Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => DOWN UNDER BEEKEEPING => Topic started by: OzBuzz on November 28, 2015, 06:23:34 pm

Title: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: OzBuzz on November 28, 2015, 06:23:34 pm
G'day Folks, just wondering what's flowering in your area? I'm near Keilor and Red Gum along the Maribyrnong is starting up.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Oldbeavo on November 28, 2015, 10:23:51 pm
Is there any nectar in it?
Do you have bees on it?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on December 06, 2015, 04:15:13 pm
Red gum is yielding well, both nectar and pollen , around ararat. Was yielding around whittlesea, same subspecies as kileor area. Although noticed some nectar scarab beetles on it yesterday.  If that scarab beetle is in numbers then forget it, the bees won't touch the red gum. Bees are very clean and the beetle deficates on it. I'll be back to my hives on Wednesday to assess.
Great heading for a forum, hope it kicks off.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on December 06, 2015, 05:00:49 pm
Blackberries are flowering up at Trentham, it's going to be interesting to see how they go, we have had little rain so far this season.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on December 06, 2015, 07:54:08 pm
Broad leaf peppermint (eucalyptus dives) is flowering in the hills, and is yielding well and often there is black berry around the same area as well. Only yields in the warmer weather, say above 25?c and better when is sunny. As this is a warm year is going well.
Hoping for blue gum later and will check out some sites soon as everything seems to be 3 weeks early this year.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on December 11, 2015, 02:11:10 am
Blackberries have about a week to go in the hills say 500 to 600 m above sea level, broad leaf peppermint seems to have finished but may kick on with the warm weather early next week which will finish of the berry.  Tea tree ( burgan) in the hills has really got started which will be good for those on blackberry in those areas.  It's great when 1 good pollen source follow another.  The kinglake ranges has had a good spring with goodenia followed by blackberry then tea tree. All have a high protein pollen even if a surplus of honey is not gathered.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: OzBuzz on December 13, 2015, 11:13:09 pm
It would be great if we could colaboratively work together to share information about what's going on where - even if it is very high level. I find the hardest thing being suitable locations to put a few hives... Thanks for your updates folks - keep them coming :)

I thought the Green Mallee was going to do well this season (up around Kamaroooka) but it seems the heat has really killed off any chance of that
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on December 13, 2015, 11:30:14 pm
The lack of rain and hot days are going to stop a lot of trees flowering. An area we cut hay last year gave us about 70 bails, this year we got 9. (We didn't cut all, there wasn't enough grass).
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on December 14, 2015, 06:58:54 am
Keep in mind the season seems to be running 3 weeks in advance of the normal. So set your calendar 3 weeks forward and look at the floral source of January. Also remember when ever the seasons are out of rhythm there is always an equalizer. My thought at this stage is a wet autumn starting 3rd week of March give or take a week. But it's always easier to pick the season when its been .
 Nectar scarab seems to be very little, on red gum so it continues. I'll be looking at other floral sources over the next week and will report back.
Oz buzz you will find most beekeepers will tell you about a nectar flow after it has happened.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on December 22, 2015, 09:05:43 am
Red gum has pretty much finished around whittlesea.  Still on the go out ararat way despite the extreme heat and wind, see what comes off if after the Xmas, boxing day rains that is expected. Too busy with honeycomb to check out other sites this will possibly next week.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on January 01, 2016, 08:55:42 pm
Blue gum has just started (about a week ago )in the north east, with narrow leaf peppermint still going at those higher altitudes of its zone, say 800 m. Good budding of mountain swamp gum as well. Some manna gum starting at those levels too, although if your chasing manna gum I'd suggest lower country.apparently it's going well along the king parrot creek.
   Red box is seeing buds in the hurstbridge, warrandyte area for the 2nd week of October. Caution with this as some lerps and leaf gall around so if it gets hold the trees will drop their buds or have them damaged . Red gum around mansfield look very poor,( was just driving past so didn't stop to inspect). Yellow box are generally looking good central, north central and northern country. Some stringy bark flowering about but I didn't check to see how extensive that is as I was happy to move to blue gum in the higher country as it's a bit cooler up there in a hot summer, and a few other pollen sources with it pink eye, flat weed etc that has come up with that 40 mm of rain last week.
Any way better go and get my bees ready to move probably Sunday night.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on January 08, 2016, 08:10:38 am
We moved bees a few nights ago onto blue gum which didn't mind that bizarre weather we have had this week. Although the narrow leaf peppermint is washed out, still had the flowers but no bees on it. North east vic has had patchy rain fall this week either buckets or not much.  The strathbogies is a week or two ahead with the blue gum, messmate is just starting out,  didn't look like it will be a big flowering with plenty of buds for next year already looking good. I'll walk through the forest next week and get more info on that then. Manna gum looking good there as well, not yet flowering. Not a lot of ground flora, but we will see what comes from this week's rain.
Stringy bark is now flowering and grey box in the same area is full of buds for autumn and nice to see the yellow box with new growth and healthy looking trees, so hopefully some buds later for spring flowering.
Long leaf box, euc gonicalyx is looking good for autumn as well although I haven't seem it in the diamond valley yet, so if anyone has let us know.  Possibly some bursaria flowering around there as well. .

Would be good to here from others, or have some feed back.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on January 10, 2016, 04:31:12 am
Hi HCK, all we have flowering at Trentham at the moment is blue gums, but they have been taken over by plague beetles, no room left for the bees as their name states, plague, millions of them. Will have to move my bees either to the suburbs or to North East Vic the way its going.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on January 10, 2016, 12:01:20 pm
North east is looking very good.
Messmate down on the coast too, if you have a site say around torquay. Not sure If it is yielding is not my area.
Any manna gum out your way, beetle should be finished by the time it starts to flower.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on January 10, 2016, 02:31:23 pm
Manna gum, Messmate and peppermint up our way, none in flower yet, we have a bit of mint in the gullies growing in the wet area that the stock haven't flattened. Is there any nectar in spear thistles, we have a few in the next door neighbours paddock.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on January 10, 2016, 11:41:44 pm
If your lucky the rain that is forecast for this week (upto 15mm) will wash the beetle away and the hot day before will start to open the messmate. When you say mint do you mean prostathera lasianthus (victorian mint bush), if so and if we get that rain you'll get a few late blackberry flowers too. Yes to the thisle, thin white nectar similar to blackberry and a reasonably high protein in the pollen. Candies quick too.
What's your level above sea there?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on January 11, 2016, 04:07:23 am
The beetles should only be around for 4 to 6 weeks, I don't know how long they have already been here. After reading about them, for the long term health of the property I think these beetles will do a lot of good in the control of other pest insects. The mint I believe  is a peppermint, not quite the standard garden type, the herb we have will grow up to 1 meter high, smells great with a purple flower. Our level is between 700 to 750 meters
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on January 13, 2016, 07:28:41 am
I heard last night that the narrow leaf peppermint is still flowering at its higher altitudes in the north east.
I'm moving bees over the next two nights (once the cool change gets here) then I'll blog back in with more floral info.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on January 13, 2016, 09:43:49 pm
Blue gum now full bloom, messmate is well into it and manna looking good in the strathbogies. There is also messmate flowering in the kinglake ranges, that is 7 years since the fires.It will be interesting to see if it offers any nectar. I would doubt it but with lots of good looking new growth maybe we will get a crop in 2 years. It would  be great to be closer to home again. The old timers say it's 20 years after a fire before you get back to normal honey flow, I hope not.
Grey box has loved the rain, so should be good for autumn crops.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on January 18, 2016, 05:00:08 am
Blue gum is yielding well, in the northeast.
Grey box is flowering, yes it's mid January and the grey box is flowering, only two month early.
Messmate in the kinglake ranges is on fact yielding both pollen and nectar. It is only just starting to flower at the higher spots, and we'll into it at the lower.
Shows what I know, I didn't think it would yield at all.
Just remember if going to the messmate if can end quickly and if your not used to it the bees get as nasty as your mother in law.
Happy day's.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Geoff on January 18, 2016, 08:05:12 pm
The pink flowering gum holding up since before Christmas.
We have 10 of these trees in various stages of blossom.



Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on January 19, 2016, 09:01:06 am
Red flowering iron barks, lots of nectar but not much nutrition in the pollen. Photo of the trunk too and I can I'd it properly.
Do you have hives on it. ?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Steampunked on January 19, 2016, 06:51:12 pm
Hello all! 

I'd be curious as a brand new bee keeper to know what will be flowering over the next couple of months in the Dandenongs - I received my package in December, and so it's a bit of a tight squeeze to get everything established nicely before winter.  I'm surrounded by Regnans which apparently flower in Autumn, so I'm hoping that will assist, but I've no idea if they have any value for nectar or bee food.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on January 19, 2016, 07:47:38 pm
Hi HCK
Keep the posts coming, its good to see whats around. I have my bees on Lucerne at the moment,  with the rain today things will pick up.
Lance
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on January 20, 2016, 09:24:43 am
Steampunked, nectar and pollen both good on E.regnans, sorry I haven't been into the dandy to have a look. Very hard to pick anyway as they hold the buds for so long and on the higher tips too. Might need a drone (mechanical one that is). Messmate is flowering very well and yielding both pollen and nectar. A good feed of messmate is a excellent start for a new hive to bed down with for winter, even though it is flowering very early this year.I'll get back to you regards other floral sources.
Ps manna gum is looking good there around montrose so should be elsewhere if you have it, for autumn.

Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Steampunked on January 20, 2016, 05:56:59 pm
Awesome response, thanks!  I can probably actually check it out - I have a friend with a drone and I have a couple of powerful owls nesting on my property with some absurdly fluffy chicks, so I'm dying to have a peer in at their nest.  They're in a Regnans, so why not have a look at both!  I'll check out the Messmate - very interested in local conservation and ecology, so this is all excellent information for me.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on January 28, 2016, 03:43:05 am
Steampunked good luck with the drone. Mountain grey gum is flowering in the kinglake ranges so may well be the same in the dandy s. Mountain swamp gum seems to be well budded through out most of victoria so if there is any of that in your area that should flower in the autumn.

