selecting fruit crops for small acreage ryan atwood, lake county extension
TRANSCRIPT
Selecting Fruit Selecting Fruit Crops for Small Crops for Small
AcreageAcreage
Ryan Atwood,
Lake County Extension
IntroductionIntroduction
A wide variety of fruit can be grown in Central Florida
Need to be aware of limitationsVarietiesDiseasesInsectsClimateSoil
Things to consider before plantingThings to consider before planting
How much time do you want to devote?
What type of marketing opportunities exist?
Start up cost. Production cost-Agricultural
Inputs. Agricultural outputs. Tax exemption requirements.
Agricultural InputsAgricultural Inputs
Pesticides Irrigation Fertilizer Tree training Pruning Fruit thinning Farm equipment and machinery
Agricultural OutputsAgricultural Outputs
Yield
Fruit Quality
Amount of labor required
Gross and Net Profit
Small acreage opportunitiesSmall acreage opportunities
Organic-growing at % 20 a year.
Road side sales
U-Pick operation
Farmers market
Some fruits that can be grown Some fruits that can be grown successfully in Central Floridasuccessfully in Central Florida
•Citrus
•Blueberries
•Stone Fruits- Peaches, Plums, and Nectarines
•Muscadine Grapes
•Pecans
•Persimmons
•Blackberries
Citrus IndustryCitrus Industry 600,000 acres in citrus On tree crop worth 1
billion dollars 90% of crop is for orange
juice Grown from Ocala to
Homestead Florida leading producer
of citrus in U.S.
Pros for CitrusPros for Citrus
Long successful history in Florida.
No need for chilling hours.
Large market place, easy to sell fruit.
Relatively easy to grow.
Pros for CitrusPros for Citrus
Adapted to a wide variety of soils
Stores on the tree Has been profitable High level of expertise in
the area.
Cons for CitrusCons for Citrus
Sensitive to cold weather. In the past low fruit prices. Current problems getting
trees from the nurserymen. Citrus Greening potential
devastating disease.
Navel OrangeNavel Orange Season: Oct. – Jan. Seeds per fruit:
seedless Average diameter:
3-3.5 inches Gift fruit Use: fresh
Varieties
Hamlin OrangeHamlin Orange
Season: Oct.-Jan. Seeds per fruit: 0-6 Average diameter:
2.75-3 inches Peel texture: somewhat
smooth Use: fresh and
processing
Valencia OrangeValencia Orange
Season: Mar.- June Seeds per fruit: 0-6 Average diameter:
2.75-3 inches Most widely planted
citrus variety in FL Use: fresh and
processing
Red Grapefruit SelectionsRed Grapefruit Selections
Tangerines Tangerines Murcott (Honey Tangerine)Murcott (Honey Tangerine)
Season: Jan. - March Seeds: 10 - 20 Size: 2.75 inches in
diameter Use: fresh Comments: use
Cleopatra mandarin as rootstock, susceptible to scab and Alternaria brown spot
Tangerines - FallgloTangerines - Fallglo
Season: Oct. – Nov. Seeds: 20-40 Size: 2.75 – 3.25
inches in diameter Use: fresh Comment: does not
store well on tree, does not require cross-pollination
Tangerines Tangerines
Season: Nov. – Dec. Seeds: 1-20 Size: 2.5 – 3 inches in
diameter Use: Fresh Comments: self-
incompatible and must be cross pollinated, green internal seed color
Specialty varietiesSpecialty varieties
In near future new varieties will present new opportunities for niche markets.
Citrus Nursery BusinessCitrus Nursery Business
Short supply coupled with high demand
Good tree prices New regulations
has everyone is on learning curve
Things to considerThings to consider
5 acres to qualify for tax exemption in Brevard County
Strongest industry in Florida
No fruit for the first 3 years (no income)
Cold protection. Indian River marketing
Deciduous FruitsDeciduous Fruits
Require chilling hours-number of hours under 45 degrees.
Only cultivars that have been developed for Florida’s mild winters should be used.
