderson County Master Pomology Program, we initiated an effort to monitor apple fruit maturity in commercial orchards in Henderson County, NC. The goal of this program is to provide timely updates regarding fruit maturity of several apple cultivars in the region. Data will be presented weekly to commercial apple growers via web-based updates to partly aid in harvest management decisions. Please note that the data presented is limited to the specific orchard block that we used for sampling. Do not assume that fruit at your location are at the same stage of maturity. To be clear, there is no substitute for regular monitoring of fruit quality parameters at your own operation.
Weekly Update (10.16.2025)
Cripps Pink (Maslin) remaining apples in Edneyville, were not collected for this time point but likely harvested this past week as it was an appropriate maturity stage for long term market (Table 1).
Cripps Pink (original strain) harvested from the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center (MHCREC) orchard were evaluated again this week as a strain that matures at the standard timing as compared to Cripps Pink (Maslin), an early maturing strain. Starch pattern index average increased 1.5x to 5.8 from last weeks analysis (Table 2, Figure 1). All fruit quality parameters suggest these apples are ready for harvest for fresh market.
If of interest, please see the following posts for more detailed information on PGRs to manage fruit maturity and harvest maturity timing. Specifically:
- Using PGRs to Manage Apple Preharvest Drop, Fruit Maturity, and Harvest Timing
- Apple Harvest Management Considerations: Special Focus on Gala
- Fruit Harvest – Determining Apple Fruit Maturity and Optimal Harvest Date
Cripps Pink (Maslin)
| Table 1. 2025 Cripps Pink (Maslin) fruit quality parameters in Edneyville, NC. | ||||||
| Date |
Fruit Firmness (lbs.) |
Soluble Solids (%) |
Starch pattern (1 to 8 scale) |
Fruit Weight (g) |
Fruit Diameter (inches) |
Marketable Blush (%) |
| October 7 | 20.0 | 12.8 | 2.8 | 191 | 3.01 | 3.12 |
| September 30 | 20.1 | 11.7 | 2.5 | 209 | 3.10 | 2.39 |
Cripps Pink (original strain)
| Table 2. 2025 Cripps Pink fruit quality parameters in Edneyville, NC. | ||||||
| Date |
Fruit Firmness (lbs.) |
Soluble Solids (%) |
Starch pattern (1 to 8 scale) |
Fruit Weight (g) |
Fruit Diameter (inches) |
Marketable Blush (%) |
| October 15 | 18.3 | 14.7 | 5.8 | 156 | 2.83 | N/A |
| October 7 | 19.3 | 13.2 | 3.9 | 172 | 2.89 | N/A |
Figure 1. Cripps Pink (original strain) superficial appearance at the stem-end (top), shoulder (middle), and starch pattern (bottom) on 10.15.2025 in MHCREC, NC.
Acknowledgements
We are very grateful for the cooperation of the Pat Lancaster and the team at Grandad’s Apples for hosting this project. Thank you for your generous access to your farm and fruit!
This work would not be possible without my excellent colleague, co-author, and technician, Tatiana Zuber.
We sincerely appreciate the great work of Marvin Owings, Ken Olson, Ivy Olson, Don Schwartz, Gary Medere, John Masotti, Susan Hadden, Adam Ferrell, Bill Metts, and Leigh Siracusano, who make up the Henderson County Master Pomology Program. This dedicated team of volunteers are assisting with data collection and inspired the initiation of this pilot program.