Troubleshooting
Almond 'Fritz' problems — and how to fix them
Almond 'Fritz' (Prunus dulcis 'Fritz') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Frost-damaged blossom
Early bloom is vulnerable to late frosts that kill flowers and abort the crop. 'Fritz' blooms slightly later than 'Nonpareil', but still site it in a frost-free pocket with good cold-air drainage.
Poor nut set
Almonds are largely self-incompatible. Without a compatible, overlapping-bloom pollenizer nearby and active bees, fruit set collapses. Plant at least two compatible cultivars.
Hull rot and navel orangeworm
Wet conditions at hull split invite hull rot, and split hulls attract navel orangeworm. Time irrigation cut-off to hull split and remove mummified nuts in winter to break the pest cycle.
Shot hole and blossom blight
Fungal shot hole and brown-rot blossom blight thrive in wet springs, peppering leaves with holes and blighting flowers. Improve airflow and apply dormant/bloom fungicide where pressure is high.
Prevent almond 'fritz' problems before they start
Most almond 'fritz' issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for almond 'fritz' in general rather than its problems? Read the full almond 'fritz' care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Almond 'Fritz' problems — FAQ
Why is my almond 'fritz' frost-damaged blossom?
Early bloom is vulnerable to late frosts that kill flowers and abort the crop. 'Fritz' blooms slightly later than 'Nonpareil', but still site it in a frost-free pocket with good cold-air drainage.
Why is my almond 'fritz' poor nut set?
Almonds are largely self-incompatible. Without a compatible, overlapping-bloom pollenizer nearby and active bees, fruit set collapses. Plant at least two compatible cultivars.
Why is my almond 'fritz' hull rot and navel orangeworm?
Wet conditions at hull split invite hull rot, and split hulls attract navel orangeworm. Time irrigation cut-off to hull split and remove mummified nuts in winter to break the pest cycle.
Why is my almond 'fritz' shot hole and blossom blight?
Fungal shot hole and brown-rot blossom blight thrive in wet springs, peppering leaves with holes and blighting flowers. Improve airflow and apply dormant/bloom fungicide where pressure is high.