New Varieties Coming

We have recently been introduced the Cosmic Crisp apple, formerly known simply as WA-38. The Cosmic Crisp will not be available to consumers for several years but it is not the only new variety on the horizon. WSU's Kate Evans says they always have new varieties in the pipeline.

EVANS: That's one part of an apple breeding program or any breeding program is it's on-going. So every year the breeding program makes new crosses, we grow new seedlings every year and so we have material at every stage in the process.

Evans says they continue their work from the WA-38 but not 39.

EVANS: We sort of got rid of 39. We're way up in the 100's now in other material that's out there testing. There are a few others along the way that are looking quite interesting. So once we feet a little bit further through the evaluation process then there'll be another one.

Some of the names you might want to keep your eyes open for are the CN 121 that is believed to be an improvement on the Honeycrisp but you probably won't see any of it for at least another 6 years. There's also a variety called Breeze from New Zealand and has a solid pink-red blush and is sweeter and firmer than a Gala, with a whiter flesh. It was found in a Gala block so more than likely is a descendant but again, not available for another 3 or 4 years. There is also the Pazazz that came from a Honeycrisp cross and it might just beat the others onto the grocers shelves in the next few years.

That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.