A cold air mass over central Florida was welcomed this week by grapefruit growers, as orange producers further north in the state bemoaned the low temperatures.
Doug Bournique of the Indian River Citrus League said that although temperatures were low, they had not fallen into the danger zone for grapefruit, on Tuesday.
He told freshinfo: “We are all right as long as it doesn’t go down to 28°F (-2°C) for four hours or more and so far no weather stations in the six-county area have reported anything below 30°F.
“Temperatures at this level are good for the fruit as the trees go into an almost dormant phase and stop putting out tender new green shoots and put their energy into ripening and sweetening the fruit.”
Bournique added that the cool weather is also getting rid of a lot of the pests that can hinder production.
Growers are hoping that the conditions will not get any cooler, as fruit quality is the best this season for several years.
Bournique said: “Demand has been exceptional and this year the fruit is just eating like candy -internal quality is so good.”
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