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 (09.23.2025)
Granny Smith apples were harvested this past week and thus at an appropriate maturity stage for long term storage (Table 1).
DT2 (Aztec® Fuji) fruit quality parameters have changed only slightly from last week and still suggest these apples are mature for fresh market harvest (Table 2, Figure 1). Marketable blush coverage increased 29% this week to 57%.
MAIA-1 (Evercrisp®) fruit quality parameters continue to increase in maturity this week and remain on target for long term storage (Table 3, Figure 2). Except for marketable blush, averaging 2.88% this week, is extremely low and will require more time to develop sufficient red fruit color.
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 Granny Smith fruit quality parameters in Edneyville, NC.
Date
Fruit Firmnesslbs.)
Soluble Solids(%)
Starch pattern(1 to 8 scale)
Fruit Weight(g)
Fruit Diameter(inches)
Septermber 16
20.3
12.2
3.8
199
2.94
September 09
22.6
12.7
3.7
154
2.66
September 02
22.3
11.6
2.9
171
2.84
DT2 (Aztec® Fuji)
Table 2. 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
Figure 1. DT2 (Aztec® Fuji) superficial appearance at the stem-end (top), shoulder (middle), and starch pattern (bottom) on 09.23.2025 in Edneyville, NC.
MAIA-1 (Evercrisp®)
Table 3. 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 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 2. MAIA-1 (Evercrisp®) superficial appearance at the stem-end (top), shoulder (middle), and starch pattern (bottom) on 09.23.2025 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.
