Apples like all other fruit are alive and continue to carry on life processes after harvest. Slowing their rate of respiration will make them last longer and prevent mealiness and poor taste. The refrigerator is the best place to store apples. A spare refrigerator that does not have to be opened very much will keep apples at 35 to 40 o F, which is close to optimum storage temperature . Apples maintained at 50 F will ripen four times faster than when kept at 32 F. Do not store apples with vegetables such as cabbage, turnips, or potatoes.
Apples pick up off-flavors easily, and cause vegetables to lose quality.
Store apples that are fully ripe, but not over-mature. Keep humidity close to 90 percent. Apples store well in plastic bags which have holes in them for ventilation. Lack of ventilation causes faster ripening and rotting. Check stored apples periodically for signs of spoilage.