Founded on Our Farm
A new strain ripens three weeks earlier than the standard Honeycrisp.
On August 11, 2010, Steve Slaybaugh and his wife made an exciting discovery in their family orchard in Pennsylvania. They noticed that the Honeycrisp apples on one particular tree had ripened nearly three weeks earlier than expected, marking the beginning of what would become Premier Honeycrisp.
“Why is the tree ripe?” Slaybaugh recalls saying this to his wife, who was with him on a four-wheeler looking over the crop. Then they tasted it. “It’s ripe! It’s ready to be picked,” he said.
Both quite excited about it, they took an apple home for their son Dave to taste. After the family tasted the apple they new they had found something special. What began as an unexpected find soon led to the development of a unique variety that could be grown and enjoyed around the world.
Premier Honeycrisp discovered by Steve and Dave Slaybaugh of Mt. Ridge Farms in Adams County, PA, is a complete tree sport of Honeycrisp that matures three weeks earlier. From what has been observed over several fruiting seasons, Premier Honeycrisp shares many of the same attributes of the original honeycrisp.
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Promoting the New Find
The Slaybaugh's teamed up to show a group of growers and packers what the apple looks like—ripe on the trees, at four locations, on three days, August 13-15.
“We had it tested and it’s a true Honey,” Slaybaugh said, “no less, all the qualities of a regular Honeycrisp. There may be less breakdown, at least so far for us.”
“For the five years we have observed it, it has ripened 20 or 21 days before Honeycrisp,”... “For us in Adams County, Pennsylvania, that’s been August 12 to 16.”
Originally identified as DAS 10, named after Dave Slaybaugh’s initials and the number 10, this unique apple variety was later patented and introduced under the trade name Premier Honeycrisp (DAS 10 Cltv)
For five years it was observed, and overall it ripened 20 or 21 days before Honeycrisp.