Art: Many factors contribute to poor color in “Jonagold” and other varieties of apples.
1. “Joangold” is not a high coloring cultivar, except in excellent sites where it can get adequate cool nights and warm (but not hot) days at least one month before harvest. 2. “Jonagold” is a vigorous tree. Adequate pruning is a must for good color. 3. Heavily fertilized trees produce poor color fruits. 4. High temperature and high humidity during coloring will reduce fruit color. 5. I have seen young trees produce good color fruits compare to older trees, but I have also seen the opposite, which gets back to tree management.. 6. I am not sure heavy crop load impact fruit color much . I would assume the opposite.. A tree that has a heavy crop load is likely to have less shaded fruits.. 7. In my opinion the key players are inadequate pruning and hot and humid weather before harvest. 8. I have seen a NW grower mist a “Jonagold” block to increase color through evaporative cooling. Not a good practice if you live in a humid area.. Mosbah Kushad, University of Illinois From: apple-crop [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of kellyorchards Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2016 1:20 PM To: Apple-Crop Subject: [Apple-Crop] Jonagold Why are my Jonagolds not coloring? Can this be an issue if they have a heavy crop? Art Kelly Kelly Orchards Acton, Maine
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