Vegetarian Newsletter 7
A
Vegetable Crops Extension Publication
University of Florida
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Cooperative Extension Service
Vegetarian
99-10
October 1999
Florida State Horticultural Society. October 31 - November 2, 1999. Indian
River Plantation Marriot Resort, Stuart, FL. (561) 225-3700.
Southeast
Vegetable and Fruit Expo. December 13-15, 1999. Joseph S. Koury Convention
Center, Greensboro, NC. Contact: Bonnie Price Holloman (919)772-2204.
Australian
Vegetable Tour. January 7-10, 2000. Contact: Dr. Doug Sanders, NC State
University (919) 515-1222, E-mail: Doug_Sanders@NCSU.edu
2000
Florida Postharvest Horticulture Institute and Industry Tour.
Institute - March 6th, University of Florida, Gainesville,
with video-links to several sites in Florida.
Industry Tour - March 7-10th Statewide
For more information contact: Steve Sargent, (352) 392-1928 ext. 215,
e-mail or Abbie Fox (352) 392-1928 ext.235, fax (352) 392-5653, e-mail
Suspension of the Watermelon Crop Insurance
 Program
for the Crop Year 2000
What
started out as a worthy program by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
(FCIC) has turned into an unmanageable nightmare in some areas of the state.
Lofty goals were set to provide a safety net for watermelon growers to pay
back out-of-pocket costs for crops which might be ravaged by the forces
of nature. Alachua, Jackson, and Manatee counties in Florida were selected
to be "pilot counties" in 1999 to give this program a trial.
As
it turned out, the policies were loosely written regarding what production
practices were considered important for the grower to use, and no consideration
was made as to the irrigation, fertilization, and previous cropping history
of the land and present watermelon crop, making it evident that the FCIC
had not consulted any university personnel. Growers in Jackson and a few
other counties found that it was almost an open invitation to overproduce,
and several disregarded proper cultural and management practices. The acreage
planted here in spring 1999 exceeded 9,000 acres, compared to the previous
20-year high of 1,600 acres planted for a spring crop. The fall 1999 crop
is now estimated at 6,000 acres, compared to about 800 acres maximum planted
in the past 10 years.
To
make a long story short, after two hearings were held, and several complaints
were made, the FCIC suspended the crop insurance program for watermelons
for the year 2000. Industry members had said that the insurance program
led to oversupply of watermelons and low prices. The announcement to this
effect was made on 13 September, 1999. The sixty-day comment period began
on that date, and written comments regarding the Watermelon Crop Insurance
Program may be submitted no later than 12 November, 1999, to these contacts:
Stamp
Mail Address:
Director
Research and Evaluation Division
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
United States Department of Agriculture
9435 Holmes Road
Kansas City, MO 64131
Internet Address: DIRECTORPDD@RM.FCIC.USDA.GOV
For
further Information:
Contact is Kathy Tiefel, Insurance Management Specialist, Research and
Development Division, FCIC, at the address listed above. Ms. Tiefelís
telephone number is 816-926-6343.
(Charles
L. Brasher, Extension Agent III, Jackson County, Vegetarian 99-10)
New Horticulturist at the GCREC-Dover
I
would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, John R. Duval.
I was born and raised just east of Stone Mountain, Georgia. I grew up growing
Christmas trees on my family's choose-and-cut operation. I began running
the farm when I was sixteen and continued running it until I finished my
Bachelor's degree in Landscape and Grounds Maintenance at the University
of Georgia (1993). I then went to Texas A&M University to pursue a Master's
degree in Horticulture specializing in vegetable crop production under the
direction of Dr. Frank J. Dainello. My work in Texas allowed me to gain
experience with a multitude of vegetable crops (squash, muskmelon, watermelon,
spinach, tomatoes, turnips, and mustard greens). After completing my Masters
degree in 1996, I returned to UGA and completed my Ph.D. (1999) under the
direction of Dr. D. Scott NeSmith. My research there concerned improving
stand establishment of triploid watermelon.
As
the newest member of the GCREC-Dover faculty, I am looking forward to working
with the Florida strawberry industry. Currently, I am conducting experiments
with strawberry that include factors such as, transplanting date, mineral
nutrition, root mass and geometry at planting and several new chemicals
to enhance strawberry production. I look forward to meeting more growers
and having a productive and educational first season.
