Blue Diamond Almonds Bloom Report for February 17, 2016

This report covers conditions and observations made on Wednesday, February 17, 2016.

Northern Region –

After several days of sunshine and above-normal temperatures, storm clouds moved into the northern region Wednesday morning. Overnight temperatures remained in the upper 40s, with daytime temperatures reaching the low-to-mid 60s. Light winds were reported throughout the morning with isolated showers in the Northern Sacramento Valley. As the forecasted storm moved into the region, afternoon winds averaged 12 to 15 miles per hour, with peak gusts of 30 miles per hour. These conditions shortened bee activity as observers reported 4 to 5 hours of fair activity in the morning.

Bloom continued to make significant strides as the high winds accelerated petal fall in most varieties. The early blooming Sonora and Peerless varieties, along with Nonpareil and its California-type pollenizers, are beginning to show trace amounts of jacket stage. Nutlet development is still a few days away in earlier varieties, as the increase in petal fall has come from windy weather conditions as opposed to crop development.

High winds prevented any herbicide or fungal treatments from being made. Growers with access to surface water were able to irrigate as trees will soon be pulling moisture from the soil.

Northern Region
Date	2/17/2016
Temperature
High	Low
65	47
Wind Speed	12 to 15 mph
Clouds	Overcast
Bee Activity	4 Hours / Fair

Bloom Stages
Percentages	Dormant	Green Tip	Pink Bud	Popcorn	Bloom	Petal Fall	Jacket	Nutlet	Total
Sonora				4	52	39	5		100
Nonpareil				18	67	15			100
California				15	68	17			100
Carmel			1	27	60	12			100
Peerless					40	55	5		100
Monterey				25	62	13			100
Butte			9	35	55	1			100
Padre		3	14	35	51				100

Central Region – 

Overcast skies covered the Northern San Joaquin Valley on Wednesday. Overnight lows in the mid 40s gave way to daytime highs in the low 70s though the sun rarely broke through clouds. Bees decided to remain in the hive most of the day as gusty conditions combined with overcast skies prevailed in the afternoon. Only two to three hours of poor bee activity were observed.

Most varieties in the central region will be peaking Thursday or Friday. The early blooming Sonora achieved maximum numbers of flowers presenting for pollination today with over 70% open flowers. Sonora is now beginning to lose it petals quickly. Nonpareil, Monterey, and California-type pollinizers are a day or two behind Sonora and preparing to peak with over 75% of flowers presenting for pollination, with some measurable petal fall being observed. Carmel is about a day behind Nonpareil. The late blooming Butte is coming on fast with over 50% of its flowers presenting for pollination with the Padre cultivar half a day behind.

Orchards were relatively quiet with fungicide treatments completed in most orchards. A few growers were trying to finish their applications before the wind shut them down in the morning.

 

 

 

Central Region
Date	2/17/2016
Temperature
High	Low
72	49
Wind Speed	8 to 10 mph
Clouds	Overcast
Bee Activity	2-3 Hours / Poor

Bloom Stages
Percentages	Dormant	Green Tip	Pink Bud	Popcorn	Bloom	Petal Fall	Jacket	Nutlet	Total
Sonora				6	73	21			100
Nonpareil			2	18	75	5			100
California			1	16	77	6			100
Carmel			10	28	61	1			100
Monterey			6	21	71	2			100
Butte			15	34	51				100
Padre		2	20	40	38				100

Southern Region – 

Overcast skies and windy weather interrupted the streak of sunshine in the South San Joaquin Valley. Overnight lows in the mid 50s gradually moved into daytime highs in the mid 60s. Dark skies and gusty winds gave bees little incentive to leave the hive resulting in a mere one to two hours of poor activity in spite of the warm temperatures.

Bloom continued to advance at a rapid pace in the southern region. The early blooming Sonora is likely at peak levels of pollination with around 80% of its flowers presenting. Nonpareil and it’s California-type pollenizers are less than a day behind and should achieve peak levels of open flowers no later than Thursday or Friday. Monterey and Carmel are both within a day of Nonpareil and should also reach the maximum number of open flowers by the end of the week. The later blooming Butte and Padre are moving quickly and are now presenting roughly one-fifth of their flowers for pollination with only a small amount of green tip being observed.

Growers with access to water continue to irrigate as trees will soon be pulling water from the soil. Final fungicide treatments were being made just prior to the impending storm.

Southern Region
Date	2/17/2016
Temperature
High	Low
66	55
Wind Speed	10 to 15 mph
Rain	Sprinkle
Clouds	Heavy Cloud Cover
Bee Activity	1-2 Hours / Poor

Bloom Stages
Percentages	Dormant	Green Tip	Pink Bud	Popcorn	Bloom	Petal Fall	Jacket	Nutlet	Total
Sonora				15	80	5			100
Nonpareil			3	23	74				100
California			4	18	76	2			100
Carmel			6	39	55				100
Monterey			11	27	62				100
Butte		2	36	32	30				100
Padre		7	51	23	19				100