Southwest Michigan apple maturity report – September 10, 2025
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EmailApple harvest in southwest Michigan is moving rapidly.
This is our weekly southwest region apple maturity report. Reports are sent out following the Michigan State University Extension fruit team apple maturity calls on Wednesday morning. View Michigan State University (MSU) Extension’s Apple Maturity page for regional reports throughout the state and additional resources.
Overview
McIntosh, Gala and Honeycrisp varieties are mature and being harvested. Blocks with light crop loads will mature three or four days sooner than the predicted harvest dates while heavy crop loads will mature up to a week later than the predicted dates.
The Michigan apple crop forecast for 2025 is above average at 30 million bushels, as given in the USApple Crop Outlook on Aug. 15. The following tables give a summary for select varieties that are currently nearing harvest sampled from three orchards in Berrien County.
Gala (Standard)
Many Galas in the area have already been harvested, with Gala starch tests primarily testing at or beyond the maturity threshold of 3. The firmness tests indicate fruit are within the appropriate range for short-term controlled atmosphere (CA) storage on average, with some becoming too soft for storage conditions.
|
Collection Date |
Red Color (%) |
Firmness (lbs) |
Starch (1-8) |
Soluble Solids (°Brix) |
|
Sep. 8 |
95% |
15.4 (13.5 – 17.5) |
2.2 (2-3) |
9.3 |
*Starch values according to the 1-8 scale developed by Cornell University.
McIntosh
Many Mcintosh have already been harvested. Starch indices are indicating mature at the threshold of 5, with some over that threshold. Fruit firmness may be too soft for long-term storage (ideal pressure is 15-16 pounds for mid- to long-term storage). Keeping a close eye on firmness will be important for making storage decisions. Red color has been highly variable by location.
|
Collection Date |
Red Color (%) |
Firmness (lbs) |
Starch (1-8) |
Soluble Solids (°Brix) |
|
Sep. 8 |
67.5 (50-80) |
13 (11.5-15) |
5.6 (5-7) |
12.2 |
Honeycrisp
Honeycrisp matured quicker than expected over the past couple weeks due to the mild weather, which is favored by the variety. Many blocks are being harvested now or already harvested. Starch values for Honeycrisp have been highly variable and many blocks matured faster than predicted dates. This week’s starches averaging 6.3—the mature starch threshold is 3.5.
Like other varieties, Honeycrisp stores better if harvested early in the maturation process. See “Comprehensive Honeycrisp harvest and storage recommendations” by Michigan State University (MSU) researcher Randy Beaudry for Honeycrisp harvest and storage recommendations.
Bitter pit development on fruit has been observed in some locations. Fruit that are high risk or are more susceptible to bitter pit development may be in blocks with younger trees, high-risk rootstocks, high-vigor trees or low crop loads. Large fruit are also more susceptible to bitter pit development than small fruit. High bitter pit-risk fruit should be cooled quickly to the recommended 38 degrees Fahrenheit storage temperature, as conditioning will exacerbate bitter pit. High risk fruit should be marketed as soon as possible. Fruit intended for longer storage should be pre-conditioned, with recommended conditions of 50 F (room temperature) for five to seven days.
|
Collection Date |
Red Color (%) |
Firmness (lbs) |
Starch (1-8) |
Soluble Solids (Brix) |
|
Sep. 8 |
71.5 (45-95) |
13.7 (10.5-17.5) |
6.3 (6-7) |
14.1 (11.3-16.9) |
*Starch values according to the 1-8 scale developed by Cornell University.
Empire
This variety is averaging 2.8 for the starch test—the mature starch threshold is 3.5. The current average firmness reading is 18.3 pounds, compared to the desired minimum firmness for long-term CA storage of 16 pounds. The predicted peak harvest date for central Berrien County for fresh market CA storage is Sept. 16, perhaps a few days earlier than historical harvest dates. Early pickings could be recommended for taffy apples.
|
Collection Date |
Red Color (%) |
Firmness (lbs) |
Starch (1-8) |
Soluble Solids (Brix) |
|
Sep. 8 |
81.5 (60-100) |
18.3 (14.5-26) |
2.8 (2-4) |
10.3 |
*Starch values according to the 1-8 scale developed by Cornell University.
