Technical sheet of the Belona almond variety
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Fruit flesh color: White
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Fruit skin color: Green
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Average fruit size: Large size, comparable to the Marcona variety
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Fruit shape: Round and slightly rounded
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Tree Size: Typically reaches a height of 5 to 6 meters when mature
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Tree vigor: Medium
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Tree habit: Semi-erect to spreading
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Earliness of the variety: Late flowering (early March), slightly earlier than the Guara variety
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Fruiting period: Ripening in early September (around September 8). Harvest generally from the 3rd or 4th year after planting.
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Fruit taste: Very pleasant, comparable or even superior to the Marcona variety. Sweet flavor and very good taste. Tender texture.
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Hulling yield: Between 27 and 35%.
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Average yield in kg per tree: Approximately 8 to 12 kg of almonds per adult tree in full production.
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Disease resistance: Good general resistance to major almond diseases. Moderate to high resistance to brown rot and good tolerance to scab.
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Pest resistance: Limited information in sources, appears to have moderate resistance to major almond pests.
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Drought resistance: Good drought resistance, like most almond varieties.
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Need for tree staking: Staking is recommended for the first 2-3 years after planting.
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Is this variety self-fertile? Yes.
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Recommended pollinators: Not necessary as it is self-fertile, but the varieties Soleta, Guara, Lauranne and Marinada are mentioned as pollinators for Belona in one source, which could improve production.
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Recommended commercial use: Direct consumption due to its excellent taste. Ideal for processing into pastry products (high oil content). Suitable for the nougat industry. Good results in whitening. Commercial alternative to the Marcona and Desmayo Largueta varieties.
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Is this a VOC variety? Yes, Belona is a variety protected by a Plant Variety Certificate (VOC).
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Who is the breeder? The CITA (Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria) of Aragon in Spain.
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Rootstocks compatible and recommended for cultivation in France: GF-677 (adapted to calcareous soils), Cadaman (nematode resistant), Garnem (nematode resistant), Rootpac-20 and Rootpac-40 (dwarfing rootstocks for high density). Grafting on Saint-Julien is also possible.
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Comments: Developed in Spain from the famous Marcona variety. An interesting alternative to the Ferragnes variety because it is self-fertile (unlike Ferragnes, which requires a pollinator) and more productive. Fruiting is relatively quick, comparable to Lauranne.
Quick read / the essentials on Belona Almond
Discover the Belona Almond tree, an exceptional variety developed in Spain by the prestigious CITA of Aragon, designed to combine resistance, taste quality and late flowering. At Amandiverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of almond plants , we offer you the purchase of Belona Almond plants to optimize your plantations thanks to certified and rigorously selected plants.
With its large-sized fruits, with a mild and sweet taste surpassing even the famous Marcona, the Belona almond tree is ideal for direct consumption as well as for high-end pastries. Amandiverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of almond plants , supports you in securing your projects with high-performance and resistant plants, capable of tolerating drought and diseases well. Buying Belona almond plants from Amandiverse means investing in high-value almond production, suitable for sustainable or organic farming.
Thanks to flowering in early March and a remarkable hulling yield (between 27% and 35%), Belona is an ideal solution for demanding orchardists. As a specialist wholesale supplier of almond plants , Amandiverse guarantees vigorous plants grafted onto suitable rootstocks such as GF-677, Garnem or Rootpac, to maximize your production potential. Don't wait any longer to buy Belona almond plants and enhance your orchard with a modern and reliable variety.
Origin of the variety
Belona is a variety of almond tree of Spanish origin , developed by the CITA (Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria) of Aragon. It is the result of a cross that aims to combine the taste quality of the Marcona variety with greater resistance to diseases and later flowering , to reduce the risks associated with spring frosts. It is protected by a Plant Variety Certificate (PVC) .
