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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: yes2matt on January 08, 2019, 06:42:44 am

Title: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: yes2matt on January 08, 2019, 06:42:44 am
Red Maple blooming in south Charlotte (right on the NC/SC line) two days ago. Two weeks earlier than earliest locally reported date (1/20) in recent years.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: jtcmedic on January 08, 2019, 07:50:56 am
Sand pines  are dropping pollen like crazy central Florida, also saw some king palms blooming.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Jaimes36 on January 08, 2019, 07:57:44 am
Red Maple blooming in south Charlotte (right on the NC/SC line) two days ago. Two weeks earlier than earliest locally reported date (1/20) in recent years.
Thanks I live in eastern NC looks like my bleep willows will bloom within the next 2 weeks I will check some trees and provide a report. _J


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Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: The15thMember on January 08, 2019, 02:26:37 pm
My bees are finding yellow and orange pollen somewhere, but I have no idea how.  I haven?t seen anything blooming.  Maybe I need to look harder . . . .
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Beeboy01 on January 08, 2019, 04:23:28 pm
Maples are in full bloom around Port Orange Fl. they are about two weeks earlier than last year.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Haveuseen1? on January 08, 2019, 06:18:52 pm
My bees have found Henbit and are bringing in red pollen.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: herbhome on January 08, 2019, 07:02:29 pm
Wich hazel is in bloom. Bees are bringing in some pale yellow pollen. :smile:
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Acebird on January 09, 2019, 09:05:05 am
There are so many plants in FL it is making my head spin.
Plants that my wife labored over to keep alive upstate could be thrown out a second floor window down here and they would flourish.  We went to Mounts botanical garden this weekend and the bees were attacking this flower that looks like a yellow scrub brush.  It was a tree but probably something that wouldn't survive as a house plant up north.  It is hard for me to imagine why FL is not the bee capital of the country.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: BeeMaster2 on January 09, 2019, 11:00:55 am
Brian,
I think about 1/2 of the commercial bees in the United States winter in Florida to get ready for the almond pollination in California.
As a I have mentioned before, a Beekeeper in Tampa with 4 hives made 1600 pounds of honey in one year. He also sold it at $10 a pound. That?s a $16,000 crop from 4 hives. Pretty amazing.
Jim
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Acebird on January 10, 2019, 09:19:35 am
Amazing for sure.  So why don't they stick around for the summer flow?  With yields like that you would think this guy in Tampa would have beekeepers flocking to this area.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: bwallace23350 on January 10, 2019, 01:06:30 pm
All I have seen is some henbit and heard about a Bradford Pear blooming.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Ben Framed on January 10, 2019, 03:15:10 pm
The only thing that I have found blooming here is my pollen feeder. Ah haa haa haa  :grin:
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Haveuseen1? on January 10, 2019, 06:06:33 pm
We have about 25 Bradford pears here at work, and they are all just about to bloom.  35758 zip code.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: BeeMaster2 on January 10, 2019, 08:57:47 pm
Amazing for sure.  So why don't they stick around for the summer flow?  With yields like that you would think this guy in Tampa would have beekeepers flocking to this area.
Al lot of areas have almost no summer bloom. My bees at the farm starve during summer. This fall was not much better.
Jim
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Beeboy01 on January 11, 2019, 07:51:35 pm
I'm lucky because I'm in a good location for honey flows. Last year I got an early Saw Palmetto in May, A wildflower crop in June, Cabbage Palm in July and Brazilian Pepper in September. Even with all the wet weather I was surprised at getting about 15 gallons total for the year and being able to double my hives from 3 to 6. If all goes well I'm concentrating on honey production this year. Of course man plans and the gods laugh ;)
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: paus on January 11, 2019, 09:20:51 pm
I have two hives about 50 feet from Bradford pears and I have looked close when they were blooming and have never seen a honey bee on a bloom , but there lots of other pollinators working them ??????????? I have always wondered what is going on.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Jaimes36 on February 01, 2019, 11:13:09 pm
Eastern N.C. update camellia bushes in bloom (lots of different colored pollen) ? On nectar Tulip poplar flowers starting to open sugar maples P.willow blueberry and other early fruit trees about 1-2 weeks bulbs- Lilly of the valley 1-2 weeks. I?ll post when I see my first purple eyed drone.