Jonagold
This variety appears to be maturing faster than anticipated, with an average of 4 for the starch test—the mature starch threshold for fresh market is 3.5. The current average firmness reading is 14.3 pounds, which is softer than desired minimum firmness for long-term CA storage. Plant Growth Regulator applications, such as Retain, were applied the week of Aug. 18 in some of the sampled Jonagolds. The predicted peak harvest date for central Berrien County is Sept. 19, however maturity tests indicate earlier harvests.
|
Collection Date |
Red Color (%) |
Firmness (lbs) |
Starch (1-8) |
Soluble Solids (Brix) |
|
Sep. 8 |
37.5 (15-60) |
14.3 (12.5-15.5) |
4 (3-5) |
11.6 |
*Starch values according to the 1-8 scale developed by Cornell University.
Golden Delicious
This variety is averaging 3 for the starch test, which is considered the mature threshold. The current average firmness reading is 15.6 pounds, the desired minimum firmness for long-term CA storage is 17 pounds. This variety is ripening faster than the predicted peak harvest date of Sept. 16 for central Berrien County. Picking has not started in most Golden Delicious orchards in central Berrien County. Retain applications were made in some blocks on Sept. 8.
|
Collection Date |
Firmness (lbs) |
Starch (1-8) |
Soluble Solids (Brix) |
|
Sep. 8 |
15.6 (13-18.5) |
3 (2-4) |
11.5 |
*Starch values according to the 1-8 scale developed by Cornell University.
Fuji
This variety is averaging 2.2 for the starch test—the mature starch threshold for fresh market is 3. The current average firmness reading is 19.7 pounds, the desired minimum firmness for long-term CA storage is 18 pounds. The predicted peak harvest date for central Berrien County is Sept. 16, which seems to be on target. Picking can be delayed waiting for better size, blush and brix. Picking has not started in Berrien County area Fuji orchards.
|
Collection Date |
Red Color (%) |
Firmness (lbs) |
Starch (1-8) |
Soluble Solids (Brix) |
|
Sep. 8 |
54 (10-100) |
19.7 (14-24.5) |
2.2 (2-3) |
11.5 |
*Starch values according to the 1-8 scale developed by Cornell University.
Apple maturity sampling parameters
- Color % = the visual percentage of red color (blush) from 0 to 100; range shown is for the orchard averages.
- Firmness in lbs pressure, skin off, as measured with a FT Penetrometer; range is for the site averages.
- Starch: 1 = all starch (solid blue staining), 8 = no starch (white); range is for the site averages. Starch Iodine Index Chart.
- Brix = % sugar measured with Atago PAL-1 Pocket Refractometer
|
Suggested firmness and starch index levels for long-term and shorter-term controlled atmosphere (CA) storage by variety. |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Variety |
Firmness (lbs)* |
Starch Index* |
|||
|
Short CA |
Mid-CA |
Long CA |
Mature |
Over mature |
|
|
McIntosh |
14 |
15 |
16 |
5 |
7 |
|
Gala |
16 |
17 |
18 |
3 |
6 |
|
Honeycrisp |
15 |
16 |
17 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Empire |
14 |
15 |
16 |
3.5 |
6 |
|
Early Fuji |
16 |
17 |
18 |
3 |
7 |
|
Jonagold |
15 |
16 |
17 |
3.5 |
5.5 |
|
Jonathan |
14 |
15 |
16 |
3.5 |
5.5 |
|
Golden Delicious |
15 |
16 |
17 |
3 |
6.5 |
|
Red Delicious |
16 |
17 |
18 |
2.5 |
6 |
|
Idared |
14 |
15 |
16 |
3.5 |
6 |
|
Fuji |
16 |
17 |
18 |
3 |
7 |
|
Rome |
15 |
16 |
18 |
3 |
5.5 |
|
Braeburn |
16 |
17 |
18 |
2.5 |
7 |
See the following helpful resources for more information:
- More information on harvest management tools and timings from MSU Extension.
- Post harvest treatments to extend apple life.
- Guidelines from MSU Extension to check for apple maturity in your own orchard, including specific pressure and starch recommendations by variety.
- Predicting apple maturity and starch chart from Cornell University.
