I would like to begin this letter by introducing myself. My name is M. Elena Garcia, and I am the new Tree Fruit Extension Specialist. I come from the University of Arkansas where I have just finished my graduate studies. I am here to help growers solve horticultural problems, to answer questions related to fruit tree culture and management, and to convey research information that might be applied to improve orchard practices. If I can not help you directly, I will try to find a source to help you. I have arrived at a busy time. The so-called hard core harvest of the more economically important apple cultivars is just beginning. There is a feeling of excitement and anticipation in the orchards that I have visited. This is a great time to be in Vermont!!

So far, I have been asking questions about the crop situation in the state and have been able to determine the following about this years crop.

• The crop situation looks good. An estimate average of 830,000 bushels is expected for the state (USAA). This may be slightly lower than last year, and may be due to a size reduction because of the dry weather during July.

The delivery of a product at consistent high quality is important to both satisfy the consumer and generate repeat sales. Predicting the optimum harvest date is important because harvest date effects apple quality after storage. The following are four fruit factors that are used to determine harvest time.

1. Fruit color. This is the leading factor in determining picking dates. Cooler temperatures increase color development in cultivars such as McIntosh and Empire. Light penetration into the canopy is very important for color development
2. Fruit size. There must be a range of sizes to market successfully. The main factor in determining fruit size is crop load.
3. Fruit drop. Fruit drop tends to be more severe when (a) hot weather prevails; (b) trees have a large crop; (c) trees have high levels of nitrogen; and (d) trees are deficient in boron, magnesium, and potassium. It is mostly caused by ethylene, a gaseous hormone, diffusing from the fruit to the spur. Ethylene levels rise with increases in temperature. The cooler temperatures we have experienced lately should help decrease fruit drop.
4. Fruit maturity. The marketing program to which a particular cultivar is intended determines the desired level of fruit maturity. For example, the desired maturity of apples for immediate post-harvest sale may be much more advanced than for regular or CA storage. Important factors in determining fruit maturity include

• Firmness. Related to cultivar (Around 15lb).
• Starch Iodine Index. This is considered one of the best field tests for the determination fruit maturity. Information related to sampling procedures, a recipe for the starch iodine solution, sampling procedure, and a chart for evaluation of McIntosh is included in this letter (this will be posted on the web very soon). You should contact your local pharmacist as to a source for potassium iodide and iodine crystals. Or you may call us to help you find a source (802-656-2824 or 802-656-2924). There are some cultivars that do not react well to this test. Fuji is in this category.
• There is a model from Cornell University for predicting harvest dates for McIntosh in the Champlain Valley. This model is based on full bloom and temperatures for 30 days following full bloom. We need to gain more experience with the model before we are able to make any recommendations. We will be working with this model during the winter so that we can make more valid predictions on when to harvest McIntosh apples.

Impressed with GingerGold:

One of the things that have impressed me about the apple industry in Vermont, is the wide range of cultivars that are grown Jon Clements has been evaluating a number of cultivars grown at the UVM Horticultural Research Center. He seems quite impressed by the performance of Ginger Gold. The following are some notes on his evaluation of this cultivar:

The new apple variety GingerGold has been on the scene now for several years, and quite frankly, were pretty impressed with it.

GingerGold was found as a chance seedling in the orchards of Clyde and Ginger Harvey in VA. Adams County Nursery has patented the variety and made it widely available. Significant plantings of GingerGold have been established on both coasts. We know of at least several small to moderate size plantings in the Champlain Valley of VT and NY.

A Golden Delicious type fruit, GingerGold is harvested approximately six weeks before regular Golden Delicious. Therefore, it is an early season fruit, picked well before McIntosh. Locally grown fruit has been mostly marketed via retail channels to date.

Although best fully ripe, it can be picked on the green side. The flesh is firm and crunchy, quite unlike--and in our opinion, superior to--most late summer-early fall apples. Flavor is starchy/tart to sweet depending on maturity. Skin color is green-yellow, blemish free, and very attractive. An exceptional partial pink blush will develop as fruit matures on the tree.

GingerGold has a vigorous tree habit but no limb spreading is necessary. In fact, limbs are somewhat droopy--which can be a problem with low branches, where fruit will be quite literally "on the ground" without dropping off the tree. GingerGold trees in our NE-183 Regional Cultivar Evaluation planting at the Horticulture Research Center in So. Burlington have been quite precocious (25-40 fruit in their third leaf), and the fruit has been quite large (2-3/4 to 3 inches) as well as uniform in size. GingerGold reportedly stores well too, for up to six months.

Of all the early season apples we have evaluated, GingerGold appears to be one of the best, and is certainly here to stay. If you have a retail market, you definitely ought to get some GingerGold trees in the ground. Our guess is it will also develop a sizable wholesale market over time--another reason for calling your nursery soon!

High Density Apple Orchard Workshop

Nov. 24-25 1997

Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario (HRIO)

All interested growers, industry representatives, extension Personnel and researchers are invited to attend this workshop co-produced by the OMAFRA Apple Team and the University of Guelph. This two-day workshop will include the main components of apple production: apple tree physiology, light interception and utilization, rootstock function, managing vigor and the importance of spur and bourse shoots. The hands-on "nuts and bolts" of the vertical axe trellis systems will be one of the features of the workshop.

For more information, please see enclosed flyer or contact University of Guelph, Office of Open Learning Room 159, Jackson Hall, Guelph, OntorioNIG @W1, Phone 579-767-5000, FAX 5197670758, email info@open.uoguelph.ca

We are committed to excellence and service to you. If you have any questions, problems or want to arrange for an orchard visit regarding your concerns please call or write.

802-656-2824

mgarcia@zoo.uvm.edu

Tree Fruit Extension Specialist