With the California avocado season in full bloom, early spring is a critical window for supporting field health, productivity, and longevity. West Pak Avocado’s Southern Field Manager Andy Gabryszak and Field Representative Scott Savard provide important insights and highlight best practices and watchouts that can influence yield and fruit quality.
Top Grower Priorities
Overall, the industry is experiencing a very strong bloom. West Pak’s field experts report that a combination of abundant winter rain and a prolonged heat wave led to healthy rain-flushed soils and a “super bloom.” The result is fruit advanced for this time of year.
Pollination and tree health are the top priorities influencing yield this season and next. With the emerging bloom, ensuring beehives are placed in the orchard is paramount. Some growers are also mechanically distributing Zutano pollen in their orchards.
Although early-season pricing has not motivated widespread harvesting, many growers are continuing cultural (pruning) work to help set fruit for next year. Select branch pruning is wrapping up in many groves, and focus has shifted to harvesting exposed fruit, as well as fruit 8oz and larger. This focus on relieving tree stress is crucial as the trees decide which to retain: new leaves, new fruit, old fruit, or old leaves.
“Growers have been wise to focus on tree health and harvest where necessary to alleviate stress on their trees.” Scott Savard — Field Representative
As temperatures rise, growers are advised to ensure their irrigation systems are running as efficiently as possible. Based on leaf analysis recommendations, first applications of fertilizer are already on the trees. Phosphorous injections should already be done, but there is still time. However, heavy nitrogen applications are not advised during the bloom. Many growers are holding off on Gib Acid sprays due to the amount of bloom and warm weather.
“Now is the time that your PCA should be watching and studying for Avocado Thrips.”
Andy Gabryszak — Southern Field Manager
West Pak’s field experts are also keeping an eye out for key pests, urging PCAs to pay close attention to scirtothrip populations as the new flush of leaves pushes with the bloom. In addition to thrips, the avocado lace bug (ALB) is making an appearance in Rancho California and has become an issue for some growers in Carpinteria, as it thrives in humid conditions below 90 degrees. Although ALB does most of its feeding in the fall months—which is when pesticide treatments have been most effective—growers should remain vigilant. Organic growers have struggled to control the pest, while conventional growers have seen success controlling ALB using Admire, Mustang, Danitol, and Pounce.
As the season progresses, growers are encouraged to stay in touch with their West Pak field rep and keep their PCAs on speed dial.
