[pbs] about the bees
Jim McKenney
jimmckenney at jimmckenney.com
Sun Feb 8 22:48:32 EST 2009
The topic of bees is a sad one for me because we have not had bees around
here for a long time a decade at least and probably more.
Two years ago we had a glorious display of asters in October several
square yards packed with flowers. We got great butterflies but all of
perhaps five bees.
Each year I see a bee now and then, but never do I see them in numbers.
One consequence of this is that I get little seed from plants which depend
largely on bees for pollination. If I know that Ill want seed of something,
I have to hand pollinate it. I sometimes wonder if people dont think of me
with all that stuff he has, you would think that he could at least share a
little seed - but for me the days of abundant open pollinated seed are
evidently over.
The year before last I had an Eremurus from which I wanted seed. I hand
pollinated about thirty flowers in the middle of the inflorescence just to
be safe. Three weeks later there was a seven foot high stick with a ring of
about thirty marble-sized capsules girdling the middle of the former
inflorescence. Not funny
Its small consolation that I now dont have to watch my step as I walk
barefoot over the lawn.
I miss the bees.
Jim McKenney
jimmckenney at jimmckenney.com
Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, 39.03871º North, 77.09829º West, USDA zone
7
My Virtual Maryland Garden http://www.jimmckenney.com
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