Really enjoy the walkabouts with you and Jack talking about the plants in this area and their impact on our bees. I'm a bit north of you in the eastern foothills of NC and getting mixed signals here. Some plants early....some seem about normal. But bees already bringing in the goods from somewhere. Keep up the great work Bob and thank you for all you do!!!
Although I'm not in the mountains, these episodes are very interesting...the more we know regarding the forage, the better Beekeepers we become. Thanks Bob!
In zone 6, in Europe, Mahonia blooms fully for 3 weeks. I am sure of that cause I keep a little notebook. However, it starts pretty late, last year it started blooming around April 13th, and Maples around April 19th. Great video, as always! Thank you 😊
I have several holly trees on my property here in N.E. Texas. One in particular is very large, the base is 20" in diameter, and over 30 feet tall. I have been told it's a male tree since it does not produce berries like some of the others. My bees seem to prefer it to the ones that produce berries. Enjoyed the video.
I am lucky to have a few very mature Maple trees nearby where I keep my bees and they really are fantastic for providing some early forage for the bees. Last year I planted a couple of Mahonia as it is also a very early source of forage but they are still too young to have much blossom on them. Either way, having an early source of forage is like getting a head start on the season and works like a jump start to the colonies after the winters inactivity. You have to admire nature.
I first saw mahonia when I visited Gibbs Garden last year. Now I have spotted 3 of them in my own woods just south of Atlanta. The blooms are just starting to open up so I will keep watching to see if my bees locate them. I’m glad to learn that they are good pollen sources. @bobbinnie9872 I hope to meet you tomorrow night at our local bee club!
I'm seeing the bees in my area bringing in pollen. I'm northeast of Philadelphia. We have several pollen sources already. Crocus is one and a white flower of some sort is blooming also. It was 55 degrees yesterday and I was surprised to see my bees flying. Longwood Gardens is nearby and last week they did tell me that there are a number of pollen plants blooming right now. I guess the skunk cabbage will be starting soon along with the maples beginning. I checked my food supplies on the hives (why I went anyway) and those are still ok.
Are yours in shade and do you have to water them after they’ve been established after 2 years? I want to plant some larger varieties under my 2 big oak trees. I’m in Texas also and wondered how they take our hot dry summers. I’ve been trying to find the Winter Sun variety locally with no luck. I went from June 1st to October 1st without an inch of rain his year. Had 3 rains and each was under a 1/4”. A 1/4” does nothing for the plants.
@@jamesbarron1202 the two that grow here are agarita and TX Barberry. Agarita is much more common and blooms earlier - Late FEB here. Both are very drought tolerant and seem to grow anywhere, even out of limestone.
@@85steveperry I’m in acidic sand and sandstone 5.7 PH from years of soil testing my pecan orchard. Opposite of alkaline limestone. I’ll do some research on those 2 to see if they’ll grow here. I have Texas Mountain Laurel and Texas Sage and they like limestone areas. I throw Ag lime around them every year.
Dayton ohio area and my girls were coming home last couple of days packed with a yellowish pollen. Maybe maple? Made me smile seeing then out and at it.
I found this interesting- Individual trees of Silver Maple can be monoecious or dioecious; trees with perfect florets are rare. Some trees are capable of changing their gender from year to year. Staminate florets occur in small dense clusters about 1/3" (8 mm.) across on short lateral spur-twigs; these florets are nearly sessile and they vary in color from yellowish green to red. Individual staminate florets consist of 4 sepals, 4-6 stamens, and no petals. At the base of each staminate cluster, there are several scaly bractlets. Pistillate florets also occur in small dense clusters about 1/3" (8 mm.) across on very short peduncles; these florets are nearly sessile and they vary in color from greenish yellow to red. Individual pistillate florets consist of 4 sepals, a pistil with a pair of styles, and no petals. At the base of each pistillate cluster, there are several scaly bractlets. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-spring before the leaves develop. The florets are cross-pollinated by the wind. Fertile female florets soon develop pairs of samaras (seeds with elongated wings). In each pair, the samaras are held about 90° apart from each other (or a little less) and they are joined together at the base. At maturity, individual samaras are 1½-2½" long, becoming light brown; they dangle from slender pedicels and fall to the ground during early summer. The root system produces woody lateral roots that are fairly shallow and widely spreading. The leaves usually become pale yellow during the autumn. Thanks for the video guys.
