Topics in Subtropics

There is a running debate about whether avocado canopies should be skirted up, raised up so that you can see under the canopy. In doing so, the trees tendency is to maintain its bearing volume by increasing a similar amount in height that is lost by removing the bottom layer of canopy.

Since our last article on high-density avocados appeared in Topics in Subtropics we have had a lot of questions from growers concerning the cost of installation of such a grove.

You see the darndest things in orchards, aside from all the junk that people throw out of their cars. Here's a case where someone had a little time on their hands and tattooed some fruit in the field. Apparently it was some pointed object that scared the skin and then it healed over.

There's been a lot of salt damage to fruit trees after two years of drought using poor quality water and not doing adequate leaching. The situation could be improved by knowing when to irrigate. Here's some guidelines on selecting soil moisture measuring devices.

We have recently had an outbreak of citrus broad mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) in lemons. Broad mites feed on fruit and leaves, preferring young fruit up to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter that are located on the inside of the canopy or on the inward facing side of outer fruit.