Knowledgebase

Apple rot #861827

Asked March 18, 2024, 1:07 PM EDT

My apples are roting from the inside.  It's starting as a clear flesh and progressing to rot. What is the reason for it? I spray my trees 2 times before and after the bloom. 

Houghton County Michigan

Expert Response

Hello Galina, 

Thanks for reaching out. When you say "clear" do you mean normal white flesh or more clear/glassy patches? Apples with these clear sections have what we call water core that can progress to what you are seeing now. Here's an article on water core (Microsoft Word - WatercoreinApples.docx (msu.edu)). 

If not, I am also curious about how you stored these apples. Apples are living structures that will continue to age and rot over time unless their temperature, moisture, oxygen, and carbon dioxide are carefully managed to limit cellular respiration. While they can be successfully stored for about a year in commercial settings, it is expected that apples will exhibit decay and rot in storage. Even when these factors are carefully managed, a percentage will almost always rot earlier. 

Lindsay Brown Replied March 21, 2024, 9:30 AM EDT
Hello Lindsay,
Thank you so much for your reply. 
I think that I probably have water core because  usually I don't pick up my apples until the last moment,  they stay up on the tree a long  time and start to rot from inside out.
As I understand from the article it's a disorder and to prevent it I need to pick up my apples early . 
Thank you,
Galina 
 

On Thu, Mar 21, 2024, 9:30 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied March 21, 2024, 9:51 PM EDT

Great! Watercore isn't initially an issue. The clear areas are higher in sugar! But it will reduce the storage capacity of the impacted fruits. 

Best,

Lindsay Brown Replied March 22, 2024, 9:27 AM EDT

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