Hurricanes Pose a Substantial Threat to Florida Blueberries

As I write this, all eyes are glued to the weather forecasts as Tropical Storm (soon to be Hurricane) Helene forms. Like most storms that make their way through the Gulf of Mexico, her path is not set in stone. But then again, that’s something those of us in agriculture know about all too well: Very little is set in stone, and how we fare is measured by how we adapt.


While most people may think the only crops a hurricane takes out are those that are currently in season, on bushes, and on trees, we know nothing can be further from the truth. Earlier in this edition, Doug Phillips and Jeff Williamson discussed how healthy leaves in fall are important for flower bud initiation and development.  


So what kind of damage could growers be looking at if and when the state suffers a blow from a hurricane?


  • Wind Damage: As many saw during Hurricanes Ian and Irma, the wind takes a toll on the plants through defoliation and uprooting. Plants that are blown over may need to be reset and staked, but even then there’s still the potential of irreversible damage to the woody stems and the root system. 

  • Flooding: Tropical storms and hurricanes are known for the mass amount of rainfall they bring, further increasing the threat to blueberry plants that typically don’t fare well in standing water or saturated conditions. Flooding can cause root death, reduce root and shoot growth, decrease leaf number, inhibit leaf expansion, reduce nutrient uptake, and result in smaller flower buds and fruit.

  • Disease: High winds and pooling water can spread disease to other storm-damaged plants that don’t have the health to fend off pathogens and disease. 


Even though it’s late in the hurricane season, we still have roughly a month to go before we can breathe a sigh of relief. Hang in there!


For more information about what to do immediately before and after a hurricane, go to https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS1342 or scan the QR code below:


 
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