skip to main content

Florida Gardening

Anyone seeing hummers yet?

13 years ago

I was at my mother's yesterday when I spotted a hummingbird at the cape honeysuckle. It came back a couple of times and then no more. However, I have not seen any in my yard yet. Usually I start seeing them in August, but after seeing the one, I've been really looking around. I've got lots of stuff blooming for them too. But no, nothing yet. Anyone?

Anna

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (16)

fagopher
13 years ago
I think I am lucky, in our house we have a daily visitor(s) for at least a couple of months. I started seeing it/them as soon as the firebush started to flower.
sis3
13 years ago
Just been watching one tonight. It seems to arrive around 6.30pm ish. We also have been seeing hummers for a couple of months.
Related Discussions
Anyone seen any hummers yet?
Q
Comments (21)
Well, they look fuzzy to me, and fatter than a carpenter bee. It is hard to tell when they don't hold still. ;) In this link, I would say they most resemble the resin bee. And they ARE awfully big. But it doesn't sound like they should be active this early in the year. http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1302/ My house is metal and hardiplank; the outbuildings are all metal. There are bound to be more attractive sites than my place. The only exposed wood I am aware of is the supports underneath one of the sheds, which IS near the area. Oh, and a power pole nearby in the same place -- which come to think of it, has had several woodpecker visits lately in the early morning. Well, they all seem to have disappeared, but I guess I need to take a closer look when I can and look for a smooth thorax. Thanks for putting that bee in my bonnet, so to speak.
...See More
Can't find Sassafrass seeds yet, anyone see any in their area alr
Q
Comments (27)
Hi Panoply, Here is what works best for me. I collect sassafras fruits as mentioned earlier on this thread. Gently rub them over a metal screen with water to remove the blue covering. Sow seed either in a prepared seedbed or sow in individual pots or cells, I cover seed with sand. These can be left outside but must be protected as I mentioned earlier. I have no experience with putting seed in refridgerator. I wouldn't begin to know how to scarify sassafras seed. The seed coat is not at all hard, think of it like a tiny avocado seed. Work quickly with cleaned seed, don't allow it to dry up and shrivel. The seed will germinate April/May of next year. One thing about sassafras, it will continue to flush with growth throughout the season. Pictured here is an average seedling you might have this time next year.
...See More
Anyone See Any Hummingbirds In SW Florida Yet?
Q
Comments (41)
TY! Yes, one of the Hamelias . A Monarch and a Gulf Fritillary nectaring side by side. I have several different firebush plants through-out the garden. As for feeders, I keep feeders on hand and only put them out when after I see a hummer. I keep them clean , replacing small amount of sugar syrup every other day in hopes it may be just the extra encouragement too keep hummers in the garden. The one year we did have hummers nesting, they were so illusive, we only saw the male once, the female once, then suddenly there were babies :) I never did see any of them use the feeders :( Luckily, the babies followed a schedule, feeding on flowers every few hours. :) We found the nest months later blown onto the ground in a storm. As soon as the male babies started to develop their ruby colouring, they all departed. I wish I had videoed them, but at the time, had my hands full with my own babies :)
...See More
haven't seen any hummers yet either
Q
Comments (2)
Just keep those feeders ready and when you least expect it you will have a hummingibrd. I am so blessed I can look out my computer room window most anytime of the day right now and see my males having a good time.
...See More
kayjones
13 years ago
I had one this spring, and occasionally have seen one this summer, but none lately - I think there are just too many flowers blooming right now. My cardinal flower just started blooming, so maybe I will get to see some soon.
johnjsr
13 years ago
This is strange to me, because there are not many days of the year when I don't see at least one. After the extreme cold last winter there were a few days without seeing one. I know they have nests in a big Drake elm that hangs over my roof. I think the heat from the roof protects them. We don't have a feeder up now, but there are plenty of blooming flowers, so I always see them in the morning while I'm out having my coffee.
john
User
13 years ago
Same here, they've never left all summer. I don't know if the bad winter had something to do with it. Usually we don't see them in the middle of summer here but they have stuck around this year. We have a lot of flowers that they like, though, especially Coral Honeysuckle vine, Tropical Sage, and Bottlebrush Trees.
katkin_gw
13 years ago
I saw one a month or so ago, but nothing since.
cindygardens
13 years ago
I have them from April until the end of September.Saw one in late April,now seeing them daily for the last couple of weeks.
SusieQsie_Fla
13 years ago
Yes - I was so happy to see one on my Duranta this past weekend.

