Clover

[Finman]

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When we have clover fields, farmers cut down the plants when it starts to bloom. 90% goes this way.

PIC: clover inside
https://crop.kaleva.fi/tJbcj8aK0re5...4e7-11e5-aedd-22000a22931e/xlarge-heinaa9.jpg

 

[Curly green fingers]

Just plant the right white clover.

Found this thought it might be of interest its all about clover
https://www.pennington.com/resources/agriculture/forage/tips-guides/clover-selection-guide

 

[philipm]

Looks like I will need to do some more research,may well trail a few different clovers.

 

[Curly green fingers]

Looks like I will need to do some more research,may well trail a few different clovers.

Here's a bit more info I think the smaller varieties produce less nectar.http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/5a56704e9797f/fs_trre3.pdf

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[Hivemaker.]

Here's a bit more info I think the smaller varieties produce less nectar

The small wild variety is the least productive with regards cutting for silage or hay, but definitely the most productive here with regards nectar as the bees can easily collect it, unlike the really large flowered clover grown, hardly ever see a honey or even bumble bee on that, despite some fields being white with it...if it does yield any nectar they have a problem, short tongues.

 

[Poly Hive]

Many years ago I phoned the Botany Dept at Aberdeen Uni and had a chat with the Professor.

He stated that the best wild clover was found on upland, unfertilised ground, and critically which was within 7 miles of the coast so as to benefit from salty winds.

PH

 

[Millet]

Many years ago I phoned the Botany Dept at Aberdeen Uni and had a chat with the Professor.

He stated that the best wild clover was found on upland, unfertilised ground, and critically which was within 7 miles of the coast so as to benefit from salty winds.

PH

1 mile from the coast here it flourishes when the sheep and horses are rotated, does it not Crystallize in the comb though.

 

[Curly green fingers]

The small wild variety is the least productive with regards cutting for silage or hay, but definitely the most productive here with regards nectar as the bees can easily collect it, unlike the really large flowered clover grown, hardly ever see a honey or even bumble bee on that, despite some fields being white with it...if it does yield any nectar they have a problem, short tongues.

I get the idea that certain clovers are no good for foraging because they can't reach the nectar in the flowers. I have no evidence to support my claims that wild clover has less nectar than any of the others there is lots of subspecies in the clover family almost 3 hundred in total. I'm not a trained botanist I have a degree in agriculture/ stockman ship/ land management. But I would like to have some closure on this subject. I've emailed a friend who is a professor at harper Adams college of agriculture. And hopefully he can point me in the right direction. Cheers mark

Bonum diem habeas

 

[Poly Hive]

I have never heard of clover crystalising in the comb which is why it was so highly prized as section honey.

PH

 

[mbc]

I get the idea that certain clovers are no good for foraging because they can't reach the nectar in the flowers. I have no evidence to support my claims that wild clover has less nectar than any of the others there is lots of subspecies in the clover family almost 3 hundred in total. I'm not a trained botanist I have a degree in agriculture/ stockman ship/ land management. But I would like to have some closure on this subject. I've emailed a friend who is a professor at harper Adams college of agriculture. And hopefully he can point me in the right direction. Cheers mark

Bonum diem habeas

There is no one more qualified to tell you which clover has the most accessible nectar to honeybees than the bees themselves and those who observe them.

 

[Curly green fingers]

There is no one more qualified to tell you which clover has the most accessible nectar to honeybees than the bees themselves and those who observe them.

but it would be a good idea to have a bit more scientific info on nectar production in different types of clover .

 

[Hivemaker.]

but it would be a good idea to have a bit more scientific info on nectar production in different types of clover .

...and different types of soil, wet or dry weather, hot or cold, whether it secretes nectar close to the sea or growing high up and low down, how well it secretes nectar more than seven miles from the sea, etc.

 

[Finman]

but it would be a good idea to have a bit more scientific info on nectar production in different types of clover .

Scientists do not know nectar things better than ordiary beekeepers.

You can look yoursef the clover field what you see. Sometimes on theory weathers are ideal for red clover, but I cannot see any bumbble bees or honey bees on flowers. Bee have better flowers.

To get nectar from red clover bees need bumbble bees to make hole into a flows tube.

You may suck the clover flowers, do you taste any sweat on flower tube.

If there are 5 bees in square metre, propably there are too much bees on field and flowers so not give so fast new nectar that bees get any yield.

In my country knowledge about bee pasture plants is so false and poor, that I do not trust on any common knowledge. But beekeepers love fairytales.

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[Curly green fingers]

...and different types of soil, wet or dry weather, hot or cold, whether it secretes nectar close to the sea or growing high up and low down, how well it secretes nectar more than seven miles from the sea, etc.

I've looked on the interweb there doesn't seem to be that much about the subject unless I'm looking in the wrong place.

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[Hivemaker.]

unless I'm looking in the wrong place.

Watch the bees, they know which clover to collect nectar from and when.

 

[Poly Hive]

Phone your local uni and they will point you in the right direction. Sometimes the sword is the simplest way of untying the knot.

KISS

PH

 

[Finman]

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IT is easy to see, do bees have nectar on their belly.
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Last summer I "had" a splended white clover field in full bloom. IT was one mile distance to my hives. I could not see any bees in flowers. IT told, that bees had better pastures near hives.

On half way there was a big red clover field too. Nothing there either.

You only must believe what you see with your own eyes.
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Same with field bean. 2 metres from hives it was again a flowering bean field. No bugs or any sound there.
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And a letter says that you can put 6 hives onto field bean hectare. All my hives onto one field which gives nothing.
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[Beefriendly]

Last July we attempted to get a crop of bell heather honey. Apiary site is at the end of one of the Yorkshire Dales situated below the heather line but surrounded by virtually nothing but grazed fields full of clover and roadside thistles.
And that was exactly what we got when I examined the pollen in the honey....not an erica grain to be seen.
Absolutely gorgeous honey, just not enough of it !!

 

[Finman]

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Basic idea in beekeeping is to know pastures, what ever then they are.
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[Curly green fingers]

Last July we attempted to get a crop of bell heather honey. Apiary site is at the end of one of the Yorkshire Dales situated below the heather line but surrounded by virtually nothing but grazed fields full of clover and roadside thistles.
And that was exactly what we got when I examined the pollen in the honey....not an erica grain to be seen.
Absolutely gorgeous honey, just not enough of it !!

I have lots of thistles up here to I haven't seen my bee's foraging on these as yet . they didn't tutch the gorse either until the autumn . I suppose they will forage on plants that are easier to collect nectar/ pollen from first . and then as a secondary measure work the harder plants like heather, beans ect.