A plum tree will blossom after 80 Growing Degree Days!?
Apparently, farmers, gardeners and horticulturalists have a formula to determine the timing of their production and it is called either the GDD or the GDU (Growing Degree Units).
The marvel is, that depending on the local weather conditions, the number of growing degrees per day can be calculated and added cumulatively from the first 'growing' day (over the temperature where zero growth occurs) until blossom begins - this gives a base estimate per plant type.
The calculation is even reliable for insect emergence and animal reproduction - fascinating!
Personally, I'm overcome enough with the sheer beauty and wonder of the colours and quantities of blossom on display...
...and hoping that there are enough bees about to busily pollinate vast numbers so my dreams of an abundance of luscious juicy plums in Summer come true :-)
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