Central Washington apple growers received in-field instructions on growing Cosmic Crisp, heralded as the state apple variety of the future. The first commercial orchards will be planted in 2017 with the first fruit reaching markets in 2020.
ROCK ISLAND, Washington – Techniques to minimize “blind wood” are the most important for orchardists to know in growing Washington’s new apple, the Cosmic Crisp, a leading expert says.
About 50 growers attended a morning talk at the WSU Roza Research Orchard north of Prosser in the morning and another 50 attended the same presentation in the afternoon 120 miles to the north at the WSU Sunrise Research Orchard south of Rock Island.
Musacchi, Tom Auvil, research horticulturalist at the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, and Kate Evans, WSU apple breeder, all based in Wenatchee, spoke at both events. Evans said they hope to offer another field day in June to demonstrate mechanical pruning of the new variety.
Article by Dan Wheat, Capital Press
