Η Almond tree (Prunus amygdalus) although it belongs to the stone fruits, it is examined in the acrodryas as its fruit is included in the nuts. It belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is a deciduous tree with a height of up to 12 meters. Cultivated almond varieties do not self-fertilize and some are incompatible with each other, which makes the bee its main pollinator.
Plant description
The flowering of the almond tree is done in the annual shoots in rosettes. Its flowers are solitary, that is, single-flowered without inflorescences, white or whitish-pink, and expand before the leaves. Thanks to the early flowering, the density of the flowers on the branches that are not hidden by the leaves and the whiteness of its petals, the almond tree is considered a remarkable ornamental tree.
The fruit of the almond tree is classified in the tips, although it is a fluffy hole, with an almost elongated shape. The exocarp is not fleshy, as in other nuts. Inside there is the nucleus which consists of one or two seeds, the almonds which are covered with skin.
Plant care
Δα Soil: It grows well in all types of soils, even in stony and steep soils, as long as they have good drainage.
➢ Location: It loves sunny places and those protected from strong winds. An ideal position is the one with south or west orientation.
➢ Watering: It has moderate watering requirements, especially in hot seasons. The young plants, until they are established in their place, need more frequent watering. Once installed in one place it is drought resistant. But production is significantly reduced under dry conditions.
The needs of the almond tree in cold to stop the dormancy of its eyes are small (250-400 hours, temperature below 7oC) and that is why the almond tree blooms earlier than all the fruit trees and thrives in areas with mild winters. Limiting factors are the low temperatures of winter and spring and the very high summers of summer.
Enemies and Diseases
The main insects that infect the almond tree are the fruit capsule, which creates galleries in the fruit, the nightshade, which sucks the juices from the leaves and the saboteur.
Fungal diseases often attack the almond tree and cause fruit rot and drying of the trees. Infections in trees can also be caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas sp.