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Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FloridaGardener on February 02, 2019, 11:49:37 pm
Hopefully cheering up you folks in the North.  Spring is soon!

Tea olives are in full bloom, but it looks like they're all about trotting in the pine pollen right now.  65 degrees today and 70 tomorrow.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Donovan J on February 03, 2019, 12:33:09 am
Hopefully cheering up you folks in the North.  Spring is soon!

Tea olives are in full bloom, but it looks like they're all about trotting in the pine pollen right now.  65 degrees today and 70 tomorrow.


Spring seems so far away! I'm expecting snow tomorrow and even more next weekend. Ugh I want to get my bees already!
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Sputnik on February 07, 2019, 06:41:09 pm
I'm seeing a few spring flowers. Just checked on my bees, they are bringing in a lot of yellow pollen this afternoon. Weather will be back in the 20's Friday night, time to light the wood stove.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: yes2matt on February 15, 2019, 07:08:24 pm
Red maples gone to seed in Charlotte.  Ornamental cherries wide open, some even starting to drop petals. 
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FloridaGardener on February 17, 2019, 10:43:21 pm
Carolina Cherry Laurel (Prunus caroliniana) has all popped open!
Bees are flying every day now.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: JackM on February 19, 2019, 08:54:20 am
Just heather here and too darn cold for the break of the cluster anyhow
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: bwallace23350 on February 21, 2019, 04:04:23 pm
The honey bees are all over my peach tree and have been hard on my blueberry bushes. I will try to get a picture sometime soon.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FloridaGardener on February 25, 2019, 09:52:35 pm
Future Peach Pie.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Haveuseen1? on February 26, 2019, 05:42:56 pm
North Central Alabama:
Henbit
Ornamental Pear/Peach/Plum
Red Maple
Daffodil
Pink Flowering Magnolia
Dandelion
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Sputnik on February 27, 2019, 06:05:34 am
Peach trees are starting to bloom.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: 10framer on March 11, 2019, 12:43:23 am
peaches are almost done and blackberries are at least 50 percent in bloom in central georgia.  things are cranking up a little early this year.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: aridostlari.com on March 13, 2019, 08:52:12 am
Agic spring almonds are opened spring comes a new law in Turkey 

detailed information
aridostlari.com
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: yes2matt on March 13, 2019, 09:41:43 am
Redbuds in Charlotte NC.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FloridaGardener on March 31, 2019, 11:53:50 pm
Photinia Fraserii - the flowering tree in the background - smothered in blooms.  The girls are pretty much going 50 feet there, and back, and there, and back...dawn to dusk.  Since this comb and 8 more of them didn't exist 2 weeks ago at the last inspection, I'm thinking if chemically analyzed, they'd be about 90% Photinia.  How do they do it??  Wow.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: BeeMaster2 on April 03, 2019, 05:12:06 am
Clover is in full bloom and my yard is buzzing with bees.
Blackberry is also in full bloom.
Jim Altmiller
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Donovan J on April 14, 2019, 09:05:46 pm
Dandelions in full bloom in Washington. Clover is still a few weeks out.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Michael Bush on April 15, 2019, 08:22:21 am
Pussywillows are blooming and some other fruit tree out in my pasture, which I haven't had time to go check to see what it is.  A couple of trees in town are blooming.  The red maples are still blooming.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: windowbee on April 15, 2019, 01:34:31 pm
In my area this is happening:
My short film:

