In Fresno County, residents may notice nets draped over rows of citrus trees, particularly clementines and W. Murcott mandarins. These nets serve a specific purpose: to prevent bees from pollinating the trees, which would result in seeded fruit. Monique Mueller, communications director for Bee Sweet Citrus, explains that while many fruits require pollinators, most citrus varieties are self-pollinating and do not need bees.

The Seedless Mandarins Demand

Local growers like Bee Sweet Citrus use netting to cater to consumer preferences for seedless mandarins. According to Joe Berberian from Bee Sweet, the nets are essential for maintaining the seedless quality of these fruits. The process involves rolling large spools of netting over the trees during blossom time, effectively keeping bees at bay.

James McFarlane, a grower from Clovis, highlighted the economic incentive behind this practice. In 2014, he noted a significant price difference between seeded and seedless mandarins, with seedless varieties fetching higher prices. This consumer preference is driven by convenience, especially for families with young children who prefer seedless fruits for ease of consumption.

Challenges and Considerations

While netting is effective, it is not without challenges. The cost of netting operations is a consideration for growers, though it is generally outweighed by the benefits of producing seedless fruit. Additionally, there are trade-offs, as seen with the minneola tangelo. While netting can produce seedless fruit, it may also result in lower yields due to the lack of cross-pollination.

This practice underscores the delicate balance citrus growers must maintain to meet market demands while managing production costs. As consumers continue to favor seedless varieties, the use of netting in citrus orchards is likely to remain a common sight in Fresno County.

Original reporting: Fresnoland — read the source article.