Has anyone checked out the long leaf box for buds for this autumn.? I've seen a bit but haven't had a chance to get to the diamond valley to check it out.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: OzBuzz on February 02, 2016, 03:17:06 am
Steampunked good luck with the drone. Mountain grey gum is flowering in the kinglake ranges so may well be the same in the dandy s. Mountain swamp gum seems to be well budded through out most of victoria so if there is any of that in your area that should flower in the autumn

Honeycomb King is there any way that I can tap in to your wealth of knowledge lol... The hardest thing for me in beekeeping is finding locations, and identifying species, so as to have options as to where I can move my beehives. I have two really good books "Eucalyptus of Victoria & Tasmania by Dean Nicolle" and "Honey Flora of Victoria by R. Goodman" and I still feel like it's over my head! I spend ages pouring over Google Earth identifying forests and trying to determine what species might be present only to get out there and feel completely over my head..  any advice? I'm ideally trying to find lots of private properties near different species where I can move some of my hives to. I don't have many hives but I do like to keep them well fed and looked after. Thanks for your detailed input to this topic! This is the most challenging area of beekeeping for me
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on February 02, 2016, 05:41:23 pm
Always keen to not only pass on my knowledge but teach it to others. Send any photos of the trees your trying to identify, photo of tree trunk, leaves, buds, flowers, bark etc.any other info like location, approximate height above sea level, other species around etc.
 Those two books are great, in fact I was only looking through" honey flora of victoria" last night. The fact that your out there looking at the forest and searching for information makes it easy to teach/learn.
I'll try and add photos to my findings, and include genus and species so it's easier to search for them in books/Google etc. I leave a lot of information out for fear of boring people, but it's often those small bits of info that are parts of the puzzle for this season or the next.
Plant id is always a challenge but suddenly it clicks, I've always enjoyed those moments when I see the penny drop as an apprentice recognizes a specie or picks the difference between two similar varieties.
I laughed at your comment that when you go out into the forest you feel that it's completely over your head, look up it is... but remember to look down the under story  is very important.
I too try to find private property rather than state forest etc.more secure and out of site from general public, but most importantly the landholders often have a connection to there land and surrounds.  My conversations with some of the farmers helps me to make decisions on the upcoming season etc and I know that goes both ways as they know I'm out there also observing and translating what the land is trying to tell us.
Enjoy the challenge, good luck.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on February 06, 2016, 02:55:23 am
North east: Mountain swamp gum, Eucalyptus ovata has just started to flower in the past 2 days. Only 1% so far, but with a week  of warm weather forecast it will be great to see more flowers opening up.  Generaly heavy budding too as swamp gum seems to be capable of more than not.  The rain events of the  past 2 weeks has spoiled the blue gum, there is still flowers to come but not a lot.  Buds have developed for next year too so keep an eye on their development over the the next 12 months. The manna gum buds are holding steady and have done while other gums in fact all plants have all gone early. (Not sure what that means it's just an observation. Another one of those things you take note of and use it in your decision making later.)

Long leaf box is not far off, I'll get back to you all on that later in the week when I return to WiFi. (Got use of the WiFi here where I have bees for tonight).
Red Stringy bark is also now just starting to flower.
Anyone needing to build up bees this cooler wetter than expected summer has made for some good Lucerne crops,  so get out there and talk to local farmers.
Go well, let me know how your going out there.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on February 12, 2016, 08:14:23 am
Manna gum has started flowering this week in the strathbogies. This is perfect timing as the blue gum has completely finished and the messmate has been a bit patchy with the rain events of January.
In the high country of the northeast blue gum is still just flowering.  The manna gum and swamp gum aren't to far away. With about 1 % of mountain swamp gum flowers  open on Tuesday this week's sun should bring out more.
 Manna gum at lower country has been flowering since mid January and should go a few more weeks. The grey box is well into it but not too late for those wanting to move hives onto it as there are still lots of buds. Red stringy in those areas is on about the same time line so should help with protein deficiency of the pollen in the grey box.
Lucerne is flowering well with this mild end to summer for those looking for good breeding conditions, any farmers letting it flower for seed will be keen for you to be there with your bees. Go and knock on there door.
 Looking forward as mentioned previously the yellow box is looking great and is budding, hard to tell yet if it will flower too early in the season to yield.
Red box is budded but looking like it will be running late so maybe November rather than October, but don't set your calendar yet I'll get back to you on that during the winter.  (That's just another one of those things you put into your mind as the season is currently running 2 to 3 weeks early, what is going to change to make it run late in spring).
Messmate in the hills around seymour has had next year's buds washed out to growth with all that rain around there in January.
P.s. how can I attach photos to this blog, I tried and got a message saying file to large.  Wanted to add tree/bud/flower photos.
Anyway go well, hope your getting some honey.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Flycaster on February 15, 2016, 07:39:50 pm
Hi, is mess mate the same as stringybark in tasmania?  There appears to be lots of buds on my local stringybarks so I'm hoping that they will flower soon. Its been a very dry summer in tasmania  (south east anyway). I notice references to bees getting aggressive with messmate... why is that?

Cheers
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on February 16, 2016, 07:17:51 am
Messmate is Eucalyptus obliqua,  sorry I should use the botanical name to save confusion. A bad habit I've slipped into since leaving production horticulture and going back to the family buisness of beekeeping.  When out searching floral resources I often take other horticulturalist with me, people I've worked with in the past.they are constantly scoffing at me for that. Beekeepers seem to have their own run of common names locally,  as do forestry industry etc etc.
Yes  sometimes called messmate stringy bark, all part of the same sub group of eucalyptus.  Easily picked as the leaf is oblique, that is either side of the leaf margins join the leaf stalk at uneven points.  ( which will make no sense until your looking at a leaf. Then you'll say "oh yeah I see what he means".
 No idea why it turns bees nasty. Seems to be when it ends or stops and starts. It's very noticeable,  they will jump you well before you even go near the hives. I tend to work it on my own as it's a bit unfair on anyone working for me.  Ive gone home early and come back the next day with 2 pairs of pants on and put dishwasher gloves on under leather gloves as I'd got too many stings the day before.  No idea how many but a few hundred a day is enough.  That said very good honey for winter stores and high protein pollen approx 24% with  all the correct amino acids for good bees through winter.

Blue gum now finished. E.globulus ssp bicostata that is.
Mountain swamp gum E.camphora at about 10% flowering now.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Flycaster on February 16, 2016, 04:59:32 pm
Thanks very much for your answer 😀 Is the honey any good for human consumption or is it best just left on for the bees?

i am hoping so as there hasn't been much of anything else this year 😢

Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on February 16, 2016, 06:03:54 pm
Heading to Trentham today, will check Swamp gums to see how they are doing. Thanks for the reports HCK.
Lance
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on February 16, 2016, 06:14:09 pm
Messmate is a very dark honey, great flavour,  has a sharp molasses taste.fantastic over ice cream.  I've done some this year as honeycomb I'll let you know the response I get on it. Being a darker honey it's health benefits are good not only for us but the bees too.

NB swamp gum is 3 different species that are all extremely close varieties.  Check books or goggle for info. E.ovata,  E.camphora,  E. Yarraensis. (Don't trust my spelling).
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Flycaster on February 16, 2016, 07:43:31 pm
Thanks for that 😀 Fingers crossed then.

Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on February 19, 2016, 05:20:08 am
Messmate all done in th ed kinglake ranges.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Steampunked on February 21, 2016, 07:28:34 pm
Something's going gangbusters in the Mount Dandenong area - I can see a lot of pale yellow pollen being brought back, with very busy hives and quick drawing out of comb.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on February 22, 2016, 06:38:58 am
Still on the Lucerne, bees are doing great, I will be using QE from now on. Brood every where.

Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on February 25, 2016, 06:29:28 pm
Grey box around Yea and Heathcote etc are now in full swing with more flowers to come, looks like a long flowering.  Stringy bark is slow to take off, but has started.the pollen on the red stringy is more nutritious than that of grey box so hoping for a good balance to give us good bees in the spring. Bastard box or long leaf box is about to flower around Yea as well. So again good quality and quantity of pollen to supplement the nutritional in balance of the grey box. White box is looking good too but caution there as some beekeepers call it "knock em down box". I'll get back to you on that if it looks like being a problem.
Mountain swamp gum is only yielding pollen as of Sunday hoping by now it's giving nectar too with this warmer weather. I may get out to the desert country this week to see how the banksia, s both ornata and marginata are looking for autumn, winter and a check on tea tree etc for spring.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on February 25, 2016, 09:28:33 pm
Thanks again for your reports HCK
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: lomatia on March 02, 2016, 02:45:18 am
Regarding Messmate ....... finished up here well and truly ...... bees are a bit tetchy. Go near them and out they pour. Earlier I the season there were no problems. Let's see if they settle down.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 02, 2016, 06:54:19 am
Yes good fun isn't it. Seems to last about 6 weeks after the flow has finished. I Got torn to pieces this week, it's amazing when their like that they get in through gaps that they never before. Crawl up legs and up my jacket. They don't rob hives, like bees do when a flow has stopped just let you know your not welcome.
Anyone in a built up area caution with kids and neighbors,  feeding syrup will keep them busy. Don't open feed them that will make worse.
Free bee venom therapy.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Steampunked on March 02, 2016, 10:25:02 pm
Mountain Ash where I am (Yarra Ranges) has just started to flower.  Several branches fell off a few trees recently and now I don't have a compost bin anymore.  The flowers were mostly tight buds but a few had started to open.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 03, 2016, 08:51:13 am
Mountain swamp gum (eucalyptus camphora )is flowering well now and yielding very well.  Only got a quick look at hives this evening, I'll get a full idea tomorrow.  With this long dry period it's great for the nectar flow.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on March 09, 2016, 05:48:00 am
HCK, how long do you expect the mountain gum to flower?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 09, 2016, 07:20:50 am
Mountain swamp gum. (Euc camphora). As long as it stays relatively dry (as I write this it is raining), 2 to 4 weeks.  It's growing with manna gum where my hives are in the high country/north east vic. So hoping the manna will start just as the mountain swamp gum finishes. Similar pollen and nectar from both.
Will back at those hives on Friday or Saturday. I'll have a better idea then.
How did you finish up on the Lucerne? Lance.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on March 09, 2016, 09:18:05 am
The few hives I had on it did really well, bee numbers are up, a bit of excess honey. But the sheep are now on it and it's time to move again. There are a few swamp gums in flower and I will be checking them out this weekend.  I have one hive that needs re queening before they come home, hope to have it done before the last flow finishes. By the way, what area do you call home HCK?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 10, 2016, 01:26:06 am
The kinglake ranges. When I get home that is. Our forage range is into nsw riverina to the north for canola in spring. West to the SA border for desert banksia in winter. North west to robinvale for almond pollination in august. Goulburn valley and yarra valley for pollination in spring. Then closer to home base for summer, say strathbogies through to the north east. Then any other direction and any distance when there is a chance of nectar and pollen somewhere. Some years I spend about 100 nights in a swag. It's a great job, but it's not for everyone.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on March 11, 2016, 07:58:13 am
That's a large area to cover HCK, it's been a while since I've seen some of that part of the country. Up to 100 nights sleeping on the ground, that's a bit of time in the bush, at least I can see why you know what's flowering.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 12, 2016, 08:49:09 am
Not sure if I've mentioned this before but broad leaf peppermint (euc dives) is budding well for next spring. The timing of flowering is not yet clear, but not as late as this season. It's unreliable for nectar flow, but it's timing puts it flowering with blackberry and lots of other spring flowering plants. This tree is not a  variety i often go to but one I like to keep as a back up. Could also be a sign for next springs weather pattern but I'll just add that to the list and get back to you when I'm more confident with the forecast.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 13, 2016, 07:12:35 am
Red gum buds for next season.  Good budding along the upper Goulburn.the buds seem to be of two distinct sizes, that is their early development was at 2 different weather events, ( anyway I won't bore you with that).what it all means is that it should be a short flowering with potential  for intense flow of nectar. At this stage I'll call it another  early flowering. Hopefully not as early as this year, and it starts about 1 week before December's full moon. I'll tell you all as I see it over the next few months.

