bees back?

16 years ago

anyone else notice an uptick in the number of honeybees? my african blue basil is swarming with them right now -- i counted forty on a single plant.

i hope they've returned to your gardens, too. they are an especially dear to me animal, and so i am a bit more at peace and happy with the world today.

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Comments (8)

gcmastiffs
16 years ago
I never lost them. They love my Nonis (as do wasps), Bananas and Citrus. It is likely that someone in my area has hives, since they are so plentiful here. They are peaceable, definately not the aggressive Bees.

We get the big Bumblebees too, that get all intoxicated on Magnolia blossoms. They are soo amusing to watch!

Lisa
beth7happy
16 years ago
there were many bees today.....the golden dewdrop (darantua, I think it's called) had lots of bees..some on a native salvia..pretty little pink bloom...Glad to see more bees!!!
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How nice! Perhaps someone in the neighborhood has a new hive? I would be very excited to see some bees right now too because that would mean all this horrible snow would be gone and it would be about 60 degrees warmer!! ;)
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jupiterplants
16 years ago
A couple of months ago my simsom stoppers were in full bloom and the honey bees were having themselves a field day !

I am willing to bet that there a some amateur bee keepers around here !
the_musicman
16 years ago
You know, I've never seen many bees around my turf until I put in a Vitex (chaste-tree) a couple of months ago. As soon as it started blooming, the bees were all over it. I like it too, smells quite nice. And it is good to have something other than wasps :)
jupiterplants
16 years ago
Musicman , that is one zone niner I wish I could grow :(
the_musicman
16 years ago
jupiter,

Have you tried growing Vitex down there in z10?

My information conflicts slightly in regards to the three major cultivated species, but there should be one that works for you.

According to Floridata and the UF link below...
V. angus-castus is rated either z8-10 or z7-11.
V. negundo (the one that I grow) is rated either 6-9 or 8-10:
V. trifolia: is rated z10-11.

It seems like the key factor is to make sure it has sandy, well-drained soil and plenty of sun.

Here is a link that might be useful: UF fact sheet - Vitex angus-castus
jupiterplants
16 years ago
musicman,

thanks for info........ I saved it :) I might give it a try if it is zone 10. Don`t think i have seen it in the area thou.
I have better luck growing 1 zone warmer that 1 zone cooler.
manature
16 years ago
Hiya, Ill! Sad to say, I've only seen TWO honeybees all season! And a fracton of the bumblebees that I normally have. Lots of sweat bees and wasps, but just no honeybees to speak of. I'm so happy to hear that you have them back again and that others are still seeing them. I have worried a LOT about those little guys! I dearly love to sit in the garden and hear the buzzing and droning going on around the flowers.

Ill, I forgot to post about how much I loved your Russia photos! They were fabulous...just beautiful! Thanks for sharing them.

Marcia

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bees back?

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gcmastiffs

beth7happy

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