North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["loneroc" <loneroc@mwt.net>]

Jim,

Although I maintain a couple hives for pollination--I notice that small
native bees are the most frequent visitors to my plum blossoms.  I
occasionally find honeybees on them, but not too often.

I presume that you have the native bees as well--maybe you could observe
them closely to see if they're only going after pollen or if they're finding
nectar, too.

Steve Herje, Lone Rock, WI
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Fruth" <jfruth@uslink.net>
To: <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 7:57 AM
Subject: [NAFEX] Plum Pollenation Question


>    When my plum trees are in bloom, it is a spectacular site.  Folks
driving
> by stop to stare but the honey bees don't seem to even notice the masses
of
> white blooms.  They just fly right over them as though they can't see all
of
> the flowers.  I used to wonder if my honey bees were either lazy or going
> after better flowers.
>    This year the bloom is late and the plums and black currants are
blooming
> concurrently, an event that I've not witnessed before.  Black Currants
have
> relatively insignificant, almost green flowers and the bees had no trouble
> finding them.  That leads me to rethink my prejudice(?) about honey bees
and
> plum blossoms.  So I ask, "Do plum blossoms not have nectar to attract
honey
> bees?"  Do honey bees frequent the plum flowers in your orchard?
> -- 
>
> Jim Fruth
> Brambleberry Farm
> Pequot Lakes, MN
> www.bberryfarm.com
>
>
>
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