Ivy honey

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I would not be so sure, my friend. At least 2 species are common in our areas[FONT=&quot](Ireland, Britain) [/FONT] : Hedera helix( ditto), and Hedera hibernica. And if you have a look at pictures provided for different species in the link I gave, you realy need to be an expert in order to distinguish ivy species .
I.e. Hedera rhombea (or Japanese ivy) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedera_rhombea [FONT=&quot]is very similar to helix.[/FONT]
“The island Hedera of Macaronesia in the eastern Atlantic, northern African Hedera and European Hedera are closely related species. Until recently it was thought there was a single species (Hedera helix), but recent studies have shown that there are several species that differ mainly by microscopic details of the hairiness of the buds.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedera_canariensis
I`m sure it affects nectar density, but in doubt whether may it affect ratios of sugars , as it`s mostly genes programmed factors AFAIK.
we have both types here, in fact we have them on opposite sides of our garden fence the rhomba seems to be a lot more productive in flowering, in fact ours still has some flowers on now, & we have had frost several times here. when it finally stops raining I will get some pics of both plants to show you.
 
I would not be so sure, my friend. At least 2 species are common in our areas[FONT=&quot](Ireland, Britain) [/FONT] : Hedera helix( ditto), and Hedera hibernica. And if you have a look at pictures provided for different species in the link I gave, you realy need to be an expert in order to distinguish ivy species .
I.e. Hedera rhombea (or Japanese ivy) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedera_rhombea [FONT=&quot]is very similar to helix.[/FONT]
“The island Hedera of Macaronesia in the eastern Atlantic, northern African Hedera and European Hedera are closely related species. Until recently it was thought there was a single species (Hedera helix), but recent studies have shown that there are several species that differ mainly by microscopic details of the hairiness of the buds.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedera_canariensis
I`m sure it affects nectar density, but in doubt whether may it affect ratios of sugars , as it`s mostly genes programmed factors AFAIK.

This is the two types of ivy i have here , if indeed it is two different types. As you see in the pics one flowers considerably which is the one my bees were on, all over several large trees & fences.
 
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This is the two types of ivy i have here , if indeed it is two different types. As you see in the pics one flowers considerably which is the one my bees were on, all over several large trees & fences.

But this is what it looks like when it has really established itself and has flowers on it .... this is on the trees and fences in my garden:
 
But this is what it looks like when it has really established itself and has flowers on it .... this is on the trees and fences in my garden:

so does one type chrystalise more than the other? or do they both go solid quickly?
 
so does one type chrystalise more than the other? or do they both go solid quickly?

I don't know ... the ivy honey in my hive was crystallised within days so, as it is from the type of ivy above, it is possible that there are differing crystallisation rates ... and your ivy honey was from the other type in your photo ?
 
I don't know ... the ivy honey in my hive was crystallised within days so, as it is from the type of ivy above, it is possible that there are differing crystallisation rates ... and your ivy honey was from the other type in your photo ?

yes we have masses of this ivy so i'm certain this is what the bees were on, I seen my bees on it all over it, lots of solitary bees, butterflies & wasps all loved this. whether its a hybrid form of ivy i'm not sure, hopefully someone will know.
 
But this is what it looks like when it has really established itself and has flowers on it .... this is on the trees and fences in my garden:

I may have misunderstood the explanation I was given but doesn’t "young" ivy have the trefoil leaf then "mature" ivy have the smooth, elliptical leaf and bear the flowers?
 
I may have misunderstood the explanation I was given but doesn’t "young" ivy have the trefoil leaf then "mature" ivy have the smooth, elliptical leaf and bear the flowers?
That`s wright Gilberdyke John. There is no many reliable methods to distinguish different species of ivy, as far as I can see. One of the most affordable once is microscopy: “Grab a 10-power hand lens and look closely at young ivy stems and under young leaves, where you may find a white fuzz comprised of individual trichomes.”And while we are talking of species, there are multiple cultivars within each one… Just emerge how different apple taste and shape and colors could be due to it`s different cultivars. And then you would not wonder why ivy honey differs so much across your country. IMHO.
 
I have come across this paper from Liverpool University, giving the distribution of the Ivies in the UK and Ireland. It also discusses the taxonomy of the various species, sub species and the cultivars.

http://www.walterreeves.com/uploads/pdf/englishvsirishivy.pdf

Very interesting link Mike, thanks, clearly my ivy is one & the same, shame theres no mention of nectar in the link but it looks like i may just have the one type of ivy, though i wonder why some has flowered so prolifically, yet some not flowered at all. Some that hasnt flowered is older & some younger than those that have flowered.
Still no wiser as to why my honey is soft set but all good learning.
 
I would suspect that it's because the honey is from a mixture of sources.

It doesn't take much addition to change the physical properties of something that's otherwise uniform in substance.
Think how much difference it makes when adding a little carbon in iron to make steel, or a drip of fairy liquid to water, or salt to ice, all result in significant changes in physical characteristics.

might be worth getting someone to analyse the pollen in your honey to determine the sources.
 
I would suspect that it's because the honey is from a mixture of sources.

It doesn't take much addition to change the physical properties of something that's otherwise uniform in substance.
Think how much difference it makes when adding a little carbon in iron to make steel, or a drip of fairy liquid to water, or salt to ice, all result in significant changes in physical characteristics.

might be worth getting someone to analyse the pollen in your honey to determine the sources.
I Agree. It`s also of a high possibility.(could balsam do that?)
 
I Agree. It`s also of a high possibility.(could balsam do that?)

Well we did have a lot of balsam before the ivy so that could well be mixed in, if i knew for sure i would leave it next year again as its lovely honey.
 
The thing is next year flowering times and what bees forage will be different.

I've just been comparing the couple of jars I have left that I extracted in end of July 2013 with some extracted at the same time this year and they're very different despite coming from same apiary.

I agree though with earlier post - it doesn't take a huge amount to alter consistencies. I had what looks like OSR extracted near to the end of that flow that stayed naturally soft set. Must have been some sycamore or late flowering fruit blossoms mixed in despite looking like OSR only honey. Was a result though and like you I hope for the same this year but I won't hold my breath!
 
The thing is next year flowering times and what bees forage will be different.

I've just been comparing the couple of jars I have left that I extracted in end of July 2013 with some extracted at the same time this year and they're very different despite coming from same apiary.

I agree though with earlier post - it doesn't take a huge amount to alter consistencies. I had what looks like OSR extracted near to the end of that flow that stayed naturally soft set. Must have been some sycamore or late flowering fruit blossoms mixed in despite looking like OSR only honey. Was a result though and like you I hope for the same this year but I won't hold my breath!

Could it be that most people extract their honey before the ivy gets going so most people are then only left with ivy honey to leave for the bees. Could it be that because i left all of mine for the bees, that honey was moved around the hive & thus mixing different varietys, after all they had been on a lot of bramble, balsam, knapweed, garden flowers before the ivy. They were still brooding very late so could they have made room to lay by moving honey up into the supers & mixing it? I wouldnt have found this honey had i not taken a frame off in December to try.
 
I think you are right Jonny. I have been saying since the beginning of the thread I believe your honey is a mixture. I had been recommended to feed while the ivy nectar is being brought in to dilute the ivy and reduce the crystallization. I am not sure what the late flowers are in your area, but here in Norfolk it has now become popular to drill a mixture of both radish and mustard to reduce the levels of free living nematodes in the soil. Both these plants nectar crystalize very quickly as they are in the same family as Oil seed rape. Looks like you have some late flowers that don't crystallize.

Mike
 

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