By Clint Thompson Blueberry harvests are only days away for some growers in Florida. Location will determine when producers will start harvesting fruit, believes Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator. “Some places will start picking early March, depending on the location. Some of the South Florida farms that didn’t have a …
Florida Blueberry Harvests Should Begin Soon
By Clint Thompson Blueberry harvests are only days away for some growers in Florida. Location will determine when producers will start harvesting fruit, believes Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator. “Some places will start picking early March, depending on the location. Some of the South Florida farms that didn’t have a …
Watch for Flower Thrips in Blueberries
Flower thrips (Frankliniella bispinosa) are insects that attack Florida blueberries and cause harm to the fruit. According to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research, larvae and adults feed on every part of the flowers including ovaries, styles, petals and developing fruit. The effects of this invasive species include damage to the fruit by reducing …
Flavors of Florida Returns for 8th Year
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Flavors of Florida, the premier University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) tasting showcase, is now an annual event on the UF campus. The March 23 event will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., in the Champions Club at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field. Tickets are available at early bird pricing …
Chemistry Rotation Key to Preserving Fungicides in Blueberries
By Clint Thompson Fungicide resistance is a growing concern for Georgia blueberry farmers. Multiple fruit rot pathogens are rapidly developing fungicide resistance, according to Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. He discussed resistance at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. “Fungicide resistance, we’ve now found a lot of our fruit rot pathogens have …
Keeping Florida Citrus Nurseries Viable
By Peter Chaires There are times when this column seeks to illuminate issues that might not be on the front burner of the collective industry consciousness. This is one of those times. Hurricane Ian’s destructive landfall and its unfolding impact on the industry will capture headlines for some time. The devastating impacts of HLB on citrus growers is highly visible, …
Giving Blueberries a Boost to Continue Consumption Growth
By Frank Giles The Florida Blueberry Growers Association hosted its annual short course in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, in October. The meeting featured educational sessions ranging from optimizing pollination and marketing to chilli thrips control and new varieties. Growers were in good spirits at the meeting, despite impacts from Hurricane Ian. While some growers further south in the state took a hard …
Promotion and Marketing Critical to Florida Blueberry Industry’s Success
By Frank Giles The Florida Blueberry Growers Association hosted its annual short course in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, in October. The meeting featured educational sessions ranging from optimizing pollination and marketing to chilli thrips control and new varieties. Growers were in good spirits at the meeting, despite impacts from Hurricane Ian. While some growers further south in the state took a hard …
October Management Tips for Blueberries
Blueberry specialists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) remind growers about management options they need to be mindful of during October. Producers should monitor and manage leaf diseases, especially in evergreen systems. It is important to scout for algal stem blotch and selectively prune out canes infected with algal stem blotch, Botryosphaeria stem blight …
Strawberry Spotlight: Update on Florida Pearl™ Pineberry
By Vance M. Whitaker The patented Florida Pearl™ (FL 16.78-109) pineberry is a newcomer on the U.S. berry market in the last two years. It has appeared in stores under multiple brand names, including Pinkaboo and Berry De Blanc. ABOUT THE BERRYPearl has white flesh inside and out, with a pink blush on the outside when ripe. The seeds also …