An important and reliable  crop like this that buds over a 12 month period we will check out several times during its development.  Watching weather events and any potential development of conditions that would suit a pest etc." Never count the honey until it's turned into money". But always optimistic and preparing for seasons ahead.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on March 14, 2016, 07:55:36 am
Manna gums ( I think ) flowering still in central area around 700 to 800 metres, some trees are nearly finished, some are just started.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 14, 2016, 08:45:35 am
Yeah, manna gum is holding back in the north east, 80m ish.Just starting but needs something to get it really going. Mountain swamp gum stopped with that rain but still has buds yet to open. General timing of flowering now seems to be getting closer to a normal time cycle (what ever that is).
Lance it looks like that rain has done the same to your manna by the look of that photo.

Was thinking of restarting this thread or something similar. Title?  Something about seasonal notes or similar.any suggestions?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Flycaster on March 14, 2016, 08:50:07 pm
Still waiting for the buds on the stringybarks here to open..... I keep looking everyday hoping to see a mass flowering but nothing yet 😒 Maybe they're just teasing.....
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on March 15, 2016, 05:37:15 am
About the best i could come up with is "forecast flowering,  Victoria" or "flowering forecast,  Victoria"
HCK, do you know anything about cherry laurel,  l know that the leaves, timber and fruit stone contain cyanolipids, but I can find nothing about the flowers and extra floral necteries? Some bee sites promote this laurel for bees.
Some of the Manna gums are still flowering well, as you can see some aren't. That was the best photo I could take with my phone.  (There was a great tree next to the hives for a photo, but I wasn't going anywhere near my hives,  new queen coming next week)
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 15, 2016, 07:27:27 pm
Flycaster you may be looking at next seasons buds/flower.do you know what eucalyptus species it is and could you send a photo. If the buds are out with the fresh tips then they are for next season. Lots of eucs, and the stringy bark group is one bud for 12 to 18 month. Some times on the one branch you see 3 years of buds/flowers. At the moment there may be buds on the tips then back just past the fresh leaves there could be buds or flowers. They might only be 150mm to 300 mm apart. A photo of leaves, buds and bark would be good.

Lance that laurel is on a lot of bad list because of its toxins. But yes the bees love it. I don't have any data on it, but it's a Prunus Lauri tins? (Species name not correct but you'll find it on the web). Good nectar and pollen from all of the commercial grown prunus. Cherry, plum, apricot etc. Almonds too are a close relative. Although I've had bees work it it's been in garden type situation so lots of other floral sources. Although the leaves, fruit and seed can be toxic I don't know that the honey is. Try it, if we never here from you again then perhaps not such a good idea.
I hope that helps. I do have pollen protein data on other prunus variety.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Flycaster on March 15, 2016, 10:01:01 pm
I will try and get a photo tonight. 😀
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Flycaster on March 16, 2016, 06:41:54 am
Hmmm cant seem to resize my photos to post them
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 16, 2016, 06:48:15 am
Yeah.when you work it out let me know too.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Flycaster on March 16, 2016, 07:02:50 am
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Flycaster on March 16, 2016, 07:05:06 am
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Flycaster on March 16, 2016, 07:06:02 am
Oooh it worked apparently. .... twice....
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on March 16, 2016, 07:20:36 am
Looks like next season will have plenty of flowers.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on March 16, 2016, 07:33:55 am
I take it that it's Messmate?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Flycaster on March 16, 2016, 07:35:23 am
I think so 😊
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on March 16, 2016, 09:58:03 am
Explaining things, too be honest even trying to write things down is not one of my good points, so here we go.
Open your picture in microsoft paint, if you want to crop your photo, make sure you have the tab home selected, under the tab "view" is select, click on the box just above select, go to your photo and highlight what part of the photo you want then click on crop. Weather or not you crop your photo you then click on resize (under crop) type in say 10 then OK then save, check the size of the file, if under 200k you can then post.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Flycaster on March 16, 2016, 04:48:52 pm
Thanks. I'd hoped I'd git the pictures attached above. They appear in my screen. Can you guys not see them?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 16, 2016, 06:44:12 pm
Yes, and I got Lance, s instructions and I still can't do it. I'll ask my 14 year old.
Good photo too.nice looking messmate.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Flycaster on March 16, 2016, 08:17:41 pm
There are a couple of flowers... but the rest are next years flowers?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 17, 2016, 02:07:23 am
The excitement of seeing the buds then a few flowers sends me into a frenzy.it's only on closer inspection that I figure it out. The best thing is to follow the buds from their micro-bud stage through.only today I was inspecting sites with red stringy bark trees, as I approached I could see one tree in full flower and the glistening of  buds on the rest of the forest. No luck, but plenty of prospects for next January/February. In this perfect world I hope it will start flowering as the red gum finishes.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 17, 2016, 07:57:35 pm
Big wet through out victoria today. That will wash a few flowers out. Writing this post just to blow my own trumpet, I wrote on this thread ( 14th December).
That we would get rain to start a wet autumn on the third week of March.  As long as we get good back up rain in 10 to 12 days I'm on the money but of to a good start.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 18, 2016, 08:06:21 pm
West of Grampian: red stringy is well into its flowering yet still plenty to go. Yellow gum right through from Ballarat through to the border   area has started flowering, and is doing the same further north according to other beeks, although some bud drop up north was of concern.  Bees working both even though there had been 14 mm of rain and was still drizzling. Both banksia marginata and ornata are flowering. Very surprised to see the desert banksia flowering already.
  All in all I was very pleased with the floral prospects down that way and will be moving 100 hives down that way Sunday night.
  With early flowering of the desert banksia (meaning starting early, finishing early) and hopefully the early autumn break we may get onto canola early. That is 2 to 4 weeks before almonds. But now I'm really forecasting a lot!
Any how on the season goes and it may not give us much of a break for the winter either.
Bee good.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on March 20, 2016, 08:53:31 am
By the way HCK, when the cherry laurel is in flower l will test it on the rellos first. Hate to waste honey!
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 20, 2016, 09:05:48 am
Ah! The bitter taste of mother in law honey. Or be really cruel and give them some beetle juice.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on March 20, 2016, 09:14:24 am
HCK, I see your not moving hives tonight!
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 20, 2016, 10:46:02 pm
Yeah. Loaded up Sunday night then went home for 4 hours sleep. Left home at 4.30 am Just finished unloading.(midday) Having a lunch break and then have to do 20 splits as 20 queens turned up in Fridays mail.  A bit late in the season, but strong hives that have just moved to good conditions. If this autumn break is on then my confidence is high for an early spring.
Will possibly swag it tonight as it's a 6 hour drive home, but will see how the splits and fire wood collection go.
Good new growth down here too on the tea tree and other shrub varieties which all goes good for a good flowering in spring.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on March 21, 2016, 06:09:47 am
Well your making me feel better, good to see others missing out on sleep, I'm on 24/7 call and get up all hours.(or just don't get to bed).
Can you ID this tree, photos taken by phone, so leaves are a bit far away.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 21, 2016, 07:12:52 am
Could be yellow box, eucalyptus melliodora. Close up of the buds will help to i d it .where is it? The trunk sort of looks like it and they have started budding very well right throughout victoria.hopefully it won't flower too early.any earlier than about October and the weather is too cold to get the nectar to flow. I'm hoping for November (between red box and red gum).can't really tell until after winter, a cold winter will slow the bud development, a warm winter and the buds will continue to grow and then flower too soon.
But get another photo and I'll confirm.
Yes camping out tonight, will leave here at about 2.00 am so as to be on the ring road before traffic is too crazy.
Well worth the trip, red stringy and the yellow gum are going great. Bees are starting on the banksia too.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on March 21, 2016, 08:26:48 am
Its in amongst manna and messmate, buds look like manna, but the trunk? It's at about 700m in a low area facing north, red loam soil, normal season would see a bit of extra moisture in the soil than surrounding areas. Will have another look on the weekend, will take better photo. I think it's going to take me a long time to learn just a few different species of trees, found my little pocket book by Leon Costermans, see what I can learn.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 21, 2016, 11:03:38 pm
Manna is extremely variable, and cross pollinates readily. So that is probably what it is. Close look at the buds and leaves with costermans on hand will get it sorted
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on March 23, 2016, 12:34:21 am
There is also Brooker's and Candlebark gum, the tree looks like a bit of a cross bred.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 23, 2016, 06:36:19 am
Yep. Candle bark is extremely closely related to the manna gum, but it's very consistent on that candle bark/pinkish colour to the trunk.
Throw mountain grey gum onto that list as well. Ah eucalyptus cypelocarpa (maybe)?? That is.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 24, 2016, 03:26:46 am
G day Lance.  It was good to talk today.it made me think we should do some beekeepers days In  spring.
So if there is anyone who reads this forum that is victoria based and would like to have a day looking in hives let us know what you would like to do/see.
I did a day last December when bees were at whittlesea, that's was a real eye opener for the newbees to be there with over 100 hives, and to see how we do it.
Anyway lots of people read this thread so let us know what you all think.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on March 27, 2016, 05:18:05 pm
Hi HCK, thanks for the call the other day, looks like the problem worked it's self out. I think I have someone interested in checking out your hives.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Koala John on March 29, 2016, 06:27:18 am
Thanks for the great offer HCK, I would jump at the chance to spend some time with you and others form the list, I know I would learn a heap. Thanks also for sharing your knowledge on what is flowering and when, I've learnt a lot from your comments.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Geoff on March 29, 2016, 07:37:20 pm
Please anybody post up whenever a work day is in the pipeline.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on March 29, 2016, 08:02:19 pm
Planning to have hives in the hurstbridge area in October/ November.  So I'll try to organize a Saturday or Sunday then. Will have a better idea by September.
Koala John thanks for your comment, I haven't seen you on this forum for a long time.
If I've got hives close to melbourne for winter pack down maybe we could do something then too.
I'll be working hives on Friday(highlands) in preparation for a move on Friday night(west of horsham). The days are staying cool now and it's time to start pushing them down for the winter.
Bee good.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on April 05, 2016, 07:27:42 am
Hi HCK, any idea if the Manna gum is still flowering, haven't had a chance to check any thing in the last week, it's been nothing but night shifts and break downs.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on April 05, 2016, 09:41:47 am
I did notice a few in kinglake ranges and the strathbogies but not enough to make a living from.
Buds on long leaf box getting close to opening too in some places.
Let's see what this rain and cold moist air brings.I'll be traveling around a bit over the next week so I may have more to report then.
Listen to what the farmers say after this rain.  It may give an insight on the spring.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on April 12, 2016, 05:57:20 am
Coastal banksia looks to be half way through it's flowering cycle on the east coast,  flowering well after the rains.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on April 13, 2016, 08:14:11 am
No red box buds in the diamond valley. In fact no new growth either.  The trees look healthy so hopefully some rain during the winter will get some new growth going so we can see some buds for October 2017.
Winter flowering iron barks generally flowering too.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on April 15, 2016, 06:36:19 am
The manna gum continues to just sort of flower in the northeast. A year that has seen everything flower early, but not the manna it has stood still and is now almost running late. It's not a good flow but it is yielding both pollen and nectar, nicely enough for hives to go into winter well stocked.
Long leaf box is budded and just starting to Crack open, let's see what happens after next week's rain.
Has anyone else seen anything budding/flowering? ?
Anyone. .anyone. ....?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on April 15, 2016, 07:54:19 am
Yep, checked the hives up at north Blackwood today (700m), still bringing in pollen and nectar,  I take it as HCK said, manna gum is still flowering,  just couldn't see any thing in flower. I must have flower blindness.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on April 18, 2016, 06:00:32 am
Yeah tough to pic the flowers,  take a look when it's windy, that should reveal the flowers hidden behind the leaves.

