Press
Postbloom Fruit Drop
Central Florida Ag News, September 2019, By Phillip RucksA common problem that many citrus growers face annually is post-bloom fruit drop. This disease is caused by a fungus known as Colletotrichum Acutatum. The fungus survives between bloom periods as resistant structures on the buttons, leaves, and twigs. Read more>>
High Density Citrus Farming
Central Florida Ag News, July 2019, By Phillip RucksWhile one part of the citrus research industry is looking for ways to develop HLB-resistant trees in order to maximize yield, another part is focused on the configuration of the groves themselves. Read more>>
Citrus and Gene editing
Central Florida Ag News, June 2019, By Phillip RucksCreating a citrus-greening resistant plant has been at the forefront of agricultural research since the disease was first diagnosed in 2005. Read more>>
Drone Technology For Citrus
Central Florida Ag News, August 2019, By Phillip RucksThe use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, is becoming a low-cost, essential tool for precision agriculture that can help citrus growers better manage their crop in new and revolutionary ways. Read more>>
Rootstocks and Citrus
Central Florida Ag News, May 2019, By Phillip RucksCreating a citrus-greening resistant plant has been at the forefront of agricultural research since the disease was first diagnosed in 2005. Read more>>
Windbreaks For Citrus
Central Florida Ag News, March 2019, By Phillip RucksAs citrus season progresses, let’s take a moment to talk about windbreaks and their importance to citrus trees. The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service defines windbreaks as “plantings of single or multiple rows of trees and shrubs that are established for environmental purposes.” Read more>>
Planning Ahead to Maximize Your Success
Central Florida Ag News, September 2014, By Phillip RucksI can’t stress how important it is to plan ahead. Read more>>
Citrus Growers Planting Denser to Boost Yields
Central Florida Ag News, August 2014, By Phillip RucksEvery citrus tree is like a factory producing a product. Read more>>
Healthy Citrus Trees may Hold Answer to Greening Disease
Central Florida Ag News, June 2014, By Phillip RucksWe’re in a war. Although our weapons are insecticides and nutritional sprays instead of rifles and grenades, the battle against the greening disease is real. Read more>>
Citrus Growers Need to Weigh Options
Central Florida Ag News, May 2014, By Phillip RucksCitrus groves are becoming living laboratories, according to Dr. Jude Grosser, a University of Florida (UF) professor at Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred. Read more>>
Planning is Critical for Citrus Growers Today
Central Florida Ag News, April 2014, By Phillip RucksThe nursery industry sure has changed. Since I opened Phillip Rucks Citrus Nursery 17 years ago, citrus canker and greening disease have taken a tremendous toll on nursery businesses. Read more>>
What Growers Need to Know: Emerging Greening Tolerant Cultivars, Part I
Central Florida Ag News, March 2014, By Phillip RucksCitrus varieties more tolerant of citrus greening disease are head- ing for large- scale fi eld trials as early as March. University of Florida (UF) researchers have identifi ed 16 rootstalks showing a lower rate of infection and more tolerance to greening, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB). Read more
August is National Peach Month
TC Palm, August 2013 VERO BEACH — August is National Peach Month and you can enjoy delicious and juicy peaches grown right in our own county—if you can find them. Read moreScientists Working to Develop Citrus-Greening Resistant Tree
The Ledger, June 2013 BONITA SPRINGS | Developing new citrus trees suited to Florida’s environment, especially ones tolerant to citrus greening, is a long road with many branches.New Uses for Old Crops
Central Florida Ag News, October 2012 Eucalyptus, Sugar Cane and other crops get and agritechnology makeover More>>Citrus nurseries struggling to keep up with demand
Bay News 9, Sept 26, 2012 Workers at the Rucks Citrus Nursery in Frostproof are turning out nursery trees at the rate of a million per year. But there simply aren’t enough nurseries like Rucks to keep up with the demand. More>>Florida’s Experience Growing Citrus in Protected Culture
Citrus Research Board, April 27, 2012 Phillip Rucks, a Florida-based commercial citrus grower, shares his experience growing citrus trees in protected culture.Rucks Discusses Citrus Nursery Tree Shortage And The Future
Southeast Ag Net, February 4, 2012 Nurseryman Phil Rucks in these reports reflects on the current shortage of nursery trees available for Florida citrus growers to plant and looks at the future situation. More>>Citrus growers excited about new seedless mandarin
Bloomburg Business Week, February 4, 2011 Phillip Rucks, who runs the biggest citrus nursery in the country in Frostproof, Fla., will ship his first round of Tango trees to growers in Florida’s fabled Indian River district this summer. More>>Citrus Restrained By Nursery Tree Shortage, Greening Fears
The Ledger, February 3, 2012 HAINES CITY | The Florida citrus industry is stuck in neutral and could remain there through the end of the decade. More>>CFAN AGTV Exclusive Interview: Phillip Rucks of Phillip Rucks Citrus Nursery in Frostproof, FL
Central Florida Ag News, August, 19, 2010
