Growing peaches in Florida under low chill conditions

Abstract

Interest in Florida peach production remains steady, with approximately 1,500-1,800 acres in the state. Florida peach growers have a number of advantages, including (1) Early flowering and fruit set result in growers being able to harvest fruit earlier in the domestic market window, giving higher economic returns; (2) Recent surveys show that consumers prefer local produce; making early Florida peaches desirable in comparison to peaches imported from Latin America; (3) Peach breeding efforts lead by University of Florida and Texas A & M and has resulted in number of low –chill peach varieties which are suitable to be grown in southeastern United States which provide alternatives for growers seeking to diversify.