By Clint Thompson The Christmas freeze event brought much needed chill hours to Florida’s peach crop. But it still lags behind historical averages, according to Jose Chaparro, associate professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). He said the crop this year will be delayed as a result. “We’re significantly behind. It looks like our bloom …
Chilling Reality: Minimal Cold Temperatures Not Good for Florida Peaches
By Clint Thompson The future of Florida peaches rests with its ability to find footing in the northern area of the state. That’s the opinion shared by Jose Chaparro, associate professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), who equates it to the situation being experienced in Georgia. “What’s happening is the best places to …
Unpredictable Year for Florida Peaches
By Clint Thompson Peach production in Florida is unpredictable this year. The inconsistent weather conditions are a key reason why, explains Jose Chaparro, associate professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “The way that we accumulated chilling this year was really bizarre. I can tell you that in the Umatilla area that they’re going …
Freeze Impact on Florida Peaches
By Clint Thompson Count Florida’s peaches among those crops impacted by the sub-freezing temperatures almost two weeks ago. The difference in the producers who protected their crop and those who did not was unmistakable, says Jose Chaparro, associate professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “I can tell you that anybody north of central …