Stringy bark has started again in the wimmera.  And the banksia are both now yielding both.
Yellow gum continues to yield while it is warm.
If none of that makes sense then read through previous post s and you'll figure it out.
Thanks bee good.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on April 19, 2016, 08:30:13 am
Banksia marginata ( silver banksia).all flowers are now flowering or finishing that is no new cobs left to open. The desert banksia (which is a winter flowering variety) will be all done well before the onset of winter.
Things seem to continue to be ahead of their calendar. Not sure what the equalizer will be but it's coming.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on April 25, 2016, 07:48:16 am
I've put a Google+ page up.called "beekeeping victoria whats flowering". It's very easy to put photos on there, and I find it easier than posting on Facebook or trying to upload quality photos onto here. Anyway I'll do the same descriptions etc and anyone else can add to it with questions or hopefully more of what's flowering.
I'm not good at these things so well see how it goes.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on April 25, 2016, 09:06:06 am
Hi HCK, typed in beekeeping victoria whats flowering and nothing came up in google, am I looking in the wrong place?

Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Geoff on April 25, 2016, 09:59:06 am




   Loquat tree in Gippsland out in full bloom, bees having a picnic.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on April 25, 2016, 06:22:44 pm
Lance.are you on Google plus?  (Google+).
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on April 25, 2016, 08:25:23 pm
Yep, jump on google + and typed in "beekeeping victoria whats flowering" and it came up with no matches. Can't say that I have used that app, will have another look.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on April 26, 2016, 05:04:05 am
Maybe I should have put it on Facebook, I just find that a pain. Check it again I may have had it on private or closed group.
I'm trying to get into this social media thing but it's not that easy unless your 15 years old.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on April 26, 2016, 10:07:36 am
Sorry HCK, either I am stuffing up or you need to speak to your kid, tried on both phone and PC and still can not find your page. You could try posting the link? Also the private pages still came up, I just can't open them.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on May 10, 2016, 01:46:05 am
Thought I better post something. The autumn break is finally here. Lots of farmers doing long hours around the state last week. Sowing the last of this winters crops. Ground moisture was good out west before the rain so field point should now be reached and germination started with soil warms still high.  Interesting that Canadian farmers are sowing their canola at the same time as our farmers. Here it's a winter growing crop, there the snow stops that happening so they plant once the snow melts.
Yellow gum still going well before this rain. Banksia and red stringy still going but on the end of its flowering. I'll be up the north west next week checking sites so I'll get back to you then.
Two other beeks said that grey box is finished. Perhaps Oldbeavo might add how it was this season. (Hint hint).
Thanks I'LL be back next week.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on May 20, 2016, 12:31:43 am
Black box is flowering in the north west and up over the border around denilequin. South of kerang it's not, and is flowering better closer to water source. Not a lot of red gum buds up that way,  the odd tree but nothing great for this summer. The last of the crops going in this week.
So this crazy season continues, I've never known black box to flower at this time of year.late winter is about the earliest I've seen so we will see what happens.  A few flowers and buds out in the mallee but nothing  worth writing about yet. Yellow box continues to flower in the northeast and other areas over the border, I've been told by our DPI officer. And lots of beekeepers not sure what the weather will do. Good luck.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on May 21, 2016, 10:54:37 am
Bees working yellow box ! It's crazy this time of year but this strange pattern continues not sure what happens next. Stood under yellow box trees today that were buzzing. Pulled up on the side of the track, when I shut my truck off my 7 year old daughter said "dad can you here the bees in this tree", before I'd even got out of the vehicle. Long leaf box flowering with it so I've dropped 70 hive there this evening. I'll let you know how it goes.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Flycaster on May 22, 2016, 10:07:02 pm
Nice to hear of stuff still flowering on the big island 😀
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on July 05, 2016, 08:29:51 am
Yellow box is still flowering but lots of buds holding, now for spring, the cold weather has done that. (Reply if that makes know sense to you, and I'll elaborate).
I've mentioned often that  when the seasons are  out of sync there is always an equalizer.  [Enter cold wet winter/spring].
 Looking like above Ave wet and cool until about the 3rd week of October,  so there to me will be the equalizer.  I'll let you know if I'm correct by about cup weekend.  ( or sooner if I change my observational thoughts).
P.s If your not in Victoria Australia or there abouts then none of the above will make much sense to you, therefore the thread title "what's flowering victoria".
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on July 06, 2016, 07:43:47 pm
Plants flowering early all summer and autumn as has been noted by so many on this forum other beeks and the general public as well. A good indicator at this time of year particularly around melbourne is acacia baileyana the cootamundra wattle. 9 th of July it should be in full bloom, not just the odd tree but almost all of the trees around (you'll know what I mean when your looking at it). Anyway will be interested to here any comments by about the 9th or 10th or 11th or.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on July 16, 2016, 06:35:51 am
Down in the wimmera tonight.
 The cold has definitely equaled things up out here. Manuka and the other four species of tea tree are all looking like about normal for this time of year. That is the early bud development has slowed, although a few sunny days can change things quickly. Buds are still holding,  I was a bit concerned that all the rain may have sent the plants off to growth and forced buds to drop but as it's been cold as well as wet it's held and I think it will remain at that. Although I think flowering will finish well before December. I'll tell you about how right I am after December!
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on July 24, 2016, 05:33:14 am
Got a call on Friday saying the cootamundra wattle was getting flowering down around melbourne.  Very late in my opinion has anyone else noticed it flowering.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on July 24, 2016, 07:59:42 pm
I don't know what wattles they are here in melbourne, but they are slowly starting to flower, not the normal burst of flowering we get.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on July 25, 2016, 08:15:47 am
Hey Lance.  I'm doing a run upto almonds next week. 2nd run ill be out for a few days do you want to jump in? Great chance to see the almond orchards.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on July 25, 2016, 11:20:27 am
Hi HCK, would be great to come along, I'm booked in for night shift at this stage for Tuesday and Wednesday nights and that's if nothing else comes along, but I would love to check it out.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on July 25, 2016, 07:39:18 pm
2nd run should be wed, Thurs. Maybe come on the return run next month. I haven't heard from Oldbeavo to see when he is moving hives in.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on July 26, 2016, 05:46:04 pm
Thanks HCK, I am down to 1 night shift, but of course it's Wednesday night, I am still interested in checking it out.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on August 02, 2016, 09:10:30 am
Dropped off hives in almond orchards yesterday. 12 hours of driving, it rained the entire time.  Things certainly have come back in sync with this cold wet winter.  Drove through the orchard for 5 minutes and saw 3 flowers ( I could of got out and pollinated them myself). It's got to be the latest I've seen almonds flowering. Lots of buds just waiting for some sunny days. Crops also perhaps behind but looking great.
Black box still holding buds well.
Ground moisture is good (which explains why I got bogged twice before getting loaded Saturday and Sunday).
Anyone else noticed any buds developing?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on August 08, 2016, 07:37:59 am
Canola has started to flower in the north west. So has some lupin,  which seems a little early, but only a few crops out now for those looking to get their hives going into spring.
I'm moving hives tomorrow onto canola, it's still too cold to get much nectar but the pollen will be good.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: turando on August 13, 2016, 08:21:46 am
This is a very interesting thread. HKC do you move your hives around depending on the flowering?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on August 14, 2016, 07:00:13 am
Yes very much so. About a 500 km radius from home give or take 100 ks.  On almonds in wemen (near robinvale) at the moment, as well as on canola in hopetoun.  Once almonds finish then to canola at kerang and lupins at hopetoun.  Then mallee and tea tree near horsham. Blackberry and peppermint in the northeast of the state etc etc.
Good to have a reply on this thread. Over 100 views every time I post more information but little reply. Hope you enjoy and learn a bit along the way.
Keep reading over the next few months it's about to get really interesting. It's going to be a great season.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: turando on August 14, 2016, 07:33:21 am
Thanks for that info. Looking forward to this season. How many hives do you run?