The videos on plants useful to bees is very nice and a pleasure to watch and learn about. Even though a species is not native or is invasive the bees will make good use of it. You have to admire those little critters. Also Bob, thank you for the sourwood seeds. I don't know how well they will do in this area but we will plant them and see.
Hello Bob. Interesting video. I have'nt noticed mahonia here before. The maples trees alder etc. Is starting to bloom a little early. Henbit just starting open a little bit. Here in Central Virginia. My bees were bringing in a pretty good amount of pollen yesterday. Even in my outyard. Which is probably 30 miles east of the blue ridge parkway.
we also have mahonia here in Poland, but I think it may have just fled from the gardens. At mine place they seem a bit different, leaves are less pointy and the size is generally smaller. I think it would be 6-8 weeks before they bloom.
European ivy is in america now. It provides a white pollen through a lot of the winter when the temperatures lift enough for them to gather. Like the holly its honey crystalizes really fast, i guess it has a high sugar content to prevent frost damage. Waiting for the yellow pollen from the gorse to start and its go time.
Oh I like these, I like learning about plants from him, Thanks Bob. I think I have seen some of those bushes, I know I have holly on my property. Bob what is the primary maple up here in Clark County. I think my bees are finding Aider, Hazelnut/filbert atm, maybe a Maple. I have a good bit of small pollen bags coming in, a light gray, dirty white pollen.
Привет из России, Краснодарский край. У нас погодка последние несколько дней очень теплая, до +20°. Пчелки летают, матки уже сеют, но пыльцы в природе нет, к сожалению, ждем лесной орех, он у нас самый первый зацветает.
Silver maples just starting to bud I haven’t checked my sugar maples back in the woods yet all hives are alive so they made it through the bitter cold snap global winter patties and hive alive fondant on and looks like they prefer the patties over the fondant which is interesting
Great and informative video as always Mr. Binnie I have a question about "The tree of Heaven". I can't seem to find how the honey tastes from it, do you possibly know? Thanks again for everything, take care and God bless.
Could you and jack discuss the difference between Russian and autumn olive or if there even is one? Also maybe discuss the productivity you see from them with your bees? I hear people talk about Russian olive as you did in the video but when I research the plants in my area they seem to more closely match autumn olive pictures.
Do you know if there’s a large variety of mahonia that’s a little more drought and heat tolerant for Texas conditions? We can go the entire summer without an inch of rain.
It most likely has something mixed in. In our area Basswood (Linden Tree), which crystallizes easily, is the culprit. A little bit blends with Sourwood nicely and actually tends to be lighter than Sourwood so makes it look better and can fool people. It blooms just ahead of Sourwood and in some years can continue into the Sourwood flow slightly for several days.
They work fine and will accept off spec frames that a Cowen uncapper like mine won't. They do tend to leave smaller particles of wax in the honey though.
I see feew red maple s and i love them, i want to plant on my property from seed s but no success, the seeds l found were in a shell and have torn, on not Sharp one.
I'm in WNC and my girls are bringing in the dingy tan/green pollen.
I thoroughly enjoy your plant discussions with Jack.
Really enjoy the walkabouts with you and Jack talking about the plants in this area and their impact on our bees. I'm a bit north of you in the eastern foothills of NC and getting mixed signals here. Some plants early....some seem about normal. But bees already bringing in the goods from somewhere. Keep up the great work Bob and thank you for all you do!!!
Jack is like a living Michael Dirr book . I think Jack would be an awesome voice over or audio book recorder .
These pollen/plant videos really help as I'm learning the different pollen colors and where they come from.
Thanks Bob and Jack
Although I'm not in the mountains, these episodes are very interesting...the more we know regarding the forage, the better Beekeepers we become. Thanks Bob!
I never knew holly was a source for bees. I learn something with every video you do Thank You
In zone 6, in Europe, Mahonia blooms fully for 3 weeks. I am sure of that cause I keep a little notebook. However, it starts pretty late, last year it started blooming around April 13th, and Maples around April 19th. Great video, as always! Thank you 😊
I have several holly trees on my property here in N.E. Texas. One in particular is very large, the base is 20" in diameter, and over 30 feet tall. I have been told it's a male tree since it does not produce berries like some of the others. My bees seem to prefer it to the ones that produce berries. Enjoyed the video.
