Lets follow the bloom 2014

[TenshiB]

Catalpa trees and wild persimmons are bloomin'..

[SueCT]

What's bloomin' for bees in Connecticut?  No, seriously - I'm asking!  We just installed our first 2 nucs and I'm seeing about 6 in 40 of the girls coming in with pollen - but I don't know their primary sources at this time of year -or what's getting ready to bloom in June/July.  Any CT beeks out there who know the flow in our little corner of the beekeeping world?

I can tell you that I have several pollinator friendly plants in the garden getting ready to bloom - Comfry, Meadow Sage and culinary sage will all be blooming any day now.  My geranium (Cranesbill Beven's Variety) is just finishing it's spring flush - I understand honeybees like cranesbill, but I have yet to see it!  Too bad they arrived just a little too late to test that theory!  Would love to hear what other CT Beeks are seeing in their gardens and neighborhoods for the annual pollen flows.  Should we throw on a pollen patty at the next inspection to help them build up the brood production?

[buzzbee]

Honey bees may not stop at small gardens and check the flowers if there is a large floral nectar or pollen source within a couple mile radius. I am betting you may have lots in bloom even though it may not produce a very visible flower. Willows and maples may be in bloom in your area. You will take more notice to subtle blooms as you keep bees. Maybe someone from your neck of the woods will chime in. :)

[TenshiB]

Go to where there is a big mixup of foliage (that's relatively quiet) and just listen. If you hear bees--and you will if they are there--then look to see what it is that they're after.. That's how we discovered just recently that they're all over wild persimmon blooms.. I was hiding in a patch of trees/foliage trying to shoot a crow that's part of the crowd that keeps pullin' up my corn!  [=

[Ryan820]

I live at 6800' in Colorado and I cannot for the life of me understand what my bees are foraging, but they are. I can confirm that choke cherries are blooming and of course dandelions. I know there are wild flowers too but it never seems like much. Any maybe to some peoples view there isn't much here but those bees are finding it!   


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[SueCT]

I guess I'm in the same boat as you are Ryan820 - I don't know what they are finding, but I am seeing about 1 in 8 bees coming in heavy with pollen.  What percentage of bees coming in with pollen tells you that the flow is strong?  Is that 1 in 8 bees a decent flow or light flow?  Is there any way, other than a hive inspection, to identify nectar flow? 

I'm trying to figure out what types of things I can identify about the hive by watching the front door  vs. poking around doing unnecessary inspections.  Cause, as a new beekeeper, I'm excited and want to be watching and learning - but I know better than to interfere too much and interrupt the hives without a specific care need. It's just so hard!  So, tell me - what can I learn from observing the hive from the outside??

[GSF]

Mimosa Trees; Montgomery County.

[GSF]

Chinese Tallow in Montgomery & Elmore counties, also Mimosa in Elmore county.

[10framer]

mimosa and what i think is tupelo.  persimmons may be starting soon.

[BeeMaster2]

I just check the Palmetto and Popcorn plants yesterday. Both are in full bloom I the Osceola national forest area.
Jim

[TenshiB]

Persimmons have started here about a week ago.. Not sure if they're still going.

[10framer]

chinese tallow is opening in town along with a long leaved variety of sumac.

[GSF]

About 10 days ago; Wild Hydrangeas, daylilies and gardenias.

[GSF]

Rose of Sharon, some sumac, and crape myrtle.

Modified: Milk and Wine Lillie.

[TenshiB]

china berry trees were in bloom here about 2 weeks ago (forgot to mention)

[BeeMaster2]

Chinese Tallow (popcorn tree) is in full bloom. The trees sound like there is a swarm in them.
Jim

[10framer]

sourwood in east alabama

[marktrl]

The cabbage palm in front of the house has open blooms, the rest of the palms I can see have flower shoots but the blooms haven't opened yet.

[biggraham610]

Young Sumac starting here, still plenty of white clover, Older Sumacs not even close. G :chop:

[BeeMaster2]

Chinese Tallow (popcorn tree) is still in full bloom.