Michigan apple maturity reporting for 2014
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EmailOverall, this year’s Predicted Harvest Dates are about a week behind normal and a week behind last year.
The predicted harvest dates for every Enviro-weather weather station is now available from Michigan State University. In general, 2014 Predicted Harvest Dates are roughly a week behind normal and a week behind last year. Bloom dates this spring were also behind normal across the state.
As always, the weather seems to be unusual each year and 2014 was no different. It began after an extremely long cold winter with a late, cool spring that eventually became somewhat normal in May and June. Little to no frost events occurred. This unusual spring was also characterized by considerable and seemingly unending record precipitation in most state locations. Most apple growers were successful in thinning the crop with most growers under thinning slightly. This moderate to heavy crop will mature close to predicted dates. Blocks with light crop loads will mature three or four days sooner.
The normal harvest dates for other varieties are listed in Table 3 for the Grand Rapids area. This year's 2014 predicted dates and adjusted predicted dates are a rough estimate based on the McIntosh, Jonathan and Red Delicious predicted dates. Other areas of the state should adjust non-predicted varieties based on their own history. ReTain application should be applied 30 DBH (days before harvest). Use Table 3 2014 predicted harvest dates to time ReTain applications and adjust for varieties and locations.
Table 1. 2014 predicted peak harvest dates
|
Full bloom date |
Predicted harvest date |
|||||||||
|
Station |
McIntosh |
Jons |
Reds |
McIntosh |
Jons |
Reds |
Observer |
|||
|
SWMREC |
12-May |
13-May |
13-May |
11-Sep |
1-Oct |
7-Oct |
Shane |
|||
|
Deerfield |
12-May |
14-May |
16-May |
12-Sep |
30-Sep |
7-Oct |
Tritten |
|||
|
Romeo |
15-May |
17-May |
17-May |
14-Sep |
1-Oct |
7-Oct |
Tritten |
|||
|
Peach Ridge |
21-May |
22-May |
23-May |
19-Sep |
2-Oct |
10-Oct |
Schwallier |
|||
|
Hart |
23-May |
24-May |
25-May |
23-Sep |
8-Oct |
14-Oct |
Irish-Brown |
|||
|
NWMHRS |
27-May |
31-May |
31-May |
26-Sep |
13-Oct |
19-Oct |
Rothwell |
|||
Table 2. 2014 predicted peak harvest dates compared to normal and last year
|
Days ahead of normal |
Days ahead of last year |
||||||
|
Station |
McIntosh |
Jons |
Reds |
McIntosh |
Jons |
Reds |
|
|
SWMREC |
-8 |
-7 |
-7 |
-6 |
-8 |
-8 |
|
|
Deerfield |
-7 |
-7 |
-8 |
-4 |
-9 |
-5 |
|
|
Flint |
-6 |
-5 |
-4 |
-1 |
-6 |
-4 |
|
|
Peach Ridge |
-9 |
-8 |
-9 |
-5 |
-5 |
-6 |
|
|
Hart |
-7 |
-5 |
-6 |
-5 |
-5 |
-4 |
|
|
NWMHRS |
-7 |
-10 |
-9 |
-4 |
-7 |
-6 |
|
Table 3. Normal and 2014 peak harvest dates for varieties for the Grand Rapids area
|
Variety |
Normal date |
2014 predicted date |
|
Paulared |
24-Aug |
28-Aug |
|
Gingergold |
26-Aug |
30-Aug |
|
Gala |
10-Sep |
14-Sep |
|
McIntosh |
15-Sep |
19-Sep |
|
Honeycrisp |
18-Sep |
22-Sep |
|
Empire |
22-Sep |
26-Sep |
|
Jonathan |
28-Sep |
2-Oct |
|
Jonagold |
28-Sep |
2-Oct |
|
Golden Delicious |
2-Oct |
6-Oct |
|
Red Delicious |
5-Oct |
10-Oct |
|
Idared |
10-Oct |
14-Oct |
|
Rome |
15-Oct |
18-Oct |
|
Fuji |
25-Oct |
28-Oct |
|
Braeburn |
25-Oct |
28-Oct |
|
Goldrush |
1-Nov |
4-Nov |
Looking for more? View Michigan State University Extension’s Apple Maturity Program and Reports resource page for regional reports throughout the state and additional resources.
