Blueberrytalk's Weblog

Everything connected to growing blueberries

A late Maple

Posted by blueberrytalk on May 19, 2013

This Maple has blossomed about a month later than other Maples. At this time of year the bees are all over it

???????????????????????????????

Posted in maple blossoms | Leave a Comment »

Mason bees prefer bamboo nests.

Posted by blueberrytalk on May 11, 2013

This is the first year we set out bamboo nests at the same time as wood block nests. It appears the bees prefer bamboo nests. Click on the picture to enlarge.

???????????????????????????????

Posted in bamboo nests, Mason bees | Leave a Comment »

Anise hyssop seedlings

Posted by blueberrytalk on May 11, 2013

Anise hyssop will be in bloom in late summer as forage for the bumblebees.

???????????????????????????????

Posted in Anise hyssop, Bumblebees | Leave a Comment »

Melted beeswax

Posted by blueberrytalk on April 28, 2013

Melted beeswax starting to solidify.
???????????????????????????????

Posted in Beeswax | Leave a Comment »

When honey isn’t honey

Posted by blueberrytalk on April 23, 2013

“More than three-fourths of the honey sold in U.S. grocery stores isn’t exactly what the bees produce, according to testing done exclusively for Food Safety News.

The results show that the pollen frequently has been filtered out of products labeled “honey.”

The removal of these microscopic particles from deep within a flower would make the nectar flunk the quality standards set by most of the world’s food safety agencies.”

Read more here:

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/11/tests-show-most-store-honey-isnt-honey/#.UXdtaBRraM8

Posted in Honey | Leave a Comment »

Birch sap

Posted by blueberrytalk on April 2, 2013

I wonder if my honey refractometer can be used to measure the sugar content of the birch sap?

Bee in birch sap

Bee in birch sap

Posted in Birch sap | Leave a Comment »

Mason bees find their way

Posted by blueberrytalk on March 29, 2013

A day after the Mason bees were released this male found his way to a Rosamundi Rhododendron flower. Note the pollen mites. Click on the picture to enlarge.

Mar.29.2013

Posted in Mason bees, pollen mites | Leave a Comment »

Early June blueberry blossoms are open – most are “in the pink”.

Posted by blueberrytalk on March 29, 2013

Mar.28,2013

Posted in June blueberry plant | Leave a Comment »

Mason bees released – 2013

Posted by blueberrytalk on March 29, 2013

This year we have released the Mason bees from one central location.

Mar.28,2013 (2)

Posted in Mason bee cocoons | Leave a Comment »

Hazelnut pollen

Posted by blueberrytalk on February 15, 2013

The first warm day this year has brought out the bees to gather pollen from the hazelnut catkins. One bee has white pollen which is probably from heather. Click on the picture to enlarge.

Feb 15,2013

Posted in Hazelnut, pollen | Leave a Comment »

 
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.