Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/386317
www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER OCTOBER 2014 31 S ean Gilbert first saw Koru brand apples in a grocery store while he was visiting Washington's San Juan Islands. He bought a couple and was so impressed with the flavor and texture that he went back to buy more. "The eating quality was fantastic. I've eaten a lot of new varieties in the last ten years, and this one really stood out to me," he said. "I went back a few more times. I think I cleaned them out." The apples had been imported from New Zealand. Gilbert, who is general man- ager at Gilbert Orchards in Yakima, Washington, started asking around to find out who, if anyone, was growing the variety in Washington. He learned that Koru is the brand name for a variety called Plumac, a chance seedling that was discovered in New Zealand in 1998 and is being commercialized by McGrath Nurseries, Ltd., based in Cambridge, New Zealand. Three U.S. companies share an exclusive license to sell the apple in North America: New York Apple Sales in Glenmont, New York; Borton Fruit in Yakima, Washington; and Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers in Wenatchee, Washington. All three have been importing New Zealand Koru brand apples and will sell U.S. fruit as it becomes available. They have made a commit- ment to plant at least 800 acres. Gilbert, who also markets his fruit through Oneonta, signed up to grow the variety and has trees ordered for 2016. Chance seedling Plumac (the cultivar name) is a chance seedling discovered in the flower garden of Geoff Plunkett at Moutere near Nelson, New Zealand, where his mother- in-law had discarded an old Fuji tree. DNA testing indicated that it is a cross of Fuji and Braeburn. Kaari Stannard, president of New York Apple Sales, first stumbled across the variety in New Zealand. She was walking through an orchard with McGrath and started feeling hunger pangs. Apples New Zealand apple FINDS FANS Stark Bro's Nurseries & Orchards Co. 10#PYt-PVJTJBOB.0tt'BY A Growing Legacy Since 1816 Order today GPSQMBOUJOH CBMM800-435-8733. StarkBrosWholesale.com Looking good and ready for digging. 2015 crop is selling fast! SENTENNIAL AMBROSIA JOIN THE TEAM AT The Board of Directors of Summerland Varieties Corporation is looking for a strategic, highly motivated General Manager with strong tree fruit horticultural knowledge. SVC is agent for some of the most success- ful tree fruit varieties in the world, including the Ambrosia apple and Staccato cherry. SVC is also agent for promising new varieties such as the Salish apple, and the Sentennial cherry varieties. If you are motivated by the challenges and opportunities of leading a company internationally recognized for its management and marketing of new tree fruit varieties, submit your résumé and cover letter by 4:30 pm, Friday, October 31, 2014. Visit summerlandvarieties.com/job-opportunities for more information. Please respond by email to HR@summerlandvarieties.com. General Manager POSITION AVAILABLE Koru brand apples will be produced in Washington and New York. by Geraldine Warner Kaari Stannard, president of New York Apple Sales, first saw Koru brand apples while visiting New Zealand. PHOTO COURTESY OF KAARI STANNARD