Toad Stranglers and Nectar

[beeutiful]

Toad stranglers as in heavy rain showers.

We have had one toad strangling gully washer after another roll thru our region for weeks now. How does this effect nectar supply for our bees?

I've read bee keeping articles to the point of developing blisters on my eyeballs. Seems somewhere in the info overload I read that heavy rains can wash away nectar from flowers? Is this right?

[Les]

I think it all depends on the flower....what time of day it produces nectar and whether or not the blossom points up or down.  I have Borage planted right next to my hives and many of the flowers point downward.  After a rain, the bees are right back out and on them.  I think the bigger issue is the fact that they can't go out and collect nectar because of the rain.  As I write this, I can hear another downpour passing through.....I have had enough rain and humidity.  My poor tomatoes are taking a beating!

[riverbee]

"Seems somewhere in the info overload I read that heavy rains can wash away nectar from flowers? Is this right?"

it is not that the rains have 'washed' the nectar away. heavy rains and no rain or dearth both affect pollen and nectar flows, bees need both.  plants that would normally bloom in 'normal' weather conditions with either extremes may not bloom or produce either nectar and  pollen for the bees.  also in rains, like les said, the bees can be somewhat confined to foraging for what is available to them. so they fly when they can, and bring in what they can between rains. 






 

[Dunkel]

Beeutiful, it has killed my production in KY. I made about eighty gallons on the poplar flow early.  Left about 30 on to finish and get ready for sourwood and clover.  That didn't happen and most of the honey left is gone.  Going to pull supers in a week or so and call it a year. Here in the eastern part of the state we have two main flows and a minor one in the fall to backfill on.  Going to sell the spring crop to get everyone through the winter.  Depressing year that stared out great.  Oh well that's farming.  Still have 50 acres of first cutting of hay still standing.  Pastures look good though, cows can't see it for the pink eye :'(