Topics in Subtropics

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Topics in Subtropics Blog
You can subscribe to this  blog with multiple entries per week reflecting what's happening with subtropical crops and upcoming educational events.  Just click on the "Subscribe" button just to the right of this paragraph.  There's also our seasonal quarterly Topics in Subtropics newsletter found at our Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Riverside, San Diego, Tulare and Kern Counties Cooperative Extension websites.
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avocado fruit cluster

Breaking Alternate Bearing in Avocado

April 18, 2022
By Ben A Faber
Alternate bearing is a condition not unique to the avocado but many other crops as well. Citrus, pears, apples and apricots are just a few other crops which struggle with this problem.
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passionfruit

There's More to Passionfruit than Meets the Eye

April 15, 2022
By Ben A Faber
Passionfruit and Dragonfruit Growers Pest Control Workshop From: Jonathan H. Crane, Tropical Fruit Crop Specialist and Jeff Wasielewski, Commercial Tropical Fruit Agent April 19, 2022, Time 10AM-12PM - 1.
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ground squirrel hole

Vertebrates in Avocado Orchards

April 15, 2022
By Ben A Faber
April 20 (9 - 11 AM) Seminar/Webinar Topic CE Units Available Speaker & Topic: Rebecca Barboza, California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Speaking on Mounain Lion ecology, general facts, status in California, CDFW policies, and conflict prevention.
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passionfruit interplanted with chermioya

Follow Your Passion

April 13, 2022
By Ben A Faber
To Passionfruit Growers, packers, shippers: Several researchers in states with passionfruit are collaborating with Dr. Eric Stafne, Professor, Fruit Crops from Mississippi State University on a project to prioritize research and extension programs for the U.S. passionfruit industry.
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avocado stem blackening (3)

What is that Stuff on My Stems?

April 5, 2022
By Ben A Faber
So in a 2-week period in February I was getting calls and emails from growers asking about the black stuff forming on the green stems of avocado trees. I thought that it was just sooty mold that was the result of insect feeding and resultant honeydew. This is a superficial fungus on stems.
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