Almond

Background

• The Almond is very closely related to the peach.
• Almonds belong to the Rose family (Rosaceae).
• They are believed to have originated in Asia.
• Almonds have short chilling requirements (300 hours below 7degC). Once this cold requirement is me tthe tree will start to bloom.
• Blossoms and small nuts on the trees can be damaged or killed by frosts and therefore need protection.
• Good crop yields require additional irrigation.
• The almond tree can grow 6-9 m in height.
• The tree flowers in late Winter or in early Spring.
• Bees are important pollinators for almond trees.
• Trees will start bearing fruit at 3-4 years of age. They may continue to bear fruit for more than 50 years.

Cultivation

• Almonds need well drained soils.
• They are drought resistant, but will not produce nuts if there is a water deficit.
• Organic fertiliser should be applied in both autumn and spring.

Training

• Bare rooted almonds should be planted in early winter.
• If the tree is planted late in the season it may remain dormant.
• Select four main branches at different levels on the trunk approximately 10-15cm apart.
• Allow for an addition 2-3 main branches at shoulder height on the trunk.
• Train to an open vase shape.
• Each main branch should have an additional 2-3 secondary branches.
• General pruning should consist of thinning old laterals and inward growing branches.
• In summer prune lightly, approximately every 2 weeks to remove undesirable growth.
• Older trees can be pruned more heavily to open up the centre of the tree.

Harvesting

• Nuts begin to dry in early autumn.
• Harvesting time is signalled when a few nut hulls have split and a few nuts have begun to fall.
• When harvested hulls should be removed.
• Dry exposed nuts in the sun. Nuts are sufficiently dry when the shell can be snapped.
• Nuts will keep for 1 year.

Pests and Diseases

• Wood-boring bettles (insects)
• Moth larvae
• Shothole (fungal infection)
• rust on leaves (fungal disease)
• Gummosis (bacterial disease)
• Crown gall (bacterial infection)

Propagation

• Budding onto almond or peach root stock.