Topics in Subtropics

The cherimoya is regarded by many as being among the best of tropical fruits. The cherimoya has a texture of a soft, non-gritty pear and a delicate, highly appealing fruit flavor with little acidity. Cherimoyas usually are eaten fresh; however they are excellent in ice cream and sherbets.

A new publication, "How to Attract and Maintain Pollinators in Your Garden," (Publication 8498) has been added UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) catalog.

I've been getting calls and have gone out to see several avocado orchards in the Ventura/Santa Barbara area and the comments are that the trees look worse this year than they normally do. When I see the trees, it's clear that they don't look in the best shape.

UC Riverside and the Citrus Research Board partner to provide: UC Riverside Citrus Day for Professional Industry members Thursday, February 20, 2014 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

A recent visit with Spanish researchers and packers was of interest. Virtually the whole industry uses a snapping method to harvest fruit. It is faster and often leads to fewer fruit rots than with clipping.