Since we've moved to our new house, not much is in bloom. Even the duranta isn't as loaded with blooms like it usually is, but it certainly attracted one little hummer for my enjoyment.

Maybe someone can capture one on camera!

Susie
tropicap
13 years ago
If you don't mind me asking how far south are you all?
I'm in Palm Beach County and rarely see them, maybe I'm just not paying enough attention. I do get many hummingbird moths though, so I would guess that they have food.
Thanks
annafl
Original Author
13 years ago
Well, darn! They must be coming soon to my yard, I hope. I saw a couple in spring and then no more. But they must be in Sarasota if I saw one at my mom's and Cindy has them. And I plant so much stuff for them! My yard is like a garden buffet for them. Alright, I will have to wish them here soon. Thanks.

Anna
User
13 years ago
I'm in Brooksville.
User
13 years ago
lots of them here, been for awhile. got home from work tonight, looking out our many windows, hitting on the plumeria pudica. lots on the salvia's, pretty much anything that's blooming.
cindygardens
13 years ago
Anna,I actually saw two here this afternoon.Then one chased the other away. Good luck,hope you get them soon.
verlaj
13 years ago
Lots MORE here than in previous years, although they came late - March instead of February. Adults and juveniles.
annafl
Original Author
13 years ago
Saw my first one today since last spring! Yea! I knew it must be close to the time. Don't know why I don't have them through the summer like many of you. I only saw one, but maybe there are a few others in the wings. It made my day.

Anna
Tom
13 years ago
I think you will notice that those of us in zone 9 have them and you guys in zone ten not so much. We tend to get them with the normal migration of ruby-throated hummers that begins in early March and ends in late September. Those that are a little further south tend to get them starting in October. I think those of you in the very south will have some year round, no?

I'm right on the line between north and south for the Ruby-throateds. I did get some in the winter last year and the year before, but only a few and they didn't stick around for long. I do get some Rufous in winter months sometimes.

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN The Cure for Houzz Envy: Kitchen Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Take your kitchen up a notch even if it will never reach top-of-the-line, with these cheap and easy decorating ideas

BUDGET DECORATING The Cure for Houzz Envy: Entryway Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make a smashing first impression with just one or two affordable design moves

BEDROOMS The Cure for Houzz Envy: Master Bedroom Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make your bedroom a serene dream with easy moves that won’t give your bank account nightmares

MUDROOMS The Cure for Houzz Envy: Mudroom Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make a utilitarian mudroom snazzier and better organized with these cheap and easy ideas

CLOSETS The Cure for Houzz Envy: Closet Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

These easy and inexpensive moves for more space and better organization are right in fashion

DECORATING GUIDES The Cure for Houzz Envy: Guest Room Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make overnight guests feel comfy and cozy with small, inexpensive niceties

DECORATING GUIDES 7 Bedroom Styling Tricks Anyone Can Do

By Eclectic Creative

Short on time or money? You can spruce up your bedroom quickly and easily with these tips

DECORATING GUIDES The Cure for Houzz Envy: Family Room Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Easy and cheap fixes that will help your space look more polished and be more comfortable

COMMUNITY Community Building Just About Anyone Can Do

By Vanessa Brunner

Strengthen neighborhoods and pride of place by setting up more public spaces — even small, temporary ones can make a big difference

DECORATING GUIDES The Cure for Houzz Envy: Dining Room Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Get a decorator-style dining room on the cheap with inexpensive artwork, secondhand furniture and thoughtful accessories

Sponsored

More Discussions

Rats in the garden ID?

6

Garden plans for 2024?

6

Greening Satsuma

2

New Blooms Feb./Mar.

26

Leaving my final garden

3