Gardening

2006 UPPER GULF COAST CITRUS SHOW CHAMPIONS. Shown left to right are Bernard M. Patten of Seabrook (Best of Show - Satsuma Mandarin) and Butch Roden of Clute (Reserve Champion - Orlando Tangelo). Area citrus growers submitted a record 132 entries for display and competition.

Photo by William M. Johnson.

Citrus Show a huge success with 132 entries

By Dr. William M. Johnson
Galveston County Extension Agent - Horticulture

January 5, 2007

The 2006 Upper Gulf Coast Citrus Show was held on December 14 at the Walter Hall Park Pavilion in League City and area citrus growers submitted 132 entries for viewing. A remarkably wide range of citrus represented 18 types of citrus (ranging from grapefruits to kumquats to lemons) and 58 varieties.

Home-grown citrus is of superior quality to supermarket fruits. Many residents grow citrus not only for the fruit but also for the ornamental value trees provide to the landscape. Lastly, many types of citrus are easier to grow than many "traditional" fruit trees.

The Upper Gulf Coast Citrus Show was sponsored by the Extension Fruit & Pecan Committee. I extend thanks to the following committee members for their dedication and volunteer support with planning and conducting the Citrus Show: Jim Hall (Chairman), Santa Fe; Herman Auer, Santa Fe; Sam Powers, Santa Fe; and Louis Walden, Brookside Village. George McAfie served as the Show Judge and is a Harris County citrus grower.

Entries in the 2006 Citrus Show reflect the wide variety of citrus grown in this area. If you would like to know what types of citrus can be grown here, look over the following list of ribbon and rosette winners and their citrus entries.

• Bettye Bruno, Houston: First Place, Eureka Lemon.

• Richard Carter, League City: Third Place, Kanuka Orange; First Place, Meyer Lemon.

• S. W. Cole, Alvin: Third Place, Owari Satsuma; Second Place, Kimbrough Satsuma; Second Place, Fortune Tangerine; First Place, Persian Lime.

• Betty Fisher, San Leon: Third Place, Mexican Thornless Lime; Second Place, Satsuma Cluster; Second Place, Mexican Lime.

• Valentino Lanier, Friendswood:Third Place, Louisiana Sweet Orange.

• Ray Michalik, Brazoria: Second Place, Meyer Lemon.

• John E. Panzarella, Lake Jackson: Third Place, Cocktail Grapefruit; Third Place, Chandler Pummelo; Second Place, DancyQuat; Second Place, ‘Wekiwa’ Tangerine x Tangelo; Second Place, Page Mandarin; First Place, Fairchild Mandarin; First Place, Changshou Kumquat; First Place, Fairchild Mandarin Cluster.

• Bernard M. Patten, Seabrook: Third Place, Minneola Tangelo; First Place, Pink Blush Grapefruit; Best of Show, Satsuma Mandarin.

• Butch Roden, Clute: Second Place, Moro Blood Orange; Reserve Champion, Orlando Tangelo.

• Arnold Ross, Dickinson: Third Place, Meyer Lemon.

• Shirley Roth, League City: First Place, Cara Cara Navel Orange.

• Luke Stripling, Dickinson: Third Place, Honey Tangerine; Second Place, Rio Red Grapefruit.

• Jim and Maria Wade, League City: Third Place, Indio MandarinQuat.

• Vincent Ward, Seabrook: Third Place, Meyer Lemon Cluster.

For some plant growing endeavors, my philosophy is "If you can’t pronounce it, don’t grow it!" However, on most occasions with citrus, not being able to pronounce it will not reduce your chances of growing some wonderful and delicious fruit.

If you are interested in growing your own citrus or in expanding your existing backyard citrus grove, be sure to make a notation on your gardener’s calendar to attend the Master Gardener Fruit & Citrus Tree Seminar & Sale. The 2007 Seminar & Sale will held at Carbide Park in La Marque on Saturday, February 3, 2007. Additional details are available on the website listed below.

2007 MASTER GARDENER CLASS

Attention all gardeners! Do you like to share with young people and adults what you know about plants and gardening? Do you want to learn more about the culture and maintenance of many types of plants? Would you like to participate in a practical and intensive horticulture training program? Do you have time to attend a 7-week training and complete 50 hours of volunteer work within a year?

If you answered yes to these questions, the Galveston County Master Gardener Program is for you. The Galveston County Extension Office is seeking gardeners who would like to use their gardening knowledge and experience to teach others the joys and benefits of gardening in return for some of the best training in horticulture available.

There is a $150 registration fee which includes the 450+ page "Texas Master Gardener Handbook", an engraved name badge and membership in the Master Gardener Association. The 2007 Galveston County Master Gardener class will begin Tuesday, February 6, 2007. Classes will be held every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 1:00 - 5:00 P.M. through March 22. If you're interested in receiving an application form and additional information, contact the Galveston County Extension Office (281-534-3413, Ext. 1-2).

The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, January 19. Class size is limited to 22 individuals.

Dr. Johnson is a horticulturist with the Galveston County
Extension Office of Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas A&M University. Visit his web site at http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.htm

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