The weather this week in most citrus producing counties was cloudy and mild with a few scattered showers. Saturday night and Sunday a high pressure cell passed through the State bringing cold weather with low temperatures in the upper thirties. There was no damage to citrus from this cold shot. There are several groves of many varieties and ages that have a lot of open bloom. Most groves in all areas have pin head to swelling bloom buds with a good amount of feathery new growth.
Rain is needed in most areas.
Irrigation of all types is being used to maintain good tree condition for the up-coming bloom period. Picking crews are winding down their early and midseason orange harvest. A few Valencia oranges are being packed and processed. Some of the picking crews have switched over to harvesting grapefruit, Temples, tangelo and Honey tangerines. Most processing plants are still very active at this time.