A new WA apple is on the way

Washington State University apple breeders have come up with a new variety. It's an offspring of two well known names, according to W.S.U. horticulturalist Kate Evans.

"We took pollen from the flowers of a Pink Lady tree and then we just dusted that pollen on to the flowers of a Honeycrisp," Evans said. "It's a more precise way of doing what the bee does."

This offspring is, so far, called WA-64. (Catchier name to come.) It's firm, moderately sweet and tart, a pale pink blush on a yellow background.

Asked why we need yet another apple, Evans said, "The majority of apples being grown here were bred elsewhere, which means they're not as well suited to Washington state as they could be."

There's also the little matter of money. WSU says sales of its last new apple, Cosmic Crisp, totaled $41 million from September through January of this year, up 163% from the previous year.

New commercial fruits take time. Apple growers must be enticed, trees ordered, planted and matured. So WA-64 is still six or so years away from your taste buds.