IN YOUR ORCHARD
THE BEE BOX
The Symbiosis Between Almonds and Honey Bees
Typically, this column addresses issues on bee health and culture, concerning the art and science of beekeeping and how almond growers can support pollinators within and around their lands. I will follow that format this month and will also provide an update on recent issues that may have impacted the 2025 bloom. Additionally, I will also discuss a few questions on the 2026 bloom.
During my tenure at Blue Diamond , I have had the opportunity to meet and interact with many of the people who act as resources for our member-growers. One of the most important resources almond growers depend on are the beekeepers who are so critical to the development of our crops each year. California’s almond growers and American beekeepers live in a symbiotic relationship. Simply stated, each one needs the other. While the following points may be well known, some truths should be reiterated: • The California almond bloom is the single largest pollination event in the world. • California’s almond orchards are the first crop that the bees are brought into after their winter slumber. Almond pollen is among the most nutritious food sources the bees are exposed to during the entire year, providing the nutrition needed to build the colony’s strength during bloom. The almond bloom is critical to the success of the colonies for the remainder of the year. • Beekeepers have been combatting significant issues for several years. Parasites, viruses, the lack of forage across the U.S., and chemicals (not just pesticides) can be detrimental to bees within the hives. • Pollination costs have increased for California’s growers, just as the cost of providing adequate hives with sufficient strength for the bloom has increased for beekeepers.
These truths provide solid grounding for Blue Diamond ’s efforts to assist our member-growers’ work in supporting pollinator health, thus promoting the symbiotic relationship. We have increased our efforts to support the planting of cover crops within our member-growers’ orchards. Ideally, every orchard would have flowering plants available no later than the first of February, prior to the arrival of the hives for the upcoming bloom. Having forage available ahead of the bloom provides the nutrition needed within the hives to support new bees that emerge from the brood cells. It also inspires the queen to lay additional eggs that will emerge as adults during the bloom. Some growers have expressed concern that the alternative forage provided by cover crops during the bloom will distract the bees from the job they were “hired” for: to pollinate the almond flowers. In truth, a flowering cover crop serves to anchor the bees within the orchard and can enhance pollination effectiveness. Almond flowers release pollen each day as the anthers (the male flower part) dry and burst open. Under good pollination conditions, the bees will have stripped or gathered the pollen released each day by mid-afternoon. Left to their own devices, and given the opportunity, the bees will fly away from the orchard in search of other forage. Having forage available within the orchard eliminates the inclination to wander and can enhance pollination of your crop.
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ALMOND FACTS
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