https://youtu.be/WB8SDxB-F-0 (https://youtu.be/WB8SDxB-F-0)
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: windowbee on April 15, 2019, 01:36:34 pm
I have more :)
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: BeeMaster2 on April 20, 2019, 10:15:46 pm
Our gallberry bushes just started blooming today. They have more flowers on one branch than I have seen on entire bushes in the past. In previous years I had to look hard to find a bee on The gallberry bushes. That was with my 12 hives and 64 commercial hives within a stones throw. Every Bush we looked at was full of bees. And this year the commercial Beek, at my request, did not put his bees on top of me because when he does, neither one of us makes much honey. Hoping to have a great honey harvest.
Jim Altmiller
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Michael Bush on April 22, 2019, 09:35:05 am
Wild plums are blooming now.  One week late.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Drraccoon on April 22, 2019, 06:28:12 pm
Pussywillow, maples, buds popping on pear trees, squill, skunk cabbage.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Nock on May 04, 2019, 06:18:57 pm
Tulip poplars have been open about a week now. Saw first blackberries opened today.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: BeeMaster2 on May 04, 2019, 08:58:21 pm
Gallberry is still in bloom. Not seeing bees on it. It has been very dry. Even when it rains it dries up before it gets in the ground.
Jim Altmiller
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Dallasbeek on May 05, 2019, 12:19:44 am
The bees are all over my privet and I am stuck in hospital and missing it.  DRAT!
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FloridaGardener on May 05, 2019, 10:05:48 pm
Ok Dallasbeek, these privet flowers are for you in the hospital :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2hswJMCozY
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Dallasbeek on May 06, 2019, 09:58:47 am
Wow, I thought my privet was large!  But mine is only a couple of years old.  Thanks for the picture.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: BeeMaster2 on May 06, 2019, 01:03:33 pm
Tupelo is in bloom. I can hear the bees on it from 50 feet away. Bees are not visiting the gallberry that is still in bloom. We had heavy downpours yesterday.
Jim Altmiller
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Nock on May 06, 2019, 03:06:14 pm
I had to look up what the privet was. Glad I did. There are some at my wife?s work. I saw bees really working it last year and always wondered what it was.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: BeeMaster2 on May 16, 2019, 12:31:36 am
I heard the bees on a popcorn tree this morning. Yes it is in full bloom.
Jim Altmiller
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: BeeMaster2 on May 21, 2019, 10:48:23 pm
I checked the Palmetto, it is in bloom and I did see bees on it. We are in a dry spell with no relief in sight. I just hope there is still enough water in the soil to keep the flow going.
Bees are still on clover and popcorn.
Jim Altmiller
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Nock on May 22, 2019, 11:17:45 am
  Catalpa are full bloom here.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Nock on June 04, 2019, 09:11:12 am
Lot of stuff blooming right now. Milkweed and butterfly weed. Thistles and elderberry as well.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FatherMichael on June 11, 2019, 09:17:30 pm
I've never seen so many flowers blooming as in Texas this spring.

Sparkleberry and Vitex blooming now.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Bob Wilson on June 17, 2019, 06:45:44 pm
I have read that honey flow is sometimes more consistent in residential areas, rather than rural, because of planted yards and flowers. Here it is in late June, a supposed dearth time in middle Georgia, and my bees are going in and out too fast to count. Looking at the frames a few days ago, I have white comb, and various levels of nectar in the comb. This is still considered a strong flow, right?
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Nock on June 17, 2019, 10:43:56 pm
Sumac is starting here.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Bob Wilson on June 18, 2019, 10:38:14 am
I haven't the slightest idea about sumac. I have been watching crepe myrtle, but the white stuff blooming now isn't drawing any bees. We will see when the red/pink varieties come in. They are not visiting petunias, hydrangea, nor lantana. I know there are a lot of inconspicuous flowering bushes and trees in the wild. The bees are getting the nectar from somewhere. I suppose I really need to be keeping a journal.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FatherMichael on June 18, 2019, 08:55:16 pm
Lilac finishing and Mesquite beginning.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: BeeMaster2 on June 18, 2019, 11:34:34 pm
Bobil,
Crepe Myrtle does not have nectaries. If the bees are visiting it it is for pollen only.
Jim Altmiller
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Donovan J on June 18, 2019, 11:54:59 pm
Blackberries and lavender starting
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FloridaGardener on June 19, 2019, 12:31:33 am
These pictures are 7-12 days ago.  And the viewer cannot smell the incredible smell of the sweet bay magnolia trees that are blooming too.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FloridaGardener on June 19, 2019, 12:34:42 am
They are everywhere here. 
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FloridaGardener on June 19, 2019, 12:38:18 am
This one is 2 weeks late in being posted.  But nice to see just how much good stuff is on each inflorescence.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Bob Wilson on June 19, 2019, 07:38:38 am
Jim. I get it. That is something new to me. Now that you mention it, i remember seeing a list of flowers one time. This batch had nectar, this batch had pollen, and this batch had both.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FatherMichael on June 23, 2019, 07:02:12 pm
Privet tampering off, Mesquite starting strong, Vitex in full bloom with Sunflower and other wildflowers.  Sumac in full bloom but there are none here in town.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FloridaGardener on July 03, 2019, 03:02:45 pm
Sabal palm...some are popping out, some are in full bloom.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FloridaGardener on July 08, 2019, 10:29:17 pm
Lots of buzzing!
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FloridaGardener on July 09, 2019, 12:01:15 am
https://youtu.be/ybEVb9va1P4
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FatherMichael on July 22, 2019, 10:27:50 pm
Mesquite almost gone by now -- hive built up tremendously -- population explosion.