That's a big one!
I am lucky to have a few very mature Maple trees nearby where I keep my bees and they really are fantastic for providing some early forage for the bees. Last year I planted a couple of Mahonia as it is also a very early source of forage but they are still too young to have much blossom on them. Either way, having an early source of forage is like getting a head start on the season and works like a jump start to the colonies after the winters inactivity. You have to admire nature.
Always enjoy the botanical lessons, thanks for what you do. Were almost go time
Keep the videos a blooming 😊
I first saw mahonia when I visited Gibbs Garden last year. Now I have spotted 3 of them in my own woods just south of Atlanta. The blooms are just starting to open up so I will keep watching to see if my bees locate them. I’m glad to learn that they are good pollen sources.
@bobbinnie9872 I hope to meet you tomorrow night at our local bee club!
I'm seeing the bees in my area bringing in pollen. I'm northeast of Philadelphia. We have several pollen sources already. Crocus is one and a white flower of some sort is blooming also. It was 55 degrees yesterday and I was surprised to see my bees flying.
Longwood Gardens is nearby and last week they did tell me that there are a number of pollen plants blooming right now.
I guess the skunk cabbage will be starting soon along with the maples beginning.
I checked my food supplies on the hives (why I went anyway) and those are still ok.
We have a couple of native mahonias in my part of Texas and the bees love them! One of the first pollen sources here.
What part of Texas?
Are yours in shade and do you have to water them after they’ve been established after 2 years? I want to plant some larger varieties under my 2 big oak trees. I’m in Texas also and wondered how they take our hot dry summers. I’ve been trying to find the Winter Sun variety locally with no luck. I went from June 1st to October 1st without an inch of rain his year. Had 3 rains and each was under a 1/4”. A 1/4” does nothing for the plants.
@@jamesbarron1202 the two that grow here are agarita and TX Barberry. Agarita is much more common and blooms earlier - Late FEB here. Both are very drought tolerant and seem to grow anywhere, even out of limestone.
@@85steveperry I’m in acidic sand and sandstone 5.7 PH from years of soil testing my pecan orchard. Opposite of alkaline limestone. I’ll do some research on those 2 to see if they’ll grow here. I have Texas Mountain Laurel and Texas Sage and they like limestone areas. I throw Ag lime around them every year.
We have tons of Oregon Grape up here on Orcas Island in Washington State.
Dayton ohio area and my girls were coming home last couple of days packed with a yellowish pollen. Maybe maple? Made me smile seeing then out and at it.
I found this interesting- Individual trees of Silver Maple can be monoecious or dioecious; trees with perfect florets are rare. Some trees are capable of changing their gender from year to year. Staminate florets occur in small dense clusters about 1/3" (8 mm.) across on short lateral spur-twigs; these florets are nearly sessile and they vary in color from yellowish green to red. Individual staminate florets consist of 4 sepals, 4-6 stamens, and no petals. At the base of each staminate cluster, there are several scaly bractlets. Pistillate florets also occur in small dense clusters about 1/3" (8 mm.) across on very short peduncles; these florets are nearly sessile and they vary in color from greenish yellow to red. Individual pistillate florets consist of 4 sepals, a pistil with a pair of styles, and no petals. At the base of each pistillate cluster, there are several scaly bractlets. The blooming period occurs from early to mid-spring before the leaves develop. The florets are cross-pollinated by the wind. Fertile female florets soon develop pairs of samaras (seeds with elongated wings). In each pair, the samaras are held about 90° apart from each other (or a little less) and they are joined together at the base. At maturity, individual samaras are 1½-2½" long, becoming light brown; they dangle from slender pedicels and fall to the ground during early summer. The root system produces woody lateral roots that are fairly shallow and widely spreading. The leaves usually become pale yellow during the autumn.
Thanks for the video guys.
Russian olive honey is actually really good!! We get a major honey flow off it.
These to gents have a wealth of knowledge!!
This was great I am hoping ours will open soon I figure we are maybe 2 weeks behind you. Thanks Bob Have a Blessed week
Thanks Bob keep up the Great work I enjoy all your videos
The videos on plants useful to bees is very nice and a pleasure to watch and learn about. Even though a species is not native or is invasive the bees will make good use of it. You have to admire those little critters. Also Bob, thank you for the sourwood seeds. I don't know how well they will do in this area but we will plant them and see.
