Ali Sarkhosh – EDIS Update

Elderberry and Elderflower (Sambucus spp): Markets, Establishment Costs, and Potential Returns

Photo of elderberries still on the tree and surrounded by elder leaves.

Elderberry is an alternative crop that holds promise for further commercial development in Florida. This 7-page fact sheet written by Kevin Athearn, David Jarnagin, Ali Sarkhosh, Juanita Popenoe, and Steven Sargent and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department reviews information on markets for elderberries and elderflowers and estimates establishment costs and potential returns for a 3-acre elderberry orchard in Florida. The information is intended to assist farmers in evaluating elderberry as a possible alternative crop. Includes guidance on financial planning for an elderberry enterprise.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1093

The Passion Fruit in Florida

Passion fruit is a short-lived evergreen perennial vine that produces an aromatic and tropical-tasting fruit. This new 13-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department provides a description of passion fruit and its various species and cultivars, as well as a guide to culture and management, harvest and storage, its pests and diseases, and food and marketing. Written by Mark Bailey, Ali Sarkhosh, Amir Rezazadeh, Joshua Anderson, Alan Chambers, and Jonathan Crane.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1406

Prácticas Culturales para el Caqui Japonés en Florida

Los caquis son considerados como un cultivo relativamente sostenible en Florida, con una calificación de 6 puntos en una escala de 10 para la evaluación de sostenibilidad agrícola. Los caquis tienen un potencial comercial moderado y altas probabilidades de llegar directamente al consumidor. La demanda de los consumidores podría ser de cultivares no astringentes principalmente. Los caquis son aptos para el centro y el norte de Florida, ya que la calidad y los rendimientos pueden ser bajos en la parte sur del estado.
This new 15-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department is the Spanish translation of HS1389, Japanese Persimmon Cultural Practices in Florida, written by Ali Sarkhosh, Dustin M. Huff, and Peter C. Andersen, and translated by Jonathan Clavijo-Herrera.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1401

Passion Fruit Problems in the Home Landscape

In Florida, purple and yellow passion fruit have been widely cultivated by homeowners for years, and south Florida’s subtropical climate allows for growing passion fruit year-round. Many factors affect longevity and productivity of passion fruit vine, including environmental stresses, pests, and disease. This new 5-page document is designed to help Master Gardeners and homeowners by answering commonly asked questions about passion fruit production problems. Written by Amir Rezazadeh, Mark Bailey, and Ali Sarkhosh, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1397

The Pear (Pyrus spp.) in Florida Home Gardens

Pears are a great tree to grow for an edible landscape or fruit garden. However, pears are not adapted to all areas in Florida, and only a few cultivated varieties will grow well here. An adaptation to warm winters (low chill hours) and disease resistance are the main factors for success. This new 6-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department provides information to help homeowners select and grow pears successfully in Florida. Written by Juanita Popenoe, Ali Sarkhosh, and Dustin Huff.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1393

Elderberry and Elderflower (Sambucus spp.): A Cultivation Guide for Florida

The purpose of this new 9-page paper, written by David Jarnagin, Ali Sarkhosh, Juanita Popenoe, Steve Sargent, and Kevin Athearn, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, is to provide information on growing American elderberry in Florida as an alternative crop for commercial growers as well as homeowners. Although elderberry has been historically grown at commercial scale in some world regions, especially throughout Europe, in the New World it has not found meaningful commercial acceptance until recently.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1390

Japanese Persimmon Cultural Practices in Florida

Persimmons are considered a relatively sustainable crop in Florida, rated as a 6 out of 10 on an assessment of agricultural sustainability, with a moderate commercial potential and high direct-to-consumer potential. Trees grow and fruit best in central and northern Florida and can produce high yields of good-quality fruit. This new 13-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department describes how to propagate and establish persimmons in Florida, while also providing information on irrigation, fertilization, harvest, pests, diseases, and more. Written by Ali Sarkhosh, Dustin M. Huff, and Peter C. Andersen.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1389