Feeding now (first year build-up situation) until Cotton, which has started early but the closest field is a mile from the house.

Still many wildflowers like Sunflowers and garden plants like Crepe Myrtle in the neighborhood.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Nock on July 23, 2019, 12:04:24 pm
Sumac going strong here. Should have some buckwheat in couple weeks.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: saltybluegrass on July 26, 2019, 11:52:14 am
The bees are all over my privet and I am stuck in hospital and missing it.  DRAT!

You get well and someone needs to tell the bees where you are ❤️🐝
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: BAHBEEs on July 30, 2019, 11:35:27 am
GOLDENROD ALERT!!!

I know it is early, but reality is what reality is.  I spotted yellow down in the swale at the bottom of our hill.  Yup, it is indeed goldenrod.  If you are one of those who hates Goldenrod honey, ya better pull those supers now!  On the positive side, it has been drying out here and getting a tad "dearthy", the fall run is on the way.  If like me, you like Goldenrod honey...Yipee!!!

Because flowers are getting a little scarce, I only took what was fully capped.  I saw quite a lot of mostly filled that I left.

Barry
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Nock on July 31, 2019, 11:53:37 am

Getting close here as well.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: BAHBEEs on July 31, 2019, 12:40:35 pm
It sure seems early to be seeing Goldenrod in bloom, but heck, mother nature is all out of sorts these days.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: CoolBees on July 31, 2019, 12:48:31 pm
If the Goldenrod is going into bloom now, doesn't that suggest an early/hard winter? ... if I remember rightly thru 40 yrs ... my grandpa used to teach me these things, but if you don't use them, well ... they fade.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Nock on July 31, 2019, 04:56:20 pm
It sure seems early to be seeing Goldenrod in bloom, but heck, mother nature is all out of sorts these days.
Close to month early.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Nock on August 02, 2019, 09:10:47 pm

Some blooming here. South central KY.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: jtcmedic on August 02, 2019, 10:34:39 pm
Goldenrod in Hernando county
Title: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: TheHoneyPump on August 11, 2019, 12:01:08 am


PS: Golden Rod started blooming here in the north about Aug 3rd.


Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Bob Wilson on August 15, 2019, 05:41:40 pm
This is clematis terniflora. A medium invasive vine on the east coast USA. It's a about a mile from my hive, and these bees are gathering this pale white/yellow pollen from it. But none of it is getting to my hive's entrance, a mile away. I checked.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: paus on August 23, 2019, 02:16:54 pm
Golden rod in NE Texas, started today AUG 23.  No bees only
butterflies Working the blooms.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FatherMichael on September 06, 2019, 10:10:11 pm
In a dearth here.  Wild Sunflower has been blooming for a month but not much of it.  Spanish Gold blooming but not much of it.  Broom Weed prolific but not much of a flow -- very little rain.  Ornamental Sage is blooming around town, again, not much of it.

