MASON BEE COCOONS FOR SALE

See:  http://masonbeecocoonsforsale.wordpress.com/

Lining Mason bee nests with kraft paper

This year we will put out 4000 Mason bee cocoons in 10 acres of blueberries. There will be a random mix of males and females. The number of nests required is 75% of the number of cocoons released or 3000. In the picture below we are cutting the kraft paper that is used to line the nests.

Focus for 2012

As we approach this year’s blueberry pollination  there are two questions that are foremost in our minds.

1. Is there a symbiotic relationship between the honeybee and the Mason bee with the honeybee going for nectar and the Mason bee seeking pollen. The net result is more bee visits per flower resulting in better pollination.
2. Can extra forage be used to attract virgin bumblebee queens and drones to our farm after they leave their nest in the fall. This should result in a bigger bumblebee population next spring.

See these earlier blog entries:

http://blueberrytalk.wordpress.com/2011/06/12/mason-bees-and-pollen/

http://blueberrytalk.wordpress.com/2011/06/24/bees-and-blueberry-pollen/

http://blueberrytalk.wordpress.com/2011/09/14/the-cosmos-come-on/

2011 in review A big thankyou to all our readers from around the world!

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

 

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 12,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 4 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

2011 – cleaning cocoons

Our nest system worked superbly. It was easy to pull the tape off the back of the nest, slide out the paper liner and push aside the cocoons.

removing cocoons

Elderberry nests

It’s easy to hollow out the soft pith of an Elderberry branch with a drill. Leaf cutter bees will extend the hole with their great cutting ability. Mason bees will use this kind of nest but not as their first choice.

Elderberry nest

Sharing a nest

You can’t help but wonder if the Mason bee was still around when the Leafcutter bee decided to take over the nest.

A very late flowering tree (shrub?)

Heptacodium or Seven Sons tree is named  for the seven flowers that grow on a stem. Looks like it’s good for pollen and nectar.

heptacodium blossom

Verbena bonariensis in September

Foraging opportunities for bees improve during September as many more blossoms open in the flower head of the Verbena bonariensis. At the same time some flower seeds mature and are scattered widely by this tall plant. The background picture shows the blossoms scattered on the ground.

Verbena bonariensis

How are you enjoying your blueberries?

Here’s what we do on the farm: Blend frozen blueberries with a fruit juice that contains raspberry juice. Add carbonated spring water that has a little lemon lime flavour. Vary the proportions to suit your taste.

Cheers!

I heed the advice about mixing blueberries with milk: http://allstarhealth.com/blog/health-nutrition-science-news/blueberries-and-milk-dont-mix-study/