Cultivares de Caqui Japonés en Florida

El caqui japonés, Diospyros kaki L., es originario de China y fue cultivado por primera vez en Florida en el año 1870. El número de fincas productoras de caqui en Florida ha aumentado de 164 a 227 durante el período 2012-2017, haciendo mayor hincapié en la naturaleza de pequeña escala de la superficie promedio de fincas en esta industria. Los árboles crecen y fructifican mejor en el centro y norte de Florida, y pueden producir altos rendimientos de fruta de buena calidad. En el sur de Florida, la calidad de los frutos de tipo astringentes es mejor que la de los de tipo no astringentes.
This new 12-page article is the Spanish translation of SP101/MG242, Japanese Persimmon Cultivars in Florida. Written by Ali Sarkhosh, Peter C. Andersen, and Dustin Huff; translated by Jonathan Clavijo Herrera; and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg460

Summer Pruning in Low-Chill Peaches Grown in Florida

Low-chill peach trees growing under Florida conditions can become vigorous and large. Summer pruning is a management strategy that can be applied to help restructure the canopy, direct the tree’s resources into fruit production, and improve the efficiency of fieldwork. Without summer pruning, peach orchards in subtropical regions will continue to grow vigorously and, if left unmanaged, will reach a point at which ladders will be required to harvest and maintain the trees. Summer pruning can be a means of reducing overall tree size, redistributing fruiting wood for easier harvesting, reducing disease pressure, and increasing fruit quality. This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, written by Ali Sarkhosh, Dustin Huff, Trequan McGee, and Juanita Popenoe, provides an illustrated step-by-step guide to summer pruning of peach trees.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1377

Oportunidades alternativas para fincas pequeñas: Producción de durazno y nectarinas versión revisada

El suave clima invernal de Florida y el comienzo de la temprano de primavera ofrecen oportunidades únicas para la producción de duraznos y nectarinas de temporada temprana. Durante los últimos 12 años, la Universidad de Florida ha lanzado muchos cultivares nuevos de durazno y nectarina. Estos nuevos y mejorados cultivares han aumentado el potencial de expansión del aspecto comercial de melocotones y nectarinas en gran parte de la península de Florida y en las regiones de la Costa del Golfo del sureste de los Estados Unidos.
This new 5-page article is the Spanish translation of RFAC018, Alternative Opportunities for Small Farms: Peach and Nectarine Production Review. Written by Ali Sarkhosh, Mercy Olmstead, Jeff Williamson, Jose Chaparro, and Juanita Popenoe, translated by Eva Pabon, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1374

El higo

El higo (Ficus carica L; familia Moracea) se originó en los trópicos del Viejo Mundo: Asia Menor y la Región Mediterránea. En el Mediterráneo, el higo se ha cultivado desde el año 5,000 a.C. Muchos cultivares de higos fueron importados del Viejo Mundo en los últimos 50 años. Actualmente, sin embargo, no hay programas de mejoramiento de higos en los Estados Unidos, y de entre al menos 60-100 cultivares de higos nombrados, relativamente pocos se cultivan en el sureste de los Estados Unidos.

This is the Spanish version of HS27, The Fig. (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg214). Written by Ali Sarkhosh and Peter C. Andersen, translated by Luis Jonathan Clavijo Herrera, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg459

Japanese Persimmon Varieties in Florida

Japanese persimmons were first grown in Florida in the 1870s, but as of 2017, most US plantings are on a small scale; however, even as the overall acreage has decreased, the number of farms in Florida growing the fruit increased from 2012 to 2017. Trees grow and fruit best in central and northern Florida and can produce high yields of good-quality fruit. With an estimated population of more than 21 million, a diverse cultural base, and large cities close to production zones, Florida is primed for a larger persimmon industry. This 11-page revision provides growers with a primer on persimmon characteristics, marketing, and cultivars. Written by Ali Sarkhosh, Peter C. Andersen, and Dustin M. Huff, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg242

