Why is the apple loose?
Many gardeners prefer to harvest their apples and store them in a cellar or basement during the cold season. This way, they can enjoy juicy and delicious fruits until the next harvest. Some varieties become soft and lose flavor after prolonged storage. Why does this happen, and how can it be prevented?
Reasons for apples becoming loose
Not every apple variety can be stored for long after harvest. The fruit often rots, changes color, and begins to deteriorate from the inside. A number of factors can cause this condition:
- Incorrect storage conditions. The most common reason why apples are delivered in this condition. Maintaining the correct temperature and humidity levels in the cellar is crucial.
- Insufficient fertilizer in the soil. A lack of calcium and nitrogen can cause the fruit itself to become loose during storage. In this case, it's recommended to review the fertilizers used and add the necessary nutrients.
- The apples were picked very late and were overripe, so during storage they would begin to spoil and become loose.
- Damaged fruits were sent for storage. Mechanical damage can cause wrinkled, loose, and rotting fruits, so be careful and attentive when picking.
- If the core has a rusty tint, then it is too cold in the room where you store the harvest, the fruits are simply frozen.
To ensure that harvested apples remain fresh for a long time and maintain the intercellular bonds that keep them firm, it's essential to maintain the correct temperature and humidity, avoiding direct sunlight in the storage area. Keep in mind modern fertilizers and adherence to harvesting guidelines, and you'll definitely avoid this problem.
What to do with loose apples
If you do end up with a large number of soft apples, don't throw them away right away. You can prepare a huge number of dishes with starchy and soft apples, as this fruit is widely used in many recipes. This includes everything from charlotte to various types of pies and rolls. Many gardeners enjoy using apples to make natural fruit pastilles, using the fruit as a preserve.
