We are mid way through almond harvest. As we finish up shaking our Nonpareils, we need to keep in mind the list of orchard tasks to help maintain crop production for the next year. For almonds, flower bud differentiation takes place during the month of September. This means that next year’s bloom and subsequent crop is being formed in the middle of this year’s harvest.
During this time period, there are three important cultural practices that need to be considered by almond growers.They include irrigation, nitrogen fertilization and pruning.
1. Post-harvest irrigation is very important to keep the leaves active and functioning until normal leaf drop, which typically takes place at the end of October, early November. By preventing premature defoliation, we let the tree transition its nutrients from the leaves back to the fruiting spurs. The nutrients that are known to migrate from the leaves to the spurs at the onset of leaf fall are nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous. These nutrients play major roles in bloom development and fruit set.
If the orchard does prematurely defoliate due to lack of water, irrigate to encourage re-growth. This may reduce yields in the following year, but yield loss will not be as significant as not watering at all. If watering does not occur, not only will fruit bud differentiation be poor, the orchard will suffer from premature flower drop in late winter. The best advice is to avoid this situation all together by properly managing your water during the harvest period.
2. After irrigation, nitrogen fertilization is the most important cultural practice in an almond orchard. For most of our orchards, split nitrogen applications provide the most efficient use of nitrogen. A post-harvest nitrogen application can be of 20 to 40 pounds per application – dependent upon tree age- totaling no more than 10 to 20 percent of the total nitrogen applied to the orchard. Research has shown that trees are not able t uptake more than 50 pounds of nitrogen i the post harvest period.
3. If pruning is scheduled, it should occur after the harvest is completed. During this time it is easy to distinguish between old, diseased, dead and new wood. Remember to remove diseased branches 6-12 inches beyond the last sign of diseased tissue (i.e. canker). If possible, avoid pruning during the rain or if rain is within the 3-5 day forecast. Pruning cuts take 7-21 days to heal and can provide entrance for fungal pathogens.
The overall value of pruning itself has been questioned by recent UC research. Data has indicated that heavy pruning reduces the following crops yield and costs money to perform. When making the decision to prune, think of the real reasons you want to prune.
Chuck
September 1, 2009Very useful and timely information David. Thanks!
Chuck
September 1, 2009Very useful and timely information David. Thanks!
MAT kinase
September 1, 2009How do you know when/how much to water?
Is it still considered true that wound paints slow healing?
The Almond Doctor
September 1, 2009Thanks Chuck for the comment – I think I am getting the idea on articles to post…so hopefully they will remain timely.
Mat: Water needs are determined by the calculation of evapotranspiration rates. These values can be found at the California Irrigation Management Information System website (http://wwwcimis.water.ca.gov/cimis/welcome.jsp).
A run down of basic irrigation scheduling can be found at http://www.cleantechblog.com/2009/08/irrigation-scheduling-for-agricultural.html
In my mind pruning paints are only serve as a point to exclude pathogens. They do NOT help heal the tree. I only suggest that a grower uses pruning paints if he is pruning in a situation in which there is a high inoculum level (2 days before rain, during rain, and one day after rain). It would be better just to avoid these pruning periods.
Shirley Volz
January 22, 2019Why would almond orchard workers be spraying or messing in the orchard at midnight to after 4am? We’ve just started drying out aftet a flood & everything is still saturated! Don’t understand the time that they chose to do any work with LOUD machinery going full blast at revving up the motor!!!
David Doll
February 6, 2019Shirley,
Depending on location, orchards are approaching bloom. Many times, especially when rain is predicted, applications are made to protect the flowers from rotting during periods of rain. They also could be applying nutrients. Pesticide applications are often done at night to reduce bee exposure.
I hope that helps,
David