Participating in an apple club is like drilling an oil well. Wildcat drillers can have “tremendous rewards or hit a dry hole,” says Dave Allan. “There is tremendous risk,” said the Yakima, Washington, grower-packer who is involved with Pacific Rose and Jazz varieties. Grower investments are high for the new varieties, which require up-front membership fees calculated on a per-acre basis and tree royalties. “What if the consumers don’t share my same enthusiasm for the varieties?” he wondered. Past experience shows that not all new varieties become market sensations. “When you plant Fuji, you know that someone will buy it. […]