This report covers the conditions and activities observed from February 25, 2025, to March 2, 2025. Written updates will be posted regularly on Mondays throughout bloom and will have a more regionalized focus. Additional updates will be posted as needed.
The favorable weather across California during much of the week has accelerated almond bloom progression and enhanced bee activity. However, a relatively warm storm system brought widespread showers and occasional thunderstorms to the entire central valley on Sunday, March 2nd. Heavy rain was reported from isolated cells that roamed through the central valley on Sunday, with the strongest cells growing into thunderstorms as the afternoon progressed. Several inches of hail were reported south of Oakdale in Stanislaus County, as well as between Chowchilla and Madera in Madera county. Radar imagery suggests that hail may have also fell in areas of the Sacramento and southern San Joaquin valleys. Additional reports along with potential damage assessments will be noted in our next report.
Bloom is at or past peak in all regions, and across all varieties, with early and mid-blooming varieties quickly progressing into the various stages of nut development. Observers in all areas of have reported a wide variation in the apparent flower set of the Nonpareil, with many plantings presenting noticeably lighter floral loads than their associated pollinating varieties. John DeVisser, a grower in Stanislaus County noted, “It seems like that heat stress we had last year during bud differentiation is really showing up on the bud set. The Nonpareil seems especially weak compared to the Aldrich that seems to have a pretty decent bloom.” In the Sacramento Valley, grower Mike Doherty from Colusa County reported, “The Nonpareil bud set from what I see in our orchards appears to be lighter this year. Talking with growers across the north state, they are seeing the same thing. I’m not sure if it’s one single factor. Most likely a combination of insufficient chilling hours, the heat last summer and fall and low nutrient inputs as a result of low prices.”
Plantings of the self-fertile Independence have largely moved past peak bloom during the week, with younger more vigorous orchards still presenting a portion of their bloom for pollination. While the vast majority of orchards across the central valley are moving into the petal fall and jacket stages, the late blooming Butte and Padre are currently at or just beyond their peak bloom as may be seen in the photos accompanying this report.
Warm temperatures have maximized bee activity, and the dry conditions during much of the week provided favorable support bloom development.
Growers focused their attention on the approaching storm systems forecast for the coming week. Taking advantage of the favorable conditions, many worked to complete treatments to prevent fungal growth on the waning bloom and developing nutlets. These applications must be completed prior to infection in order to be effective, and equipment could be heard in all areas working through the night to complete treatments while the bees were safely in their hives.
By: Kenneth Miyamoto, Regional Manager
Photos By: Ashley Correia, Austin Jackson, Justin Elam, Mel Machado, Nicole Jansen, Trent Voss
