Now that it's late May, citrus harvest season has ended. Temperatures in Florida already feel like summer, and the groves are quiet, free of the people and machinery that are part and parcel of the seven-month fruit picking season. But, lest we be fooled: even though it might currently be quieter on the grovefront, a lot is going on during the warm, moist summer season that is very important for our enjoyment of freshly picked oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines come the rest of the year. In this blog, we'll learn a little about how citrus trees grow and why summer is a significant season.
The Biology of A Citrus Tree
While there are many varieties of citrus, they all belong to the family Rutaceae. As such, while there are many varieties of oranges, mandarins, grapefruits, and such, all citrus share many characteristics in common. One of these characteristics is how they grow. Once citrus trees reach maturation (at about three to six years for oranges and grapefruits), they follow a general cycle of flowering, fruit set, developing, and maturation. The fruits themselves follow a cycle of immature, mature, ripe, and overripe. What stage a fruit is in is directly proportionate to its size and color.
Summer Is a Time to Grow
Simply put, for mature trees the summer season is the fruit growing season. This is when all the energy from the soil, sun, and tree does all the work to slowly grow a fruit. In tropical climates, citrus trees of all types can grow and fruit year-round, but subtropical places like Florida have subtle seasons that the trees adapt to. To adjust for the dryer and cooler winter season versus the hotter and wetter summer one, citrus trees have a specific growing cycle. The fact that we have cool winters and hot summers in Florida is a boon to our taste buds, as the cooler temperatures procure sweeter fruit (see our blog on this topic) while hot summers promote exceptional juiciness. This seasonal effect is magnified by the robustness of the trees, which is largely determined by their growing power in the summertime.
Maximizing Quality and Yield
Though the bustle of the harvesting is absent during summertime, regular tree maintenance is crucial during this season. Mature trees need to be pruned regularly, and if, for some reason, the summer rains hold off, the soil must be kept moist by human-generated means. This becomes especially important as the fragrant orange blossoms of spring are replaced by the appearance of small green fruits that need to be nurtured to maturity and optimal ripeness by Autumn. Summer is also when trees must be examined regularly for pests and citrus greening, both of which thrive in the hot, humid environs.
As the temperatures soar and the hours of daylight increase in the summer, photosynthesis is maximized. This causes the fructose (fruit sugar) content to increase and the acidity to decrease. Around June, most trees experience what is known as a "fruitlet drop," during which some immature fruits are released from the tree so that the tree can retain only the maximum number of fruits it can carry through development, maturation, and ripening without exhausting its resources. Fruit growers want the conditions to be just right for a tree to be able to retain as much fruit as possible without sacrificing quality. Summer conditions, combined with careful attention to the health of the trees, make this possible.
We here at Florida Fruit Shippers wish you a relaxing summer. We will be working hard to ensure that we have the tastiest, juiciest fruits for you at the beginning of harvest season! Until then, please stay well-hydrated (orange juice is a great bet) and healthy. SOURCES:
Unlocking the Secrets of Orange Growth: A Seasonal Guide - SauceAndBites
How to Grow and Care for Orange Trees
What Season Do Oranges Grow Best In - Back Gardener
Life cycle of an orange - all you need to know - Frucosol
When Do Grapefruit Trees Bear Fruit: Your Guide To Year-Round Harvests
When Do Citrus Trees Produce Fruit
Summer Tree Care Practices to Improve Fruit Quality and Yield - Citrus Industry Magazine
