When do you expect the goldenrod flow to taper off in your area?

beepro · October 09, 2018, 03:01:31 AM

How could this be, Paus? I can understand that we have an early Spring bloom and the hives build up early than yours. But
having a late Autumn flow behind you is just impossible. Seems going backward to me.

Ed, if the GRs are not the right specie then the bees will not touch them. There are about 12 species of them I believe. The tall
showy GR which I have is the one they like best. The flowers smell like the blooming lotus. A fresh faint scent that I like too. One sniff and
you're hook! No wonder the bees are attracted to it. But the short GR does not has this smell. Maybe that is why no bees work on them.

With irrigation the late blooming GRs will grow taller and put out their showy tassels at the top. Everyday there are 100s of bees from my hives working on
them. And I did not water them that much either over this entire hot summer. Now that I know my bees like them, next season I will plant
more in my yard and even in the front yard under dripper hose irrigation. They don't require a lot of water only enough to not dry out the roots.

paus · October 09, 2018, 09:17:03 AM

You sound like my wife, you are supposed to know what I'm thinking. South Louisiana starts their spring flow about 3 weeks ahead NE Texas and their fall flow last about 3 weeks longer.

paus · October 10, 2018, 06:24:24 PM

Just checked GR, bees are working it big time

qa33010 · October 10, 2018, 11:05:47 PM

Goldenrod was about two months late this year. It will stay until our first good frost...

jalentour · October 12, 2018, 12:09:48 PM

Today, first frost.

ed/La. · October 12, 2018, 11:49:51 PM

My bees just started working gr. There is a small purple flower they are working pretty good. Trying to id it now. I did have a swarm yesterday that I managed to catch. Could not figure out what hive it came from, at first glance all hives looked good, so it was not abscond but still an issue. One of the hives has an unmated queen .

qa33010 · October 19, 2018, 03:04:06 AM

Yep. First good frost and it is done..

ed/La. · October 19, 2018, 10:37:58 PM

Is that true 1 good frost kills GR. [

Sputnik · October 21, 2018, 08:52:43 AM

I expect some frost here Sunday night. Maybe not here at the house, the lake is still warm and keeps it off the yard. I think back away in the fields and ridges will get it. Time to get our bees set for winter.

bwallace23350 · October 22, 2018, 11:31:39 AM

The flow is starting to end down here in South Alabama. We have some golden rod left but not like it was two weeks ago.

Ben Framed · October 22, 2018, 11:41:43 AM

We had our first frost last night. I expect that will do it for my area... was a nice season. First year for me and I learned a lot. With 0 hives in April and cutouts and splits, I have 7 strong hives now.. I thank each of you for your comments, answers to questions, and helpful information.
Sincerely, Phillip Hall

qa33010 · November 05, 2018, 08:52:07 PM

Probably this Friday evening, if the temp gets down like the weatherman says. That would be our first hard frost here. Had to add another super when everything here exploded in September. Will have to see if its filled up...

beepro · November 06, 2018, 01:27:22 PM

GRs are not like the mustard. Their blooming time is short. My showy GRs only bloomed for 2 and a half weeks then they
stop blooming after all the flowers had opened . Only a small blooming patch is there now and not a significant flow. My bees move
on to the winter blooming wild mustard now.

Ben Framed · November 06, 2018, 02:03:09 PM

Quote from: beepro on November 06, 2018, 01:27:22 PM
GRs are not like the mustard. Their blooming time is short. My showy GRs only bloomed for 2 and a half weeks then they
stop blooming after all the flowers had opened . Only a small blooming patch is there now and not a significant flow. My bees move
on to the winter blooming wild mustard now.

Im sure that you are giving an accurate account and may be minium blooming season in your area. David at barnyard bees, a day or two ago, put up a video titled.
Honey Bee Winter Food Goldenrod & Pollen
He is in North Georgia I am in North Mississippi. I havn't checked the zone difference, but I am thinging we are most likely in the same zone. Our Godenrod started here in September and Its now November. It frosted here where I live Oct 21, I thought that was the end but as I took a closer look, after watching Davids video, we do still have a small amount still active GR here at my location. Nothing like what David showed in his video, but still some here. Apparently the frost wasn't heavy enough to kill it all.
Thanks for the update Mr. Beepro.
Phillip

PS Im wondering what is going on for folks futher south like ed/La in South Louisiana

ed/La. · November 07, 2018, 02:40:45 PM

I am still waiting on the goldenrod the bees like. The shorter variety bloomed and is over. There is some other wild flowers that the bees are working. I am a little concerned. Winter stores are not great. Feeding about 25lbs of sugar a day at my home yard. 40 cents a pound before tax. I have honey to spare but the smallest amount gets them worked up and I don't need a robbing issues. They like satsuma oranges that I have a tree full of. Also feeding bananas that they consume in a day or so. I am going to move these hives to better yard once I get the energy. I am in my mid 60s and work alone. Our coldest night has been in the 50s with most nights in 60s. Took me a few years to realise that there is not enough nectar to support my bees at home but just miles away there is.

beepro · November 07, 2018, 09:07:42 PM

Ed with irrigation you can start your own bee habitat at home. Not that hard to to. GRs can
take over a small 8x10' plot easily. Every year they grow back. You can also put in some
boneset and wingstems too. Might as well add in some Autumn asters for them too. Early Spring and
Autumn will be the critical time for their survival.