DIY Citrus Frost Prevention

Here in Central Florida temperatures can vary drastically. While this is not particularly

damaging to most native plants, citrus trees can suffer if the temperature is not stable enough.

Citrus plants have been known to survive temperatures of about 20 degrees fahrenheit, but this

is not without damage to the tree. Many small citrus trees lack cold hardiness and can suffer

damage during the chilly winters and brisk spring months.

When the temperatures start falling, many large citrus groves warm their plants with

warm water sprayers, or semi-flammable products to ensure that their groves stay at a constant

temperature. This process ensures that the trees in their groves suffer less shock when the

temperatures plummet, and is said to help keep the plant alive for longer. This is a remarkably

effective process for large scale growers, but what about those of us who have citrus trees at

home? How can you ensure the health and safety of your own trees when you do not have access

to the large scale warming methods that are used at the nearest grower?

Luckily, this is a fairly simple task, and with a little help from tools you likely have

around the house, you can ensure that your trees remain strong, tall, frost damage free, and

bearing fruit for years to come.

If you happen to grow a lemon, orange, grapefruit, or lime tree in your yard, you may be

concerned about how to ensure that it continues to gain cold hardiness during its juvenilicy. One

of the easiest ways to prevent the frost build up and minor injuries that can result from chilly

weather is by watering your tree with copious amounts of warm water in the days before a

freeze. This will help your plant face the rough weather with well hydrated roots, which will help

to keep the plant flushing out toxins, as well as keeping the plant tissue at about 32 degrees

fahrenheit. It is also a method to ensure that the roots remain warm, since moist soil usually

radiates more heat than dry soil.

Another common at home method, is to wrap the trunk of your tree in plastic wrap. This

will also help your tree retain heat, as well as keep the frost off the physical trunk of the tree. If

you are still concerned about the impending weather, try wrapping the trunk in christmas lights

as well, for additional warmth (if you choose to utilize this method, please ensure you are using a

functioning outdoor plug so that you do not suffer a nasty shock, or risk lighting your tree on

fire). This method is highly effective, but it only protects the trunk of the tree. Unfortunately, this

will not protect the fruit your tree has born.

Unfortunately, fruit is very susceptible to damage via inclement weather. Since oranges,

grapefruits, lemons, and limes are primarily made up of sugars and liquid, they freeze and spoil

very quickly. The best way to salvage your fruit is to just harvest it immediately. While it is

unfortunate that you plant will no longer have any fruit on it, the more important thing to

remember is that doing this will ensure that your plant will still be able to bare fruit in the future.

Large, mature trees usually withstand cold damage better than young samplings, although

this is not always true.

Overall, citrus trees survive best in warm, stable weather, but this does not mean that you

cannot have a citrus tree of your very own. As long as you are able to keep the temperature

relatively stable, you can enjoy fresh fruit right from the comfort of your own backyard. Just

make sure to take a tip from your local growers and keep your trees wet, wrapped, and warm.

If you’re interested in learning more about the citrus industry, and the history behind it, please feel free to stop by the Mckay Archives Center at Florida Southern College, as we currently have an exhibit case dedicated entirely to citrus frost, as well as an entire gallery of citrus history.

Do you have any at home tips for keeping your trees warm throughout the last few weeks

of chilly weather? If so, let us know in the comments section below!

Works Cited

Dan Gill, The Times-Picayune garden columnist. “How to Protect Citrus Trees from Freezes.” NOLA.com, NOLA.com, 10 Dec. 2016, www.nola.com/homegarden/index.ssf/2016/12/how_to_protect_citrus_trees_fr.html.

Data, US Climate. “Temperature - Precipitation - Sunshine - Snowfall.” Climate Florida - Temperature, Rainfall and Average, www.usclimatedata.com/climate/florida/united-states/3179.

“How to Cover a Citrus Tree in Freezing Weather.” Home Guides | SF Gate, homeguides.sfgate.com/cover-citrus-tree-freezing-weather-59756.html.

