Citrus and specialty crop growers will have a great opportunity this summer to gather, learn and connect at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The event is set for Aug. 12–13 at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers. The annual Expo brings together citrus and specialty crop producers for two days focused on practical education and valuable industry …
Gmitter and Grosser Receive Rare Award
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus breeders and geneticists Fred Gmitter and Jude Grosser recently received the rare Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Resident Professorship Award. The award has only been bestowed four other times in CREC’s 109-year history. The award recognizes careers that have brought distinction to the CREC through outstanding programs, important …
Complex Responses to IPCs in Mandarin Trees
Recent research showed that individual protective covers (IPCs) proved highly effective in reducing Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) populations and thereby preventing HLB infection in three mandarin cultivars. However, overall tree response varied. The research was published in the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. The authors are Saoussen Ben-Abdallah, Susmita Gaire, Ute Albrecht, Ozgur Batuman, Jawwad Qureshi and …
After Freeze, Is the Tree Alive or Just the Rootstock?
A Louisiana State University (LSU) Ag Center article explains how to determine if new growth sprouting from a citrus tree damaged by freezing weather is from the tree’s scion or rootstock. Edited excerpts follow: With spring — and warmer weather — upon us, you may be noticing new growth sprouting from a citrus tree that sustained freeze damage this winter. …
Sneak Peek: April 2026 Citrus Industry
The Citrus Industry section of the April 2026 issue of Specialty Crop Grower highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen Florida’s citrus sector amid challenges. Articles this month showcase education, nutrient management and variety development. A recap of the Florida Citrus Show details a successful March event in Fort Pierce that combined education with a lively tailgate-style trade show. Growers Daniel Hunt, …
Florida Citrus Grower Cautiously Optimistic
It can be challenging to be a Florida citrus grower and find optimism in today’s economic and production climates. After more than 20 years of dealing with citrus greening disease, it is understandable for growers to be downtrodden. But one grower sees some positivity. Daniel Hunt, with Hunt Bros. in Lake Wales, was cautiously optimistic when discussing the future of …
Sneak Peek: March 2026 Citrus Industry
Citrus and other specialty crops suffered large losses from the late January/early February freeze that walloped Florida. Get the details in the cover story of the March issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine. The article provides the early estimates of damage by crop according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It also discusses efforts to secure financial …
Citrus State of the Industry Survey, Part 2: Planting Intentions
The 2025–26 State of the Citrus Industry Survey asked growers if they are planting and what their variety and rootstock selections are. It also surveyed growers on their sentiments about the future of citrus in Florida. Following are some highlights from the survey which was conducted in the fall of 2025. (See Part 1 of survey results here). Growers’ preference …
Earn Continuing Education Units at the Florida Citrus Show
The Florida Citrus Show is only two weeks away, scheduled for March 12. The event will be held at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Indian River Research and Education Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce. The educational seminars have much to offer for both citrus …
New Funding for CRAFT Emerging Varieties Program
The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation recently provided information about a new funding opportunity for growers participating in the Emerging Varieties (EV) Program. CRAFT received additional funding from the Florida Department of Citrus, which will be used to reimburse growers for some of their costs associated with the royalties for five of the varieties included in the EV …
Influence of Rootstock on Growth, Productivity and Fruit Quality of Eureka Lemon
By Kim D. Bowman, Matt Mattia, Ranjeet Shinde and Flavia Zambon Profitability of the historic kings of citrus in Florida, sweet orange juice and fresh market grapefruit, has been severely reduced by the impact of huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Previous studies have demonstrated that lemon cultivars are generally more tolerant to HLB than sweet orange and grapefruit. Lemon trees continue cropping …
Florida Citrus Show To Feature CRAFT Insights
The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation has been a lifeline to Florida’s citrus industry in the battle against HLB. CRAFT’s programs provide incentives for new plantings and existing tree therapies in exchange for growers submitting data for those projects. In 2025, CRAFT received more than $100 million dollars from the state legislature to fund more cycles of the …
CRDF Board Funds Plant Transformation Projects
In January, the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) board of directors took up several projects aimed at plant transformation to improve HLB disease resistance in plants. MANJUL DUTT The board voted to fund work by Manjul Dutt, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor of horticultural sciences, to graft the most promising non-genetically modified …
See the Seminar Program for the Florida Citrus Show
The Florida Citrus Show is just a month away, scheduled for March 12. The event will be held at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Indian River Research and Education Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce. The seminar program offers a wealth of educational opportunities, and …
Millennium Block HLB Findings Expected This Year
Fruit harvested at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Millennium Block from 2022 to 2026 will help determine the effectiveness of potential solutions to HLB. This season’s fruit will be harvested through early February, and research results are expected later this year. The Millennium Block was planted in 2019 at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research …
Tango Mandarin’s Plant Patent Expires
The University of California, Riverside (UCR), which developed the Tango mandarin in 2006, recently reflected on the variety’s success and noted that its patent has expired. Tango has generated more than $70 million in cumulative economic value for UCR. The virtually seedless, easy-peeling fruit has been marketed under brand names like Cuties and Halos. Now that Tango’s plant patent has …
Elevate Your Knowledge at the Florida Citrus Show
The Florida Citrus Show has an excellent day of education and networking planned for citrus and specialty crop growers. One of the most timely talks will cover post-freeze production considerations for citrus growers. Learn what Extension resources are available to growers to assist in their recovery efforts. Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) programs have been a lifeline to growers …
OLL Orange Varieties Revisited at Griffin’s Grove
Last September, Jason Griffin hosted a field day in his citrus grove near Lake Alfred in partnership with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The event was well attended, and some growers requested a second field day when the crop was closer to harvest. Griffin and UF/IFAS hosted a second event in late January as …
Sneak Peek: February 2026 Citrus Industry
The February issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine features Part 2 of results from the Citrus State of the Industry Survey. Florida growers reveal details on their planting intentions. Find out what varieties and rootstocks they’re selecting, what percent are growing citrus under protective screen, and other insights. In the digital edition of the magazine, readers can find bonus coverage …
Sharing CRAFT Knowledge at the Florida Citrus Show
The Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation has been a lifeline to Florida’s citrus industry in the battle against HLB. CRAFT’s programs provide incentives for new plantings and existing tree therapies in exchange for growers submitting data for those projects. CRAFT then analyzes that data for trends and potential solutions. Another key mission of CRAFT is sharing the results …





























