France

The flax plants vary from 20 to 90 cm, with an average of 75 cm. There is big height disparity between the flax that were sown at first and those that were sown in second time as well as from a field to another.

The flowering will occur therefore between now and the end of June for the latest plants.

Flax plants from the first sowings

All of the flax cultivating areas got more or less heavy rainfalls during the period from May 27 to June 1^st. There was an average of 30 to 40 mm of water during this period and up to 120-150 mm in some areas.

On June 6 the area of Valenciennes (Nord) received much water and the soils is no longer absorbent, the water remains above ground.

There were storms on June 7 as well as hail. They hit mainly the following regions: Nord Pas-de-Calais, Marne, Oise and Somme. In a few hours the level of water reached 30 to 70 cm in those areas.

Rains are still forecast for next week.

Because of these heavy rains while the flowering had just begun some of the flax that were sown at first and those that were fertilized with nitrogen have laid down.

Laid down flax in Lille area

The retting may be less homogeneous consequently, the pulling operations may be made difficult and the plants are likely to be damaged considering the soil moisture.

The surrounding humidity and present heat weaken the plants and may cause powdery mildew.

Flax plants from the second period of sowings

The flax fields that were sown in the second period of sowings were not affected as they are less high.

Bernay (Eure) May 26 2016

Cagny (Calvados) May 26 2016

Winter flax

All of the winter flax plants have laid down.

BELGIUM

The flax plants did not grow as much, there is a big disparity between the height of the plants that vary from 5 to 75 cm. There were also heavy storms in the area of Liège on June 7.