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 (08.21.2025)
The cool and dry weather pattern in the forecast next week is an exciting development. Apples maturing in late August/early September will certainly benefit from excellent weather for red fruit color development.
'Simmons' (Buckeye® Gala) fruit in Edneyville, NC were treated with 1 pouch of ReTain® ~ three weeks ago to delay maturation. Starch pattern index rating averaged 6.1 this week up 30% from the previous week along with a 13% increase in marketable blush (Table 1, Figure 1). These fruit quality parameters suggest these apples are fully mature for harvest for fresh market.
'Honeycrisp' (Royal Red Honeycrisp®) first harvest in Edneyville, NC occurred last week leaving some fruit behind for evaluation and a second harvest. The apples that remain unharvested have a 5.4 starch pattern index rating of 5.4, fruit firmness of 14.8 lbs, soluble solids of 12.8% and a 39% decrease in marketable blush this week (Table 2, Figure 2). This data suggests these fruit are ready for final harvest.
'Red Delicious', 'Co-op 39' (Crimson Crisp®) and 'Smoothee' (Gibson Golden Delicious) were evaluated as part of this report for the first time this season. All fruit quality parameters suggest these fruit are maturing early this year (Table 3,4,5 and Figure 3,4,5). Most of these parameters suggest these cultivars may be ready for harvest for the purpose of long term storage with the exception of the following:
'Red Delicious' soluble solids averaged 8.6%, where target specification is 12-14%. This parameter can vary from year to year within a cultivar and additionally due to temperature, sunlight, rainfall and irrigation.
Crimson Crisp® fruit firmness averaged 22.8 lbs, where target specification is >15 lbs for long term storage and 13-15 lbs for fresh market.
Golden Delicious starch pattern index rating averaged 1.8, where target specification is 3-5 for long term storage.
If of interest, please see the following posts for more detailed information on PGRs to manage fruit maturity and harvest maturity timing. Specifically:
Table 1. 2025 ‘Simmons’ (Buckeye® Gala) 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(%)
August 19
17.4
12.6
6.1
187
2.90
76.03
August 12
18.6
12.0
4.7
174
2.85
67.04
August 5
19.0
11.3
3.1
154
2.72
51.25
July 29
23.9
10.0
2.5
130
2.57
22.95
July 22
24.1
10.1
1.4
116
2.46
18.76
July 15
24.5
9.4
1.3
121
2.51
1.97
Figure 1. ‘Gala’ superficial appearance at the stem-end (top), shoulder (middle), and starch pattern (bottom) on 08.19.2025 in Edneyville, NC.
Honeycrisp (Royal Red Honeycrisp®)
Table 2. 2025 ‘Honeycrisp’ 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
(%)
August 19
14.8
12.8
5.4
216
3.18
16.63
August 12
15.2
13.0
5.5
208
3.15
27.37
Figure 2. ‘Honeycrisp’ superficial appearance at the stem-end (top), shoulder (middle), and starch pattern (bottom) on 08.19.2025 in Edneyville, NC.
'Red Delicious'
Table 3. 2025 'Red Delicious' fruit quality parameters in Edneyville
Date
Fruit Firmness(lbs.)
Soluble Solids(%)
Starch pattern(1 to 8 scale)
Fruit Weight(g)
Fruit Diameter(inches)
Marketable Blush(%)
August 19
15.9
8.6
3.5
186
2.99
65.48
Figure 3. 'Red Delicious' superficial appearance at the stem-end (top), shoulder (middle), and starch pattern (bottom) on 08.19.2025 in Edneyville, NC.
Co-op 39 (CrimsonCrisp®)
Table 4. 2025 Co-op 39 (CrimsonCrisp®) 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
(%)
August 19
22.8
12.3
3.4
153
2.81
72.21
Figure 4. CrimsonCrisp® superficial appearance at the stem-end (top), shoulder (middle), and starch pattern (bottom) on 08.19.2025 in Edneyville, NC.
'Smoothee' (Gibson Golden Delicious)
Table 5. 2025 'Smoothee' (Gibson Golden Delicious) fruit quality parameters in Edneyville, NC.
Date
Fruit Firmness(lbs.)
Soluble Solids(%)
Starch pattern(1 to 8 scale)
Fruit Weight(g)
Fruit Diameter(inches)
Russet(%)
August 19
18.5
12.0
1.8
180
2.86
13.12
Figure 4. 'Smoothee' (Improved Golden Delicious) superficial appearance at the stem-end (top), shoulder (middle), and starch pattern (bottom) on 08.19.2025 in Edneyville, NC.
When should I harvest?
Optimal harvest timing is dictated by multiple factors, especially the intended market. While one size does not fit all, please see this resource from Michigan State University for some general guidelines.
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.