Fruit characteristics
The fruits of the Belona almond tree are large , comparable to those of Marcona, with a round and slightly rounded shape . Their skin is green, then turns brown when ripe to split naturally. The flesh of the almond is white .
The taste qualities are excellent , often considered superior to the Marcona , with a mild and sweet flavor , and a tender texture . These characteristics make it a fruit particularly suitable for direct consumption , high-end baking and the production of blanched almonds . The variety gives good results in blanching , with little breakage.
The hulling yield is estimated at between 27% and 35% , which is a very good level. Maturation occurs at the beginning of September , around September 8 depending on the region, which places it among the semi-late varieties.
Tree characteristics
The Belona almond tree reaches an adult height of 5 to 6 meters , with medium vigor and a semi-erect to spreading habit . It exhibits rapid growth during the first years.
Staking is recommended for 2 to 3 years after planting , to promote good trunk development. After this period, the tree becomes sufficiently robust.
Fruiting is rapid , from the 3rd year after planting. Late flowering , at the beginning of March, gives it good tolerance to spring frosts . It is slightly earlier than that of the Guara variety.
Fertility and pollination
Belona's fertility is controversial in the sources . Although some documents describe it as self-fertile or self-compatible , it is better to consider it as non-self-fertile , to ensure efficient pollination and optimize yield.
Recommended pollinating varieties are: Guara, Soleta, Lauranne and Marinada .
Resistance to diseases, parasites and soil and climatic conditions
Belona has good overall disease resistance , particularly medium to high resistance to brown rot and good tolerance to scab . It was selected in part for its health resilience , making it a suitable choice for organic or sustainable farming.
Its resistance to the main pests is considered average . Like all almond trees, it remains sensitive to attacks by codling moth and other specific insects.
Belona has low water requirements and tolerates drought well , like other Mediterranean varieties. Calcareous soils are generally well tolerated, especially if the tree is grafted onto a suitable rootstock such as GF-677 . Note that root asphyxiation must be avoided: the tree requires well-drained soil .
Recommended rootstocks
In France, the compatible and recommended rootstocks for Belona cultivation are GF-677 , a peach x almond hybrid well adapted to calcareous soils , Garnem , an almond x peach hybrid with good vigor and tolerant to nematodes , as well as Cadaman , a peach x plum hybrid , also vigorous and resistant to nematodes . Rootpac-20 and Rootpac-40 are dwarfing rootstocks , well adapted to high-density plantings . Saint-Julien may also be compatible in certain cases , but its use must be evaluated according to the soil and the context .
Economic potential
The Belona almond tree is a productive variety , with an average yield of 8 to 12 kg of almonds per adult tree in optimal conditions. This yield is enhanced by the quality of the fruits and their potential for valorization in several markets. In direct consumption , Belona seduces with its sweetness and melting texture . In artisanal or industrial processing , it is excellent for pastry products , blanched almonds and nougats , thanks to its high oil content and resistance to bleaching .
Developed to advantageously replace varieties such as Marcona or Ferragnes , Belona combines fruit quality , resistance to climatic hazards , and good yield , which makes it a strategic option for French producers .
To summarize: Belona Almond
By choosing the Belona Almond tree, you are investing in a high-quality and economically attractive variety. Amandiverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of almond plants , offers you the purchase of Belona Almond plants from the best selections to ensure optimal development of your orchards.
Thanks to its mild flavor, melting texture and blanching performance, Belona offers excellent value, whether for direct consumption or for processing into pastry products. Amandiverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of almond plants , guarantees you plants compatible with the main rootstocks (GF-677, Garnem, Rootpac), and adapted to French soil and climate conditions. Resistant to diseases and with good drought tolerance, Belona is ideal for sustainable and profitable crops.
Embrace innovation and agronomic safety by working with a specialist almond plant wholesaler renowned for its reliability and tailored support. With Amandiverse , buying Belona almond plants becomes a performance lever for exceptional almonds, a guarantee of success in the French and European premium markets.