Great content as always, good to hear from Jack also. Thanks for the video Bob!
Hello Bob. Interesting video. I have'nt noticed mahonia here before. The maples trees alder etc. Is starting to bloom a little early. Henbit just starting open a little bit. Here in Central Virginia. My bees were bringing in a pretty good amount of pollen yesterday. Even in my outyard. Which is probably 30 miles east of the blue ridge parkway.
Great video thanks for sharing
we also have mahonia here in Poland, but I think it may have just fled from the gardens. At mine place they seem a bit different, leaves are less pointy and the size is generally smaller. I think it would be 6-8 weeks before they bloom.
Another interesting video, Thank You!
European ivy is in america now. It provides a white pollen through a lot of the winter when the temperatures lift enough for them to gather. Like the holly its honey crystalizes really fast, i guess it has a high sugar content to prevent frost damage. Waiting for the yellow pollen from the gorse to start and its go time.
Our red and silver maples are in bloom early this year too
Good Morning Bob, I’m late this morning, getting home from vacation.
Good morning sir!
Cherry laurel starting to bloom in Tally.
Oh I like these, I like learning about plants from him, Thanks Bob.
I think I have seen some of those bushes, I know I have holly on my property. Bob what is the primary maple up here in Clark County. I think my bees are finding Aider, Hazelnut/filbert atm, maybe a Maple. I have a good bit of small pollen bags coming in, a light gray, dirty white pollen.
Very interesting
Thank you
Привет из России, Краснодарский край. У нас погодка последние несколько дней очень теплая, до +20°. Пчелки летают, матки уже сеют, но пыльцы в природе нет, к сожалению, ждем лесной орех, он у нас самый первый зацветает.
I plant a Oregon grape on my property with that intentions , they are spreading ( Portland Oregon)
Silver maples just starting to bud I haven’t checked my sugar maples back in the woods yet all hives are alive so they made it through the bitter cold snap global winter patties and hive alive fondant on and looks like they prefer the patties over the fondant which is interesting
Great and informative video as always Mr. Binnie I have a question about "The tree of Heaven". I can't seem to find how the honey tastes from it, do you possibly know? Thanks again for everything, take care and God bless.
Sorry, I don't have any experience with that tree.
Could you and jack discuss the difference between Russian and autumn olive or if there even is one? Also maybe discuss the productivity you see from them with your bees?
I hear people talk about Russian olive as you did in the video but when I research the plants in my area they seem to more closely match autumn olive pictures.
I'll ask Jack.
Do you know if there’s a large variety of mahonia that’s a little more drought and heat tolerant for Texas conditions? We can go the entire summer without an inch of rain.
I personally don't know of any.
Thanks for another great video! I have a question my honey that I believe to be sourwood crystallized quickly is that normal or maybe something else?
It most likely has something mixed in. In our area Basswood (Linden Tree), which crystallizes easily, is the culprit. A little bit blends with Sourwood nicely and actually tends to be lighter than Sourwood so makes it look better and can fool people. It blooms just ahead of Sourwood and in some years can continue into the Sourwood flow slightly for several days.
@@bobbinnie9872 thank you so much. I did have Lin or basswood a week before then and probably did get mixed. I will try to watch that closer.
Good luck. It can be tricky.@@keithfaithful3989
❤❤❤
Hey Bob. What's your opinion on chain uncappers?
They work fine and will accept off spec frames that a Cowen uncapper like mine won't. They do tend to leave smaller particles of wax in the honey though.
I see feew red maple s and i love them, i want to plant on my property from seed s but no success, the seeds l found were in a shell and have torn, on not Sharp one.
Perhaps one from a nursery. They have good fall color.
👏👏👏🐝🐝🐝🐝🇦🇷💪💪💪
Like support my bee farm
Why don’t you like to see Russian Olive?
Russian Olive is great for bees and I personally like it but folks around here consider it invasive.
А что за русская олива? А то мы в России о ней и не знаем😂😂😂😂
@@bobbinnie9872 Thank you 😊
Elaeagnus angustifolia @@bogsergbog