PE®

Tree Characteristics

• Vigour: Medium to high
• Growth Habit: Upright to spreading, requires structured training
• Flowering: Mid to late season, around or slightly after Golden Delicious
• Productivity: Good and consistent when well managed
• Alternate Bearing: Low with disciplined crop load control
• Site Suitability: Best suited to cooler Australian growing regions and elevated sites

Grower note: PE is particularly valued in blocks where standard Cripps Pink strains struggle to achieve full colour.

Fruit Characteristics

• Colour: Bright pink to red blush over a yellow background
• Colour Timing: Late, develops progressively approaching harvest
• Finish: Clean and uniform with improved colour consistency
• Shape: Typical Cripps Pink, elongated to conical
• Stalk: Medium length
• Eating Quality: Firm, crisp flesh with a balanced sweet–tart flavour profile

Harvest & Storage

• Harvest Window: Late season, typical Cripps Pink timing in Australia
• Picking: Multiple picks often required to achieve colour and maturity targets
• Storability: Excellent long-term storage potential under controlled atmosphere programs

Grower note: Careful harvest timing is essential to balance colour, flavour development, and storage performance.

Performance & Management

• Packout: Strong due to improved colour expression and shape consistency
• Thinning: Requires careful thinning to manage fruit size and annual cropping
• Cropping: Reliable when crop load is well controlled
• Canopy Management: Open canopies and strong light exposure are critical for colour development
• Pest & Disease: No unusual sensitivities beyond standard Cripps Pink management

Market Advantages

• Improved colour reliability supports brand compliance
• Strong consumer recognition and premium positioning
• Excellent storage performance enables extended market supply
• Consistent eating quality aligned with Pink Lady® standards