(Duval,
Vegetarian 99-10)
Lettuce Cultivars for Warm Seasons
A
non-replicated lettuce variety trial was conducted during the early summer
of 1999 at the Suwannee Valley REC near Live Oak, FL. The trial was conducted
to evaluate several cultivars for bitterness in the hot season. Specialty
lettuces are very popular at restaurants and local retail markets, especially
community farmerís markets. Many cultivars produce high yield and excellent
quality during the cool season in North Florida. However, as temperatures
increase several cultivars become very bitter resulting in unmarketable
product.
This
trial was conducted in a Lakeland fine sand using a full-bed white-on-black
polyethylene mulch and drip irrigation system of production. The final beds
were 36 in. wide and 6 in. high. Four-week-old transplants were used to
establish the plots on May 5, 1999. Each bed contained two rows 12 in. apart
and plants were spaced 12 in. within each row.
Samples
were harvested from each plot on June 7, 1999. The same two people rated
each sample on a 1-5 scale with 1= no bitterness and 5= very bitter (Table
1). A rating of 4 or 5 would determine the cultivar to be unmarketable
due to bitterness alone. Ratings of 1 or 2 would determine those cultivars
to be of excellent quality and marketability in relation to bitterness.
In
general, all butterhead cultivars (ëErmosaí, ëCarmonaí, and ëRed Rougeí)
were all very mild in flavor with very little or no bitterness. The only
lollo type cultivar, ëLollo Rosaí, was very bitter. Other types of lettuce
(looseleaf, oakleaf, and romaine) were more variable depending on cultivar.
This
trial demonstrated several cultivars of specialty lettuces can be grown
well into the summer in North Florida to extend the marketing season. Cultural
practices including the use of white-on-black polyethylene mulch may be
important in extending the lettuce season.
| Table 1. Bitterness
ratings for several cultivars and types of lettuce grown in the
early summer of 1999 near Live Oak, FL. |
|
Cultivar
|
Type
|
Color
|
Bitterness
Ratingz
|
|
Black
Seeded Simpson
|
Loose
|
Green
|
3
|
|
Redina
|
Loose
|
Red
|
5
|
|
Two
Star
|
Loose
|
Green
|
2
|
|
Waldmans
Dark Green
|
Loose
|
Green
|
4
|
|
Lollo
Rosa
|
Lollo
|
Red
edges
|
5
|
|
Red
Rouge
|
Butterhead
|
Red
|
2
|
|
Ermosa
|
Butterhead
|
Green
|
1
|
|
Carmona
|
Butterhead
|
Red
|
1
|
|
Cerize
|
Oakleaf
|
Red
|
2
|
|
Saladbowl
|
Oakleaf
|
Green
|
2
|
|
Red
Saladbowl
|
Oakleaf
|
Red
|
3
|
|
Royal
Oak
|
Oakleaf
|
Green
|
3
|
|
Cocarde
|
Oakleaf
|
Red
tint
|
2
|
|
Kalura
|
Romaine
|
Green
|
2
|
|
Rosalita
|
Romaine
|
Red
tint
|
2
|
|
Paris
Island
|
Romaine
|
Green
|
3
|
|
Rouge
Díhiver
|
Romaine
|
Red
tint
|
3
|
|
Medallion
|
Romaine
|
Green
|
2
|
|
Z
= Bitterness ratings were given on a scale of 1-5; 1=no bitterness,
5=very bitter.
|
(Robert
Hochmuth, Multi County Extension Agent, Suwannee Valley REC, Vegetarian
99-10)
Field Production of Specialty Tomato
Varieties in Southeast Florida
Fruit
and plant characteristics of 10 specialty tomato varieties were evaluated
at three farms in Southeast Florida during the winter/spring season, 1998-99.
The tomatoes were grown on sandland using fumigated (methyl bromide/chloropicrin)
full-bed plastic mulch culture and sub surface seepage irrigation. At the
first farm, transplants were set December 3, 1998 and varieties were evaluated
on March 10 (98 days after transplanting). Beds were on 6' centers and plants
were set at three different within-row spacings: 24, 36, and 48 inches (3,630;
2,420; and 1,815 plants/A, respectively). At the second location, transplants
were set on January 15 and evaluated on April 26 (101 days after transplanting).
Beds were on 6' centers and plants were set at a 33 inch within-row spacing
(2,640 plants/A). At the third farm, tomatoes were transplanted on February
3, 1999, and evaluated on May 4 (90 days after transplanting). Plants were
set on 5' centers and at a 24 inch within-row spacing (4,356 plants/A).
