Blue Diamond Growers’ March 1 crop progress report is out

Blue Diamond Growers has released its March 1 crop progress report. The report noted “ideal weather over the past week,” which has advanced blooms and resulted in a buzz of bee activity.

Kenneth Miyamoto, regional manager, member relations for Blue Diamond Growers noted in an email that Sonoras have moved “mostly to the jacket stage and beginning stages of nutlet.”

Miyamoto also indicated that Independence, which had been behind, is now on par with Nonpareil. He noted that both have moved into petal fall and are progressing into jacket.

“California types followed suit with most in peak bloom last weekend. Conditions have allowed for what would seemingly be a well-coordinated bloom for Monterey and Carmel, which are also peaking and moving into petal fall,” he said in the email. “All pollinizers have begun to move into petal fall and most are showing traces of jacket. Butte and Padre had their surge last weekend and have advanced extensively over this past week, with some limited petal fall starting.”

Although the nice weather of the past week was beneficial, Miyamoto shared that forecasted storms will approach and move southward.

“Bloom conditions and bee flight hours appear to be considerably better than what we experienced last year; however, disease pressure is still a concern with more rainfall and warm weather conditions expected,” “John Locker of Fresno County stated in the email.

Miyamoto noted that other growers share concerns of impending disease issues and are proactively engaging in disease treatments ahead of the storms.

This week, orchard sanitation continued, as growers cleared and removed downed trees and mowed.

Other notable progess noted in the Blue Diamond Growers update was that leaf push has been observed in Nonpareil, Independence, Carmel, Aldrich and Monterey.

Fertilizer applications will begin soon.