Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/481870
16 APRIL 1, 2015 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com W ashington State University is planning to name and rerelease its first apple variety WA 2 with the hope that it will be more successful this time around. Proprietary Variety Management, which is managing the commercialization of the uni- versity's second apple variety, WA 38, will also head the relaunch of WA 2. It's not yet known exactly how existing WA 2 growers will be accommodated in the new program. WSU released WA 2 in 2011 without a name, leaving it up to producers to call it what they liked, a move that proved controversial. About 130 growers had agreements to evaluate the variety, and 30 growers applied for commercial licenses, but only a few are still growing it commercially. The lack of a standard name, and potential confusion in the marketplace, was cited as a reason for the lack of enthusiasm. But those who grow the variety sing its praises. Bob Meyer of Toppenish, Washington, has two and a half acres and is a big fan. "It looks good, it tastes great, and it stores like no other," he said. But he did find the lack of name a drawback. He pestered staff at the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, which handled the initial commercializa- tion plan for the variety, who finally suggested he call it Crimson Delight. The name caught on with the variety's other growers. Meyer's first crop was packed and sold by Borton and Sons in Yakima. He now takes his fruit to Apple King in Yakima. Wonderful Mike Saunders, a partner at Apple King, said his company packs Crimson Delight for four growers as well as fruit from its own 10-acre planting. "The market's been very receptive to them," he reported. What's special about WA 2 is its keeping quality. It stays crisp and the flavor actually improves in storage. "The flavor's wonderful, if you wait," he said. "It holds very well. It has a thin skin and a great flavor, and a great eating experience." This year, Apple King put its 400 bins of Crimson Delight in regular storage and packed them in early February. Saunders said the company could have waited longer, but it had buyers waiting for them. "It's been an interesting variety," Saunders said. "You can't rush it. You have to be patient with it." Another unusual characteristic is its natural sheen. When it's brushed and polished on the packing line, it's shiny even without being waxed. That could make it a good variety for organic production, he said. In taste tests that WSU conducted in March 2012, consumers far pre- ferred WA 2 to Gala in terms of appearance, flavor, and texture. More than 70 percent of the consumers preferred WA 2 to Gala overall. The Gala apples had been treated with MCP (1-methylcyclopropene) before storage, but the WA 2 had not. Tom Auvil, research horticulturist with the Tree Fruit Research Commission, describes WA 2 as a "bullet-proof storage apple" with good potential for sales in June, July, and August. It gains even more flavor when it's set out on a counter at room temperature for a week. On the growing side, the tree is compact and very productive. He said there are growers outside the group that signed up initially who are interested in growing the variety, and WSU would like to accommodate that interest. Flop Tom Kelly, licensing officer at the WSU Research Foundation, said the university learned from the initial "flop" of WA 2. "Sometimes those earlier mistakes end up being beneficial." The university set up an entirely new process for commercializing its second variety, WA 38, which it gave the trade name Cosmic Crisp. Proprietary Variety Management (PVM) is managing its commercialization. (See "Preparing for lift-off.") But, recognizing the market potential of WA 2, the university is taking another look at it. WSU to rerelease WA 2 WA 2, which stays crisp and improves in flavor, has good potential for late-season sales. by Geraldine Warner Bob Meyer, right, discusses the merits of the new apple WA2 with Jim Cowin at a WSU field day to showcase the variety. PHOTOS BY GERALDINE WARNER/GOOD FRUIT GROWER The WA 2 tree is compact and highly productive. The fruit has a natural sheen when polished, even without waxing, which could make it suitable for organic production.