“Q&A: How Can I Protect My Citrus Tree from Frost?” Horticulture, 13 July 2010, www.hortmag.com/weekly-tips/citrusfrostprotection.

“Http://Ljournal.ru/Wp-Content/Uploads/2017/03/a-2017-023.Pdf.” 2017, doi:10.18411/a-2017-023.

Written By: Emma Morton

Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center

The 2017 Citrus Hall of Fame Inductees!

Hey Citrus Fans, for those of you who do not know, The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame inducted three new men. On March 10th, The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame inducted James H. “Jim” Ellis of Bartow, Florida, T. Ralph Robinson (deceased), and Michael W. Sparks of Apollo Beach, Florida. These three distinguished men all dedicated their lives to helping promote the citrus industry right here in the sunshine state, and the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame is honored to have these men join the ranks of the many others who have helped to advocate for the citrus industry.

Jim Ellis graduated from Florida Southern College, and while he was a student he was president of the Citrus Club and received the Florida Citrus Mutual Award due to his dedication to the field of citrus. Ellis is currently is in charge of the Citrus License & Bonds in the Division of Fruits & Vegetables for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

T. Ralph Robinson (1876-1967) graduated from Syracuse University and used to live in Syracuse, New York, but moved to Terra Ceia, Florida in 1910. During his life he was president of the Florida State Horticultural Society and he has a biography listed in “American Men of Science” and “Who’s Who.” He also published about 80 papers on horticultural subjects.

Mike Sparks has worked with the citrus industry for much of his life. For 29 years he worked with the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) in several capacities. For the past 10 years he has held the position of Executive Vice President and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual in Lakeland, Florida (which happens to be the largest citrus grower trade association in the world) and has helped FCM to start incredible long-term appropriations for pest and disease research. Because of his efforts he has helped secure $125 million in mandatory Farm Bill funding that will benefit the citrus industry greatly.

These men have secured their place in citrus history through their unprecedented commitment to the Florida Citrus Industry. Thanks to their efforts, the Florida Citrus Industry will continue to grow and continue to forward research for advancements in this field of agriculture. From all of us here at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, we welcome Mr. Ellis, Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Sparks into the Citrus Hall of Fame family.

Written By: Emma Morton

Student Fellow at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center

Florida Conference of Historians - Guest blog post!

Hey Citrus Fans,

A couple of weekends ago, I attended the Florida Conference of Historians with Emily Smith.  The Florida Conference of Historians began in 1962 with the concept of an organization covering all historical fields that would give historians an opportunity to share their scholarship and develop a sense of collegiality among faculty teaching history in Florida's colleges and universities. My supervisor at the McKay Archives had asked us if we wanted to present at the poster session. When she asked back in November, I had something else scheduled, but my friend Emily Smith volunteered. I am a Citrus Hall of Fame fellow, but Emily isn’t. She chose a topic with my fellow Hall of Fame colleague Emma Morton. They looked at how the archives use of social media has been able to engage people in the topic of Florida citrus. At the last minute Emma couldn’t attend the meeting, so I volunteered to attend with Emily, and it was an enriching experience. I was able to enhance my public speaking abilities, as well as my networking skills. I was able to walk around and view the other posters that were there, so I was able to learn about new things. I was also able to meet other people that were interested in the topic that we presented on, which was digital media and how it engages the public.

Emily and I found that people our age enjoy our posts about the Orange Bird and the weekly “where is the Orange Bird now?” posts while the older population enjoys the Florida Citrus Label posts more. There was a fair amount of interest in our poster and it received positive regard. We received suggestions on how we can track and expand our social media presence from the more established historians and introduced the archives to our fellow undergraduate and graduate history students. This experience was satisfying because we were able to share what we have been working on and have our hard work not only recognized, but enjoyed by others.

If you haven’t seen our Instagram posts, please look for Citrusarchives…. Or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ – Florida Citrus Hall of Fame – we post every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Written by Meredith Kaffee

Guest Blogger at the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

In partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center