Knowledgebase

Weird spots on honeycrisp apples #883937

Asked September 03, 2024, 4:17 PM EDT

We have a honeycrisp apple tree in our backyard in Littleton. This year is the second year we've gotten a nice crop of apples. A few years ago, when we had apples, they were small but beautiful and delicious. This year, the apples are much bigger, but they have lots of dark brown spots on them. Even the apples that are still green have darker green spots showing up. What is causing this? Are the apples still good to eat? And how do we prevent this in the future?

Denver County Colorado

Expert Response

From the photos you sent, it appears that your apples have bitter pit.  Honeycrisps are a variety susceptible to bitter pit.  Bitter pit results from calcium deficiency.  I am attaching a few fact sheets on bitter pit to help you understand the causes and the best ways to manage it in the future.  

https://extension.usu.edu/planthealth/ipm/notes_ag/fruit-bitter-pit

https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/diseases/bitter_pit_and_cork_spot#gallery

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/controlling-bitter-pit-apples-best-practices-growers-fs-2023-0701/

Colorado Master Gardener, Denver County Replied September 07, 2024, 2:29 PM EDT
Thank you so much for the info! Based on the articles, I’m guessing this happened due to the fact that the tree was aggressively pruned this past winter and then had a huge growth spurt in the spring/early summer. Is it okay to eat apples that have bitter pit?

Sent from my iPad

On Sep 7, 2024, at 12:29 PM, Ask Extension wrote:


The Question Asker Replied September 07, 2024, 3:21 PM EDT

I found a publication from Ohio State University that says apples with bitter pit are edible. 

 

https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/plpath-fru-01#:~:text=Cork%20spot%2C%20bitter%20pit%20and%20Jonathan%20spot%20are%20similar%20in,and%20reduces%20salability%20of%20fruit.

 


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From: ask=<personal data hidden> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Saturday, September 7, 2024 1:21 PM
To: Colorado Master Gardeners
Subject: New response added to your question (#0153854)

 

Colorado Master Gardener, Denver County Replied September 07, 2024, 4:18 PM EDT

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