This report covers conditions and observations made on Thursday, February 26, 2015.

Taken in the Chowchilla area, the photos accompanying today’s report for the southern region show a down-the-row shot of a Nonpareil and Fritz orchard in the final stages of bloom, the jacket stage and leafing out in the Nonpareil variety, and the Padre variety progressing into the jacket stage.

The South San Joaquin Valley enjoyed bright, clear skies throughout the region as temperatures remained relatively warm. Wind speeds averaged 2 to 6 miles per hour, while gusts of 13 miles per hour were reported along the west side of the valley. Morning lows were in the high 30s, and afternoon high temperatures reached the upper 60s, giving bees an opportunity to put in seven to eight hours of very good activity.

Observers have reported the valley is looking increasingly green, as the weather has allowed trees to continue to scrub petals. Measureable amounts of nutlets are being observed in the early blooming Sonora cultivar. Bloom has reached the final stages in most varieties as very few petals remain on the trees. Smaller amounts of measurable flowers available for pollination can still be found in Butte and Padre plantings. Petal fall has progressed rapidly as well, with a large majority of most varieties in their jacket stage.

Given the late stage of bloom, beekeepers are starting to remove hives from the orchards. Growers continue orchard maintenance activities and are applying nutrient treatments to orchards as needed. Growers are now focusing on the weather, hoping for precipitation and watching for the threat of frost.