Reports from neighboring states indicate the harvest is progressing nicely with the bulk of McIntosh being picked over the next ten days. The extended forecast call for warm temperatures over the next several days with a rapid cool-down for the weekend when daily high temperatures will only be in the 60's. Dr. Greene's Report Here is Dr. Greene's 'Harvest the Potential' report for September 18. Note that most of his comments are based on Belchertown observations. Harvest of McIntosh is in full swing in all areas.
Color continues to be good and further red color development is favored by cooler nights.
The value of starch iodine figures as an indicator of harvest maturity has been questioned. However, with starch iodine levels above 6, and all other indicators of maturity also suggest that fruit harvested from now on, may best be placed in regular air storage. Drop control continues to be good in ReTain treated blocks, and maturity of fruit from these trees appears to be delayed by at least one week. Starch iodine levels in Gala is between 7 and 8 and all other indicators of maturity suggest that harvest should be completed soon. Honeycrisp should have been spot picked last week.