Fall has arrived (at least according to the calendar), and we will soon have an opportunity to resume citrus variety display and field day events, which provide a great way to see products from the in-state, plant-breeding programs and help identify those selections that appear to have market potential.
Displays will include fresh and processed selections. The success and effectiveness of citrus variety events is ensured by good attendance and diversity of participants. Ideally, attendees will include processors, processed growers, packers, fresh growers, nursery personnel, and citrus marketers.
Events for 2021-2022 have been scheduled for the following dates, locations, and times:
UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center Plant Improvement Team
Oct. 21, 2021, 10 a.m.
CREC, Ben Hill Griffin Auditorium, Lake Alfred, FL. 700 Experiment Station Rd.
Hosts: Dr. Fred Gmitter and Dr. Jude Grosser
Varieties will include oranges, orange-like fruit, new grapefruit hybrids, tangerine types, and acid fruit. Attendees will be channeled through the room in a singular direction where they will have an opportunity to sample fruit, peel fruit (when applicable), and score the general characteristics and traits of the displayed selections. Juice may be provided. The Plant Improvement Team will be available for discussion and questions. Attendees are requested to refrain from socializing until they have completed the display. This typically takes around 45 minutes.
Nov. 16, 2021, 10 a.m.
CREC, Ben Hill Griffin Auditorium, Lake Alfred, FL
Hosts: Dr. Fred Gmitter and Dr. Jude Grosser
Details of items displayed will be provided as the date gets closer.
Dec. 16, 2021, 10 a.m.
CREC, Ben Hill Griffin Auditorium, Lake Alfred, FL
Hosts: Dr. Fred Gmitter and Dr. Jude Grosser
Details of items displayed will be provided as the date gets closer. It tends to be the largest and most varied of the displays.
Feb. 15, 2022, 10 a.m.
CREC, Ben Hill Griffin Auditorium, Lake Alfred, FL
Hosts: Dr. Fred Gmitter and Dr. Jude Grosser
The February display tends to be late grapefruit and sweet oranges, with a small quantity of specialty varieties. Juice may be provided.
UF/IFAS Gainesville Breeding Program
Oct. 29, 2021, 10:30 a.m.
UF Campus Teaching Orchard2801 Hull Rd. Gainesville, FL 32608 (South of the new Baseball Stadium)
Host: Dr. José Chaparro
Lunch provided for those who RSVP to: pchaires@nvdmc.org. Please RSVP by Oct. 15, 2021.
USDA-ARS A.H. Whitmore Foundation Farm
Dec. 3, 2021, 10:30 a.m.
23402 USDA Rd, Groveland, FL 34736
Host: USDA-ARS team from US Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, FL
Activities will include a narrated hay wagon grove tour, fruit sampling, and a BBQ lunch made on-site. See orange hybrids and mandarins, seed source block, and trials.
Event sponsors: Florida Citrus Mutual and Wedgworth’s Inc.
RSVP to pchaires@nvdmc.org (include your name and email address). Please RSVP by Nov. 19, 2021.