As we move into the growing season, it’s crucial for apple growers to ensure their ‘Honeycrisp’ orchards are primed for optimal fruit production. Unlike many other apple cultivars, ‘Honeycrisp’ has specific soil and nutritional requirements that need to be carefully managed for success. Here’s a breakdown of updated strategies based on research from Cornell University and experts in the Northeast to help you achieve high-quality fruit and sustainable yields.

1. Preparing Your Soil: Calcium and pH Are Key

One of the first steps in setting up a successful ‘Honeycrisp’ orchard is ensuring your soil is rich in calcium, an essential nutrient for healthy tree growth and fruit development. Since calcium is immobile in soil, it’s important to amend the soil before planting.

• Calcium Fertilization: ‘Honeycrisp’ requires higher calcium levels than many other apple cultivars. To achieve this, it’s recommended that you apply 5,000 lb/acre of calcium to the top 12 inches of soil before planting. This amount ensures the trees have enough calcium for cell wall strength and helps prevent bitter pit.
• Soil pH: For optimal growth, aim for a soil pH of 7.2, slightly higher than the traditional pH range of 6.5-7.0. Research has shown that orchards with this pH level have better tree vigor and less incidence of bitter pit. While the idea of pH 7.2 may seem a bit high to some, it has been shown to provide excellent results for ‘Honeycrisp’.
• Lime Choices: The best way to amend soil calcium is by using calcitic lime (CaCO3). Unlike dolomitic lime, which adds magnesium (a factor linked to bitter pit), calcitic lime helps maintain the correct calcium levels without introducing excess magnesium. Avoid gypsum, as it is not as soluble or effective.

2. Fertilization for Healthy Growth: Tailored to ‘Honeycrisp’ Needs

The key to successful fertilization for ‘Honeycrisp’ is ensuring that nutrients are supplied at the right time and in the right amounts. Unlike many other apple cultivars, ‘Honeycrisp’ has distinct needs for nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca).

• Nitrogen (N): For ‘Honeycrisp’, the target leaf nitrogen concentration should be 2.0%. If your leaf nitrogen is below this threshold, you should apply 40 to 50 lb of nitrogen per acre to support tree vigor. If the leaf nitrogen level is between 2.0% and 2.25%, reduce nitrogen application to 20 lb per acre to gradually reach the ideal 2.0% target. For leaf nitrogen levels above 2.25%, no nitrogen should be applied.

Fertilizer should be applied early in the growing season, ideally before petal fall, as nitrogen demand is highest during this period. If you’re using fertigation, aim for the period between bloom and the end of shoot growth. Post-harvest nitrogen application (in early October) can be beneficial for trees with low vigor, as it promotes root growth and replenishes nitrogen reserves for the next season.

• Potassium (K): Potassium is essential for fruit size, but it must be applied cautiously for ‘Honeycrisp’. This cultivar requires less potassium than others like ‘Gala’. High potassium levels can lead to bitter pit, which is a major concern for this cultivar. Keep your leaf potassium levels between 1.0% and 1.3%. If your potassium levels are below 1.0%, apply 60 to 80 lb of K₂O per acre. For levels between 1.0% and 1.3%, apply 30 to 50 lb of K₂O per acre. If the level exceeds 1.3%, do not apply additional potassium until levels drop.

According to new potassium recommendations from research, potassium should be applied with care during pre-plant soil preparation. Specifically:

• For new plantings, limit potassium input during pre-plant soil preparation so that the potassium in the soil is no more than 6% of the calcium amount in the soil.
• For mature plantings, base potassium fertilizer application on leaf analysis in early July. You should apply only 60-70% of the potassium amount recommended for other cultivars like ‘Gala’ at the same yield level. Additionally, if soil tests show there are over 350 lb of potassium per acre in the top 12 inches of soil, it’s advisable to skip potassium fertilization for one to two years to allow the soil potassium reserves to deplete.

The optimal leaf potassium level for ‘Honeycrisp’ is 1.0-1.3%.

3. Final Thoughts: Best Practices for Your ‘Honeycrisp’ Orchard

Successfully growing ‘Honeycrisp’ apples requires careful attention to soil preparation, fertilization, and nutrient management. By following these recommendations—based on Cornell University’s research and other regional studies—you can ensure your trees grow healthy, produce high-quality fruit, and minimize problems like bitter pit.

• Prioritize calcium and pH management in your soil preparation.
• Tailor your fertilization strategies to the unique needs of ‘Honeycrisp’—particularly nitrogen and potassium.
• Regularly monitor leaf nutrient concentrations to guide your fertilization practices and ensure balanced tree growth.

By staying on top of these best practices, you’ll set your ‘Honeycrisp’ orchard up for long-term success, resulting in high yields of premium-quality apples that are sure to satisfy consumers and maximize your profits.

This article was posted in Apples and tagged Amaya Atucha, Apples, fertilization, fertilization strategies, Honeycrisp, soil.