Apples

Updated: June 7, 2025

Climate Change and the Orchard: It's Been a Difficult Spring for Fruit Growers

This spring's weather was unkind to Maryland fruit growers. Whether you believe in climate change or not, you know that an early bloom, an advective April freeze, and one of the wettest months of May on record has hurt fruit production.

Apple fruit set on the underside of apple branches in 2025.

Updated: June 6, 2025

Understanding and Preventing Lenticel Breakdown in Apples: from Tree to Storage

What is lenticel breakdown in Apple Fruits and what causes it? Physiological disorders in apples are abnormalities that occur in the tissue during the pre-harvest and post-harvest periods, not caused by pests or pathogens. These physiological abnormalities drastically lower growth profitability because they make the fruit unmarketable.

Honeycrisp apple affected by lenticel breakdown on the skin.

Updated: May 22, 2025

Apple Red Skin Coloration: A Grower's Checklist (FS-2025-0753)

Authors: Matthew Trause - James Schupp - Macarena Farcuh

Red skin coloration is highly associated with apple fruit marketability and profitability. It is determined by the content and composition of anthocyanins. A multifaceted approach—considering environmental factors, site of establishment, cultivars, rootstocks, mineral nutrition, crop load, and fruit maturity —are key to meeting the required apple red skin coloration standards. Authors: Matthew Trause, James Schupp, Ph.D., and Macarena Farcuh, Ph. D.; Title: Apple Red Skin Coloration: A Grower's Checklist (FS-2025-0753).

Updated: May 22, 2025

Selected resources for commercial apple production