Orchard Outlook: Honeycrisp Fruit Maturity Report - Sept 15, 2026

This is the third Honeycrisp maturity update for the example regions. Harvest timing is expected to lag two to three days behind the earliest starts seen in recent years, based on current maturity indices. Based on the current rate of change, harvest at the monitoring sites is estimated to be approximately 1.5 to 2 weeks away, at around September 23 to 28. Predictions are subject to change. Some discussion on bitter pit and field observations are included at the end of the newsletter.

Weather

Degree Day Accumulations

Total degree day accumulations are between the 5- and 10-year average (Figure 1). Given that this year has been among the warmest growing seasons on record, it's likely that harvest will be on the early side and should be monitored closely. However, harvest timing is expected to lag two to three days behind the earliest starts seen in recent years, based on current maturity indices.

The accumulated hours below 10°C since August 25 and leading up to harvest have been around average and unremarkable. This factor was reviewed to consider the risk of storage disorders and did not highlight reasons to be concerned.

Figure 1: Heating degree day accumulations for plant (above 5°C) and insect (above 10°C) development from March 1 to Sept 14 for the past 17 seasons. Provided by Harrison Wright (AAFC).

Precipitation

September is only at the halfway point and yet we have received over half the month's precipitation. On farm, it seems that the excess water is being absorbed by the soil perhaps making up for below-average precipitation in August.

The accumulated precipitation since August 25 and leading up to harvest has been around average and unremarkable. This factor was reviewed to consider the risk of storage disorders and did not highlight reasons to be concerned.

Figure 2: Monthly precipitation totals in 2026 (triangles) compared with the 25-year average (bar graphs). Provided by Harrison Wright (AAFC Plant Physiology).

Important Note - The following information about harvest maturity is for general industry purposes only. Growers are encouraged to use their own discretion to harvest trees that are exhibiting delayed colour development or exhibiting maturity indices that disagree with what is being reported here. Values were measured on an average of fruit that were representative of the block's crop load and tree vigour. Fruit representative of size and colour were taken from all sides but not from the interior of the canopy where maturity is expected to be delayed and is most likely targeted for a second pick timing.

Current Maturity (Sept 14 to Sept 15, 2026)

Table 1: Maturity indices for regular Honeycrisp fruit sampled in the current year on Sept 14, 2026 in North Medford, and Sept 15, 2026 in Rockland and Lakeville. Values are compared with the samples taken one week ago on Sept 8 and 9, 2026.

Current Maturity - Table 1 Discussion:

• Starch conversion to sugars is picking up the pace in early regions, resulting in starch index values around 2 to 3. Current starch index values remain below the harvest target of 5.0.
• Soluble solids are not yet ideal and progressed slowly over the last week. Honeycrisp apples in our region typically reach about 11% Brix at harvest maturity, although values can vary depending on factors like crop load.
• Based on the current rate of change, harvest at the monitoring sites is estimated to be approximately 1.5 to 2 weeks away, at around September 23 to 28. Predictions are subject to change.

Historical Comparison

Table 2: Maturity indices for regular Honeycrisp fruit relative to the average of combined years 2022, 2023, and 2024 sampled on a similar calendar date. The year 2025 is not included in the comparison due to extreme weather conditions. Rockland is not included because a new site is being monitored and there is no data for comparison.

Historical Comparison - Table 2 Discussion:

• Remember that 2022, 2023, and 2024 growing seasons were among the warmest in recent history.
• Fruit maturity is progressing more slowly than in recent warm years, based on higher DA meter values, and lower starch and soluble solids in Rockland and Lakeville.
• The North Medford site did not receive its usual ReTain application this year. Interestingly, the slower maturity due to seasonal weather conditions produced maturity levels comparable to those previously observed from ReTain treatment applied during warmer-than-average seasons.

