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

Taken in the Williams area of Colusa County, the first photo in today’s report provides a down-the-row shot of the dwindling bloom in the Nonpareil and Fritz varieties. The second photo shows developing nutlets in the Sonora variety, followed by a down-the-row photo of a Nonpareil and Monterey orchard, both in the Willows area of Glenn County.

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.

By Brian Noeller