Explore advice for Florida citrus growers on fertilization and irrigation of citrus postfreeze from UF/IFAS experts.
“Irrigation and fertilizer applications are important management tools for Florida citrus growers following the recent freeze event in late January/early February,” advised a Citrus Industry article. The article shared advise for Florida citrus growers concerning fertilization and irrigation of citrus from a postfreeze webinar hosted by the UF/IFAS Citrus Team. See the details below.
Fertilization and Irrigation of Citrus Advice
The article shared these tips for fertilization and irrigation of citrus following the late January freeze:
Fertilizer Advice:
- “UF/IFAS recommends high-efficiency fertilizers, especially for trees impacted by citrus greening disease. These fertilizers help expedite tree recovery while improving canopy, yields and juice quality.
- Consistent compost applications in sandy soils improve nutrient retention and water-holding capacity, while increasing the long-term productivity of groves depleted by nutrients.
- Base fertilization on soil and leaf tests to determine the tree’s specific nutrition needs.
- Some of the high-efficiency fertilizers include slow-release fertilizers and controlled-release fertilizers (apply once or twice per year for 12-month fertilizers); liquid fertilizer applied via fertigation (apply 12 times per year if fertigating monthly); and foliar fertilizers (apply three to four times per year).
Irrigation Advice:
- “Producers should base their irrigation decisions on soil moisture sensors that are recommended for Florida’s sandy soils. This will help minimize leaching.
- Soil moisture sensors also help determine if enough water is being maintained in the root zone.
- Growers should not apply water for two days if they have received at least 0.5 inches of rain.
- Weather updates can be monitored with the Florida Automated Weather Network.
- Kadyampakeni advised Florida growers to make sure trees have enough — but not too much — water during the dry months of February and March.”
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.