Follow the bloom 2021

FloridaGardener · January 04, 2021, 11:25:47 AM

It is time.

About half of the bees returning to the hive are bringing in pollen. Most is hi-vis orange...maybe ornamental cabbage?
A little is white. It's not the Sasanqua Camellias which are still in bloom - their pollen is yellow.

Brian MCquilkin · January 04, 2021, 12:10:06 PM

Great to see that your bees are active. The bees in my neck of the woods will not have any flying das for another 8 weeks.

Beeboy01 · January 04, 2021, 05:27:55 PM

Got a white and orange colored pollen coming into my hives right now. The yellow probably is Spanish Needle but not sure about the white. Just noticed that some of the maples are starting to bud which is real early this year and could be the source of the white pollen.

Bob Wilson · January 04, 2021, 09:14:21 PM

It's crazy.
I always thought spring started in March/April around here, but after I started making bee notes last year, I realize maple trees will be blooming a week and a half from now. Being a beek has changed my whole seasonal outlook.

rast · January 05, 2021, 08:49:07 PM

Southern Red Cedar is putting out yellow pollen here.

Bob Wilson · January 24, 2021, 10:15:16 PM

Strange that bees will pull pollen from one type of camelia, but leave other varieties alone.
My bees are pulling in a lot of pollen right now.

The15thMember · January 24, 2021, 10:45:48 PM

Quote from: Bob Wilson on January 24, 2021, 10:15:16 PM
Strange that bees will pull pollen from one type of camelia, but leave other varieties alone.
My bees are pulling in a lot of pollen right now.

Maybe those other varieties are pollenless. Sometimes flowers bred for a specific color or petal type end up sterile.

Also, Jim, shouldn't this thread be stickied?

BeeMaster2 · January 24, 2021, 10:53:16 PM

Yes.
🙂

Bob Wilson · January 26, 2021, 11:41:02 PM

15, True, about the hybrids. I have past work experience in the nursery business, but the whole bee aspect is something that never came up. We dealt with issues like sterility in a hybrid, not whether it provides nectar.
At HoneyPumps encouragement, I keep hive notes, and that includes everything I see blooming in our county. I am surprised at how many flowering plants are ignored by honey bees.

CoolBees · January 27, 2021, 02:06:18 PM

An update from the west coast: eucalyptus, some almonds, and a few decorative Plums have begun flowering. Nectar has begun to flow. A little early though. I just harvested 45 lbs of honey, to make room in a couple hives.

We had very little rain till now - temps up into the low 70's. Now it's decided to storm good. Our forecast is for 30%(+/-) of the years rain in the next 7 days*. There's snow on the hills behind the house. That should wash our the nectar, and reset the bloom to mid February, putting it back on schedule.

*we get around 15 inches of rain per yr here, and there's 4-5 inches in the forecast. Around 2 inches fell last night.

CoolBees · January 27, 2021, 02:08:19 PM

Also: the Redbuds are swelling in preparation for bloom. We should see them pop open in 3 weeks, I'm guessing. Should be in "full nectar flow" by then.

Ben Framed · January 27, 2021, 02:15:54 PM

Quote from: CoolBees on January 27, 2021, 02:08:19 PM
Also: the Redbuds are swelling in preparation for bloom. We should see them poo open in 3 weeks, I'm guessing. Should be in "full nectar flow" by then.

Alan it is very nice to see that you are posting. Glad you are still active!! Welcome my friend!

The15thMember · January 27, 2021, 02:44:57 PM

ALAN!!! YOU'RE ALIVE!!

Seriously though, you had me worried there, man. You haven't even logged on since like August! I figured something happened to you!

Ben Framed · January 27, 2021, 02:56:47 PM

I agree Member! You two hold a special place for me here at beemaster since we three started posting here about the same time.. My classmates lol....

The15thMember · January 27, 2021, 03:20:42 PM

Quote from: Ben Framed on January 27, 2021, 02:56:47 PM
I agree Member! You two hold a special place for me here at beemaster since we three started posting here about the same time.. My classmates lol....

It's true! The only problem with that metaphor is that one can never graduate from beekeeping!

There's always more to learn.

Ben Framed · January 27, 2021, 03:24:43 PM

Quote from: The15thMember on January 27, 2021, 03:20:42 PM
Quote from: Ben Framed on January 27, 2021, 02:56:47 PM
I agree Member! You two hold a special place for me here at beemaster since we three started posting here about the same time.. My classmates lol....
It's true! The only problem with that metaphor is that one can never graduate from beekeeping! There's always more to learn.

Totally agree and well said!! Adding an Amen!

CoolBees · January 27, 2021, 06:58:22 PM

Thanks Ben & 15th.

The15thMember · January 27, 2021, 07:01:01 PM

Sorry for totally interrupting Follow the Bloom with our "class reunion", everyone. Carry on!

cao · January 28, 2021, 11:32:31 AM

My lawn is covered in these white cotton ball looking flowers. I think they call it snow.

Ben Framed · January 30, 2021, 04:49:57 PM

Quote from: Bob Wilson on January 24, 2021, 10:15:16 PM
Strange that bees will pull pollen from one type of camelia, but leave other varieties alone.
My bees are pulling in a lot of pollen right now.

* 20210123_114812~2_resize_44.jpg (193.17 kB, 380x506 - viewed 0 times.)

I have this same strand of camelia that you have pictured Bob and I have the same good results as you. My Bees love em!! I do not know if nectar is also an asset with this red strand?

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