Harvesting and Postharvest Handling of Stonefruits in Florida

Jeffrey Brecht , Mark Ritenour, , Ali Sarkhosh, Jose Chaparro, Jerry Bartz, Steven Sargent, andJohn Vansickle

Release Date: 7/15/2026

DOI: 10.32473/EDIS-hs1459-2023

Agriculture

Abstract

Stonefruits grown commercially in Florida include peaches, nectarines, and plums. This publication is directed to current and potential stonefruit growers, handlers, and marketers, as well as researchers, Extension agents, students, and consumers. It provides information about the Florida stonefruit industry, stonefruit cultivars that are suitable for Florida, stonefruit postharvest physiology and pathology, fruit quality, and recommended postharvest handling and marketing practices.

About this Publication

This document is HS1459, one of a series of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date April 2023. Revised March 2026. Visit the Ask IFAS website at https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/ for the currently supported version of this publication.

How to Cite

Brecht, J. K., Ritenour, M. A., Sarkhosh, A., Olmstead, M., Chaparro, J. X., Bartz, J. A., Sargent, S. A., & Van Sickle, J. (2023). Harvesting & Postharvest Handling of Stonefruit in Florida. EDIS, 2023(2). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-hs1459-2023

Authors

Jeffrey Brecht

Contact

Specialist

University of Florida

professor and Extension specialist emeritus, Department of Horticultural Sciences

View Jeffrey Brecht's Profile

Mark Ritenour

Specialist

University of Florida

professor, postharvest physiology & handling, Department of Horticultural Sciences, and associate center director, UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center, Fort Pierce, FL

View Mark Ritenour's Profile

Mercy Olmstead

global agronomy technology transfer lead, Driscoll's, Watsonville, CA, former associate professor and stonefruit Extension specialist, Department of Horticultural Sciences