Blue Diamond Almonds Bloom Report for February 19, 2014

Generally clear skies graced the growing region on Wednesday providing strong support for the developing bloom throughout most of the region. Moderately windy conditions were reported at times in the northern region, while the central region experienced more brisk conditions. Throughout the region bee activity ranged from 7-8 hours of good to excellent activity.

In the north, the Nonpareil and California type varieties have now taken center stage in the Sacramento Valley’s bloom. Both groups now have the majority of their flowers open and available to the bees and will, on average, reach their peak bloom within the next few days. Advanced examples of both types are already shedding petals even as they approach their peak bloom, while delayed plantings have just begun to present open flowers. The Monterey leads the Carmel variety this year, with both providing ample overlap with their associated Nonpareil. Observers have noted solid development in the evolution of the late blooming Butte and Padre varieties, with good overlap between the two and good bud sets.

In the Central region, the bloom of the Sonora variety is now declining rapidly as this early blooming type moves into the petal fall and jacket stages. Nutlets can now also be observed growing within the jackets in advanced plantings. Meanwhile, the Nonpareil and California type varieties are approaching their peak bloom. Many Carmel and Monterey plantings are moving aggressively into the bloom phase and are for the most part providing excellent overlap with their Nonpareil orchard mates. The weakest overlap this year is found in Butte and Padre varieties, with the Butte leading their associated Padre by a good margin in many orchards. While the overlap between these two cultivars appears that it will still be adequate, these varieties have provided the greatest degree of separation within the orchards.

Moving to the south, the Sonora variety has reached its peak bloom and is now declining into the petal fall and jacket stages. Observers have reported that the Nonpareil and California type varieties are now at or near their peak condition. As would be expected, the lightest sets have been observed in those plantings that had the greatest production in the 2013 crop. Led by the Butte, the late blooming orchards are now presenting flowers for pollination and are becoming increasingly white as the bloom develops. Observers have reported that the high degree of variability noted in the region’s other varieties is also becoming very apparent in the Butte and Padre, with 25 to 30 point variations visible between orchards in the same geographic area.

Beekeepers have reported that their hives are rapidly filling with pollen gathered by the bees, proving that the bees have been foraging well in the region’s orchards. Almonds are the first crop the bees are able to work each year and are an important source of nutrients needed to expand the colony before they are moved into other crops.

Area:	North
Date:	2/19/14		2/20/14
Weather Data:
Temperature —>	High –>	65	Low–>	45
Wind Speed —>	Average –>	See Below	Peak Gust –>
Rain —>	Inches –>	None	When –>
Clouds —>	CLR		Fog –>	None

Bee Activity –>	7 to 8 Hours Very Good Activity in North in spite of winds. 6 to 7 Hours Good Activity in South
BLOOM STAGES
Percentages	Dormant	Green Tip	Pink Bud	Popcorn	Bloom	Petal Fall	Jacket	Nutlet	Total
Sonora				10	52	17	21		100
Nonpareil			5	40	45	10			100
California				20	58	16	6		100
Carmel			17	42	36	5			100
Peerless				1	35	44	20		100
Monterey			2	38	53	7			100
Butte		6	48	33	13				100
Padre	2	7	34	41	16				100
Comments:	Winds 10 to 20 mph in North. 3 to 5 mph in South

Area:	Central
Date:	2/19/14	Posted On:	2/20/14
Weather Data:
Temperature —>	High –>	67	Low –>	42
Wind Speed —>	Average –>	5 to 15	Peak Gust –>	20
Rain —>	Inches –>	None	When –>
Clouds —>	PC am CLR pm SCT in MCE		Fog –>	None
Bee Activity –>	Up to 7 hours of good to very good activity in the majority of the region. Weaker activity along west side.
BLOOM STAGES
Percentages	Dormant	Green Tip	Pink Bud	Popcorn	Bloom	Petal Fall	Jacket	Nutlet	Total
Sonora				2	44	30	24		100
Nonpareil			9	14	62	12	3		100
California			4	16	69	11			100
Carmel			19	29	51	1			100
Monterey			24	21	54	1			100
Butte		5	39	34	22				100
Padre		22	53	18	7				100

 

Area:	South
Date:	2/19/14	Posted On:	2/20/14
Weather Data:
Temperature —>	High –>	68	Low –>	39
Wind Speed —>	Average –>	See Below	Peak Gust –>
Rain —>	Inches –>	None	When –>
Clouds —>	CLR am, SCT pm		Fog –>	None
Bee Activity –>	7 to 8 Hours Excellent Activity
BLOOM STAGES
Percentages	Dormant	Green Tip	Pink Bud	Popcorn	Bloom	Petal Fall	Jacket	Nutlet	Total
Sonora			1	3	64	32			100
Nonpareil			5	11	78	6			100
California			6	8	80	6			100
Carmel		3	20	23	54				100
Monterey		1	17	26	56				100
Butte		8	35	23	34				100
Padre		20	56	17	7				100
Comments:	Winds: 10 to 20 mph in Northern Areas, 5 to 10 mph in Kern