Hotter weather, less color

Warmer minimum temperatures in Washington State and other northern states could translate into less color development for red grape varieties and other crops like Red Delicious apples, said Mercy Olmstead, Washington State University Extension viticulture specialist. Washington’s cool nights have been conducive to producing colored and elongated fruit varieties. “That’s what Washington State is known for—red, elongated varieties,” she said. Olmstead said one research study showed a reduction in color development of Vitis vinifera wine grape crosses when temperatures rose to 86°F compared to 68°F. Because Concord juice grapes could be especially impacted by reduced color development, WSU researchers have […]