Florel and Maintain are a growth regulators. These products act to slow or stop growth depending on the application concentration, and are sprayed onto the tree before flowering to prevent flower development. Applications must be measured precisely or disfigurement of the tree's leaves will result, sometimes for years afterward. Studies from Arizona State University indicate that the chemicals can have a cumulative effect in the tree's tissues and can contribute to declining health if used in consecutive years.

Embark and Olive Stop require several applications but are much safer to use. These auxin-derivative compounds are applied at the time of flower budding to abscise flowers and subsequent fruit before they develop.

The University of California at Davis recommends the following: "For complete crop removal, a solution of 150 ppm naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) is applied in two sprays, the first 2 to 3 days before full bloom and the second a week later. If the bloom period is short, a second spray may not be necessary. A single spray may be applied at full bloom, but often crop removal is incomplete. For large trees, a power sprayer is required; 5 to 10 gallons of solution per tree may be required to give good coverage."

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