Plant and fruit descriptions for the first demonstration are in Table
1. Tomato plant and fruit characteristics for the second and third demonstrations
were averaged and presented in Table 2. Varieties
are listed in order from the smallest sized fruit to the largest sized fruit.
Results of a taste test conducted for four of the grape/cherry varieties
from the third demonstration are in Table 3.
| Table 1. Plant
and fruit descriptions for specialty tomatoes in a variety demonstration,
Alderman Farms, Boynton Beach, FL, 1998-99.z |
|
Variety
|
Seed
source
|
Type
|
Fruit
shape
|
Plant
typey
|
Observations
|
| Mini
Charm |
Seedway
|
Grape
|
Round
|
Indet
|
Fruit
on a cluster. Good fruit set. Reddish orange to red. OK for 36"
within-row spacing. Some single growth splits extending halfway
across fruit. |
| Santa |
Seedway
|
|
Grape/plum
|
Indet
|
Fruit
on a cluster. OK fruit set, could be heavier. Orangish red to red.
OK for 36" within-row spacing. |
| Juliet |
Seedway
|
Mini
roma
|
Plum
|
Indet
|
May
be too large as a grape. OK to good fruit set. Orange/red to red
& red/orange. Vigorous plant. 36" within-row spacing recommended. |
| Sweet
100 |
Seedway
|
Cherry
|
Round
|
Indet
|
Fruit
on a cluster. Good fruit set. Reddish orange to red. OK for 36"
within-row spacing. Mature fruit did not stay attached well and
fell off clusters easily. |
| 844417 |
Western
Seed
|
Cherrycluster
|
Round
|
Indet
|
Fruit
on a cluster (slightly large for a cherry). OK fruit set. Orangish
red to reddish orange. Vigorous plant. 36" within-row spacing recommended.
Moderate radial cracking around fruit. When ripe, fruit detaches
easily; might break off too easily from cluster when picked. |
| Durinta |
Western
Seed
|
Cluster
|
Round
|
Indet
|
Round,
slightly squatted fruit. 5-6 fruit/cluster. 24 - 30" within-row
spacing should be enough, 36" may not be needed. |
| 862978 |
Western
Seed
|
Plum,
orange
|
Plum
|
Deter
|
Light
orange; some darker fruit is reddish orange. Good fruit set; medium
yield. Solid, not pithy or hollow. Determinant plant; 24" within-row
spacing recommended. |
z
Transplanted December 2, 1998, 98days to evaluation of mature fruit.
Nectar, Campari, and Triton were not planted at Alderman Farms;
they all had round fruit.
y Deter = determanate. Indet = indeterminate |
| Table 2. Whitworth
Farms, Boynton Beach, and Thomas Produce, Fort Pierce, FL, Winter/Spring
1999.z |
| Variety |
Seed
source
|
Type
|
Fruit/
clustery
|
Fruit
wt. (gms)x
|
Mature
(red) fruit wt. (gms)w
|
Fruitlgth
x width (inches)v
|
Ratiol
x wv
|
%
red fruit
|
%
green fruit
|
%
cracked
|
Plant
height inchesu
|
| Mini
Charm |
Seedway
|
grape
|
16.3
|
5.7
|
6.5
|
0.90
x 0.87
|
1.03
|
75%
|
16%
|
0.5%
|
63
|
| Santa |
Seedway
|
grape
|
15.9
|
7.9
|
8.4
|
1.38
x 1.04
|
1.33
|
66%
|
25%
|
0.6%
|
53
|
| Sweet
100 |
Seedway
|
cherry
|
13.6
|
8.0
|
9.2
|
0.92
x 0.95
|
0.97
|
69%
|
21%
|
3.3%
|
56
|
| Nectar |
Enza
|
cherry
|
11.4
|
12.9
|
13.9
|
|
|
82%
|
12%
|
0.8%
|
45
|
| 844417 |
Western
Seed
|
cherry
cluster
|
15.9
|
13.0
|
16
|
1.18
x 1.28
|
0.92
|
51%
|
28%
|
6.8%
|
57
|
| Juliet |
Seedway
|
mini-roma
|
9.4
|
21.6
|
24.2
|
1.68
x 1.23
|
1.37
|
71%
|
22%
|
0
|
54
|
| Campari |
Enza
|
cluster
|
9.5
|
46.2
|
51.7
|
|
|
75%
|
18%
|
0.6%
|
48
|
| Triton |
Enza
|
cluster
|
7.5
|
83.4
|
91.7
|
|
|
57%
|
36%
|
0.7
|
58
|
| Durinta |
Western
Seed
|
cluster
|
7.1
|
100.7
|
107.3
|
2.10
x 2.45
|
0.86
|
65%
|
26%
|
0.7
|
44
|
| 862978 |
Western
Seed
|
orange
plum
|
--
|
86.5
|
|
2.55
x 2.12
|
1.20
|
|
|
9.5
|
26
|
z
Whitworth Farms transplanted January 15, 1999, and evaluated April
26, 1999 (101 days after transplanting). Thomas Produce transplanted
February 3 and evaluated May 4, 1999, (90 days after transplanting).
