Temecula, CA-
By ANUK Staff
1.18.13
The recent southern California cold snap has had no significant detrimental effect on the avocado crop, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.
Despite frequent temperature drops below freezing, things are looking good. “I haven’t seen any damage and it looks like we’ll still be able to supply the market,” said Temecula area grower Ohannes Karaoghlanian.
When temperatures get cold enough, rings form around the avocado stems, permanent brown veining occurs, and the fruit starts dropping, noted Fairfield Farms’ Carol Steed. Luckily, growers in the area haven’t seen any of this sort of damage, which is typically caused by temperatures in the 27 to 28 degree range.
Californian orchards are well into the growing season, according to Karaoghlanian; smaller fruits will start dropping soon. The influx of imported supplies from Mexico and Chile, however, has pushed the main season back about a month or two, which means that local growers miss out on the lucrative Super Bowl guacamole market. The growers are expected to be in full harvest mode by March.
If temperatures drop drastically, avocado growers don’t have a lot of options. In 2007, frosty temperatures severely damaged the avocado crop.
To combat dry winter cold, the growers’ biggest nemesis, avocado farmers often increase irrigation to maintain the flow of moisture to tree roots.
“If that doesn’t work, you can always hire a helicopter (to keep warmer air close to the ground),” said Karaoghlanian.
