One of satsuma mandarin’s drawbacks is its alternate bearing tendency. It will produce a heavy crop load one year and a low one the next year. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, said tree hedging may provide a solution. She discussed the management technique at the Southeast Georgia Citrus Update in Lyons, Georgia on …
Freeze Protection Discussed at Southeast Georgia Citrus Update
Freeze protection is a vital part of university research in the cold-hardy citrus region. Growers in South Georgia, South Alabama and North Florida only have to look back to last season to see temperatures that dropped to dangerously low levels for citrus production. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed freeze-protection measures at the …
Irrigation Maintenance Is Essential
Microjet irrigation is the top method of freeze protection for citrus trees, but its effectiveness is only realized if growers perform proper maintenance of the sprinklers before a cold event occurs. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, emphasized that fact during the Georgia-Florida Irrigation Expo on June 10. Sutton said growers should treat their …
June Drop Underway in Cold-Hardy Citrus Region
It may not be June, but growers in the cold-hardy citrus region are experiencing June drop, a natural thinning process in which trees lose a lot of their fruit. Growers should not be alarmed about excess pieces of fruit that may be on the ground, says Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist. “We are …
Potential Impact of Drought on Citrus Production
The prolonged drought in the Southeast could negatively impact citrus trees if growers are not applying the right amount and frequency of irrigation. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, shared that message following the April 2 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor map for the Southeast. The map shows exceptional drought conditions worsening and …
Cold-Hardy Citrus Update Following December Freeze
Cold-hardy citrus in the Southeast endured sub-freezing temperatures in mid-December, the second major freeze to impact the region this season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed how this freeze impacted citrus trees and fruit in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. “We’re seeing some damage on younger trees that were probably planted …
Cold-Hardy Citrus Producers Should Prepare for Potential Freeze
Cold-hardy citrus producers need to be prepared for a potential freeze event next week. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, cautioned growers on the UGA Citrus Blog that temperatures are expected to drop in the low 30s across the region next Monday and Tuesday, and perhaps in the upper 20s in some areas. The …
Plant Diagnostic Facilities for Georgia Citrus Growers
The University of Georgia (UGA) has disease labs and clinics to help citrus producers determine what diseases are impacting their trees. Jonathan Oliver, UGA assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, highlights the diagnostic facilities that growers can take advantage of. “We have a lab in Tifton, the Plant Disease Clinic, that can accept samples from commercial citrus,” Oliver said. “We …
Proper Site Selection Essential for Phytophthora Prevention
Vulnerability of citrus trees to phytophthora root rot is a concern for cold-hardy growers. But there are precautions that producers can implement that will guard against infection buildup. One of those precautions includes site selection and not planting trees in poorly drained locations, according to Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. “Site prep is really …
Impact of Satsuma Shortage in Cold-Hardy Citrus Region
Minimal satsumas this harvest season will impact cold-hardy producers far beyond the loss of production in the region. MAINTENANCE MANDATORY Growers are now tasked with maintaining their groves when there is little to no fruit on the trees. It is a chore that producers should still follow through on, however, says Jake Price, University of Georgia (UGA) area citrus agent. …