Extend Almond Bloom for Increased Nut Set

Each year between February and early March, California almond orchards burst with beautiful flowers as almond buds begin to bloom—and time is of the essence to set a good crop.

The longer the bloom, and if weather cooperates, the better your chances for each of those almond blooms to become pollinated, and the better your chances for a strong nut set and yield potential.

“Keeping the almond bloom viable longer is important for pollination — especially if wind, cloudy days or rain interfere with bees foraging,” said Kevin Forney, Valent PGR product development manager. “By keeping the flower alive longer, growers can help ensure the success of their investment.”

Keep Flowers Alive Longer
There’s never been a way to keep almond flowers viable longer. Until now. ReTain® Plant Growth Regulator for California extends the viability of almond bloom, allowing more opportunity for nut set, thus ensuring optimum crop load potential.

ReTain works by reducing the blooms’ production of ethylene, a naturally occurring plant hormone, thus delaying flower and stigmatic senescence. This results in flowers being viable longer, which allows more time for pollination to occur.

“ReTain is a proven technology with established use patterns for fruit and nut set in California cherries and walnuts,” Forney said. “ReTain offers an innovative use for increasing nut set in almonds to ultimately provide growers with an enhanced crop load potential.”

Extend the Pollination Period
Field studies have demonstrated that ReTain extends the life of an almond bloom for a 43% longer pollination period over the untreated check.

Boost Nut Set for Optimized Yield Potential 
In 70 commercially applied research trials over five years, ReTain increased Nonpareil almond yields by an average of 193 pounds of nutmeats per acre over the untreated check.

Apply from 30 to 60% Bloom
ReTain can be applied from 10% bloom to petal fall, but best results have been demonstrated when applied from 30 to 60% bloom. ReTain is easy to use, with only one water-soluble pouch needed per acre.

“To capitalize on a longer almond bloom and, most importantly, increased nut set, growers can now rely on ReTain,” Forney said.

To learn more, visit valent.com/ReTainCA or contact your PCA.

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