Still can have cold weather problems with deciduous fruit treesCold damage to young treesFrost damage to bloom and young fruit
Chilling RequirementChilling Requirement
Hours of 32-45 deg. F during dormant period
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG374
BlueberriesBlueberries
Florida is a major producer of early season blueberries April 1st thru May 15th
Fifth in commercial acreage for blueberry producing states
Production has more than doubled since 1990.
Blueberry IndustryBlueberry Industry
Florida statistics
a. 1,600 Acres 2002
b. $25 Million in 2004 Fresh Market (Early)
80% U-Pick 20%
Pros for Blueberries Pros for Blueberries
High market value-last decade blueberry prices averaged roughly $4 lb before May 25th
Wide consumer acceptance
Health benefits Available marketing
channels
Cons for BlueberriesCons for Blueberries
Freeze hazard to flowering.
Exact cultural requirements to maintain good plant health.
Expensive start up costs ~$15,000 acre
Perishable commodity.
Blueberry CultivarsBlueberry Cultivars
Southern Highbush- Emerald, Jewel, Sapphire
Soil chemistry Well drained (including air) -Pine bark
often used as growing media. a. pH 4.0 – 5.5
b. Organic matter 3-4% Fruit should be removed during 1st growing
season.
BlueberriesBlueberries
NutritionNutrition
Nutrition
Young plants first year:
- 1 oz. 12-4-8-2 every 3 wks. 3/15-11/1
- 1 oz. 12-4-8-2 every 6 wks. 11/1-3/15
Age 2 2 oz 4 times a year April, June, August, & October
Age 3+ 3 oz
Foliar feeding & micronutrients “blueberry special”
Tissue analysis
Blueberry PestsBlueberry Pests
Diseases- Phytophtora, Leafspot, flower blight, stem die back.
Insects- Flower thrips, Cranberry fruit worm, Bud mites, Blueberry gall midge
Weeds Birds- Cedar waxwing
Things to considerThings to consider
Lots of new plantings, future price of fruit? Very successful breeding program, new
varieties released often. Agricultural tax exemption for 2 acres or
more for specialty crops in Brevard County. Cold protection important.
Muscadine GrapesMuscadine Grapes Muscadine grapes are native
to Florida and are the most adapted for our climate.
Bunch grape planting were killed off by Pierce’s disease.
Bronze grape cultivar-Fry Purple grape cultivars-
Alachua, Nobel, and Southern Home
Grapes require pruning every year
Easy to grow Harvested in September
and October Grapes require 1.5lb
of 10-10-10 for each year with a maximum of 5lbs applied in February.
Muscadine GrapesMuscadine Grapes
Things to considerThings to consider
Value added potential-make your own
wine.
Potentially grow for a winery.
Small profit margin
Need to trellis
PersimmionsPersimmions
Consumer demand relatively high. Good for local marketing efforts.
Fungal diseases are problematic.
Insect pests such as borers and psylla require chemical control.
PersimmonPersimmon
Cultivars
-Izu (early)
-Matsumoto Wase Fuyu (mid)
-Fuyu (late) Culture
-Plant in well drained site Dec-Feb. 20 ft.
-Fairly drought tollerant
PersimmonPersimmon
Culture cont.
-Fertilize March, June & late August
-Prune mid winter first 3 years
-Pollinator variety required
-Scale insects
BlackberriesBlackberries
Easy to grow and widely adapted.
Thornless varieties grown in Central Florida should have trellising.
Pollinators required.
BlackberriesBlackberries
Floragrand, Okalawaha, and Brazo cultivars are recommended.
After you harvest can mow them to the ground.
Harvest mid-March thru May
Central Florida pecans varieties- Moreland, Curtis, Desirable
Tend to be alternate bearing one good year one bad year.
Tendency for nuts to be poorly filled in good years.
PecansPecans
PecansPecans
Requires good fertilization program.
Scab can be a major problem.
Pruning not required. Mature from October to
January
Fertilization Recommendations for Fertilization Recommendations for PecansPecans
Pecans require 1 lb 10-10-10 in May of 1st season.
After the first season apply 10-10-10 fertilizer in February at the rate of 2 lbs for each year of the tree.
