Hi all
I've been watching my bee bring in neon orange pollen, is this from the goldenrod? Do the bees also get nectar from the goldenrod and fall flowering plants?
green
My guess would be aster pollen. When the nectar from Goldenrod comes in you will smell an odd sweet funky aroma. Sometimes it is overpowering.
Around here, the goldenrod/aster bloom is an important pollen and nectar source in the fall, I just lump them together because I am not certain about which produces what...pollen/nectar. All I know is when these two are blooming we have a nice flow that builds up stores in a hurry.
The hives take on a distinct aroma from this flow. Some say it's the asters, and some blame the goldenrod.
Eventually this odor goes away and the honey is delicious. I taste it but leave it for the bees.
>odd sweet funky aroma. Sometimes it is overpowering.
Not here --- smells like wet sweat socks :-D!
Different kinds of goldenrod throughout the country. Ours is a pollen source not much nectar. Other places in U.S. it is a large flow w/desired honey!
Thanks all
We have a full flowering goldenrod right now, a lot of white and yellow aster too, the fields and by the road side is full of it. I hope mine is the kind with nectar :-D and yours too!
green
Quote from: greenismycolor on September 28, 2008, 04:55:34 AM
Hi all
I've been watching my bee bring in neon orange pollen, is this from the goldenrod? Do the bees also get nectar from the goldenrod and fall flowering plants?
green
Probably from all those Neon Orange signs at construction sites. ;.)
The pollen I like is the Neon Lime.