Look forward to next year with bees out in the farmland and pastures in my new apiary with abundant wildflowers, Mesquite, and Cotton nearby.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Dadsbees on September 06, 2019, 10:27:38 pm
Brazialian pepper is just starting tampa area
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: BAHBEEs on September 16, 2019, 03:32:18 pm
If the Goldenrod is going into bloom now, doesn't that suggest an early/hard winter? ... if I remember rightly thru 40 yrs ... my grandpa used to teach me these things, but if you don't use them, well ... they fade.

Unfortunately many of the old weather signs are no longer dependable.  I am a scientist working in the environmental cleanup field and thus keep very close tabs on the oft agued about Climate Change issue.  I can assure it is real, and about all one an predict is shorter, but more violent winters...how a Very late Summer temp running into a very early Goldenrod fits in is an utter throw of the dice in this rapidly changing world we now inhabit.

It is the 1st day of fall next Monday...and we have a high of 97 today...  we should be in the mid to low 80s by now.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: The15thMember on September 16, 2019, 09:48:10 pm
Goldenrod, ragweed, and asters are in full bloom right now.  I have a small flow on, I'd guess from the asters since the bees are all over them. 
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FloridaGardener on September 16, 2019, 10:43:52 pm
@Bahbees - It's so hot and dry this year that our area has lost many old growth trees in the Nyssa sp. which grow in wet conditions.  Local lakes are low, with wide, dried mud-rings around them.

The Liriope (popular ornamental) has bloomed for a couple of weeks and is fading out.  Now, we have about one honey bee per square foot on a small meadow of Richardia (Mexican clover). And with the honey bees, all sorts of others too...tiny bees with green heads....itty bitty orange bees...mini moths...swallowtail butterflies...

I've got the irrigation system on regularly to keep that nectar flowing.

Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: paus on September 17, 2019, 12:00:51 am
Bees are working Smartweed very hard, this plant is new to me. I had seen it but not in the quantity it is growing this year.  What kind of honey does it make
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Nock on September 17, 2019, 11:38:15 am
Bees are working Smartweed very hard, this plant is new to me. I had seen it but not in the quantity it is growing this year.  What kind of honey does it make
Smartweed /knotweed is blooming here as well. 
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: Michael Bush on September 17, 2019, 05:50:59 pm
>What kind of honey does it make

Dark and strong.  It starts off a bit bitter but ends nicely.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: BAHBEEs on September 25, 2019, 01:11:50 pm
AAAAnnnd my fall ends not with a frost...but instead an utter parching. 

At this point whatever isn't in my yard and watered is done.  There is no rain in the foreseeable future...

Made up 2/1 syrup last night, will be pulling supers this afternoon and adding feeders. 

Shifting to keep 'em alive mode now!

Doing rain dances daily,
Barry
From the developing new desert in North Alabama
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FloridaGardener on October 02, 2019, 01:09:00 pm

We sympathize.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: FloridaGardener on December 17, 2019, 12:05:56 am
Wild mustard just finished.
Last bit of goldenrod is still yellow.  It phased into bloom for over 3 months.
Spanish needle is still going strong.
And now....the Loquats are blooming.  There are a dozen Loquat trees at a condo across the neighborhood.  The bees have been flying fast all day.
Yes, it's December...we had a nice warm fall...our cold weather will start about now, then warm up in 6-8 weeks.
Title: Re: Follow the Bloom 2019
Post by: CoolBees on December 28, 2019, 06:51:02 pm
Loquat trees have been blooming here for a few weeks.

Citrus is starting to bloom now.

I'm still not sure about the eucalyptus tree bloom - thru my binoculars I think I can see flowers high up on several eucalyptus stands - its just not a tree that I know enough about yet.

Nectar is beginning to flow slowly. Hive weight has begun to increase finally - determined by lifting the back of the hives, and by some inspections. It should get good in 4-6 weeks.