Blue Diamond Almonds Bloom Report for February 24, 2016

This report covers conditions and observations made on Wednesday, February 24, 2016.

 

Northern Region –

Warm weather and plenty of sunshine filled the Sacramento Valley on Wednesday as bloom is approaching its conclusion. Overnight temperatures in the low 40s gave way to afternoon highs in the low 70s. Skies were clear and winds were calm allowing bees to put in seven solid hours of work on what few flowers remain.

Petals continue to shed and leaves are beginning to emerge from the trees in the northern region. In the northern part of the region around Chico there are very few viable flowers left in any variety besides Padre and Butte, which have around 10% of their flowers presenting for pollination. The southern part of the region around Arbuckle is around 2 or 3 days behind the northern part. Butte and Padre are still presenting over 40% of their flowers for pollination. The earlier blooming varieties are all under 20% or less with petals shedding rapidly. Bloom should conclude in all parts of the region in the coming days.

Growers with access to water are irrigating as leaves begin to emerge and trees start to draw moisture from the ground. Fungicide treatments continue as growers look to protect the emerging leaves as well as the remaining flowers.

Northern Region
Date	2/24/2016
Temperature
High	Low
70	40
Wind Speed	4 to 6 mph
Clouds	Clear
Bee Activity	6 to 8 Hours / Very Good

Bloom Stages
Percentages	Dormant	Green Tip	Pink Bud	Popcorn	Bloom	Petal Fall	Jacket	Nutlet	Total
Sonora						3	97		100
Nonpareil					5	20	75		100
California					3	19	78		100
Carmel					11	34	55		100
Peerless							100		100
Monterey					6	22	72		100
Butte					18	45	37		100
Padre					22	48	30		100
Winters							100		100

 

Central Region –

Another day of warm weather and clear skies graced the Northern San Joaquin Valley. Overnight temperatures in the mid 40s quickly gave way to afternoon highs in the mid 70s. Winds remained relatively low and skies were clear, allowing bees to put in seven hours of very good work.

Early blooming varieties are almost done blooming in the central region. Sonora has almost no flowers left presenting for pollination while almost all of their petals have been shed. Nonpareil, Monterey, and California-type pollinizers have around 10% viable flowers remaining while half of the flowers have shed all of their petals. Carmel continues to be observed a day behind Nonpareil with just under 20% of their flowers still presenting for pollination. The later blooming Butte and Padre are now under 50% of flowers open and intact as petals continue to be shed.

Spray rigs continue moving through fields as needed for a second round of fungicide treatments. Plantings of new and replacement orchards continue as soils are in excellent condition for planting.

Central Region
Date	2/24/2016
Temperature
High	Low
72	41
Wind Speed	4 mph
Clouds	Clear
Bee Activity	7 to 8 Hours / Very Good

Bloom Stages
Percentages	Dormant	Green Tip	Pink Bud	Popcorn	Bloom	Petal Fall	Jacket	Nutlet	Total
Sonora					1	12	87		100
Nonpareil					7	35	58		100
California					6	38	56		100
Carmel					18	36	46		100
Monterey					11	40	59		100
Butte					31	34	35		100
Padre					44	38	18		100

 

Southern Region –

Another warm and sunny day filled the South San Joaquin Valley Wednesday. Overnight temperatures in the low 40s quickly yielded to afternoon highs in the mid 70s. Calm winds and clear skies allowed bees to put in 7 solid hours of work.

More petals continue to be shed in the southern region. Nonpareil, Monterey, and California-type pollenizers now have less than one-quarter of their flowers presenting for pollination, while just under half of their flowers have lost all of their petals. Carmel is tacking a day behind Nonpareil. The early blooming Sonora has over half of its flowers with no petals remaining and just over 10% of its flowers still presenting for pollination. Butte and Padre are progressing within a day of each other. Butte still has 35% of its flowers presenting for pollination while Padre has half of its flowers open and intact. Over 40% of the flowers on both varieties are shedding petals.

Irrigation is beginning for growers that have access to water to support the emerging leaves. Fertilizers applications have also begun as trees begin to pull nutrients from the soil. Some growers are choosing to delay their second fungicide treat to allow leaves to further emerge.

Southern Region
Date	2/24/2016
Temperature
High	Low
75	41
Wind Speed	4 to 6 mph
Clouds	Mostly Sunny
Bee Activity	7 to 8 Hours / Very Good

Bloom Stages
Percentages	Dormant	Green Tip	Pink Bud	Popcorn	Bloom	Petal Fall	Jacket	Nutlet	Total
Sonora					14	28	58		100
Nonpareil					24	31	45		100
California					19	33	48		100
Carmel					29	30	41		100
Monterey					21	35	44		100
Butte					35	49	16		100
Padre					50	41	9		100