Author Topic: Stinky Honey!  (Read 1646 times)

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Offline Jen

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Stinky Honey!
« on: September 17, 2020, 10:55:12 pm »
What is the name of the plant that makes real stinky honey?
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Offline iddee

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Re: Stinky Honey!
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2020, 04:23:33 am »
Goldenrod
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Offline yes2matt

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Re: Stinky Honey!
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2020, 06:23:22 am »
Does goldenrod honey also taste bad? A county over I've got some hives that are slam full of honey that's been gathered since July (and combs of nectar, so recently) but it tastes horrible. Don't tell the bees I said so, though they might have heard me say "yuck" when I tasted it.

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Offline Wandering Man

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Re: Stinky Honey!
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2020, 09:22:55 am »
I have heard that it is an acquired taste.  Most beeks let the bees keep it.

Now, I feel a need to hi-jack this thread:

Jen!  How are you doing.  Are you, your family, and your bees safe from flames and smoke?
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Offline Zweefer

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Re: Stinky Honey!
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2020, 04:13:41 pm »
I also leave goldenrod for winter feed...

 :hijack:
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Offline RAST

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Re: Stinky Honey!
« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2020, 07:18:17 pm »
The bees here didn't touch the GR we have here. Even before the love bugs got on it.

Offline Bakersdozen

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Re: Stinky Honey!
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2020, 09:11:03 am »
The bees don't touch the Goldenrod that grows along Kansas roads and in our fields either.  Various wasps sure do like it.  Honey bees will work stiff goldenrod. 

Offline Mcedwar

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Re: Stinky Honey!
« Reply #7 on: September 19, 2020, 11:10:19 am »
I have not seen honey bees on the GR in the ditches around here, but the are getting something stinky from somewhere.

Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: Stinky Honey!
« Reply #8 on: September 27, 2020, 12:50:10 am »
if there is nothoing else for them, they will work goldenrod, and it does have a bit of a smell to it. GR is JUST blooming here now. usually, you steel their honey in late july or early august, and they have to rebuild for winter, fi their stores are not adequate they will pull goldenrod, but as stated, it is usually mostly gone by spring.  It smells like stale socks!
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Offline Bakersdozen

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Re: Stinky Honey!
« Reply #9 on: September 27, 2020, 10:36:51 am »
The bees don't touch the Goldenrod that grows along Kansas roads and in our fields either.  Various wasps sure do like it.  Honey bees will work stiff goldenrod.

I posted this statement and picture in What Blooms When and Where: "66061:  File this one under never say never.  Everyone says that they have never seen honey bees working the common goldenrod that is found in fields, fence rows, and pastures around here.  I have found honey bees will work stiff goldenrod, but not the common goldenrod.  While checking on some bees in the country I noticed a lot of activity on some of the common goldenrod near the hives.  My bees and many other pollinators were all over the goldenrod.  Here is proof.  The honey bees were collecting pollen."


A picture of that common goldenrod that honey bees never work.