Hi Art: The “Macoun” variety is a self-sterile apple, like ”Jonagold”. It needs a pollinizer close-by to set a full crop. Jonathan, Granny Smith, Elstar, Grimes Golden, and most crab apples will pollinate Macoun. As for the seeds, they are needed for fruit set and for larger fruit size because they produce the hormone auxin, which makes the cells grow bigger. If you see a lopsided fruit, chances are the bulgy cheek has viable seed(s) but not the other side. Most varieties will drop their fruit if there are no seeds, however some varieties like Macoun will set seedless fruits of small size. If there are plenty of pollinizers nearby, but the fruits did not set seeds, then blame it on the weather that may have kept the bees from bringing pollens from the pollinizer trees. I have seen many fruits on the ground in central Illinois this spring because of the heavy rain and cold weather that we had during bloom, which kept the bees in their hives. Mosbah Kushad, University of Illinois
From: apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net [mailto:apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net] On Behalf Of Arthur Kelly Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2015 11:00 AM To: Apple-Crop Subject: [apple-crop] Seedless apples Does anyone have any input as to why my Macoun apples fail to develop seeds? The seeds wither but the apples stay and are harvested. They develop fair size but I can't help but think it would be better if they had a full compliment of seeds. The Cortland and Gala on either side have a full compliment of seeds and size well with moderate thinning. -- Art Kelly Kelly Orchards Acton, ME
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