THE FLOW

AndersMNelson · May 02, 2007, 10:38:57 PM

Does anyone know about nectar flows that occur in my region? I don't get home to my hive from school until next weekend, so what have I been missing?

AllanJ · May 02, 2007, 10:54:42 PM

The berries and poplar are about to bloom..

http://www.ento.vt.edu/~fell/apiculture/HoneyPlants/flower.htm

AndersMNelson · May 03, 2007, 01:16:37 AM

O that's a good site to know. Thanks!

MarkR · May 03, 2007, 08:09:09 AM

That's a great site. I've bookmarked it.

I'm just up the road from AlanJ (okay about 30-40 miles, but you know what I mean), but a little higher up, elevation-wise. The poplars are just about to go any minute now. I was checking my berries last night. It might be another week or so before they go.

Mark

AllanJ · May 03, 2007, 07:52:41 PM

I have a ton of Honeysuckle which does not show any signs of blooming.. and I also have a lot of American Holly.. going to keep good records so I know better next year.

Jerrymac · May 03, 2007, 07:54:39 PM

Honeysuckle :?

Can bees get to the nectar of honeysuckle?

Mici · May 03, 2007, 07:59:07 PM

haven't noticed any, although it was late when i watched, but the "neck" of the flower seems to long for a bee. but you just gotta love the intense smell of it!

AndersMNelson · May 03, 2007, 09:50:34 PM

I like pulling out the style of the honeysuckle and tasting the nectar: sweet and delicious. :-P

AllanJ · May 04, 2007, 08:18:33 PM

It depends on the type.. mine are all Japanese honeysuckle which is worked by the bees. The flower is smaller than the other types.

Brian D. Bray · May 04, 2007, 11:34:34 PM

My Japanese Honeysuckle is just starting to bud flowers, full flowering is probably a week or 2 away. The Lilacs on the other hand are just starting to burst out all over. I planted 4 butterfly bushes and a self pollenating peach tree this week. I now have 16 fruit trees to go with the 100 flowering fruit trees next door. Next year should be an early bonanza for my bees. Over 300 fruit trees with a quart mile radius and lots of maple and alder in the 1500 acres of forest lands that start a block to the south. The 300 fruit trees are those in peoples yards, I'm not counting the wild cherry and apple trees in the woods.
The filberts will take a few more years to develop as they are only 8 inch shoots at the moment so I don't count them amoung my fruit tress. Bees love filbert (Hazlenut).