General Update

The orchard at dusk a couple of weeks ago

Its been more than a couple of weeks since my last update and its been busy, tough, lousy and business as usual.

Almond buds

On the orchard front some of the trees are in bloom and the damn rabbits have still be gnawing at the trees. I can't be 100% certain that its rabbits, it could be deer, but they always seems to be in the same area.

The almond trees have blossomed. Thanks to my beekeeping studies I have noticed that when the pollen had been taken the flowers from bees and other insects the blossom changed color. Something I hadn't noticed before.

Quince doing well

The soil is still damp, but its drying up. In some parts of the orchard its dry and back to a normal. It may be a couple more weeks for the parts that were flooded to return to its normal texture. If we have a hot summer then I might want some of the water back. The quince is doing well, but the varieties that we planted do like water. Its not flowering yet, and last year the fruit was nicked, so I'm hoping for some fruit from these trees to make into a jam this year. Lets see though, it still early on in the year.

Pear trees doing well

The pears also have started off well, they have had lots of water this year. They are very dependent on water, and have had plenty in the winter months. Still not blossomed or even begun to blossom but lots of good growth.

Almond Blossom

 This is a picture of the almond blossom after the bees and other insects have taken the pollen. You see how the center of the flower is a darker shade of pink.The yellow pollen is gone.

Its also very attractive.

Almond Blossom

This is a picture of what will be the cherry blossom. Its still very immature but a couple of weeks and its going to be in full bloom. Yahoo.

Cherry Blossom showing Promise