Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/34759
Summer Fruits decision to plant peaches, but Mother Nature can be fickle. Freezes in February have reduced the cropload, if not com- pletely wiped out the crop on an entire variety. Growers must deal with these freezes early in the calendar year, as many of the varieties with short fruit develop- mental periods are flowering in January and February. There are of course, several challenges to peach production in the subtropics. The climate is conducive to various dis- eases and pests, which requires growers to be on top of their integrated pest manage- ment programs. Excessive vigor is miti- gated with summer pruning at least once, and possibly twice or more with higher- density systems to keep trees compact. Marketing, as in other fruit crops, con- University of Florida horticulturist Dr. Mercy Olmstead reports on Florida’s little-known peach industry. tinues to be a challenge for growers who do not have a separate marketing and packing arm to their operation. There are a few large growers like Neat ‘N’ Sweet Farms that have vertically integrated to include a sorting and packing line; however, smaller growers must partner with organizations that have these capabilities. Finally, labor is a constant worry, especially in light of increased efforts to implement the E-Verify system in the United States. Alternative to citrus The citrus industry has gone through its share of hard times, with several diseases like citrus canker and citrus greening resulting in thousands of acres being removed. Many growers want to continue farming, and thus they are searching for an alternative crop. Existing grove infrastructure is conducive to orchard establishment, and thus peaches have been an attractive option for these groves decimated by disease. Best fit “They were the best fit for our harvest- ing, packing, and marketing abilities, as well as a profitable alternative crop for our citrus growers,” said Steven Callaham, executive vice president and chief execu- tive officer at Dundee Citrus Growers Association in Dundee, Florida. His association and a few other citrus packing houses have taken the leap into marketing and shipping peaches, which has been helpful to the citrus growers transitioning to peach production. Peaches require frequent horticultural attention, and the packing houses, in communication with university extension and research, have been the front line of information. The Florida peach industry is surprising the agricul- tural community, and most importantly, the consumer in the southeastern United States. • Mercy Olmstead is a researcher at the Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville. 30 ladder capacity - optional kit available for 36 ladder cap. www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER JULY 2011 27