Any idea what is around Glenrowan? A friend's father has 100acres up there and I could put hives there too.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on August 14, 2016, 08:33:59 am
A few hundred hives. It's an ever changing number. Selling neucs, bad winters, good season, bad season all these things constantly change our numbers. Tough season last year for honey production so we requeened everything ready for this coming season. This also meant that we had to sell too many neucs to up the income. It's like any livestock farming, sheep or cattle farmers change their stock level with drought and market demands. So building hives to split this spring then split again in December.  Finding honey in amongst that too. Spring neuc sales should keep us going until honey harvest starts.which I think will be plentiful but slow to dry and therefore late.
Some great country around Glenrowan.  A good queen breeder up there too. I haven't checked things up that way for a while, sounds like a good excuse for a drive.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on August 14, 2016, 08:49:08 am
Hi HCK keep the reports coming,  I tried to teach myself about the different types of trees before I even thought about having bees. Must admit doing poorly at it, but some of it is starting to sink in, it's great having  someone willing to share their knowledge. Thanks!!
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: turando on August 18, 2016, 01:41:27 am
Agree with Lance. Appreciate all the advice and knowledge. Might check out Glenrowan soon.

How many hives does a person need to take to the almonds?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on August 18, 2016, 06:57:14 am
I've taken hives for other smaller beekeepers.  5 one year. Took 8 this year for another. But careful what you wish for. Be prepared to lose hives or come back with disease etc . Almost every year I question whether to do it again.
But more on that when pollination is over for this year.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: turando on August 19, 2016, 08:02:51 am
I look forward to reading about your experience this year. It's something I'm interested in in the future but have read about the pitfalls too.

Do you know much about what is around the Yarrambat area? Was having a look at houses there too. Bit expensive though lol.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on August 19, 2016, 10:22:55 am
Yarrambat: cape weed budding well. The best thing about that area is the red box (eucalyptus polyanthemos). Which buds up in December for flowering in the following October. Great flowering two years ago, nothing last year and not much for this October/November.  The rain this winter has provided excellent ground moisture so I would expect lots of buds starting by 2nd week of December for flowering in October 2017. Winter flowing iron bark around there too in small patches. Yellow box, blackberry, red stringy bark, manna gum, etc.
  Dry winters, out of the wind, and depending on where you are, afternoon cool breeze in summer. Excellent area for bees.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on August 30, 2016, 07:02:31 am
Almonds are finishing up this week. Canola is well into it now. I have put hives on lupins this season.  It's the first time I've put them just on lupins only. In the past I love putting hives between lupins and canola. Lupins pollen protein Is very high. This is all about healthier bees. I'll let you all know how it goes.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: turando on August 31, 2016, 11:52:27 pm
Is the lupin mainly for pollen? I'm quite new to this aspect of moving hives for different crops.

Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Honeycomb king on September 01, 2016, 03:57:10 am
Everything this time of year is about the pollen. If they are short of nectar I'll supply syrup. High quality pollen now will give you great bees  in 6 weeks and going on wards.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: turando on September 04, 2016, 08:53:44 am
Thanks HKC. Did you get the your bees from the almonds yet? How have they fared?

I'm looking to build up my numbers of hives this year for next year. Trying to work out the best areas for making them stronger.

Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: turando on September 09, 2016, 06:52:42 am
How do you think these rains are going to affect the plants?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on September 19, 2016, 01:01:51 am
Local tea tree starting to flower on the Mornington Peninsular, bees doing really well on it.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on September 19, 2016, 03:45:14 am
Do you have bees on it. I'm going down to my tea tree site on Thursday, then up to the mallee.
P.S. Lance I've changed my username.  Got locked out. Cheers Vin.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on September 19, 2016, 05:33:19 am
Bees are doing too well, run out of gear, don't even have one frame left as they finally sent my order out today after waiting three weeks for it. I am going to have a mess to clean up. Been wondering what happened to you.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on September 19, 2016, 06:20:30 pm
You should have called I could have lent or sold you some frames and boxes. Have they capped the tea tree honey and is the moisture content high.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: OzBuzz on September 19, 2016, 10:14:40 pm
Hey Folks,

Hope everybody is well! I apologise that it's been some time since I've been online! It's been a crazy year! I hope everybody's bees came out of winter well...

How are things looking for the coming season? what are people seeing as potential? I'm still hopeless at identifying my eucalypts - I've got two books for it but still struggle. I'd love to do a course one day if there's one available. Moving to Ballarat soon so will be looking for sites around there and obviously further afield... I've got my colonies on a nice non-GM no-spray canola crop at the moment but the weather has been hopeless so haven't really been able to open them yet and when the weather has been good I haven't been able to get out to look at them. A few swarms have come in so far this season but it seems to have gotten off to a slow start but I suspect they'll pick up pretty quickly with all of this rain we've had. Anybody know what's around Ballarat? any good prospects?

Hope you're all well...
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on September 20, 2016, 01:22:52 am
Good to have you back. After all this is your thread.
Yes too cold and wet to get much from the canola crops, much below 19?c and it won't give nectar.
I've had only 4 beekeeping days this month so far and our hives are in the mallee which is normally drier.
Lupins has yielded a little but again hard weather for it this season. Will look at moving them soon, as first canola crop is nearly done (c 79) variety.
Lupins and vetch are still ok. But we will see what the rain does?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on September 20, 2016, 10:02:52 am
Pulled a frame of honey from the first hive I opened,  yep have a laugh, it was the only spare frame I had. It was three quarters capped, light honey on one side and darker honey on the other side, haven't checked the moisture content. I will see how the tea tree goes over the next few weeks.
Thanks for the offer of the gear, my order turned up today
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on September 25, 2016, 08:31:42 pm
Canola and lupins are all done in the mallee, vetch and lupins still going with all this rain. Heading into the forest today to check out the malle trees. Hoping to check out tee tree country but I'm a bit sick of getting bogged (again last night). I'll let you all know.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on September 27, 2016, 10:36:31 am
It must be time for the cherry laurel trees to be in flower, as we spoke about it last year Vin, test the honey out on the mother inlaw, see if any of that cyanide is in the nectre.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on September 28, 2016, 04:12:17 pm
I'll have a 10kg bucket then thanks. Or maybe I bath her in it.
Victoria s desert country looks great. Flower everywhere. Even if people don't put bees up that way, it's well worth a trip. Grab your swag and go have a look.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: OzBuzz on September 29, 2016, 01:35:17 am
I'll have a 10kg bucket then thanks. Or maybe I bath her in it.
Victoria s desert country looks great. Flower everywhere. Even if people don't put bees up that way, it's well worth a trip. Grab your swag and go have a look.

What's flowering up there? I'm dying to see pictures! lol and know of anybody that wouldn't mind having a few hives on their land toward the end of the year (assuming/hoping there's something flowering then)
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on September 29, 2016, 09:19:03 am
Lots of ground flora, far too many to name (unless you really want me to bore you), 3 eucalyptus variety so far, several acacia,  many shrub species.
The beauty is in the clumps of flowers whether it's thickets of baeckea or open grass lands with masses of paper daisy, even if it is introduced weeds like capeweed. The other notable point is that the plants are thick perfect specimens not just a few flowers hanging on the tips of struggling plants.
Who knows what summer will bring, it does get hot up there.
It's a tough area to beekeep,  I'm tired of getting bogged, and even if not bogged walking tracks to assess how accessible it is. Some tracks that can take 5 minutes most times can now suddenly turn into 2 hrs of push and pull. The worst of it this year is the short days as it's too cold,  opening a hive and doing brood manipulation etc is only feasible for about 3 hrs a day.
Not that I'm complaining (just stating how it is). Every year is different that's for sure.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: turando on October 04, 2016, 03:30:28 am
Does anyone have knowledge of what flowers around Tallarook? Looking at a property there - going down on the weekend to have a look. From what I've read it's mainly some kind of eucalyptus and maybe tea tree. Just wondering how it is for bees down that way in terms of forage.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on October 04, 2016, 06:51:18 am
Big question.  Large area with river flats,therefore red gum, manna gum etc. Also hill country so red box, red stringy, yellow box, grey box, upto messmate on the higher peaks. Give us more info when you can as to the locality. Yes tea tree in some of that area to that's not of value as far as manuka rates if that's what your wondering.
Generaly a great area for bees. Some white box around there too, so caution there.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: turando on October 05, 2016, 10:42:10 am
Thanks Vin. That was extremely helpful. It's on Scotts Rd, Tallarook if you are familiar with it. It's full of trees though not sure what kind till I see it. White box sounds pretty bad from what I read on google - is it a real concern there?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: turando on October 05, 2016, 10:47:05 am
https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Scotts+Rd,+Tallarook+VIC+3659/@-37.117624,145.0669877,395m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x6ad79275410ebe9f:0x31d00740bc44ad6a!8m2!3d-37.1155967!4d145.0683478

Not sure if this link will work but gave it a try.

Are there any areas northern way you would say are good for bees for the most part? We are looking for a rural property to buy and keep our bees on and having a hard time knowing what area is decent and what isn't and we should or shouldn't go for or things to keep in mind when looking for somewhere - if you have any advice please share!

