Fireweed?

[Finsky]

Finally I found pollen values of fireweed. It is most important honey plant in Finland. The amino acid analyse is worth 450 US $ per piece.
http://wasba.org/2004_12_WSBA_news.pdf

Does some one know  if that  Washigton area fireweed is Angustifolium?
http://www.alaska-wildtrek.ch/Photography/images/Kenai%20Fireweed%201.jpg
or same as in Australia Senecio.
http://www.honeybee.com.au/Library/pollen/madagascariensis.html

.

[Dick Allen]

It is the same plant that grows in Alaska.  Fireweed is also sometimes called "willow herb" in books, but I have never heard anyone refer to it as"willow herb" in person. Everyone always calls it "fireweed".

http://depts.washington.edu/propplnt/Plants/epilobium.htm

[Finsky]

Very good.

Last summer, after 40 years, I finally got to know why fireweed does not always give honey.

Last summer was really hot and period was long. Canola gived very little honey. I had in several points hives.

On sand and cliff areas fireweed suffered lack of water. It gived very few .
At same time on moist clay area fireweed gived measures I ever had seen. During 2 week period honey came in 200 lbs per hive.

My place was like this and area was about 15 hectares and 3 hives in the middle of area. Plants were 2 meters high and in one stem it was 20 flowers open at same time.

[bassman1977]

During 2 week period honey came in 200 lbs per hive.

:shock:

[Finsky]

:shock:

One secret was that I put only 3 giant hives in one place. The flight distance for bees was only 0,5 km. I noticed at afternoon, that bees have licked empty about 80% of flowers. Idea was that they get a full booty from flowers and lick the cream.

Second point of hives was 1,5 km (=1 mile), and they dis same trick. There was 2 hives.

In our country it is said that  10 hives id a good measure in one place. It is said at least 70 years and hives ar 3-5 fuld bigger than in those days.

But in dry areas there is no help from that because flowers have not nectar.

[ApisM]

Hello Finsky,  I just finished reading a book by Antti Tuuri called the Winter War.  It described the war over the Karelia Pennisular just prior to WWII.  I was curious whether Finns want that pennisular back from the Russians or whether there is good relations.  

Cheers

[Finsky]

I was curious whether Finns want that pennisular back from the Russians or whether there is good relations.  

Fine, you are interested. We have to morrow president election and one candidate wants Karelia back. It is hit here but not seriously. Russia is a tough neighbour.