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Citrus Fruits Ripen Through Winter W
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eet Elizabunth Warren, a sweet shorthaired rabbit that has been at the Shelter for almost 6 months! Elizabunth is one of many Shelter rabbits hoping to find her new home in time for the holidays — could it be with you? She was surrendered to the Shelter when her owner could no longer care for her and she is looking for a home where she can run and play and of course munch on some green treats. Elizabunth is spayed and ready to go home with you today! At animal shelters across the state, rabbits are coming in at an alarming rate. Sadly, rabbits continue to be surrendered to the Shelter and there isn’t enough space for them all. There are hundreds of beautiful rabbits available for adoption and we are hoping you’ll stop by the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter and adopt a Shelter rabbit during our Winter Wonderland adoption special! Due to this increase, all rabbits will be available for adoption for $22 when you adopt now through the end of February. Visit the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter at 1001 Rodriguez St. or learn more at www.scanimalshelter.org. Adoptions are first come, first served! Please view available animals on our website and then visit the Shelter to turn in your application. All adoptions require proof of home ownership or landlord approval. Please have this information prepared. If an animal is in Foster Care, please bring in your adoption application and schedule an appointment to meet the animal. Call 831-454-7200 x0 during business hours or visit www.scanimalshelter.org for more information! n ••• Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter: Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Watsonville Location: CURRENTLY CLOSED 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076 SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us
By Tony Tomeo
inter seems like an odd time for fruit to ripen. Winter weather is cool enough to inhibit vascular activity in plants. That is why most plants are dormant to some extent through winter. Most familiar fruit trees are deciduous, so defoliate in winter chill. Stone fruits ripened through early summer. Pome fruits ripened through late summer and autumn. Nonetheless, citrus fruits are now in season. The various citrus fruits and their cultivars ripen at various times through their season. Like stone fruits and pome fruits, they are on distinct schedules. Furthermore, climate affects ripening. Citrus fruits that ripen earlier than other cultivars in a particular climate may ripen after the same other cultivars in another climate. A few cultivars produce sporadically, or notably later than citrus season. Such cultivars are justifiably popular. For example, ‘Eureka’ lemon is a mutant of ‘Lisbon’ lemon. ‘Lisbon’ lemon works well for orchards because all the fruit ripens within a limited season. ‘Eureka’ is more practical for home gardens because it instead produces
sporadically throughout the year. A few fresh lemons are always available. The winter crop is abundant, but not too overwhelming. Mandarin oranges are the first citrus fruits to harvest, even if they are not the first to completely ripen. Because their rinds fit so loosely, they are the most perishable of citrus fruits. They will oxidize and dehydrate before they rot. Tangerines are the same, since they are merely American descendants of Mandarin oranges. ‘Rangpur’ lime is not a lime at all, but a sour Mandarin orange hybrid. Oranges, lemons and grapefruits, although ripening now, can remain on their trees for quite a while. The tartness of grapefruits mellows with age, and might be preferable after a few months. The same applies to the acidity of lemons. However, too many lingering citrus fruits can inhibit bloom. Some limes are supposedly best before totally ripe. All citrus fruits stop ripening when harvested. Juice of the various citrus fruits can be frozen for storage if necessary. n Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.
Winter Fun © Statepoint Media
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Capitola Soquel Times / January 2022 / 31