Thanks!
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on October 06, 2016, 08:59:02 am
Hi Vin, how long do you expect the flowering to last around the little desert? Hoping to get away from work on the cup weekend with the ball and chain and kids.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on October 06, 2016, 09:11:06 am
Lance. Yes I think it will still be good. Wyperfeld national park has some good free camping and some good drives. Hopetoun pub has good cheap meals.
Got a kids and dad's camping weekend next week. Sheep yard flat if your keen to camp. No mums allowed. (It makes for a much easier time).

If going to wyperfeld go via brim and check out the silos (as long as it's day light).
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on October 06, 2016, 09:19:37 am
Turando.  I think scots road is red box, yellow box, stringy area. Off sharps and Youngs road??? Just off the Hume. It's away from the river so no red or manna gum. White box is OK if there is any there just protein feed in autumn if it's looking like flowering.
Big question as to where is good for bees, sometimes it can come down to very small areas thar are great or bad. Good luck with that.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: turando on October 07, 2016, 06:59:36 am
Yep that's it. Thanks for all that info!  I am going there tomorrow so will take some photos. It is 40 acres of trees the property but not sure what type till I get there. I'm a beginner with understanding what is flowering and species so this will be fun to figure out.

How did you learn so much about what's flowering around Victoria?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on October 07, 2016, 08:16:05 am
So red box if it was to flower this year, would be doing so now. Its new growth that your looking for now. All eucalyptus (well most plants) have growth new growth then start to build buds. Red box start to bud in December for next October flowering.
There may be some yellow box still flowering.
Look for buds on the red stringy for this summer autumn, although all this rain may have washed off the buds.
There's some home work for you.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on October 08, 2016, 06:06:07 pm
Most of the winter crops are all done. Last weeks rain has made some lupins flower again on the lateral growth. Vetch is still flowering and the paddocks are too wet for the farmers to cut it for hay, so a bonus there. White clover is flowering. And I'm not sure how the Patterson curse is going, perhaps Oldbeavo will write on that for us.
"Wet season keep your bees up high.let them forage down low."
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: turando on October 08, 2016, 07:38:37 pm
So got to tallarook today. Took a lot of photos and trying to work out what is what though unlikely we will get the property as they needed offers in by today. Whole property was just trees and more trees - very pretty but very steep. Now looking at another property in Tyaak.

Identified red box because of the shape of the leaves. Not sure if the other was yellow box and had a few other plants I wanted to identify.

Is there a good book for identifying plants? I'm currently using google images which is only useful if I know what kind of plant I'm looking for.


Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: turando on October 08, 2016, 07:39:33 pm
More photos
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on October 08, 2016, 08:32:58 pm
First 2 are acacia floribuna.  Not local to the area so must be planted. Then a red box, young plant.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: turando on October 08, 2016, 08:38:27 pm
Thanks Vin. I recognised red box but not the other one.

Not sure if it can be seen properly but is the first picture in the 2nd post yellow box?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on October 08, 2016, 08:42:19 pm
Then Acacia pycantha Australia's floral emblem.  Then another red box, nice new growth. Then cherry ballart (exocarpus sinuatus), Not much use to a beekeeper that one. Nice to have a true local rare plant there.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on October 08, 2016, 08:44:32 pm
The trunk in that picture maybe messmate.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: turando on October 08, 2016, 09:13:14 pm
Thanks Vin. Learning about these plants is very interesting. :)
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on October 09, 2016, 01:11:19 am
Checked a few hives down on the Mornington Peninsular today, they have slowed due to swarming, but not much happening down there, the flow has slowed. Waiting for the next lot of tea tree to bloom.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on October 16, 2016, 06:45:39 am
Broad leaf peppermint (eucalyptus dives) is in good bud, (advaced) in the north east.
Narrow leaf peppermint (eucalyptus radiata) also look good, similar flowering times.
As to when they will flower...... I would think November but this year it maybe December.  As it's so cool in those elevated areas at the moment I'm in no hurry to get there, I just thought I'd mention it as I'd talked it up earlier in the year. I think they will flower well it just may be too cold and wet to be of much use.
Red gum (eucalyptus camaldulensis) all the goulburn river is "washed out" that is all this rain has produced lots of new growth to the detriment of the existing buds.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on October 16, 2016, 04:47:05 pm
Cape weed continues,  there is a bit of pattersons curse, but not in the volume it used to be and always a chanced to be sprayed while your bee's are on it.
Tea tree is along way off in the north east as well. I think for those chasing it it'll be a white Christmas.
Some yellow box (eucalyptus melliodora) still flowering I would think it's too cold and wet to yield any nectar.
Red box (eucalyptus polyanthemos) flowers washed out, new growth now pushing through. Watch these for lurps.
What's happening out your way.?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on October 17, 2016, 07:23:58 pm
Heading to the hills above Mansfield ths weekend, will check out the trees. There is also larg areas of blackberries l would like to check out.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on October 23, 2016, 07:34:40 am
Up at Tolmie this weekend, nothing flowering above 800 metres
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on October 23, 2016, 10:40:03 am
Checked out a tea tree site on Wednesday.  It's not a great flowering but what put me off was that there wasn't a single bee on it. Lots of native bees ( hover fly ).  Bees were on the Cape weed at about 1 bee per 2m□ so plenty around. I'm assuming that the nectar of the Cape weed is sweeter than that of the leptospermum. I'll go there again in a few weeks and reassess.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on October 23, 2016, 10:42:58 am
Lance are you going to the big clearing sale up a tolmie in a few weeks?
This time last year the black berry was flowering well up that way.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on October 23, 2016, 10:54:47 am
Tolmie hasn't warmed up yet, still a bit fresh, 200m down a few trees were starting to flower, I wasn't driving so didn't get a chance to stop and look. Don't know about the cleaning sale as of yet, the mother in law is away so no updates.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on November 01, 2016, 02:28:25 am
Just got back from Wilson's prom and along that coast.  Tea tree, paper barks, wild radish cape weed etc . Lots of hover flys on it not a single honey bee same as out in the wimmera last week. Anyone else notice the same about, anyone...........anyone.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on November 01, 2016, 06:24:56 am
Spent the weekend up at North Blackwood, fruit trees came into bloom on the weekend with the warm weather.  Hawthorn trees still not flowering, blackberries still weeks off. No hover flies, still to cold, speaking to the farmers, spring is slow up in the high hills.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on November 07, 2016, 01:50:30 pm
Anyone have a update on whats flowering at the moment.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Geoff on November 07, 2016, 07:43:26 pm
 Just travelled to Kerang over the weekend Lance and there are massive amounts of Hawthorn in full bloom between Macedon to Elphinstone.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: turando on November 11, 2016, 05:19:01 am
Going beveridge on Sunday to see what's happening around there. Put some hives there at a friend's farm.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on November 13, 2016, 03:23:52 am
The warmer weather has started lots of new growth on the eucalyptus, this could see lots of buds pushed off til next season. Some yellow box is flowering as too is broad leaf peppermint and some red box ( but most of that is done). Buds on tea tree north of melbourne and north east. Blackberry is just starting to bud this time last year both tea tree and blackberry were almost finished. New growth on manna gum even upto 100mm in the north east this may affect the buds so keep an eye on that. Still patches of pattersons curse flowering on the tips. Not a lot exciting the bees or the beekeeper at the moment.  Bees in the mallee are the only ones I have making any honey, I'll check those on Thursday and I'll let you know how it is going.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on November 17, 2016, 06:07:40 pm
Back up at North Blackwood yesterday,  your right Geoff, the Hawthorns are in full flower until go get to our place, they have just started to open up. I have only one hive up there for the fruit tree's,  doing very poorly, Misses asked me to pick elder flowers so she could make champagne,  basically nothing to pick.
Went for a quick bike ride through the bush and only saw the odd flower on the trees.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: rawfind on November 22, 2016, 04:31:01 pm
Going beveridge on Sunday to see what's happening around there. Put some hives there at a friend's farm.
At the moment the hill in beveridge (mt fraser) is full of patersons curse , ive heard its high in alkaloids which can make some people sick.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on November 23, 2016, 01:44:18 am
Caution with putting bees on patto, particularly when on small land holdings or where your bees are on another property from where the patto is. Although it is better land management to spray it well before it flowers too often people don't notice it until it's in bloom and then spray herbicides.
On the other side of your decision making its great for building up good hives.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on November 24, 2016, 02:22:49 am
Just having a bit of trouble ID this tree.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on November 24, 2016, 07:21:46 am
Not your best photography but it's a messmate isn't it.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on November 24, 2016, 03:05:21 pm
Looking at the leaves, buds etc. Messmate,  but the bark is alot smoother.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on November 25, 2016, 11:03:25 am
Yeah I thought you were just trying to trick me. It can be variable and local conditions can also have an effect. Change of area eg clearing etc can also change the bark over time.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on December 04, 2016, 06:28:34 am
Happy anniversary to this thread!
Lots of things flowering but bees no where near it. I have noticed this all spring and still it continues, as hover flys other flys and native bees, ants etc defecate and fornicate on the flowers. European honey bees are very clean and won't put up with that. Non native species seem to be not attracting the native insects as much so blackberry, patto, st Johns wart etc seem to be OK.  Anyone else notice the same or would like to tell me I'm full of it, please post.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on December 04, 2016, 05:02:38 pm
This season I only took 1 hive up for our own fruit trees, it went backwards the day I left it there. Lots of nectar and pollen sources and still used their stores. Then they must have swarmed.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on December 08, 2016, 05:50:33 am
Blackberries down on the low country. Anyone on it, how's it going.?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on December 12, 2016, 06:04:57 am
Red gum flowering well along the murray..... but, with the wet season we've had, yep more insects. So many other, native bees, flies, ants, plague thrips etc. I moved bees out of the mallee, they were doing ok . But it is too far from my base to keep water up to them etc. Kunzea down at yea is yielding nectar with tea tree to come and red gum just starting to flower,  although it won't be a great flowering.
 The rain last week has held the tea tree back around the yarra valley. Blackberry doing great etc.
That's all I've got at the moment.  Anyone else? Anyone? ..... anyone? (In Victoria that is).
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on December 12, 2016, 07:43:46 am
Melaleuca in the Goulburn Valley.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on December 14, 2016, 04:27:43 pm
Blackberries started this week in the kinglake ranges 500 to 600 m above sea level.  This time last year it had finiche.  Every year is different.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: 220 on December 15, 2016, 12:21:47 am
How long does your blackberry last?
Im southern NSW and 7-800m so not much difference, ours started around a week ago in the open country but stuff sheltered in the bottom of gullys etc will still be a month away. Early December is about normal for here and usually well into Feb before the later patches are finished.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on December 15, 2016, 05:56:53 am
A Normal year that would be nice. Probably late November for us here, I would think it would then be all done by mid January.  This year it will be later , I'll keep you posted.
It's still a few weeks away at another site I've used 900 m above.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on December 16, 2016, 09:44:52 pm
Looking at the trees in the bush at around 700m, small amount of Mana Gun flowering and the odd peppermint (think that's what they are). Blackberries flowers opening up, mainly the north facing plants. Lots of clover in the paddocks
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on December 18, 2016, 06:43:01 am
Are the bees only on the clover and not the peppermint or blackberry?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on December 18, 2016, 07:23:26 am
No blackberries in flower where the hives are, about another week, they're on the south facing side. Only seen the bees on the clover at the moment. Had some other small trees flowering in the gullies,  but no idea what they were.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on December 23, 2016, 03:44:54 am
For those looking for a copy of Honey and pollen flora, there is a knock off on gumtree and ebay at the moment. Already have one, not too bad a copy, but the price seems to be going up.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on December 24, 2016, 07:00:19 am
Tea tree finishing around Yea seymour area. Both kunzea and leptospermum will just see the new year in. Still some blackberry around there and a few red gum too. Blackberry is now at peak up at home (kinglake ranges) so to is tea tree.  Ill Enjoy a few days off, then back in to it, I'll graft some queens while things are going well.
Have a prosperous 2017 viewers, and I'll here from you all soon.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on January 01, 2017, 08:34:56 am
Looks like messmate is starting to flower well in bush, hopefully we will get plenty of nectar this season.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on January 06, 2017, 03:52:54 pm
May not mean a lot given the sparsity of trees but Coral gums in the streetscape/nature strips are starting to move around the GV
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on January 13, 2017, 03:47:35 am
lightwood or hickory wattle is starting in the Strathbogie ranges around Gooram.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on January 13, 2017, 05:22:11 am
That seems late, or is it at a higher altitude? There has been a bit of rain through some of that area. Broad leaf peppermint flowering too.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on January 13, 2017, 05:59:19 am
Around 260 to 300 metres. They had two inches of rain at New Years (possibly more in some areas) and a further inch of rain this week.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on January 20, 2017, 12:53:25 am
What I think is Mountain Gray Gum is slowly starting to flower, appears to be in no hurry to fully bloom up at North Blackwood.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on January 23, 2017, 08:10:52 pm
How long does your blackberry last?
Im southern NSW and 7-800m so not much difference, ours started around a week ago in the open country but stuff sheltered in the bottom of gullys etc will still be a month away. Early December is about normal for here and usually well into Feb before the later patches are finished.
All done. As per a normal year really mid January.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on January 25, 2017, 02:44:25 am
Did anyone get a return off the blackberries this season?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: 220 on January 25, 2017, 07:30:55 am
Still a few later patches flowering, bees were working it Sunday when I looked.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on January 25, 2017, 07:54:47 am
Lance, NO.
As this season seems to continue.
Ah well prepare now for next year.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on January 26, 2017, 01:50:40 am
I'll check up on the Messmate this weekend, hopefully that's doing a bit better.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on January 30, 2017, 03:57:43 am
Messmate seems to be flowering poorly in central Victoria at the moment.
What I think is Mountain Grey Gum, some are in full flower.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: 220 on January 30, 2017, 04:07:23 am
Doing nothing in southern NSW either had a good look around the farm this morning and only saw one small limb on one messmate flowering.
Put a post up in the NSW thread with a photo of what is called "dogwood" locally. It has been going great the past 2-3 weeks and the Aus blackthorn has started the past week. Lots of flowers but I have no idea if they are any good to bees for pollen or nectar.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on January 30, 2017, 06:40:17 pm
The Bursaria spinosa  ( australian black thorn) is good for nectar, flows better when there is warm dry spells. The pollen is a good source of protein.  Some years when there is nothing around its a good supply as it loves a drought.the nectar has a greenish tinge looks a bit like petrol in the cells (but tastes better).
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on February 02, 2017, 04:44:33 pm
Bracelet honey myrtle is alive with bees and wasps at my place in the GV
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on February 18, 2017, 07:39:09 am
Kinglake ranges has the odd messmate flowering and some mountain grey gum. On the harder country around the stringy bark is flowering, not breaking any records but keeping the bees amused. Hoping for better days soon, maybe even the grey box? Anyone else got much out there way.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on February 19, 2017, 06:31:24 am
Plenty of messmate flowering between Gisbourne and Woodend. Bees are bringing in plenty of nectar at North Blackwood, a week ago the frames were only foundation, now they're nearly full and about 1/3 capped.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on February 21, 2017, 06:23:39 am
Well done Lance.  Yes it's nice to be finally getting some.I hope it's enough for the hives and for us.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on February 21, 2017, 09:36:27 am
Thanks Vin, I am lucky that this is not my livelihood otherwise I would be going pretty hungry, will be moving on to the lucurne soon then the manna gum.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on March 06, 2017, 06:01:11 am
Yes the messmate is still flowering up kinglake way.it's nothing great but bees should winter well on it. The dry February/March has very little new growth coming through on the messmate.  This may put new growth off until next season if it turns cold fairly soon which will put flowers off for another 2 years. We have been talking about a big flowering in 2019 or 2020, that may start to line that up. Watch this space.
 Grey box seems to have got flowering around the state generally, bees are on it not sure yet how it is yielding.  Watch this space.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on March 11, 2017, 09:06:54 am
Red stringy bark is flowering well  in central vic,  manna gum also flowering, problem with manna gum is you stop what you're doing and start looking for manna to eat.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on March 11, 2017, 06:37:49 pm
Grey box around Violet Town flowering sporadically
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on April 02, 2017, 05:32:58 am
Ironbark on my land in the Goulburn Valley starting to bud
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on April 03, 2017, 11:31:50 pm
Black box at Barmah just beginning to bud
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on April 24, 2017, 03:55:27 am
Any reports on whats in flower at the moment.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on April 24, 2017, 05:42:42 am
Knotgrass weed if that helps