y Whitworth Farms, fruit from 4 to 9 clusters per variety.
Thomas Produce, fruit from 10 to 14 clusters per variety.
x Weight of all fruit along with the stems holding the
clusters.
w Only fruit weight; stems not included.
v Measurements taken from Alderman Farms demonstration,
March 10, 1999. Ten fruit per variety. Nectar, Campari, and Triton
were not planted at Alderman Farms.
u Top of bed to top fruit. |
|
Table 3. Results of a taste test
conducted for four grape/cherry varieties, May 5, 1999.z
|
|
Variety
|
Seed source
|
Type
|
Preference
y
|
Sweetness
x
|
Blandness
x
|
Acidic x
|
|
Mini Charm
|
Seedway
|
grape
|
3.00
|
3.00 (10)
|
2.50 (2)
|
2.33 (3)
|
|
Santa
|
Seedway
|
grape
|
2.87
|
2.44 (9)
|
2.33 (3)
|
2.67 (3)
|
|
Sweet 100
|
Seedway
|
cherry
|
2.53
|
2.43 (7)
|
2.40 (5)
|
2.25 (4)
|
|
Nectar
|
Enza
|
cherry
|
2.53
|
2.83 (6)
|
2.00 (6)
|
2.33 (3)
|
|
z
Participants were given two tomatoes of each variety to taste.
Red ripe fruit which had been picked on May 4 was washed and stored
at room temperature.
y Participants were asked to rank varieties in order
of preference. Rating scale: 4=most preferred to 1=least preferred.
( )= total number of responses.
x Participants were asked to rank varieties. Rating
scale: 4=sweetest, blandest, or most acidic, respectively. ( )=
total number of responses for each variety.
|
(Shuler,
Extension Agent IV, Palm Beach County, Vegetarian 99-10)
Vegetable Gardening
Horticulture Events at 1999 4-H Congress
A. Horticulture events at 1999 4-H Congress (See corrected list of Judging
winners).
Our 4-H horticulture
committee composed of Bob Black, Jeff Williamson, and myself conducted three
plant science events for the 4-Híers at Gainesville during State Congress,
the week of July 26-30, 1999. The following are the results.
1.
Horticulture Leadership Track. We provided two days of classes on various
topics related to horticulture. Some of the class topics covered such
things as: writing a garden record book; lawn mower safety; plant bonsai;
insect eating plants; container culture; lake watch; and butterfly gardening.
Over 40 4-H members attended. State 4-H specialist Joy Jordan assisted
us with this event. Instructors were agents Zerba, Landrum, Fedunak, and
Renner, with specialists.
2.
Plant Demonstrations. Both team and individual demonstrations were heard
and judged by Heather Miller, Mark Gal, and Jackie Host.
| Plant Demonstration Results: |
| Placing |
Name
|
County
|
Subject
|
| 1 |
Pebbles Fullford |
Marion |
Hydroponics |
| 2 |
Jackie Lundy |
Glades |
Sugar bill |
| 3 |
Kyle Smith |
Osceola |
Propagation |
| 4 |
Travis Nettles |
Suwannee |
Cold frames |
| 5 |
Crystal Baker
and Tariea Cox |
Marion |
Reproduction |
Awards
trip: Pebbles Fullford was selected to represent Florida 4-H at the national
competition at the NJHA convention, Tampa, Nov. 5-6, 1999.
3.
