Follow the Bloom - 2024

[Michael Bush]

Need a closeup.

[BeeMaster2]

It looks to me like it is a variety of Golden Rod.

[Terri Yaki]

I'm still oblivious on what's in and what they're bringing in but today they've started bringing in some pure white pollen.

[Ben Framed]

A question for you bloom followers:

We have five Hibiscus plants on our back deck. Each of these produce anywhere from 3 to 6 blooms per day on average. Though I have never seen a honeybee on these plants, I regularly see hummingbirds visiting. These little birds come in, go bloom to bloom, and leave . How long does it take for these blooms to fully recharge with enough nectar to satisfy the appetite of these little hummingbirds?

Examples: two minutes 10 minutes 20 minutes other🤷🏻‍♂️

[The15thMember]

I don't know about hibiscus specifically, but the answer is likely, as per usual, "it depends".  In many species of plants nectar concentration, volume, and speed of replenishment are variable based on rainfall, soil conditions, and even what pollinators or pests the plant is currently interacting with.  Hummingbirds have one of the highest metabolic rates of any animal and need to ingest up to 3 times their body weight daily, meaning they are often only hours away from starvation.  Without their bodies going into a torpid state overnight, they wouldn't be able to make it until morning without eating.  So hummers' appetites are basically never satisfied.     

[Terri Yaki]

I remember when I used to be able to eat like that and not worry about it.

[The15thMember]

Most of the fall flowers are in bloom in my area now.  We've got goldenrod, white asters, and native, domestic, and Mexican sunflowers.  Not too much nectar coming in though.   

[Terri Yaki]

How can you tell when nectar is or isn't coming in? I got pollen down pat. 

[The15thMember]

Well I opened a few hives today, and the bees have very little new uncapped nectar, and they aren't drawing wax.  Plus they are generally irritated.   

[Terri Yaki]

Oh, I thought maybe you could see what they were carrying or something.

[Terri Yaki]

I am not seeing any goldenrod around but I suspect it's out there in fields that are out of sight as the swarm hive is bringing in bright yellow pollen hot and heavy this morning. I'm intrigued at how the other two hives aren't so into it. One is bringing in some and the other, none at all.

[Michael Bush]

Goldenrod is blooming here.  A lot of it is in full bloom.

[.30WCF]

I thought we had an early bloom and it was over, but round 2 of goldenrod has hit with vengeance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[The15thMember]

The rain from Hurricane Helene has created a big flush of late blooming asters, and my colonies are all bringing in nectar.  It's not a ton, but enough that the bees are able to backfill their empty brood comb, which is convenient.  I hope the same has happened in the areas affected seriously by hurricane damage. 

[The15thMember]

We had a cold snap and now it's warm again, and several plants are confused as a result and are trying to bloom. 

[Ben Framed]

Our Azaleas are sprouting a few blooms.