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  • From: <rjarnts AT att.net>
  • To: "'OCBA'" <ocba AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [ocba] Pollen stores during rainy weather
  • Date: Sun, 22 May 2016 12:17:05 -0400

I just read on the Scientific Beekeeping site (which is a site I think Randall recommended)--articles “Fat Bees-Part 1”and “Part 2”-- which said that “even just a few days of rain results in an almost total loss of pollen stores, forcing the nurse bees to dig into their vitellogenin reserves”  This results in multiple consequences affecting the health of larvae and new bees, as well as the foragers, basically resulting in weak bees without adequate nutrition stores in their bodies.

 

My question is: given all of the rain this spring, should I be feeding pollen patties to my bees?  Or should I base that decision on how much pollen I see being brought into the hive,  the pollen stores in the hive, and the amount of jelly in the larvae cells?  I did a half and half split this spring and, because I was checking every 14-6 days to look for signs of a queen,  I really don’t want to do an inspection until after the nectar flow; I especially don’t want to disrupt the colonies on the few sunny days we’ve been having.  I’d rather just give them pollen if it seems indicated and  other beekeepers are doing so.  Thanks for any responses. My apologies to Randal if this is not a site he recommended.   Jeanne Arnts

 

 

 

rom: ocba [mailto:ocba-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Randall Austin
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2016 3:42 PM
To: Wilson; OCBA
Subject: Re: [ocba] Invasive Plants

 

Wow, your parrot feather must do a lot better than mine! Once I pull it all out it doesn't come back.

In the right circumstances, even native cattails are invasive & harmful to natural waterways and shouldn't be allowed to escape from ornamental ponds. The same goes for pretty much any hardy water plant (water lilies, etc.). That's basic Water Gardening 101. If everyone doesn't already know that, they do now.

For Dirt Gardening, don't let your English Ivy leave your yard and keep watch on your Russian Olive. I'm sure an informed discussion on invasives can be had on a gardening listserv.

Thanks for posting the reminder, Wilson!

Randall

On 5/18/2016 2:44 PM, Wilson wrote:

I’ve become aware that parrot feather is being used in decorative ponds of OCBA members.

Please consider the following:

 

Are you aware that parrot feather is a vicious, exotic, invasive plant and a
scourge to all feshwater bodies in our state?
I fight it in my pond all the time!
I respectfully suggest that instead of cultivating it you dry and burn it,
or compost it thoroughly for garden use.
It has NO business getting loose into our environment!
Wilson Lamb




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