Which crop is 100% dependent on bees for pollination at bloom time?

• A. Blueberries
• B. Cranberries (90%)
• C. Almonds (100% at bloom time)
• D. Apples

Answer: (C)

Pollination during bloom relies on animal pollinators because many flowers either cannot self-pollinate effectively or rely on cross-pollination for good fruit set. Almonds are a prime example: their blossoms are largely self-incompatible, so they require pollen transfer by insects to set nuts. Honey bees visit the flowers, moving pollen from tree to tree and between varieties, which is essential for nut production in that critical bloom window. Other crops like blueberries, cranberries, and apples can set fruit with partial self-pollination or some wind-assisted pollination, so they are not 100% dependent on bees at bloom time. That’s why almonds are the crop described as 100% dependent on bees for pollination during bloom.