Apple Cultivars for the Cool, Humid Climate of Northwest Washington

Abstract

Large scale commercial apple production in the Northwest is confined to the semi-arid areas on the leeward side of the Cascade Mountains, Wenatchee and Yakima being the important centers. The coastal area of northwest Washington, formerly a commercial production area in pre-irrigation days is typified by 15 to 80 inches of rainfall, lower summer and higher winter temperatures. Spring frosts occasionally occur, damaging apricots and plums, but seldom is an apple crop lost for this reason. Spring winds and rain are more apt to cause poor fruit set than any other factor. Under such conditions insect activity is reduced and diseases such as apple scab, Venturia inaequalisand powdery mildew, Podosphaera lencotrichadevelop rapidly.