[NAFEX] apple problem question

Bob Hartman hartmansfruittrees at wport.com
Thu Nov 4 20:34:28 EST 2004


Jim,

I see no one has answered your question so I will take a stab at it.  I don't know about the bumpy part but the pitted part could be what is known as bitter pit.  If at the pitted points underneath the skin it is brown that would
be another indication that it is bitter pit.  If the soil gets too acid apples will sometimes get the bitter pit.  Some varieties are more prone to bitter pit.  I noticed some bitter pit on some of my apples too and I am
correcting it by the addition of dolomite lime.  One of my books says that it is caused as a result of calcium deficiency within the fruit and may occur even on calcium-rich soils.  It says that in order to take up calcium, the
plant needs an adequate supply of moisture.  If this is not available and the tree does not get sufficient calcium, small areas of cells within the developing fruit collapse and turn brown.  Goodly amount of water and a good
mulch will also help prevent it.

I hope this helps your situation since Sweet Sixteen is one of my favorite apples.

Bob Hartman
Western Washington

"Erdman, Jim" wrote:

> Hello,
> This year I got my first good crop from many of my apple trees, and also my lone pear tree.
> Almost all of my Sweet 16 apples have a simiilar problem.  The skin is slightly bumpy or pitted, sort of like an orange in a way.  The flesh has dark areas and is sometimes a little bitter, and not crisp, but sometimes mushy.
> Does anyone have any ideas what the problem with them might be?  I have looked in many of my books and references with no luck, although I seem to have a tendency to miss the obvious sometimes.
> Thanks for any help.
>
> Jim, in Menomonie, WI, cold edge of zone 4
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