Does the type of rootstock affect when apples ripen?

[sandbur]

Do some rootstocks wake up earlier in the spring or lead to early/late blooms which might affect ripening or drop times?

 

[Turkey Creek]

Sandbur there is some evidence that root stock does affect maturity dates, but it is probably not directly related to the things you have listed. In my quest to gather more info on Cripps Pink last year I had a couple commercial orchard specialists tell me dwarf root stock can speed up maturity by 1-2 weeks.

 

[sandbur]

Sandbur there is some evidence that root stock does affect maturity dates, but it is probably not directly related to the things you have listed. In my quest to gather more info on Cripps Pink last year I had a couple commercial orchard specialists tell me dwarf root stock can speed up maturity by 1-2 weeks.

I have some mature chestnut crabs on what is probably 3 different rootstocks. I do not know what the rootstocks are, but the trees are different sizes.

Those that are shorter trees seem to drop a week or so earlier and one of these trees is in a location that is 80 miles to the north. Both locations have a south exposure.

I was looking at the Mn. Apple growers information and looking at ripening times. It did not quite match what I was seeing, but could be based on a more southern location in the state.

Can a rootstock cause a shorter or longer drop time???(I'll bet No is the answer)

 

[Turkey Creek]

Cant be of assistance on your last question. Correct on the north/ south location affecting maturity date.

 

[Maya]

I've never heard anything about about that Sandbur and would say no. You'd really have to have the same site, exposure etc, to make that determination. I do have Honeycrisp on MM111 and a few different dwarfing roots, and they mature at the same time, within a few days. I normally pic the MM111 later, but that is to get them a little more color if anything. They have more canopy and more shade. Are the trees at the same site the same age and did they have the same fruit load?

Don't ever go by ripening times from another site. Appleman and I are about 100 miles apart and he is always 7-10 days behind me. Also I should have some Liberty's on B9 and MM111 fruiting this year, I'll let you know what happens.

 

[sandbur]

George -those trees are not at the same site.

I use ripening times as more of a guide for progression of ripening in relationship to the apples I have on my place.

 

[Maya]

You can probably assume that for the most part, the farther north you go, the later the maturity then.