(Backyard Gardener - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Hello Mid-Ohio Valley farmers and gardeners. Cool, fall temperatures will prevail this week as Halloween is next Thursday and we say goodbye to October.

Did you know October is National Apple Month? No matter if you use apples for baking pies, fresh eating or processing into apple butter or cider, there are dozens of commercial varieties to choose from with a wide range of flavors and colors. Over 7,500 apple varieties are grown worldwide and easily over 100 cultivars are grown commercially here in the United States. There definitely is an apple for every taste and use.

My favorite late season apples are “Goldrush” and “Winesap.” Both are very crisp apples with excellent flavor and store very well. They are great for fresh eating but can also be processed into applesauce or cider. “Goldrush” is also a good disease resistant apple tree, while “Winesap” is actually an heirloom variety which has been grown since the 1800’s.

Do you remember in the not so distant past when you took a bite of a mushy, “Red Delicious” apple that had been in cold storage for months? The ones you receive in a brown bag lunch along with a ham sandwich and bag of chips.

Well, as you know those days are over. The development of the “Honeycrisp” apple at the University of Minnesota (yes, our land grant universities at work!) forever changed the apple business landscape and our choices as consumers.

It is hard to believe, but the savior of the apple industry was flagged to be thrown in the compost pile. In the 1960’s scientists David Bedford and Jim Luby at the University of Minnesota Agriculture Research Station used traditional cross-pollination methods for developing “Honeycrisp.”

They were wanting to breed a winter hardy apple with improved fruit quality. They continued working with what was then called MN 1711 and was finally patented as “Honeycrisp” in 1988. It was released for commercial production in 1991 and the rest is history.

As a historical note, apple researchers were wanting to know the exact genetic heritage of the “Honeycrisp.” In 2004, University of Minnesota graduate student Nick Howard used DNA sequencing to confirm that “Honeycrisp” is a combination of two University of Minnesota apples, Keepsake and MN1627, an unreleased variety that is no longer available.

The University Minnesota has earned more than $8 million from “Honeycrisp,” mostly from a $1.30 per tree royalty paid by licensed nurseries before the patent expired in November of 2008.

The “Honeycrisp” apple is sweet and crisp with a bit of tart flavor and is wildly popular among consumers. “Honeycrisp” owes its super crunchiness and flavor to genetic variation. Its cells are twice the size of those of other apples, which accounts for this varieties’ unique, pleasing texture.

It commands a higher price at farmers markets than other varieties, $1 more per pound. “Honeycrisp” still sells out at u-pick orchards and commercial markets, over two decades after its introduction onto the apple scene.

The success of “Honeycrisp” led to a revolution in the apple industry. It was a breakthrough for consumers because it made farmers pay more attention to taste and flavor as well as buyer preference. Grow a tastier apple and people will buy it. It also changed pricing structure because farmers could price according to demand for this apple.

A grassroots phenomenon has created loyal fans of this apple for its unique flavor and eating pleasure. Consumers are not only wanting “Honeycrisp” but are open to trying other apple varieties which has sparked an increase in u-pick orchards and demand for apple cider (and hard ciders).

“Honeycrisp” has also inspired researchers to pour money into developing new and unique varieties similar to this great tasting apple. Farmers not only need to pay attention to varieties which are easy to grow, but the type consumers want to purchase.

“Honeycrisp” has also inspired new varieties to be introduced including “Pink Lady,” “Jazz” and “Sweetango.” which is the next generation developed by University of Minnesota, crossing “Honeycrisp” with “Zestar!.” “Sweetango” is just as crispy and juicy but adds an intriguing note of fall spice.

In 2021 “Cosmic Crisp” was introduced by Washington State University. It is a hybrid cross between “Enterprise” and “Honeycrisp” apple varieties. I am positive there will be more similar varieties introduced in the future now that consumers are looking for the next “Honeycrisp.” Will there be another variety which could make such an impact?

However, all the reviews associated with “Honeycrisp” are not glowing with praise from farmers. It is a difficult variety to grow due to many factors including heat tolerance, brittle wood, biennial production and cropping early.

“Honeycrisp” also has a thin skin which is easily punctured. This can lead to more storage rots. Growers can stem-clip apples and gently place them in bins to prevent bruising, but this precaution can double harvest costs. “Honeycrisp” apples tend to grow big, which can also lead to bitter pit. The disorder may be present at harvest but will get worse as the apples are stored.

Ultimately, despite all of its shortcomings in the orchard, “Honeycrisp” is still the variety in highest demand to consumers and has changed the apple industry for the better. Research from one of our Land Grant Universities (U of Minnesota) has developed a great tasting apple people love and crave. It has also sparked further research and development for even more variety choices for consumers.

Most importantly, it has created an opportunity for small farmers who operate local orchards to showcase “Honeycrisp” and introduce other unique varieties to customers looking for different tastes and uses for apples. Now go to a local orchard and pick some apples and have a glass of good old-fashioned cider. Enjoy!

Contact me at the Wood County WVU Extension Office 304-424-1960 or e-mail me at jj.barrett@mail.wvu.edu with questions. Good Luck and until next time, Happy Gardening!