Five Years of Fresh Fruit Production in CUPS

Abstract

Red grapefruit production in the CREC CUPS has been reliably high for five years. Fruit size declined in year 5 mainly due to pot-bound root conditions. However, transplanting the grapefruit trees into the ground was successful, with good fruit set and size in 2020. We have been recommending that commercial CUPS enterprises plant their trees only in the ground to avoid the problems caused by pots, and to reduce the costs of production. In addition to the late-season‘Honey Murcott’ tangerine variety grown in the CREC CUPS, ’W. Murcott’, ‘Dancy’, and ‘Sugarbelle’ tangerine varieties are showing high potential for fresh fruit production in the mid-season period. Finally, in the CUPS environment, both ‘W. Murcott’ and ‘Sugarbelle’ are seedless, potentially increasing their market value.

 Peer reviewed through UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center; published in Citrus Industry Magazine.