More woes for Florida

First it was canker, than greening, and now Florida is on alert over Yellow Dragon disease. ~ link

How Brazil does it

How does Brazil, the world's largest citrus producer, deals with citrus canker and greening? Security -- high level security.

The Sarasota Herald Tribune has a great article that highlights Citrograf, one of the largest and most secure citrus tree nurseries in the world -- "a 50-acre fortress ringed by a 10-foot-high chain-link fence topped with barbed wire and defended by a thick, steel gate. The operation is run with prison-like efficiency. Whistles blow when it is time to go to lunch and sound again when it is time to go back to work. Nobody is allowed to deviate from the litany of strict rules. The only thing missing is guard towers..." ~ link

Citrus briefs

• Citrus tourism -- kinnow oranges in Punjab ~ link

• Meanwhile, in the same part of the world, Pakistani scientists say they have developed a new off-season citrus plant, which will produce up to two tons of citrus per tree and is harvested in the month of July. Unfortunately, the article doesn't say anything about what kind of citrus it is or what it can be used for. ~ link

How To Suprême a Citrus

Special Rports: State of citrus in Florida

Stories of long-time commercial growers and operations -- the personalities and how they cope with the ups and downs ~ link #1 | link #2

And now for something citrus silly

No, pineapples are not citrus.

Citrus briefs

• Tips for growing citrus -- from Louisiana ~ link

• This year's hot Christmas items: a "citrus reamer" -- and a citrus peeler. Or, how about a stainless steel citrus juice press?

• A grower in Chanchamayo, Peru is looking for a micro-loan to purchase new citrus plants and fertilizer ~ link

• Short history of fruit trees in America ~ link

Orange wedges

Just don't stuff
these oranges in
the Christmas
stockings! Slice,
remove pulp and
fill the orange rind
with orange jello,
refrigerate, cut
and serve. ~
complete instructions (thx)

Mandarin marketing

One way that they're marketing California mandarins -- the new darling of citrus. ~ link

Super citrus

They're field testing a new pest-resistant super citrus tree in Florida. The trees are designed to combat canker and greening. ~ link

Texas tightening borders

Texas is working hard to keep their citrus pest free. Even the state troopers have gotten involved. Good luck. ~ link

Good year for grapefruit thanks to tropical storm

Indian River, Florida, citrus growers
are expecting a bumper crop of grapefruit
for the first time since the 2004-2005
hurricane season, largely due to
Tropical Storm Fay. ~ link

Sicilian Citrus Gelee

This looks more than just interesting --

3 oranges
5 clementines
1 grapefruit
1/2 lemon
80 g sugar
60 g corn starch
40 g dark chocolate
50 g candied pineapple cubes
30 g blanched and peeled pistachios
1 bag vanilla sugar
butter

Grate zest of one orange, soak into 100 ml hot water and let sit for 12 hours... ~ complete recipe

Citrus donations

The United Food Bank in Mesa, Arizona is getting ready to launch their annual Citrus Donation Program. Residents donate fruit from the trees in their yards -- slowing down the rat population and feeding the hungry. Last year they collected nearly 1 million pounds of citrus from homeowners and another 700,000 pounds from Mesa Citrus Growers. ~ link

The school orchard

Students at Harris Elementary School, in Mesa, Arizona helped plant an orchard with 18 fruit trees on the school grounds. They're growing apples, peaches, plums, pomegranates, kumquats, grapefruit, pears, apricots and oranges -- all of which will eventually be used in the school cafeteria. They're planning a garden for the spring. ~ link

Growing citrus in Florida has become a challenge

But it's still doable! ~ link

Small space citrus -- espaliering a lime

Jamie, the "Garden Amateur"
from Sydney, explains how
he espaliered a lime tree
in his small backyard. ~ link

Avacado-Key Lime salsa recipe

Chef Keith whips up an Avocado Key Lime Salsa.

Lemon powered clock

And for the true
citrus fanatic -- a
lemon powered
clock. But it's not
currently on the
market. The lemon
powered clock
is a concept gadget --
and probably a
junior high
school science
project somewhere.
~ link

Mandarin oranges in the news

There is a lot of talk about mandarins these days. A few weeks ago the USDA released a report which showed that mandarins grown in Placer County, California are exceptionally potent cold and allergy fighters because they contain six to seven times more synephrine than other forms of citrus. Synephrine is a natural decongestant. ~ link

And now comes news that American growers are transitioning from Valencias to mandarins (not just in Placer County). Apparently US consumers like seedless and easy-peeling varieties such as Clementine and W. Murcott.

The growers often have to cover the trees with netting to keep the bees away or the pollination process could jeopardize the seedless status of the fruit. ~ link

Even though it is not as popular for commercial purposes the satsuma is in my book the perfect mandarin -- few seeds, easy peel, smells and tastes great, and is throne free (usually). They produce well in cooler subtropical climates -- even in pots.