Flower Bud Induction Overview and Advisory
NOTICE FOR CITRUS EXTENSION AGENTS & SPECIALISTS AND GROWER NEWSLETTERS
The following information has been developed as part of the Decision Information System for Citrus
L. Gene Albrigo, Horticulturist Emeritus
Citrus Research & Education Center, Lake Alfred, FL
| Archives of past Flower Bud Induction Advisories | |
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FLOWER BUD INDUCTION ADVISORY #6 for 2011-2012-07/12/12
This is a service to our citrus growers posted on the CREC website. The internet Expert System on intensity and time of bloom was recently moved to a different server and can be accessed anytime: http://disc.ifas.ufl.edu/bloom
Current Status: Overall, we had a moderate bloom. It was divided between three cohorts of flower buds which were 2 to 3 weeks apart in stage of growth depending on the location, and for most locations the first wave was negligible regarding intensity and fruit set. Total inductive cool hours ran from about 820 to 1100 for the two later flowering cohorts.
The fruit set period was favorable regarding temperatures and rainfall distribution for the East Coast, but rains were sparse in South and Central Florida until mid-May. I was able to see many groves in the Central Florida area and despite a moderate bloom and dryer March and April, fruit set was fairly good. Rainfall was excellent for the last half of May and June. I was not able to visit South Florida groves to see what their set was like.
In recent years the expected crop statewide is always a hard to estimate because of the continued loss of trees and the inability to accurately monitor this rapid change in tree census. However, the groves that I have seen look to have a similar to slightly better crop load than last year. I would expect this year’s crop to be down only by the reduced number of productive trees in the state.
This will be the last advisory for this year. If you have any questions, please contact me (albrigo@ufl.edu).
