Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/751050
www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER DECEMBER 2016 23 —Cosmic Crisp apples color well but sometimes develop green spot (shown above) in the stem bowl and shoulder during the summer heat. "It's an issue we don't fully understand," said Tom Auvil, a research horticulturist with the Washington State Tree Fruit Research Commission. They noticed the green speckling on fruit from the tops of the tree and on the larger fruit at Sunrise. The blemishes often look somewhat like bitter pit but don't reach as deep into the flesh of the fruit. However, green spot usually colors over and fruit color in general improves by the end of the season and even after harvest in storage. "We dwell a lot on it because it is the only problem we see," Auvil said. Buckskin color from heat stress also goes away, while none of the minor coloring concerns seem to affect the texture or taste of the fruit. —Researchers have seen stem punctures, especially with fruit size 72 count and larger. That's the same thresh- old where they notice an uptick in bruis- ing, as well, Auvil said. Consider clipping the stems that protrude from the stem bowl. It is frequently the longer stems on smaller fruit that create stem punctures on the big fruit, whose stems are often well contained within the stem bowl. —Auvil recommended the following rootstocks for Cosmic Crisp propagation: Mark, Budagovsky 9, Geneva 41, G.11, G.935, and Malling 9-337. Bud 9 and Mark should be planted closer together than M.9, while G.11 does not like sandy soil. —When planting young trees, Auvil recommends cutting feathers back to four to six buds and cutting the terminal 1 foot from the top of the central leader, "and then leave it alone until we have fruit." Maintenance pruning on a strong bull sucker is good as long as it is only on the two or three strongest upright shoots, he said. —Stay tuned for a six-scale starch chart to help plan harvest timing. Researchers are working on it, said Ines Hanrahan, project manager for the Washington State Tree Fruit Research Commission. —The Cosmic Crisp stores well, with or without MCP, showing none of the com- mon storage disorders, such as internal browning, chilling injuries, superficial scald, bitter pit and late sunburn devel- opment. Cosmics tied with Honeycrisps in taste tests throughout the year until the last tasting in the spring, when tasters reported that Cosmics had better flavor, Hanrahan said. It also resists bruising. —The Cosmic will split if left on the trees too long during harvest, which usually lasts about two weeks. Harvest too late and risk up to 15 percent split. "Timely picking is still important," Hanrahan said. "It's not all magic." —Stefano Musacchi, WSU horticul- turist and endowed chair in tree fruit physiology and management, suggested growers renew prune with short limbs to keep a narrow canopy and encourage fruit close to the trunk. However, when you need to remove one branch, leave a stub of at least 2 inches or it will dry out. —R. Courtney PHOTOS BY ROSS COURTNEY/GOOD FRUIT GROWER Antonio Quintana of Mt. Adams Orchards discusses the stem length of Cosmic Crisp apples with Juan Piñon of Wilson Irrigation during a field day at test blocks north of Prosser, Washington, in September. Banning Red Fuji appears to be 7 to 10 days earlier than other late Fujis! Now Accepting Contracts for Spring 2017 and 2018! We have over 50 years of experience in the nursery business and are now taking growing contracts for: Ultima™ Gala, Banning Red Fuji, Honeycrisp,™ Granny Smith, and many others. Taking orders for benchgrafts. 4000 Grant Road, East Wenatchee, WA 98802 509-884-7041 OFFICE banningnursery@hotmail.com Farm Orchard Vineyard Berry Trellising Kiln Dried Pressure Treated Round Wood Posts and Rails. Preferred supplier for BC Ministries & Parks Canada. Guaranteed Life Expectancy of 25 years if not damaged or altered before or af ter installation. Contact Bill Everitt TF 877.797.7678 beveritt@xplornet.ca www.pwppost.com