My ASHMEADS KERNEL APPLE sufgers from this type of cracked skin. It is only skin deep and does not penetraye to the flesh.
Hapenned last year too but I thought is was a one of situation.
But now I see it again. Strangely NONE of the other 40-50 varieties I have show anything like this.
Does anyone know of an affliction that is unique to Ashmeads K.
Mike
Stephen Hayes talks about this issue on one of his videos. It’s one of Ashmeads faults in some orchards. Also Bitter Pit.
Ashmeads Kernel is know for being an “ugly” apple. Taste is reportedly great, but you would never get a grocery store to sell it, simply do to its looks.
I had one of my apple trees fruit did that last year. I thought it was very odd. I believe it was my Reinette Zabergau. I will be interested in knowing what the heck it is.
And for a more scholarly treatment: https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/IND43969103/PDF
TLDR: Some apples are resistant to cracking because their “skin” cells are able to rapidly divide. Others, that are more prone to cracking, do not.
Cracking is generally caused by rains after a period of drought, and then high humidity (so the apples can’t get rid of any of the excess water by transpiration.)
I suppose a partial solution would be to ensure even watering in times of no rainfall.
