Worldwide Beekeeping
Beekeeping => General Beekeeping => Topic started by: Yankee11 on June 23, 2014, 12:10:27 am
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I have a chance to put hives on large acreage of cotton. Farmer said it will start blooming around July4th. I have some strong hives that are ready to go.
The wild flower flow is almost over here and the things I read about cotton are all over the place.
Anyone have any experience with cotton. I can put hives where they are not sitting on or right next to the fields.
It will be irrigated.
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Can't speak about cotton but any irrigated crop that has a bloom that is attractive to bees and is allowed to flower and produce nectar or pollen is better than leaving the hives sit in a desert of drought.
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I have one yard right up next to IRRIGATED cotton. unlike years ago now they spray cotton very little so insecticide kills are very much reduced. some cotton I am told now has the nectar gland removed (evidently done to reduce attraction by cotton pest). as a side bar this site is my very best producing location year after year.
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I guess I need to set a couple hives up and see what happens. I found a spot along a tree line that has a creek in it. They will have sun part of the day and shade part of the day. If they do well I can add more hives next year.
It will also be irrigated.
These cotton fields are also surrounded by irrigated soy beans.
Thanks for the info.
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Don't have cotton fields in my area, but have heard that cotton honey granulates fast, don't know what it taste like??. Jack
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I had small hives near a cotton field last summer. They built up quite well. There was a major flo for a couple of weeks, and then a lesser blooming for another 4 to 5 weeks. I consider cotton as a huge benefit.
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I've heard that cotton makes a top notch honey but granulated quickly.