2025 Apple Maturity Pilot Program [9.30.25]
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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 (09.30.2025)
DT2 (Aztec® Fuji) apples were harvested this past week and thus at an appropriate maturity stage for fresh market (Table 1).
MAIA-1 (Evercrisp®) marketable blush increased 3.2x this week to 9.37%. All other fruit quality parameters suggest these apples are suitable for harvest for long term storage (Table 2, Figure 1).
Cripps Pink (Maslin) were evaluated as part of this report for the first time this season. Starch pattern index averaged 2.5, fruit firmness at 20.1 lbs, soluble solids at 11.7% and marketable blush at 2.39% with notable variability in the maturity of sampled fruit (Table 3, Figure 2). Maslin is an early maturing strain of Cripps Pink that ripens 2-3 weeks early than standard strains. Early adopters of this strain have reported that this strain of Cripps Pink can be unstable and prone to reversion. We will include a separate sample next week from an orchard with a strain of Cripps Pink that matures at a the standard timing.
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
- https://extension.psu.edu/fruit-harvest-determining-apple-fruit-maturity-and-optimal-harvest-date
DT2 (Aztec® Fuji)
| Table 1. 2025 DT2 (Aztec® Fuji) 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 (%) |
| September 23 | 17.8 | 15.8 | 5.3 | 275 | 3.37 | 57.19 |
| September 16 | 17.7 | 15.2 | 5.1 | 242 | 3.22 | 44.34 |
| September 09 | 18.8 | 14.6 | 3.3 | 154 | 2.66 | 32.11 |
MAIA-1 (Evercrisp®)
| Table 2. 2025 MAIA-1 (Evercrisp®) 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 (%) |
| September 30 | 16.9 | 14.3 | 3.8 | 247 | 3.20 | 9.37 |
| September 23 | 17.5 | 14.1 | 3.2 | 226 | 3.13 | 2.88 |
| September 16 | 19.3 | 12.2 | 3.0 | 204 | 3.02 | 0.81 |
Figure 1. MAIA-1 (Evercrisp®) superficial appearance at the stem-end (top), shoulder (middle), and starch pattern (bottom) on 09.30.2025 in Edneyville, NC.
Cripps Pink
| Table 3. 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 (%) |
| September 30 | 20.1 | 11.7 | 2.5 | 209 | 3.10 | 2.39 |
Figure 2. Cripps Pink superficial appearance at the stem-end (top), shoulder (middle), and starch pattern (bottom) on 09.30.2025 in Edneyville, 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.