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.
2026 Apple Maturity Program [09.01.26]
Weekly Update (09.01.2026)
MAIA-1 (Evercrisp®) was evaluated for the first time this season and remains immature at this sampling interval (Table 1, Figure 1).
‘Smoothee’ (Gibson Golden Delicious) soluble solids (13.2%), average starch pattern index (3.5) and firmness (15.6 lbs) had some slight increases this week; fruit weight (208 g) and fruit diameter (3.12) had some slight decreases (Table 2, Figure 2). These fruit quality parameters are similar to last weeks data and continue to be on target for harvest.
Granny Smith fruit quality parameters continue to advance but still remain immature at this sampling interval (Table 3, Figure 3).
DT2 (Aztec® Fuji) fruit quality parameters fluctuate marginally this week with some fruit quality parameters indicating maturity but marketable blush remains consistently low at 6% and needs more time to advance (Table 4, Figure 4).
‘Red Delicious’ marketable blush is up 25% this week to 91% (Table 5, Figure 5). Soluble solids (10.2%), average starch pattern index (4.3) and fruit weight (296 lbs) also seeing marked increases this week. Fruit firmness of 14.3 lbs is getting a little low. This cultivar is ready for harvest.
MAIA-1 (Evercrisp®)
| Table 1. 2026 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 (%) |
| Sep 01 | 22.8 | 11.5 | 2.1 | 201 | 3.06 | 0 |
Figure 1. MAIA-1 (Evercrisp®) superficial appearance at the stem-end (top), shoulder (middle), and starch pattern (bottom) on 09.01.2026 in Edneyville, NC.
‘Smoothee’ (Gibson Golden Delicious)
| Table 2. 2026 ‘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) | Marketable Blush (%) |
| Sep 01 | 15.6 | 13.2 | 3.5 | 208 | 3.12 | na |
| Aug 25 | 15.0 | 12.4 | 3.2 | 219 | 3.23 | na |
| Aug 18 | 15.6 | 12.2 | 2.2 | 215 | 3.22 | na |
| Aug 11 | 17.1 | 11.8 | 1.8 | 187 | 2.99 | n/a |
Figure 2. ‘Smoothee’ (Gibson Golden Delicious) superficial appearance at the stem-end (top), shoulder (middle), and starch pattern (bottom) on 09.01.2026 in Edneyville, NC.
Granny Smith
| Table 3. 2026 Granny Smith 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 (%) |
| Sep 01 | 17.5 | 10.4 | 2.6 | 222 | 3.21 | n/a |
| Aug 25 | 18.0 | 10.2 | 2.2 | 188 | 3.04 | n/a |
| Aug 18 | 18.4 | 10.1 | 1.7 | 176 | 2.92 | n/a |
Figure 3. Granny Smith superficial appearance at the stem-end (top), shoulder (middle), and starch pattern (bottom) on 09.01.2026 in Edneyville, NC.
DT2 (Aztec® Fuji)
| Table 4. 2026 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 (%) |
| Sep 01 | 20.1 | 13.1 | 3.2 | 205 | 2.98 | 6 |
| Aug 25 | 21.7 | 12.3 | 3.8 | 207 | 3.05 | 6 |
Figure 4. DT2 (Aztec® Fuji) superficial appearance at the stem-end (top), shoulder (middle), and starch pattern (bottom) on 09.01.2026 in Edneyville, NC.
‘Red Delicious’
| Table 5. 2026 ‘Red 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) | Marketable Blush (%) |
| Sept 01 | 14.3 | 10.2 | 4.3 | 296 | 3.57 | 91 |
| Aug 25 | 14.8 | 9.5 | 3.9 | 248 | 3.37 | 73 |
| Aug 18 | 14.9 | 9.5 | 3.5 | 219 | 3.22 | 49 |
| Aug 11 | 15.8 | 8.9 | 3.2 | 227 | 3.27 | 67 |
| Aug 04 | 17.4 | 8.5 | 2.6 | 188 | 3.03 | 43 |
Figure 5. ‘Red Delicious’ superficial appearance at the stem-end (top), shoulder (middle), and starch pattern (bottom) on 09.01.2026 in Edneyville, NC.
If of interest, please see our previous posts for more detailed information on how to manage fruit maturity. Specifically:
- Using PGRs to Manage Apple Preharvest Drop, Fruit Maturity, and Harvest Timing
- Apple Harvest Management Considerations: Special Focus on Gala
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 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 the Henderson County Master Pomology Program. This dedicated team of volunteers inspired the initiation of this pilot program and is assisting with data collection. I will share more information about this group in the near future.