The maximum rate is 50 lbs 10-10-10 per tree, which is achieved at 25 years of age.
Pros of Stone FruitPros of Stone Fruit
Florida is early season for fruit production should translate into $.
New varieties. In my opinion under
developed market. Potential to direct
market to local produce stores??
Cons Stone FruitsCons Stone Fruits
Require frequent use of insecticides and fungicides for production.
Fruit fly damage can be problematic.
Nursery stock is limited.
Stone FruitsStone Fruits–Make sure you have a variety adapt for Florida (low chill).
– Thinning of fruit for proper sizing.
– Irrigation important as stone fruits have shallow root systems. 2 inches of water every 10-14 days.
– Use a “nemaguard” or “flordaguard” rootstock. These are rootknot-nematode-resistance rootstocks.
– Pruning required. Open center is typical.
– Protection of flowers from frost.
Stone FruitsStone Fruits
Peaches and Nectarines VarietiesPeaches and Nectarines Varieties Peaches
Florida prince
Floridaglo
Tropic sweet
Rayon
Nectarines
Sunracer
Sunmist
Plums
Gulf ruby
Gulf blaze
Gulf gold
Peach Crop-Pest PhenologyPeach Crop-Pest Phenology Dormant Period: November-Feb. 15
Scales Bloom – Harvest
CaribflyPlum curculioStink and plant bugsScalesMites
Post harvestScalesBorers
MiscellaneousMiscellaneous
June bugs, Weevils, June bugs, Weevils, GrasshoppersGrasshoppers
Russ Mizell, UF-IFAS, QuincyRuss Mizell, UF-IFAS, Quincy
Pruning and/or TrainingPruning and/or TrainingBenefitsBenefits
Aid in the establishment of newly planted trees
Promote development of a strong framework
Enhance early productivity Aid in the development and maintenance of
desirable tree size and shape
Pruning and/or TrainingPruning and/or TrainingBenefits ContinuedBenefits Continued
Increase fruit size and enhance fruit quality Promote flower bud development
throughout the tree canopy Increase tree vigor and promote
development of new fruiting wood needed to maintain productivity
Reduce the tendency for biennial bearing
Pruning and/or TrainingPruning and/or TrainingBenefits ContinuedBenefits Continued
Reduce incidence and spread of certain diseases
Facilitate other horticultural practices, such as spraying, thinning and harvesting
When to pruneWhen to prune
Generally during the dormant period Late winter or early spring past chance of
freezing temperatures Summer pruning usually minor
Training SystemsTraining Systems
Modified Central Leader
Training SystemsTraining Systems
Open-Center (Vase)
Properly Planting Your TreesProperly Planting Your Trees
General Considerations for Good General Considerations for Good PlantingsPlantings
Space for growth -depends on type of tree
Irrigation -important for proper establishment and growth
Soil drainage Tree Quality-Bigger not
necessarily better
Site SelectionSite Selection
Performance of fruit and nut trees in best in full sunlight and well drained soils
Avoid low lying areas which are prone to colder temperatures causing frost damage in the spring.
Planting PreparationPlanting Preparation
Have irrigation system in place and ready to be used.
Layout trees in their proper locations.
Remove all weeds and debris.
Planting Site PreparationPlanting Site Preparation
If planting in site where old tree was located, remove all old roots
Dig hole wide and deepenough to accommodate root system
Inspect roots for pot binding or J rooting
Planting your treePlanting your tree
Water your tree before and after planting
Make sure to keep bud union above soil line
Remove air pockets
Heading Nursery Trees At PlantingHeading Nursery Trees At Planting
When planting typically some of the roots are cut off or disturbed.
Some removal of foliage is necessary to help correct the root/shoot ratio.
Training the plant at this time is appropriate.
Try to leave 3 to 4 branches in a whirled pattern to promote proper canopy development.
Conclusion Conclusion
Many types of fruit can be grown in Central Florida
Select crops that will fruit Utilize recommended varieties Be aware of climatic limitations Be aware of site requirements
This presentation brought to you by the
Small Farms/Alternative Enterprises Focus Team.
Thank YouThank You
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