http://www.recorderonline.com/news/citrus-44897-bloom-period.html

Ag commissioner declares citrus bloom period

April 07, 2010 10:12 AM
THE RECORDER

After consulting with the Tulare County Citrus Bloom Advisory Committee and to comply with the public notice provisions of Section 6656 of the California Code of regulations pertaining to the citrus/bee protection area, Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner Marilyn Kinoshita officially declared the beginning of the citrus bloom period for citrus growing in District 1 will begin at 1 a.m. on Friday.

All citrus growers, pest control operations and beekeepers must comply with the regulations covering the citrus/bee protections areas (sections 6654 and 6656, California Code of Regulations).

The area within one mile of any citrus planting of one acre or more is designated as a citrus/bee protection area.

In the days that follow, Tulare County Department of Agriculture personnel and members of the Citrus Bloom Advisory Committee will be checking citrus groves in District 2 to determine when 10 percent will be reached.

The citrus bloom period for District 2 typically begins about a week after it is declared for District 1, Alex Del Rio, an agriculture and standards inspector with the Department of Agriculture, said.

However, colder weather could delay the bloom period, he said.

For more information about the bloom period or the citrus/bee regulations, call the Department of Agriculture, 684-3352.