The Crop Development tools help almond growers monitor bloom progression and evaluate environmental conditions for pollinator activity.
Available Crop Development layers include:
Almond Bloom – Predicts bloom progression throughout the season.
Bee Hours – Measures the number of hours when conditions are suitable for bee flight.
To access Crop Development layers:
Open the Main Menu.
Select Layers.
Navigate to Crop Development.
Choose Almond Bloom or Bee Hours.
Almond Bloom
What is Almond Bloom?
The Almond Bloom model predicts the percentage of total Nonpareil almond flowers that have opened over time.
The prediction is generated using a combination of chill accumulation, bud development, and flower-opening models. These models are based primarily on temperature data and were developed using California research data and Semios proprietary modeling.
Note: Bloom predictions should be validated against field observations, particularly when growing different almond varieties or farming outside California.
How do I view Almond Bloom predictions?
Open Layers.
Select Crop Development > Almond Bloom.
The current bloom percentage will display on the map.
Use the map controls to view predictions for:
Current day
7 days ahead
14 days ahead
Why don't I see Bloom predictions for my block?
Bloom predictions are only available for blocks classified as Almond blocks.
If an almond block does not display bloom predictions, contact your Customer Success Specialist to verify and update the block information.
How do I view bloom details for a block?
Select a block and open either:
Summary Panel
Displays a daily summary of the predicted bloom percentage for that date.
Details Panel
Displays a chart showing bloom progression and percentage increase over time.
How do I update Bloom Settings?
Entering an observed 1% Bloom date can improve bloom prediction accuracy.
Update the 1% Bloom date
Ensure the Almond Bloom layer is selected.
Open the Graphs tab.
Click Edit Bloom Settings.
Locate the block you want to update.
Change Biofix Type from Model Predicted to 1% Bloom.
Enter the observed 1% Bloom date.
Save your changes.
You can update individual blocks or apply the same setting to all blocks.
When will my changes appear?
Bloom predictions may take up to 10 minutes to recalculate after saving changes.
Bee Hours
What are Bee Hours?
Bee Hours measure the number of hours when environmental conditions are suitable for bee flight and pollination activity.
One Bee Hour equals one full hour during which all required flight conditions are met.
How do I view Bee Hours?
Open Main Menu.
Select Layers.
Navigate to Crop Development.
Select Bee Hours.
What conditions are required for Bee Hours?
Bee activity is recorded when all of the following conditions are met:
Condition | Requirement |
Temperature | Above 55°F (12.8°C) |
Wind Speed | Less than 15 mph (6.7 m/s) |
Precipitation | None |
Time of Day | Daylight hours only |
If any condition is not met, Bee Hours will not accumulate during that time period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Almond Bloom predictions available for all almond varieties?
The model is designed for Nonpareil almonds. Predictions for other varieties should be validated against field observations.
Can I improve Bloom prediction accuracy?
Yes. Entering observed 1% Bloom dates using the Edit Bloom Settings feature can improve prediction accuracy.
How long does it take Bloom predictions to update after changing settings?
Updates typically appear within 10 minutes.
What does one Bee Hour represent?
One Bee Hour represents one full hour when temperature, wind, precipitation, and daylight conditions are all suitable for bee flight.
Why are Bee Hours lower than expected?
Bee Hours only accumulate when all required environmental conditions are met simultaneously. Wind, rain, low temperatures, or nighttime conditions can reduce Bee Hour totals.