More Fruit Quality Observations

• Beautiful!!! Red color improved noticeably over the past week as cooler nighttime temperatures continued to promote red color development (Figure 3). Colour is almost as good as the year 2024 and has improved significantly over the past two weeks.
• The average fruit weight in the sampled blocks was 236 g (+13.5 g/week), with individual block averages ranging from 197 g to 296 g. 
• Average fruit diameter was 81.8 mm (3.2 inches), increasing by approximately 1.5 mm over the past week. Average diameter ranged from 78 mm to 90 mm among blocks.
• Differences between sites were largely driven by crop load. Mass and diameter are normal unless blocks are in a low or high crop load situation.

Figure 3: The blush red colour side of ten-fruit samples from three regions historically in the good colouring year 2024, currently in 2026, and finally showing the significant improvement from the sample taken two week's prior. Sampled fruit are from the outer canopy that would be targeted for a first pick.

About each maturity measurement:

Starch Index - Starch is converted to sugars as ripening progresses. The starch-iodine test is used because iodine binds to starch molecules turning them blue/black, whereas sugars are not stained and remain clear. The Cornell chart on a scale of 1 to 8 was used above and values are an average of ten representative samples from each block.

Soluble Solids - Approximates the percentage of sugar content of the fruit. Measured using a digital refractometer. Values are an average of ten representative samples from each block taken on the blush side of each fruit. Soluble solids values in our region for Honeycrisp tend to be 11% brix at harvest maturity. 

DA Meter - The delta absorbance (DA) value is related to the chlorophyll content of the peel. AAFC researchers in Kentville developed a protocol for Honeycrisp. Values above 0.60 are immature, values 0.6 to 0.36 are ideal for long term storage, and values below 0.35 are best for short term storage because they are more prone to storage disorders. Values shown above are the average of twenty fruit taken throughout a block, with readings taken on the transition area between the sun and shade exposed sides. DA values will be noticeably different between the most mature and least mature fruit on a tree. 

Other Field Observations and Discussion

• There are reports and observations of more bitter pit than usual at several orchards. Even varieties that are not typically prone to bitter pit have shown signs. The current theory is that vigorous shoot growth might have outcompeted the fruit for calcium. There is also a higher risk of bitter pit in situations of large fruit. In future years it may be worth revisiting how much calcium is applied and using high-calcium options like calcium chloride after gold ball fruit size.
• This year if colour is progressing better than it has in recent years, just be cautious about harvest maturity. In some cases high colour encourages harvest of immature fruit. Use all maturity indices in your decision whether to begin harvest. There are always tradeoffs though, including labour resources but don't force an early pick if you can. Just be aware that early harvest of Honeycrisp can lead to more bitter pit in storage whereas late harvest beyond DA 0.36 or starch 7.5 results in more soft scald.
• Scab infections are heavy this year where not adequately protected. The heavy infection potential increases the risk of pinpoint scab. Late season fungicide treatment is highly recommended in blocks that have leaf and/or fruit scab. Pay special attention to the tops of tall trees that might not have had adequate fungicide coverage. Ambrosia trees in particular are very susceptible to scab and the fruit are stored for a long period of time.
• The group 7 & 11 products Pristine and Merivon can be applied up to 5 days before harvest (and preferably within 2 weeks). They are labelled for the control of scab, black rot, flyspeck, and sooty blotch. The short PHI and good activity are especially helpful for protecting apples being placed in long-term storage.
• Don't put away the sprayer too early! Late varieties benefit from a preharvest spray too. Also, cumulative rainfall of 25-50 mm washes off fungicide protection. Growers who stop their fungicide program early see early symptoms of diseases in storage.
• There are a lot of earwigs this year in fruit clusters, including some feeding and insect poop. Gross!
• Shoot growth on young trees stopped in the summer dry weather and then restarted in later wet weather. Some young orchard is still actively growing and this appears to be later than usual.

This Orchard Outlook has been published with the input of the Orchard Outlook Committee including this week's contributors: Harrison Wright, Joan Hebb, Larry Lutz, Danny Davison, and Bob Prange.

Perennia Food and Agriculture Corp.
Edited by Michelle Cortens, Tree Fruit Specialist