Topics in Subtropics

The light 2011 olive crop may result in a heavy crop load in 2012. With the prospect of a heavy crop load, it may be wise to consider thinning to reduce fruit quantity and increase fruit size. Management of fruit size may be achieved by pruning and/or chemical thinning.

Introduction Dry Root Rot has menaced growers in Ventura County for many years. In the 50's and 60's it seemed most prevalent on older orange trees. A few years after the wet winter of 1968- 69, dry root rot became an increasing problem among citrus trees of all ages.

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) made its way to California through the Spanish missions in the late seventeenth century. In its native ranges of North Africa and the Middle East, the date provided food, fiber and shelter.

This is the story of a remarkable avocado rootstock trial that was set up in 2004, lost to the freeze of January 2007, recovered (mostly) and had its first harvest in spring of 2010.

Recently a six-year old W. Murcott orchard was evaluated for causes of tree decline. A high percentage of the trees exhibited damage to the bark of the tree generally from the soil line up 6-8 inches. (Fig.2) In some instances the tree had been almost totally girdled.