Written by Thiago Campbell, WSU Extension, September 25, 2025
As the harvest season progresses, ‘WA 38’ is coloring and enticing many growers to pick. When harvesting ‘WA 38’, there are some key points to consider. The Starch Index (1-6) should be a minimum of 2.0 at harvest, while fruit that qualify for packing must have 90% reach a starch clearance of 4.5. As always, breaking background color indicates proper maturity. For decay management, stem clipping is recommended along with a pre- or postharvest fungicide.
The first ship date for fruit produced in the 2025 crop year is November 17, 2025 (mark your calendars!). Fruit from oldest orchards (4+ years) should be considered to sell first due to even maturation patterns, while fruit from young orchards (2- to 3-year-old trees) are recommended to be sold in January/February, due to potential inconsistencies in fruit maturity development and starch clearance. Additionally, tasting fruit before packing and shipping is recommended to detect off-flavors. A bitter taste, although rare, dissipates after several weeks when fruit is held in RA.
More detailed information can be found at the following website, along with a printable pdf: “Recommended Harvest Criteria for Commercial WA-38 Storage in 2025 | WSU Tree Fruit | Washington State University”.
Contact
Thiago Campbell
WSU Tree Fruit Extension Educator – Postharvest Pathology and Physiology
Thiago.campbell@wsu.edu
(786) 375-1363
Funding and acknowledgements
Washington State University and the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission
Additional information
WA 38 Characteristics and Horticulture | WSU Tree Fruit | Washington State University
WA 38 FAQs | WSU Tree Fruit | Washington State University
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