Topics in Subtropics

Many orchards in California are planted on slopes, the most extreme examples are usually avocado orchards with some slopes exceeding 50%. They pose difficulties in harvesting because of the steepness, but also in their irrigation.

Drought Induced Problems in Our Orchards Abiotic disorders are plant problems that are non-infective. They are not caused by an organism, but through their damage, they may bring on damage caused by organisms. Think of a tree hit by lightning or a tractor.

Nutrient availability from organic sources has been considered slow release by many growers and advisers. This may be true in environments are colder and especially soils are cooler.

A 'Meyer' lemon should be quite happy along the coast, unless it gets planted in new soil that has low copper because of high soil pH or high organic matter. And then you wonder what is wrong. Mild copper deficiency is usually associated with large, dark green leaves on long soft angular shoots.

View a four-minute video. A tell-tale sign of spring in California is a flush of new leaf growth on citrus trees.