Dick; I've got Grave's - generally - but this is the poorest year I can remember for them set-wise. But you've got 'em - and they've all dropped? Gravenstein Apples have a genetic short stem - they literally grow, or push themselves off their fruit spur! The Deer love this characteristic, bruises and all - we don't.
Even here in the hills, the Graves are nearly ripe. Which means "in town" they most likely are ripe. If they aren't picked "at perfection" - they drop. If it's a "young tree," 10 years or less, there could be other problems, but what few Graves we have this year are holding green on the 90 year old tree.
So, they can't help "falling" - the only question is: are you sure they aren't ripe? The heat we've had (in the Willamette Valley) may cause them to let go sooner - I'm not sure? - the deer keep ours picked up. But, if you need some Grave's - check out the post here: Apple picker needed in Portland, Oregon
Dick
'Gravenstein' or any other apple will fall prematurely if they are attached by pests. For apples in the Pacific Northwest, primarily codling moth (at the core of the apple) and/or apple maggot (brown trails in the flesh of the apple).
Also, 'Gravenstein' apples do not ripen at the same time, many exhibit different coloration from almost all green to red striped to more red.
Determine if the apples are ripe by looking at the seeds, note the color. Ripe apples have dark seeds.
As Viron said, drought will also premature drop.
Ted
Idyllwild
jafar
Marsha H
Viron
1 Guest(s)