Tag: Horticulture

Research confirms that a balanced nutrient program is crucial for plant productivity, with one element standing out. While many nutrients contribute, understanding which nutrient is responsible for fruit growth is key to maximizing your harvest, with potassium being a primary driver.

According to a 2015 study, high sweetness and low acidity are key drivers of flavor liking among mandarin varieties. But what makes mandarins sweet involves a complex interplay of natural sugars, citric acid, and various growing conditions. Understanding these elements can help you identify and even cultivate the most flavorful fruit possible.

An average medium-sized plum weighs approximately 66 grams (2.3 ounces). However, the weight of a single plum can vary dramatically based on its variety, with some weighing as little as 12 grams and others over 300 grams.

With over 31 million tonnes of spinach produced globally in 2020, its widespread use begs the question: what category is spinach? While most know it as a superfood vegetable, its classification is a nuanced discussion that covers both culinary use and botanical science.

While the botanical definition of a fruit dictates it must contain seeds, many store-bought varieties are famously seedless. This disparity raises the common question: do all fruits contain seeds, or is there a more nuanced explanation for the convenience of modern produce?

Did you know that many foods we commonly call vegetables, such as tomatoes and cucumbers, are botanically classified as fruits? Understanding this distinction reveals that what are the three main types of fruits is defined not by taste, but by their unique floral origin.

First cultivated in Japan in the 1970s, the fruit known today as Sumo Citrus is a hybrid born from decades of traditional cross-breeding. This horticultural achievement provides the definitive answer for those wondering, "Are Sumo Citrus natural?" as the fruit's unique traits and perfect sweetness are the result of selective breeding, not genetic modification.

While many assume seedless fruit is a modern, unnatural invention, some varieties like certain parthenocarpic figs have existed for over 11,000 years. The purpose of seedless fruit is a fascinating story involving botanical mutations, horticultural science, and, most importantly, human consumer preferences that have shaped the global food supply.

Genetically, peaches and nectarines are nearly identical, with a single recessive gene being the key variant that results in the absence of fuzz on a nectarine's skin. This surprising fact reveals that the nectarine is, in essence, a fuzz-free variety of peach, originating from a natural mutation that occurred thousands of years ago.

According to Zespri, the New Zealand kiwifruit cooperative, the golden SunGold variety was developed to save the industry after a bacterial disease destroyed most kiwi orchards in 2010. This significant investment in research and development is just one of several key reasons why golden kiwis are more expensive than their green counterparts.