gardenweb88, it sounds like he was referring to HLB, then. It doesn't turn your fruit black, though, but it is fatal, and not treatable. If you live near or in Whittier, this would be what he was referring to. The lifespan for an infected tree is approximately 5 years, but for the few few years, the tree will be asymptomatic, yet infectious. The disease is spread by a vector insect, the Asian Citrus Psyllid. Fortunately for us in California, there has been no reported spread past this one find. So, we are remaining hopeful. You still may be able to find citrus at other nurseries that are closer to you, so don't give up quite yet. And, apples are a great alternative, or addition to fruit trees in your garden. Applenut can give you some excellent advice on good apple cultivars. I have about 12 or 15 different apple varieties, and a few based on applenut's recommendations. Applenut, there has been some good research with regard to the development of resistant cultivars, and that reseach has come out of Texas A&M University, with the lead researcher being Dr. Erik Mirkov. But, considering the many thousands of citrus cultivars we have, trying to breed for resistant cultivars is not the only solution, unfortunately. Great for commercial citrus growers, who focus on perhaps 15 different citrus varieties, but for the dooryard or hobbyist grower, we are hoping for some of the other research to provide better options. And, within that, examining certain citrus cultivars and citrus relatives that show some degree of increased resistance (although all do succumb, eventually). There are several (about 20 to 25) different research projects worldwide being undertaken around HLB, and the focus is mainly on three fronts: in controlling the vector, developing resistant cultivars, or addressing the infection (C. Liberibacter asiaticus), directly. One of the most fascinating research projects is being conducted I believe in Japan. It takes the Tristeza virus, de-pathogenizes the organism, then uses it like a "silver bullet" to carry in an organism into the tree that will kill C. Liberibacter, and continue killing it, if the tree gets reinfected. You literally inoculate or vaccinate the tree. Fabulous for those of us with many rare and unusual citrus in our collection, where there would be little to no hope of ever seeing a resistant cultivar developed. Plus, commercial growers would not have to replace their trees, just inoculate them to protect them. There are actually several quarantine areas scattered about California, but only quarantined due to the ACP. The Whittier area is quarantined for both HLB and ACP. Patty S. Here is a link that might be useful: Breeding for HLB Resistance PowerPoint

It's actually a bacterial disease. Hopefully TX will have a better response than FL. We have no response it seems. Around me there's hundreds upon hundreds of acres of abandoned groves infested with all varieties of citrus diseases, including and especially HLB. I have wrote letters to the state agriculture Commissioner as well as my locally elected representatives explaining that these abandoned groves are cesspools of disease and as such constitute a public nuisance. They must be razed if we are serious about fighting this disease. Whether the state or landowner pays for it is irrelevant in this emergency situation. I didn't receive so much as a form letter reply. Not even a "thanks for your input" form letter. Not from one damn person. That Adam Putnam would much rather try to weasel in to national politics than do his friggin job here.

Thanks, Serge for contacting CCPP. It is getting harder and harder to get some of the more unusual citrus cultivars these days, with all of the efforts going to trying to manage citrus diseases. I'm going to have to contact CCPP to see if they ever procured a Shiranui source. They said they were working on it about 3 years ago, but haven't heard anything more about that. Wish that they would re-institute the Citrus Days at the UC Riverside Citrus Variety Collection orchard. That was a lot of fun, and very educational. Patty S.

I am in charge of the South Comminsville community fruit orchard. I am finding that Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, figs. pears, and peaches are real winners. Cherry trees die. Plum trees don't produce, Apple trees are plagued with insects and diseases, Blue berries need extensive soil monitoring. Grapes rot on the vine. The peaches and pears are picked before they are ripe and the animals don't get near as many as we do. The fig trees die back every year so they amount to dwarfs. A rat trap at the base takes care of the squirrels and possums, Kiwis are trouble free and this should be my first real production year. Orange you glad that disease is only killing the trees that produce fruit that you can buy at the grocery store for $0.49 a pound. Could you imagine how mad you would be if your $7.99 a pound fruit tree just got killed. 6b Steve