Horticultural Identification and Judging.
| Placing |
Score
|
Name
|
County
|
| 1 |
840
|
Alicia Kamholtz
|
Marion
|
| 2 |
796
|
Dustin Taylor
|
Marion
|
| 3 |
790
|
Gary Hodges
|
Duval
|
| 4 |
784
|
Leah Warner
|
Marion
|
| 5 |
749
|
Elizabeth Stutsman
|
Duval
|
| 6 |
690
|
Melissa Gonzalez
|
Hendry
|
| 7 |
631
|
Angela Staines
|
Marion
|
| 8 |
610
|
Adam Bechtel
|
Hendry
|
| 9 |
531
|
Roy Dutcher
|
Hendry
|
| 10 |
520
|
Alayne Clark
|
Duval
|
| 11 |
512
|
Malachi Toth
|
Charlotte
|
| 12 |
508
|
Wendy Kirkland
|
Hendry
|
| 13 |
481
|
Christina Toth
|
Charlotte
|
| 14 |
343
|
Jacque Maxwell
|
Volusia
|
| 15 |
337
|
Elliot Balo
|
Volusia
|
| 16 |
326
|
Joshua Bell
|
Charlotte
|
| 17 |
284
|
Jared Weaver
|
Duval
|
| 18 |
270
|
Anna Mattson
|
Volusia
|
| 19 |
225
|
Christina Scalzo
|
Volusia
|
Marion
County team was selected to compete at NJHA convention in Tampa in November.
Duval County placed second, followed by Hendry, Charlotte, and Volusia.
(Stephens,
Vegetarian 99-10)
Cool-Season Vegetables for Florida Gardens
The
cool-season vegetables are those of which the primary parts eaten are the
vegetative parts roots, leaves, buds, or immature flower parts. That
is a general rule, for there are exceptions : sweet potato roots and New
Zealand spinach tops are warm-season, while pods of English peas and broad
beans are cool-season vegetables.
According
to Knottís Handbook for Vegetable Growers, there are some major ways cool-season
vegetables differ from the warm season vegetables ( some exceptions do occur):
1.
They are cold hardy or frost-tolerant.
2.
Seeds germinate at cooler soil temperatures.
3.
Root systems are more shallow.
4.
Plant size is smaller.
5.They
respond more to nitrogen fertilizer.
6.
They must be watered more frequently.
7.
Some are susceptible to pre-mature seed stalk development.
8.
Most are stored at or near 32 degrees F (except potato); sweet corn is
a warm-season exception that is also stored at 32F. Many warm-season vegetables
suffer chilling injury between 32 and 50 F.
9.
Some seeds like lettuce and celery are favored by light at germination.
10.
For some cool-season crops like asparagus, very cold temperatures induce
dormancy and re-growth.
List of Cool-season Vegetables (Source: Knott)
| Artichoke,
globe |
Chard,
Swiss |
Kohlrabi |
Shallot |
| Artichoke,
Jerusalem |
Chicory |
Leek |
Spinach |
| Asparagus |
Chinese
cabbage |
Lettuce |
Turnips |
| Bean,
broad |
Chive |
Mustard |
Watercress |
| Beet |
Collard |
Onion |
|
| Broccoli |
Corn
salad |
Parsley |
|
| Brussels
sprouts |
Cress |
Parsnip |
|
| Cabbage |
Dandelion |
Pea,
English |
|
| Cardoon |
Endive |
Potato |
|
| Carrot |
Florence
fennel |
Radish |
|
| Cauliflower |
Garlic |
Rhubarb |
|
| Celery |
Horse-radish |
Rutabaga |
|
| Celeriac |
Kale |
Salsify |
|
Planting dates
for cool-season vegetables in Florida Some of these crops can be planted
as temperatures approach the proper range. Cool-season crops grown in the
spring must have time to mature before temps are too warm. In the fall they
can be started in warm weather if they mature when it is cooler. However,
if seeds are germinated in the garden, they must have cool enough soil temperatures
for sprouting properly.
There
is a fairly wide range of soil temperatures for seed germination, from about
40-80 degrees F. for lettuce to 60-105 degrees for turnip and 50-70 degrees
for parsnip and 50-85 for parsley. Notice the overlapping with some of the
warm-season crops like watermelon at 70-95 degrees. Gardeners should be
advised to follow the suggested planting dates in the Florida Planting Guides
for their section of the state. It is possible and practical to have a winter-time
garden anywhere in Florida.
(Stephens,
Vegetarian 99-10)
|
