Author Topic: What blooms where and when (Read 141158 times)

neillsayers · « **Reply #160 on:** January 12, 2017, 03:29:21 pm »

Mystery solved. Walked along our creek and the Witch Hazel in full sun is in full bloom with honey bees and wild pollinators working it. The bushes in shade are just forming flower buds which could end badly with another bad cold snap.

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #161 on:** January 12, 2017, 04:03:31 pm »

thanks for the update, Neil.

riverbee · « **Reply #162 on:** January 17, 2017, 06:00:28 pm »

ditto!

neillsayers · « **Reply #163 on:** January 20, 2017, 09:34:56 pm »

Sunny and low sixties. All hives flying and bringing in off white and pale yellow pollen. Think maybe witch hazel and maple?

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #164 on:** January 22, 2017, 11:54:21 am »

Quote from: neillsayers on January 20, 2017, 09:34:56 pm

Sunny and low sixties. All hives flying and bringing in off white and pale yellow pollen. Think maybe witch hazel and maple?

Elms perhaps?

yes2matt · « **Reply #165 on:** January 22, 2017, 06:50:58 pm »

In Charlotte today, veronica (speedwell) is open, so is mahonia (oregon grape ). My bees are working something else, though, don't know what.

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #166 on:** January 23, 2017, 09:05:11 am »

Quote from: yes2matt on January 22, 2017, 06:50:58 pm

In Charlotte today, veronica (speedwell) is open, so is mahonia (oregon grape ). My bees are working something else, though, don't know what.

I have Mahonia too. It's in the shade and nothing works it. It's a sucker shoot off the original planting that died out.

Elm and Maple buds starting to swell here.

Neil, I think I am about 4 weeks behind you. Last fall I went to Conway, Ark for a funeral. I guessed then that there was a 4 week difference. I think that's probably right.

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #167 on:** January 24, 2017, 08:44:52 am »

This thread isn't about books, but...

Kelley Beekeeping currently has this book on sale for $25.50. It's Garden Plants for Honey Bees by Peter Lindtner. https://www.kelleybees.com/Shop/8/Home-Gifts/Books/4818/Garden-Plants-Book This book is a really good resource book. The color pictures are great and it is laid out by calendar year. So, if you live in the far south or far north you may need to adjust the time frame a little bit. I use this book constantly, year round. Some sellers list this book for as much as $45. This book will help the beekeeper determine how well an apiary sight will do and what you can plant to keep a nectar flow going without gaps.
I don't know how long the sale will last.

Nugget Shooter · « **Reply #168 on:** January 28, 2017, 10:12:00 am »

Brittle Bush,

Desert Mallow,

Now starting up blooming early due to all the winter rain, gonna be quite a show this year and good for bees....

Wandering Man · « **Reply #169 on:** January 28, 2017, 06:03:33 pm »

That's good to see, nugget.

I'm starting to see a few weeds put out a little bloom, but nothing else. The bees are acting like they're finding something, though.

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #170 on:** January 28, 2017, 07:54:32 pm »

Wandering Man, looks like henbit to me. Bees like it, it's an OK nectar source. Aaahhh! Weeds!

Wandering Man · « **Reply #171 on:** January 28, 2017, 08:20:15 pm »

Wow! I wasn't expecting an identification.

Thanks Bakersdozen.

http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/pests/weeds/hgic2321.html

Looked it up. That looks like what we have. Funny how I'm wondering how to make it happy, and the site wants to help me control it.

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #172 on:** January 29, 2017, 08:35:01 am »

Those "happy" little runners from henbit can take over pretty quick and crowd out any fescue you might have. We won't have henbit until the first week of March +/-. My neighbor has a patch that my bees really like.

brooksbeefarm · « **Reply #173 on:** January 29, 2017, 10:00:52 am »

Henbit and Dead Nettle grows together here and i have a hard time telling them apart? Jack

Mikey N.C. · « **Reply #174 on:** February 13, 2017, 05:30:10 pm »

Wanted to show pics of what wifey said is red maple.

MarkCase · « **Reply #175 on:** February 13, 2017, 08:58:45 pm »

Yes, red maples opened last Friday in our area (NC). Red buds opened over the weekend and really opened today. My bees were all over every dandelion flower they could find this past weekend.

Quote from: Mikey N.C. on February 13, 2017, 05:30:10 pm

Wanted to show pics of what wifey said is red maple.

Mikey N.C. · « **Reply #176 on:** February 13, 2017, 09:13:41 pm »

Blow up that pic.

Mikey N.C. · « **Reply #177 on:** February 13, 2017, 09:15:55 pm »

Caught it just rite with sun light

Nugget Shooter · « **Reply #178 on:** February 14, 2017, 12:23:40 pm »

This is normally barren dry soil and rocks, this year my beloved desert is alive with green and a show is soon to begin. This annual is called Arch-nutted Comb Bur, Pectocarya recurvata and is covering vast areas right now, amazing and will post more soon....

Info from one of my favorite ID sites for our deserts.... http://www.arizonensis.org/sonoran/fieldguide/plantae/pectocarya.html

Lburou · « **Reply #179 on:** February 14, 2017, 01:31:26 pm »

Great pictures! I have a maple tree out front that is ready to pop, but hasn't yet Mikey. Up to now, I had figured our winters to be comparable. Nectarine trees and fruitless pear trees are just now starting to bloom.

I planted mahonia for the early yellow blooms, they are setting fruit now with a few blooms remaining. Don't know if anything works them or not, but their leaves can cut you if you are not careful.