Troubleshooting
Almond 'Mission' problems — and how to fix them
Almond 'Mission' (Prunus dulcis 'Mission') 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.
Self-sterile
'Mission' will not set a crop alone; it both needs and serves as a pollinator, so pair it with an overlapping variety like 'Nonpareil' within bee range.
Frost at bloom
Though later-flowering than early almonds, hard late frosts can still injure blossoms. A sheltered, frost-draining site reduces losses.
Brown rot and hull rot
Damp springs blight blossoms and twigs; hull rot strikes shoots in late summer. Sanitation, airflow, and careful irrigation/nitrogen timing at hull split manage both.
Navel orangeworm
Larvae bore into splitting hulls and ruin kernels. Removing overwintering mummy nuts and harvesting promptly at hull split are key controls.
Prevent almond 'mission' problems before they start
Most almond 'mission' issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for almond 'mission' in general rather than its problems? Read the full almond 'mission' care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Almond 'Mission' problems — FAQ
Why is my almond 'mission' self-sterile?
'Mission' will not set a crop alone; it both needs and serves as a pollinator, so pair it with an overlapping variety like 'Nonpareil' within bee range.
Why is my almond 'mission' frost at bloom?
Though later-flowering than early almonds, hard late frosts can still injure blossoms. A sheltered, frost-draining site reduces losses.
Why is my almond 'mission' brown rot and hull rot?
Damp springs blight blossoms and twigs; hull rot strikes shoots in late summer. Sanitation, airflow, and careful irrigation/nitrogen timing at hull split manage both.
Why is my almond 'mission' navel orangeworm?
Larvae bore into splitting hulls and ruin kernels. Removing overwintering mummy nuts and harvesting promptly at hull split are key controls.