King David needs to look dark purple in order for its flavor to be at its peak. You're probably need to look between Halloween and Thanksgiving as a ripening window.
@@troutfishholland King David needs to look as dark red as possible to ensure the best flavor concentration. It does better in the South (it hails from Arkansas, after all) where it has a longer ripening window, but it hangs on the tree for a long time and it will get mushy if not picked by early to mid December. I hope you're able to eat a nice quality King David this year!
After reading this comment, my conclusion is that it's likely that you haven't eaten a King David at peak flavor (since it's renowned as a favorite for many who get to try it when it's truly ready). King David fools people because it colors up nicely before it gets ripe, but when the skin looks burgundy instead of red, that's when it's really ready to be picked!
Some of the older varieties are better after sitting a few weeks. Steven Hayes is a great resource on these heirloom varieties. Some he won't sell until they've been in storage several weeks. Your russet may be one of these.
I just planted 5 heirloom varieties this spring. It is hard to know you have to wait a couple years to see what the fruits going to be. Good luck on your russet.
Nice video, your orchard looks great. I was looking for a video on Roxbury Russet b/c I read it was resistant to scab. You have scab on the King David but not on Roxbury. Have you ever seen scab on Roxbury? Scab is a huge problem in Ireland where I grow my apples. I've heard Golden Russet is a good tasting apple too.
Butch Willard thank you. I believe that is old remnants of Captan fungicide. I use a powerful sticker and although the Captan has degraded and lost effectiveness, the sticker holds it on. I made a couple of spray videos earlier this summer.
@@troutfishholland Hard to say, why does dogwood borer prefer my Winesap tree when the Fuji tree 40 feet away is less healthy and has sunscald? I seem to remember Michael Phillips mentioning in an orchard tour video that Liberty is a good cultivar to use to monitor for either curculio or oriental fruit moth (I cant remember which) and might even be useful as a trap crop in an organic orchard where one just sprays the Liberty trees. Maybe something about that tree invites heavier damage?
I had Wisconsin grown King David’s last year in late October. Turns out to be one of my favorites now.
King David needs to look dark purple in order for its flavor to be at its peak. You're probably need to look between Halloween and Thanksgiving as a ripening window.
I think you’re right. I was concerned they were getting soft. I’ll let them go this year.
@@troutfishholland King David needs to look as dark red as possible to ensure the best flavor concentration. It does better in the South (it hails from Arkansas, after all) where it has a longer ripening window, but it hangs on the tree for a long time and it will get mushy if not picked by early to mid December. I hope you're able to eat a nice quality King David this year!
I like to say King David apples were named after a good king that sometimes was really bad.
After reading this comment, my conclusion is that it's likely that you haven't eaten a King David at peak flavor (since it's renowned as a favorite for many who get to try it when it's truly ready). King David fools people because it colors up nicely before it gets ripe, but when the skin looks burgundy instead of red, that's when it's really ready to be picked!
@@javierrivera9236 Good to know. My King David is really young yet and we have only had a few.
I’m not sure king David likes my climate. The apples are getting soft before getting flavor
Some of the older varieties are better after sitting a few weeks. Steven Hayes is a great resource on these heirloom varieties. Some he won't sell until they've been in storage several weeks. Your russet may be one of these.
You might be right. No I’m a huge fan of Stephen Hayes.
I can hardly wait until I get to try my antique apple varieties. I don’t have king David but I do have Roxbury Russet
I just planted 5 heirloom varieties this spring. It is hard to know you have to wait a couple years to see what the fruits going to be. Good luck on your russet.
Love finding other ppl growing heirloom apples, awesome channel. What state is ur orchard in?
Southern Indiana
would be great if you could show the bite so we can see the inside colour and how much juice it has
Good thought. Not too scientific chewing on camera. Just nothing exciting about king David We will try again next year.
Looks like Bitter Pit.
king david need 1 month after they look ripe before they are ripe.
Looks like bitter pit on the king david.
Nice video, your orchard looks great. I was looking for a video on Roxbury Russet b/c I read it was resistant to scab. You have scab on the King David but not on Roxbury. Have you ever seen scab on Roxbury? Scab is a huge problem in Ireland where I grow my apples. I've heard Golden Russet is a good tasting apple too.
I’ve read that russet apples are all scab resistant
Roxbury never seemed to scab.
Great crop. Is that Kaolin Clay is sew with the faint residue on the apples. Would love a video on your spray experience if it is. Thx
Butch Willard thank you. I believe that is old remnants of Captan fungicide. I use a powerful sticker and although the Captan has degraded and lost effectiveness, the sticker holds it on. I made a couple of spray videos earlier this summer.
Could those be stink bug bite damage? There doesn't appear to be scab on any leaves
Maybe. But why just king David fruit?
@@troutfishholland Hard to say, why does dogwood borer prefer my Winesap tree when the Fuji tree 40 feet away is less healthy and has sunscald? I seem to remember Michael Phillips mentioning in an orchard tour video that Liberty is a good cultivar to use to monitor for either curculio or oriental fruit moth (I cant remember which) and might even be useful as a trap crop in an organic orchard where one just sprays the Liberty trees.
Maybe something about that tree invites heavier damage?
@@danielsmith336 Liberty is a curculio magnet. No idea why. We figure that out and we can work on the borer problem. LOL.
It’s a let down to see the scab on a so called scab resistant apple. Also, it does get some fireblight In the south
That looks like bitter pit.
I love ugly apples
Thanks for watching
Too small...