I was doing some fencing today and suddenly realised I was hearing bees hum. Looked up at the trees - nothing

Then realised i was standing in a big patch of knotgrass in flower and the bees were loving it
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on May 11, 2017, 09:03:58 pm
Checked one of my local sites yesterday and the gums were in flower, bees were out in full force.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on May 12, 2017, 07:32:48 pm
Happy day's.  Yellow gum.
That will fix your abundance of pollen problem.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on May 13, 2017, 09:19:24 pm
Still plenty of pollen coming in, such a mixture of flora in the area. I also have hives down on the Mornington Peninsular which I checked yesterday, compared to last year they're doing very poor.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: turando on June 12, 2017, 08:11:29 am
Anyone know what tends to flower in flowerdale? Going up there soon.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on June 13, 2017, 06:28:05 am
This time of year, not much. One of the local wattles, some flat weed and that's about it until cape weed and pattersons curse start in spring.
  That's probably not the answer you wanted but thas all we got at the moment.  It's very beautiful out there this time of year so kick back by the fire and relax.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: turando on June 17, 2017, 06:36:39 am
Thanks Vin. Do you know what tends to flower at other time like in spring?

We're still looking for a small property out in the north somewhere that doesn't cost an arm and leg.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on June 18, 2017, 08:37:03 am
Yes, as said previously cape weed and pattersons curse, but also plenty of other ground plants, some wattles and the broad leaf peppermint looks good for this spring around the Flowerdale hills that didn't burn too hot. That is at the break, o, day end of the valley.
Yes land prices have started to climb out this way as melbourne expands. If you want to get some acres there are not many places left any where around melbourne.  Certainly non as beautiful as around those flowerdale hills. Good luck, don't leave it too long as the prices won't wait for you.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on June 25, 2017, 08:41:05 pm
Most of the yellow gum flowering around South of Shepparton is coming close to an end already.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on June 26, 2017, 07:18:21 am
Are there still buds yet to open? Or has this dry period popped all the buds early.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on June 26, 2017, 10:26:26 am
Most buds have opened, only a few left on most trees. Some trees on their last flowers. Like normal, a few which will go longer.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on June 27, 2017, 05:53:37 am
Cape weed seems advanced around the place, it needs some rain on it. Ground moisture is good still from last season's wet wet wet. Having said that, 10 to 20mm would set the spring up nicely.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on August 12, 2017, 06:08:30 am
Any updates on what is and what will be flowering soon?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on August 15, 2017, 06:25:07 am
Canola has started over the river, and in the north west. Although some areas haven't had enough rain.
  Almonds well under way.
 White mallee is good.
Around the suburb the cherry plums have started this week.
Red box and yellow box look good in several areas. For October November.
Red gum looks good in some spots but watching the lurps before I count on that crop for January.
How's that for a quick wrap Lance. ?
Anyone else got anything. .....?..... anyone?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: 220 on August 15, 2017, 07:31:14 am
A bit over 100kms north of the river but surprised to find a small patch of white clover flowering where there was no stock.
Most paddocks around here are flogged out but will be pulling stock out of a paddock this weekend to lock up for hay, with 5" of rain this month it should jump away.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on August 15, 2017, 05:56:49 pm
Common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is booming with bees.

