Blackberry blossoms keep blooming

Almost a month ago we posted on blackberry blossoms and a month from now it would be no surprise to find more blackberry blossoms. In the picture below you can see well formed fruit, blossoms and blossom buds. Ever popular with bees, there are four bees in the same camera shot.

blackberry blossoms and bees

Beautyberry

Bees can’t resist the abundant pollen on the beautyberry blossoms. (Callicarpa dichotoma)

Beautyberry pollen

Feeding the Bumblebees

Fireweed is at peak bloom. Anise hyssop is just starting to blossom. Abundant clover is a constant. All of these plants work together to supply food for bumblebees and that means that many bumblebees have a chance to overwinter on our farm. This picture of fireweed and Anise hyssop together tells the story.

Fireweed and Anise hyssop

Blueberry ripeness – July 8,09

Duke is that great fresh market berry – the berry with the crunch when you eat it. Dukes will last in the fridge for several weeks. They also freeze well. They look almost like fresh when thawed.

Duke blueberries

Last year we sold some Junes as “freezer berries”. They are very sweet and great for muffins, pancakes and smoothies.

June blueberries

Now that’s a bumblebee

The search for bumblebee pictures has taken me to the Kihei Surfside in south Kihei, Maui. (see blogroll)  Honeybees were enjoying the same flower as the bumblebee in the picture. While here we are enjoying some excellent Lehua Honey.

Lehua honey comes purely from the Lehua blossom which is the flower of the ‘Ohi’a tree, a beautiful, native hardwood found in verdant, rolling pastures 4,000 feet up the north side of Mauna Kea volcano. This creamy, spreadable honey has a unique, volcanic-mountain, floral taste. Source:http://www.volcanoislandhoney.com/honey.htm

Huge Maui bumblebee

Fireweed plays a role

Fireweed has taken over from Sumac as a main foraging source for bees. Blackberry and clover continue as part of the bee’s diet. Fireweed seeds are carried over the land like clouds as they sail easily in the breeze. This plant is more likely to expand than retreat.

Bumblebee on Fireweed blossom

Blueberry ripeness – June 22,09

Duke will be one of the first to ripen. There are a few berries showing a little colour. Expect more frequent reports as we get into the picking season.

Duke blueberries

Patriot joins Duke as an early ripening berry.

Patriot blueberries

Lacewing – a beautiful aphid predator

Aphids transmit the dreaded Blueberry Scorch Virus. The Lacewing is one of the beneficial insects whose larvae attack aphids. The picture shows why it is so aptly named.

Lacewing

Misty’s pups

Misty and her pups

Flower Pounding

Three moms and their teenage daughters spent several hours  flower pounding. What a noise! By hitting the flower with a hammer the natural flower pigments are transferred to cloth. Technical details not included in this report. 

flowers by Sandy

bookmark by Morgan