Apple cork spot is a physiological disorder that can affect apple quality and reduce visual appeal. Cork spot generally appears in the outer portion of the fruit flesh as small green dimples or depressions. This disorder may begin developing in June and continue throughout the initial stages of growth and enlargement. The green spots eventually enlarge to corky, discolored areas 1/4 to 1/2 inch into the flesh of the apple. The corky spots may occur anywhere on the fruit flesh.…
Can kaolin clay sprays reduce insect damage to apple fruit?
Yes. Kaolin clay (formulated commercially as Surround WP®) has been shown to be effective against several orchard pests, including apple maggot, white apple leafhopper, and pear psylla. It generally gives at least fair control of plum curculio and several species of fruit pest caterpillars (codling moth, oriental fruit moth, tufted apple bud moth, lesser appleworm). However, university trials also show that heavy use is harmful to beneficial species, and can lead to a flare up of European red mites or …
What is the proper way to pick an apple fruit from the tree?
Fruit should be grasped in the palm of the hand and rotated and lifted upward to remove them. The stem should remain attached to the apple. Never grasp the fruit with your finger tips or pull the fruit downward.…
Do small apples and large apples of the same cultivar taste the same?
Small and large apples will taste the same. However, smaller apples may be firmer and less juicy than larger apples. Large apples may show more calcium deficiencies such as bitter pit or corking.…
Parts of an Apple Tree
When discussing apple rootstocks and cultivars, understanding the terminology used to describe the tree is important. All apple trees purchased from nurseries are grafted or budded, meaning that there are at least two distinct parts of the tree. The scion is the above ground or vegetative portion of a grafted or budded tree comprised of the trunk, branches, leaves, and fruit. The scion is the cultivar or the part of the tree that has name recognition such as Gala or …
What are the most important apple traits that impact consumer preference?
Although a matter of personal preference, most agree the following apple traits affect consumer preference:
- Appearance — red apples are preferred over green or yellow apples by most. Good red color means the fruit has reached proper maturity and will eat well. Yellow and green apples, for example Golden Delicious and Granny Smith respectively, are preferred by some for their particular flavor and texture.
- Flavor — some people like tart apples (McIntosh), some like sweet apples (Gala), and some like
Interstem Apple Trees
Because many dwarfing rootstocks have less than the desired level of cold resistance and trees on all dwarfing rootstocks require support, dwarf rootstocks are sometimes used as interstems to combine the desirable characteristics of a vigorous understock and the dwarfing interstem.
Interstem trees consist of three parts:
- A vigorous rootstock (usually MM.111 or MM.106)
- A dwarfing (usually M.9 or M.27) interstem is grafted to the rootstock. The interstem is usually about 6” long, but additional dwarfing can be obtained by
Apple Rootstock Info: G.890
| Characteristic | Detail | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rootstock | G.890 |
G.890 is a semidwarfing rootstock that is resistant to fire blight (Erwinia amylovora), crown rot (Phytopthora spp.) and woolly apple aphid. At this time production of root suckers and burr knots is unknown. Tree size is approximately the same as M.7 but with higher and earlier production. |
| Synonyms | Geneva 890 | |
| Origin | N/A | |
| Availability | Limited availability | |
| Tree Size | 70-75% | |
| Precocity | Intermediate | |
| Winter Hardiness | Hardy | |
| Suckering | N/A | |
| Tree Support Needed | No | |
| Where tested within NC-140 or other |
Do apples have a natural wax on the fruit surface?
Natural wax is present on the surface of apples. It repels moisture from the fruit surface and prolongs storage life of the fruit by reducing moisture loss from the flesh. On some apple varieties, such as Empire, it often is white in color and is called a waxy bloom. …
Apple Rootstock Info: G.65
| Characteristic | Detail | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rootstock | G.65 |
G.65 was developed by Dr. Jim Cummins at Cornell University. Due to errors in tissue culture buildup of this rootstock, the U.S. distribution of this rootstock has been hindered. Tree size once thought to be about that of M.9 is now considered to be closer to M.27. The rootstock is difficult to propagate in nursery stool beds. It is susceptible to tomato ring spot virus and apple stem grooving virus. Not recommended for commercial planting. |