Edwin A. Gutierrez-Rodriguez and Jonael Bosques, both with University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension, recently explained why patience is an important post-freeze tree management strategy. Following are highlights from the article they wrote.
After Florida’s recent freeze event, a common question citrus growers were asking was: “What should I do to recover the trees?”
The science-based answer is strategic patience … just wait.
RESPONSIVE MANAGEMENT
This doesn’t mean abandoning your grove. It means shifting from reactive to responsive management. The trees are working hard, redirecting energy to survival functions, step-by-step. With no rush, growers’ role now is to support that process, not override it.
Even within the same grove or county, different conditions require different strategies, especially under drought. As a result, there’s no single answer. Evaluating and monitoring ongoing symptoms and plant response will help determine the step-by-step process to recover plants.
When roots remain functional, trees can mobilize stored reserves while gradually rebuilding their canopy. Focus on supporting existing root functions without overwhelming the system.Trees with damaged roots may deplete the stored starch (energy reserves) and nutrients before healthy roots can uptake nutrients again. This requires careful monitoring and modified management.
IRRIGATION: MORE FREQUENT, LESS WATER
Although irrigation is very dependent on grove conditions, some growers haven’t changed their irrigation schedules since the freeze. However, damaged leaves and roots don’t need as much water. So reduce irrigation and keep an eye on soil moisture and how plants look. Close observation will determine how often and how much to water. Base decisions by measuring the soil humidity in the roots.
NUTRITION: LESS IS MORE DURING RECOVERY
Postfreeze nutrition requires a complete mindset shift. Trees may be like patients in intensive care. They need supportive care, not aggressive treatment.
If the roots were affected by water (frost protection), low temperatures, pathogens, or their combination, a recovery/adaptation protocol will focus on balancing the recovery of the new shoots and roots.
Adjust nutrition as follows:
- Use less salt-based fertilizers. (Damaged roots can’t handle salt stress.)
- Eliminate urea nitrogen, which promotes soft growth vulnerable to additional stress.
- Increase organic matter, which supports beneficial microorganisms.
- Focus on root development (phosphorus, mycorrhizal inoculants, plant growth regulators).
KEY TAKEAWAY MESSAGES
Short-term strategies:
- Adjust irrigation immediately. Match water input to current plant capacity.
- Document everything with photos, videos and written observations with dates.
- Monitor root zones. Check for new root growth and soil-moisture patterns.
Long-term strategies:
- Patience pays dividends. Rushing recovery often extends damage.
- Plants show you where they’re viable. Wait for clear signals before major interventions.
- Support, don’t force. Your role is facilitating natural recovery, not overriding it.
See the full article here.
Source: UF/IFAS
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