Cooperative Extension at Highmoor Farm

Peach Flower Bud Survival — update by Dr. Renae Moran Peach flower bud survival at Highmoor Farm is less than expected considering the mild winter temperatures. It could be that some of the varieties in my collection started bud growth too soon this winter, a problem that is common when temperatures stay above freezing most […]

This newsletter includes: An opportunity to participate in research Announcements of upcoming meetings Announcement for an orchard manager position Honeycrisp and Bitter Pit Prediction Research This summer, Dr. Renae Moran will be measuring fruit calcium in Honeycrisp orchards around the state to see how well it predicts bitter pit in storage. She is seeking growers […]

Maturity Report and Update The photos show unusual markings that have shown up in a few orchards in the northeast. They look like splotches of unblushed peel.  If you have seen this in your orchard, please contact Renae Moran (207-713-7083). She is working with another specialist to narrow down potential causes so that this can […]

Maturity Report and Guest Article by Kendra McClure Maturity Report McIntosh: Both strains are past the stage to pick for storage based on starch index and signs of fruit drop during limb shaking. Trees at Highmoor Farm had about 20% fruit drop with a good shake of the limbs. Cortland: Cortland is at a stage […]

Maturity Report McIntosh: Not much change in maturity indicators in the spur type strain, but flavor and texture have improved. Both strains are still ok to pick for storage based on the lack of fruit drop during limb shaking. McIntosh is susceptible to superficial scald when stored longer than three months. If applied within five days […]

A tropical storm or hurricane is expected in the area this weekend. Strong winds will likely knock fruit off trees and cause fruit bruising when the wind blows branches around. Winds could be strong enough to blow over trees. Best of luck to everyone this weekend. Maturity Report McIntosh. Starch breakdown continued with a small […]

Maturity report followed by some announcements Apple Maturity at Highmoor Farm McIntosh: A small decrease in starch since last week, and a very small drop in Delta reading. Flavor is still sour. Honeycrisp: A drop in both starch and Delta reading, but it’s still early for Honeycrisp, unless you have the early-ripening strain. Color is […]

Apple Maturity at Highmoor Farm Paulared apples taste great this week. Zestar was not tested this week. McIntosh was firm and sour in today’s taste tests. Some of your customers may prefer it this way, but it is not ready to harvest for storage. One of our blocks had seedless apples, probably killed by the […]

Apple Maturity at Highmoor Farm Paulared apples are not quite at their best for eating, but some of your customers might like them this way. Starch index of 1.5. Zestar! Starch index is 2.8. They are still starchy and lacking in color. Flavor should be good, based on how ours taste. We have another summer […]