Jesse Silva of Kings River Packing recently discussed with AgNet West’s Nick Papagni the increasing use of netting in California citrus orchards. This practice is used for seedless mandarin production in particular.
“There’s really been a push for seedless mandarins in the industry,” Silva said. “Over the last 10 years, we’ve all worked diligently to find the very best varieties — ones with the characteristics and qualities consumers want.”
Silva said certain mandarin varieties naturally avoid seed formation, while others require more intervention. “We have varieties that don’t produce enough pollen to create seeds, but we also have varieties we need to net to prevent cross-pollination from bees,” he said.
The process involves physically netting the trees and timing targeted sprays to support fruit development, especially for clementines. Once the fruit is set and can no longer be cross-pollinated, the nets are removed.
“It’s a pretty invasive process,” Silva said. “There’s a lot of cost involved, and we’re hoping to recoup that in the market during the November window when California clementines hit the shelves.”
Silva’s insights shed light on how California growers are adapting to changing market demands through strategic practices like netting — balancing innovation with economic realities.
Earlier this year, members of the Georgia Citrus Association (GCA) learned about the netting of clementines to prevent seediness during a tour of California’s citrus industry. GCA Executive Director Lindy Savelle said Georgia growers with clementines were talking about pulling them up because of the seediness issue. “I said, ‘Don’t do that; let’s go to California and see what they do to prevent seed,’” Savelle said.
Learn more about the GCA tour of California in these two articles:
- Innovation and Sustainability: Lessons From California for Georgia Citrus
- What the Georgia Citrus Association Learned in California
Source: AgNet West
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