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 (09.10.2025)
‘Smoothee’ (Gibson Golden Delicious) apples were harvested last week and thus at an appropriate maturity stage for long-term storage.
‘Red Delicious’ soluble solids increased 14% this week to 10.4% (Table 1, Figure 1). Excellent marketable blush, starch pattern index rating of 4.8, and fruit firmness at 14.8 lbs suggest that, with a little more time to allow soluble solids to increase these apples will be mature.
Granny Smith firmness continues to be high this week at 22.6 lbs (Table 2, Figure 2). Starch pattern index rating averaged 3.7 this week and soluble solids of 12.7% are on target for harvest for long-term storage.
Aztec Fuji were evaluated as part of this report for the first time this season. Starch pattern index rating averaged 3.3 and firmness at 18.8 lbs (Table 3, Figure 3). Soluble solids are quite high, averaging 14.6%. All fruit quality parameters suggest these apples are mature for long-term storage. However, the marketable blush of 32.11% is low.
If of interest, please see the following posts for more detailed information on PGRs to manage fruit maturity and harvest maturity timing. Specifically:
