Blooming and Ripening Timing of Apple Varieties in North Carolina

HIL-302, Revised 7/93 -- Author Reviewed 10/98

M. L. Parker
Extension Horticultural Specialist
Department of Horticultural Science

APPROXIMATE RIPENING DATE FOR READY-TO-EAT APPLES

(-) WEEKS BEFORE OR RELATIVE BLOOM

(+)  AFTER RED DELICIOUS       VARIETY                  DATE


           -8                  Lodi               Early
           -7                  Tydeman's Red      Early
           -7                  Paulared           Early
           -3                  Ginger Gold        Mid
           -2                  Gala               Early-Mid
           -1                  Liberty            Early
           -1 to -2            McIntosh           Early-Mid
           -1                  Cortland           Mid
           -1                  Spartan            Early
           -1/2                Empire             Early
            0                  Red Delicious      Early-Mid
  Raleigh   - Sept. 1                             Raleigh - April 5
  Asheville - Sept. 10                            Asheville - April 20
            0                  Jonagold           Early
           +1                  Idared             Early
           +1                  Golden Delicious   Mid
           +1-2                York               Late
           +1-2                Mutsu (Crispin)    Mid
           +2                  Stayman            Mid
           +2                  Winesap            Mid
           +3                  Rome Beauty        Late
           +3                  Arkansas Black     Early through Late
           +4-5                Granny Smith       Very Early - Early
           +4-5                Fuji               Mid

* Choose varieties which have overlapping bloom periods. For example, 'Gala' and 'Empire' have overlapping bloom periods, whereas 'Paula Red' and 'Fuji' do not overlap. 'Mutsu', 'Stayman', 'Jonagold', and 'Winesap' are varieties with sterile pollen, which makes them unsuitable as a pollen source. 'Golden Delicious' is a good pollinator for these mid-season varieties, but will not pollinate 'Jonagold' or 'Mutsu'. Although some apple varieties do not require a pollinizer, fruit size and fruit set will be greater if cross pollinated. It is recommended to plant at least 2 to 3 apple varieties with overlapping bloom periods for optimal fruit size and set. Varieties such as Arkansas Black or Winter Banana have extended bloom periods which make these varieties good choices as pollenizers. Flowering crab trees also can be used as a pollenizer as long as the bloom periods of the crab apple and apple variety overlap.

Published by
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service

Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. North Carolina State University at Raleigh, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.