But I don't see a lot of the trees around, it's an older type of streetscaping tree. See them around farm yards and sports fields in the GV.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on August 15, 2017, 09:15:53 pm
Thanks everyone, work and things are stopping me getting out lately and looking around.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Beenic on August 16, 2017, 06:19:50 am
Plenty of wattle for my girls, although they are bringing back creamy coloured pollen too. 🐝💛
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on August 22, 2017, 08:57:49 am
Canola flowering west of Numurkah
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on August 22, 2017, 06:55:20 pm
Looks like you're right about the lerps Vin, trees in the local national park are changing colour, some will probably loose most of there leaves.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on September 19, 2017, 04:41:46 pm
Sorry folks, haven't been on here for a while. Canola is well into it, possibly another two weeks to go as a general comment.
Red box and yellow box have started already,  a few weeks early. Red box doesn't look great, (the flowers look a bit dirty), so I'm not expecting much.
Cape weed started about a week ago. It won't be a huge crop as the cold weather has knocked it back a fair bit.
I hope this spring is better than the last.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: damienpryan on September 28, 2017, 03:55:34 am
I can never tell what my bees are bringing in the suburbs of Melbourne.

But whatever it is, there seems to be plenty of it...

Cheers

Damien
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on October 15, 2017, 08:06:47 am
Red box still not yielding, a few warm days this week I hope will do the trick.
Black box has started in the north west. Again not a bee on it. Wait and see if it too starts to yield after this week.
White clover looks great down the south west after that rain last week.
Cape weed down that way is also hitting it's straps.
The first of the tea tree variety is flowering too. Starting to yield and bees seem interested in it this year.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on October 15, 2017, 05:52:36 pm
Thanks Vin, any idea how the red gum is coming along this year?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on October 16, 2017, 07:05:30 am
It's budded well in most areas.  Now that's a statement.   Ah looks good out west. OK along the murray, it's better further down stream. The big worry is lerps, its an insect pest that sucks moisture out of the leaves. It leaves the tree with dried out leaves that drop off. Trees are full of it in some areas.
So my plans are to go to red gum but I'm watching it before I decide where.
Early December for flowering.  Well spread out budding makes for a long flowering.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on October 20, 2017, 05:15:42 pm
Red box is yielding in the diamond valley.  Although very slow to start. That warm weather got it going. I've been told it's be yielding nectar well out by Heathcote for a few weeks.
Some yellow box too is yielding.  Any other reports on that would be good.
Tea tree going ok down the south west.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: rawfind on October 20, 2017, 06:50:11 pm
. The big worry is lerps, its an insect pest that sucks moisture out of the leaves. It leaves the tree with dried out leaves that drop off. Trees are full of it in some areas.

Is that is what is happening to large groups of trees in some areas that appear to be dying off? i notice on the way into broadford coming from kilmore there a heaps dying right near the creek. Without trees we dont get nice honey its a worry
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Andersonhoney on November 12, 2017, 05:15:35 am
Sorry for the delayed answer raw find.  Yes that is the die back issue generally,  although there can be other diseases too.

Red box is pretty much all done, but perfectly followed by yellow box, which is yielding well now that we have some more normal November weather.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on January 13, 2018, 10:29:24 pm
A few weeks ago loaded the hives to drop them off on a property with yellow and gray box. Get up there and the trees have been stripped or flattened by a tornado. At least it was a good drive.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on April 11, 2018, 06:34:59 pm
On my property in the GV currently windbreak plantings of Ironbark, Yellow Gum & Black Box are flowering

These are only young trees (8y) but the mature Ironbark are also in bloom. would be good to see how it compares elsewhere.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on August 06, 2018, 08:20:17 am
Looks like canola is starting to flower, time to move some bees.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on October 15, 2018, 10:15:36 am
Native pigface (Carpobrotus glaucescens)
My apple trees (& everyone else?s)

Shocking pink! Or is that Magenta?




The native bees are also liking it
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on November 04, 2018, 11:18:18 pm
Olives

Pollen everywhere



Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on November 11, 2018, 05:58:06 am
Bottle brush (Callistemon)



Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: BeeMaster2 on November 11, 2018, 10:53:14 am
I wish my Bottle Bush bushes looked like that.
Jim
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on March 13, 2019, 02:47:56 am
Manna gums are flowering in central Victoria, anyone had much of a flow on them?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: damienpryan on April 06, 2019, 08:09:49 am
I'm never quite sure what the bees are taking in Melbourne as the potential sources are diverse.
But I've noticed they are pulling in a lot of nectar over the last month.
I'm even thinking of doing a late harvest (advice anyone ?).
I'm not that good on tree identification but I've noticed a lot of natives in flower.
Iron bark, spotted gum (not native to area, street tree) and grey box.
We seemed to have a low point of nectar late summer then picked up in Autumn...

Cheers

Damien
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on April 22, 2019, 06:29:21 am
Light autumn flowering of callistemon


Good flowering of black box

Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on April 22, 2019, 06:33:17 am
Ironbark



Some Wattle - in this case ?flinders rangers? Wattle blooming heavily and the bees are working it for pollen

Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on July 28, 2019, 02:23:02 am
Common Ash

The girls needed pollen, the tree is humming with them.

Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on August 07, 2019, 10:54:44 am
Hardenbergia violacea (Happy wanderer) nectar source not as attractive as the iron bark that?s still going but pretty



Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on August 15, 2019, 06:05:40 am
Canola has started in the Goulburn Valley
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: damienpryan on August 15, 2019, 10:13:33 pm
Is it a on or off year for yellow box in Victoria?
My bees are in Montmorency, Melbourne and it mainly seems to be Yellow box in the area.
Of course being the suburbs you never know exactly what they are getting..
Or at least I don't.

Cheers

Damien
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on August 16, 2019, 06:55:47 pm
There are a few yellow box in bloom up here in the GV

Sorry I wouldn?t know if it?s an on season of if a flow was on.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on August 26, 2019, 07:51:49 pm
Photo or it didn?t happen!

Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on September 29, 2019, 09:55:30 pm
Messmate(?) Eucalyptus obliqua at Daylesford


Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on October 11, 2019, 05:32:54 am
Yellow Box Eucalyptus melliodora

The smell of ?honey? is heavy in the air around this young tree and the bees are working it hard but I couldn?t get high enough to show how busy it was


Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on October 11, 2019, 05:40:20 am
The records I have for what I planted state River Cooba but I don?t think it actually is. It may have been Willow Wattle but anyway it?s flowering



Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on October 11, 2019, 05:45:49 am
With Yellow Box flowering my understanding is the girls need a source of Pollen

The native Pigface (ice-plant) Carpobrotus glaucescens just might have this covered...





The bees flying off this were just little golden balls of fluff bumping around
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on October 22, 2019, 06:52:12 am
Honey locust Gleditsia triacanthos

Flowering within 2 days of last year, girls after pollen & nectar



Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on November 03, 2019, 08:12:36 am
I think Broad leaved peppermint are the ones flowering at Strathbogie now. Also Woolly Tea-tree Leptospermum lanigerum is flowering in the same area
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on January 01, 2020, 03:52:22 pm
Red Gum

This cultivar is ?Silverton?




Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: CoolBees on January 01, 2020, 04:11:08 pm
Beautiful pictures Milo!!
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on January 31, 2020, 07:16:32 pm
Lightwood (acacia implexa) flowering in the GV
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on January 31, 2020, 07:23:08 pm
Wedge-leaf Hop bush (Dodonaea viscosa sp.)

The girls were working this hard for pollen



Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on January 31, 2020, 07:59:16 pm
Black paperbark / Moonah (Melaleuca lanceolata) flowering in the GV

Honey scent is strong, bees & native insects working it up high



Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on March 03, 2020, 04:20:36 am
Grey box flowering in the GV
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: KellyBeeFriendly on April 30, 2020, 12:12:10 pm
Any tips for Victoria flora identification? I see lots of native eucalyptus flowering through the season but wouldn?t know what they were. I figure mostly peppermint as that?s name of local road...but would like to be a bit more scientific.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on May 12, 2020, 07:06:12 pm
https://beemaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=34995.0
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on May 12, 2020, 07:19:33 pm
Flinders Ranges Wattle and Yellow Gum




Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on June 14, 2020, 12:47:08 am
Mugga Ironbark (eucalyptus sideroxylon rosea)


Pincushion Hakea (Hakea laurina)


Back Box (Eucalyptus largiflorens)
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on June 14, 2020, 12:50:40 am
Swap Gum (Eucalyptus Ovata)


Spotted Gum (Corymbia maculata)


Green Mallee (Eucalyptus viridis)
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on June 14, 2020, 12:54:25 am
And it?s a race between the Red Box and the Coral Gum. My money is on the Red Box

Corel Gum (Eucalyptus torquata)


Red Box (Eucalyptus polyanthemos)
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on July 08, 2020, 09:32:15 am
Cootamundra Wattle (Acacia baileyana) in full bloom as well as Wild/Weedy Canola
This is the first time I?ve seen the girls working this Wattle. Also Hardenbergia is a vibrant display but the girls are more interested in the Ironbark which is a little ratty from the weather.



Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on July 24, 2020, 11:13:36 pm
Common ash

It?s just started & it?s within 3 days of last years start. Also the same as last year the girls are collecting pollen from it.

Another month of winter to go
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on September 11, 2020, 10:01:53 am
Thanks Milo, great seeing what's in flower.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Milo on December 04, 2020, 04:08:13 pm
River Redgums have been going for a little while now.
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Minnie on January 01, 2021, 06:33:17 pm
Hi all, long time lurker and first time poster breaking my silence to say what an awesome resource this thread is. Have been coming back to it time after time and cross-refrencing with my notes to learn as much as I can from everyone about what flowers when/well etc and hoping we can resurrect the thread. Please... anyone...anyone?

Victorian Christmas Bush (Prostanthera lasianthos) flowering well in the Ranges, has been for about a week and seems popular.

Otherwise the blackberry, clover and garden plants seem to be keeping the girls amused.

Noticed sporadic flowering on some of the Mountain Grey Gums (Eucalyptus cypellocarpa?) earlier in December but only lasted a couple weeks and now nothing. Is that a usual thing it does, or is it just an out of sorts year because of La Nina?
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: BeeMaster2 on January 02, 2021, 07:21:22 am
Minnie,
Welcome to Beemaster.
Jim Altmiller
Title: Re: What's flowering: Victoria
Post by: Lancej on January 21, 2021, 03:24:34 am
Manna gums are in flower at moment in central Victoria, hoping to move a few hives from the yellow box and red gum on to it. Does anyone know when you get manna off the Manna guns?