Peach Brown Rot

Brown rot, caused by Monilinia spp., is one of the most economically harmful fungal diseases for peach and other stone fruit growers worldwide. Under the right conditions, the entire tree’s crop can be completely rotted. Fruit susceptibility fluctuates with the various stages of development; mature fruits are highly susceptible to disease, and fruit infection has the greatest impact on production. This new 7-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department describes the disease cycle, symptoms, and management options available for brown rot in Florida peaches. Written by Ali Sarkhosh, Shirin Shahkoomahally, Logan Marie Richmond-Cosie, and Philip Harmon.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1357

Guidelines for Pomegranate Nutrient Management in Florida

Many Florida growers are interested in the potential of pomegranate as an alternative fruit crop. The first flush of flowers produces the best quality fruit, and climatic conditions have a great impact on the timing of flowering. Proper fertilization is critical to promote healthy canopy development, minimize nutrient disorders, and maximize fruit yield and quality. This new 5-page article, written by Shinsuke Agehara, Weining Wang, and Ali Sarkhosh and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, provides guidelines for pomegranate nutrient management in Florida.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1347

Variedades de Durazno y Nectarina en la Florida

La Universidad de la Florida ha desarrollado cultivares de nectarina y durazno de alta calidad, bajo requerimiento de horas frio, y de maduracion temprana que pueden cultivarse desde el Panhandle de la Florida (noroeste del estado) tan al sur como Immokalee. Cultivares de bajas horas frio pueden crecer y producir fruta bajo las condiciones de la Florida que son mucho mas calidas en el invierno que en estados mas al norte. This 18-page fact sheet, translated by Tatiana Sanchez and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, is the Spanish-language version of CIR1159, Florida Peach and Nectarine Varieties, written by Ali Sarkhosh, Mercy Olmstead, Jose Chaparro, Pete Andersen, and Jeff Williamson.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1346

La Granada en Florida: Una fruta de arbol para Florida?

El potencial económico en la producción comercial para el cultivo de granadas en Florida es actualmente desconocido en este momento. La investigación científica continúa sobre la posibilidad de encontrar variedades de granadas que puedan crecer en Florida. Las condiciones ambientales, con una alta temporada húmeda en la Florida, y un clima caluroso, son factores que son favorables para las enfermedades en las granadas y eso reduce la calidad de esta fruta, especialmente para las variedades de temporada tardía como la variedad ‘Wonderful’. ‘Wonderful’ es el principal cultivar comercial que se originó en la Florida. Para reducir las enfermedades y evitar la competencia de comercialización con las granadas de California, la investigación para la producción de granadas en la Florida debe centrarse en buscar variedades de temporada temprana que puedan cosecharse en julio y agosto. This six-page document is the Spanish translation of HS44, The Pomegranate. Written by Ali Sarkhosh and Jeff Williamson, translated by Eva Pabon, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs294

Thinning Florida Peaches for Larger Fruit

Fruit size is an important factor in a fruit crop’s marketability. This 6-page document discusses fruit thinning, a process that is critical to achieving larger-sized peaches, and thus is critical to the success of peaches grown in Florida. Written by Yuru Chang, Ali Sarkhosh, Jeffrey Brecht, and Peter Andersen and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, January 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1324

The Pomegranate

This 6-page document profiles the pomegranate and discusses its production in Florida. Written by Ali Sarkhosh and Jeff Williamson and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, January 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg056

Rootstocks for Florida Stone Fruit

Rootstocks are used in many tree fruit systems to provide growth advantages and/or pest and disease resistance without affecting (sometimes improving) productivity and fruit quality. This 6-page document discusses the use of rootstocks for Florida stone fruit. Written by Ali Sarkhosh, Mercy Olmstead, Jose Chaparro, and Thomas Beckman and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, November 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs366

Peach Root-knot Nematode

One of the production issues that peach growers in Florida must contend with is plant-parasitic nematodes. One such species is the more recently discovered peach root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne floridensis, which is the subject of this 5-page publication. Written by Mary Ann D. Maquilan, Ali Sarkhosh, and Donald Dickson and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, July 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1320