Wednesday, January 8, 2014

I love my Tangerine tree...

 If you live anywhere in Southern California...this is a common site...a citrus tree of some sort...this is our Mandarin Orange Tree...it is full of delicious fruit right now... 
 But in the local paper today...it talks of doom for the citrus industry in our area...which is all over...and this really scared me! The article said that half of the citrus in our area are grown in back yards...and I can tell you that here...that is so true! All of my neighbors have citrus tree...oranges, tangerines, lemon, lime, grapefruit...you name it...and apparently...
 There is a bug that's determined to kill off all the trees in the area! A tiny bug called a psyllid...about half the size of a grain of rice...only two of these bugs can destroy an orchard...in Florida...so many orchards were destroyed and many of the farmers gave up and either developed their property...or sold it off for pennies on the dollar...that's just sad!
 In Redlands...the next town over...oranges are grown in all the newer housing developments and on the city streets too...oranges make up a valuable part of a beer that is made in Redlands...Hanger 24's Orange Wheat Beer...
 This time of year I gorge on my fruit...many call them tangerines...but they are a little different...I eat them every day...in salads...they are awesome!
Most of the time...just like this! 

The article said that we may only have a few more years before so much of the trees are gone...there is already a quarantine in effect in every Southern California county and many in Central California...where most of the larger groves are...many farmers here have orchards that are less than 100 acres and work together to market them...most in my area going to schools...but most home owners are unaware of the problem...sure I had heard of the bug that devastated Florida...but here?? Not until I read the article did I really appreciate my ability to walk outside and pick fresh fruit every day...see citrus is special because it stays fresh on the trees for so long...months...and months...unlike other fruits...you pick it fresh...and enjoy! The article said there was a meeting for home owners on Friday...I think I better get over there and see how I can protect my trees...if I actually can...I am an organic gardener and wonder what all this is going to do to our health...the article said that they are releasing wasps that eat this bug...it is from Asia...the wasps from Pakistan...but they will only eat 60% of the larvae...and like the article said...only 2 are needed to destroy...so we'll see how this plays out.

Sorry for such a downer of a blog...but its important...so next time you go to the grocery store for an orange or some grapefruit...and the price is sky high...here's a reason...until then...I plan on eating as much as I can!

Until next time...enjoy your day!!!

5 comments:

Christine said...

You are so fortunate to have fruit trees growing in your garden! But isn't it awful to think of all the damage those little bugs can do.
Oh and I found the pattern was by Wooden Spool Designs! So many wonderful patterns on their website!
Best wishes
Christine

Erica said...

Oh my!
I hope those wasps will help.
Here in New York, we have lost most of our Elm trees to Dutch Elm disease, and quite a few of the Dogwoods to some other borer.
It is devastating what these pests can do.

Earlene said...

Your trees are beautiful.
Thanks for the information, I had no idea about the problem. Sad.
Earlene

Beverly said...

I hope you don't already have a problem and that there is an organic way to combat it. Your tree is beautiful. I love oranges and tangerines, my favorite is the little "cutie". I'm lazy and it is so easy to peel. I pop one in my purse every time I go out too.

Our Neck of the Woods said...

What a gorgeous tree! I've always wanted to grow citrus trees, but since I'm in MO I don't think that would work haha. It stinks about that bug! That is so sad.