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Me bees are bringing in some really heavy pollen loads (tan in color) never seen that much...to the point were if they miss the landing board they have a hard time climbing and flying out of the grass. I know the basswood trees are done and not much corn around.
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
One of my favorite pages on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollen_source
Probably not comprehensive or specific to Vermont, but it might provide an idea that's escaped us.
Probably not comprehensive or specific to Vermont, but it might provide an idea that's escaped us.
From the sample I picked from the farmers field and from what I have been able to identify via the Internet, both picts are buckwheat
The field was definitely planted with this plant and was not a wildflower
From Wikipedia...
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is a plant cultivated for its grain-like seeds, and also used as a cover crop.
The farm is in current transition from one farmer to another and my guess is the new operation is looking to build back the soils using buckwheat as a green fertilizer.
The image you posted is is yarrow
http://wildeherb.com/2010/06/08/native-yarrow-patch-yields-bountiful-flowers/
Leaves are definitely different and lack the red stem as well.
The field was definitely planted with this plant and was not a wildflower
From Wikipedia...
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is a plant cultivated for its grain-like seeds, and also used as a cover crop.
The farm is in current transition from one farmer to another and my guess is the new operation is looking to build back the soils using buckwheat as a green fertilizer.
The image you posted is is yarrow
http://wildeherb.com/2010/06/08/native-yarrow-patch-yields-bountiful-flowers/
Leaves are definitely different and lack the red stem as well.
Lindsey -
Is that first picture milfoil? (See attached pic) I've got quite a bit of that on my property and the bees are really going at it. Here's a good link with Vermont wildflowers for reference: http://uswildflowers.com/wfquery.php?State=VT
Is that first picture milfoil? (See attached pic) I've got quite a bit of that on my property and the bees are really going at it. Here's a good link with Vermont wildflowers for reference: http://uswildflowers.com/wfquery.php?State=VT
Dave this is what is growing in the fields at the farm I mentioned.
Scott,
yes the brood boxes are as you described the top deep is mostly honey and pollen mixed...the super is plastic foundation.
yes the brood boxes are as you described the top deep is mostly honey and pollen mixed...the super is plastic foundation.
Lindsay
I've been wondering the same thing... This pollen in off white / tan in color.
I've also been watching the 4:00 - 4:30 rush hour with the girls coming back to the hive at that time of evening.
I've been wondering the same thing... This pollen in off white / tan in color.
I've also been watching the 4:00 - 4:30 rush hour with the girls coming back to the hive at that time of evening.
Hi Lindsay,
At this point the bees are somewhat on autopilot. There is not much management needed especially into the brood boxes. The pollen collection is always curious which is why I was wondering about the brood status and pollen stores. Do you have one deep with brood and one deep with mostly honey...and they are ignoring the super? Is the super drawn comb or foundation?
At this point the bees are somewhat on autopilot. There is not much management needed especially into the brood boxes. The pollen collection is always curious which is why I was wondering about the brood status and pollen stores. Do you have one deep with brood and one deep with mostly honey...and they are ignoring the super? Is the super drawn comb or foundation?
At the suggestion of Jeff Allen...I'm not digging in to the brood chambers for a while. The last time I checked 2 weeks ago was when they pretty much had 8 of the ten frames in the 2nd bb full of pollen and honey. there are workers all over the med super I added but not really touching it.
Wonder if the will fill it with golden rod
Wonder if the will fill it with golden rod
There is a farm 1.7 miles away and in the direction the bees are headed that have acres of buckwheat growing.
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