Selecting Fruit Crops for Small Acreage Ryan Atwood, Lake County Extension

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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