Maize & Elderflower

[Etton]

Are bees attracted to Maize when in flower and Elderflower which is now flowering ?
Thanks

 

[Erichalfbee]

Not Elder but they will use Maize pollen

 

[enrico]

We have acres and acres of maize here. They never touch it. Likewise, elder is not used. It is such a pity farmers cant grow some cattle food that is beneficial to pollinators. It would make so much difference

 

[Erichalfbee]

We have acres and acres of maize here. They never touch it. Likewise, elder is not used. It is such a pity farmers cant grow some cattle food that is beneficial to pollinators. It would make so much difference

Like sainfoin

 

[Hedgerow Honey]

Like sainfoin

Unfortunately thousands of maize acres are grown around us to feed digesters.
Having been involved in farming all my life it seems so wrong to produce food that is basically just composted.

 

[roche]

Like sainfoin

We had a primarily sainfoin crop of honey one year. It was superb.

 

[Swarm]

Never say never, there is an Elder at the gate to the farm driveway and i do occasionally see bees on the flowers.

 

[Erichalfbee]

We had a primarily sainfoin crop of honey one year. It was superb.

Have you any left? A jar maybe?

 

[roche]

Have you any left? A jar maybe?

Sorry, no. It was about 2010. We had an apiray on an organic farm, and it was the only year the farmer ever planted it. It had almost a citrus/minty flavour, with a hint of a sparckle to it. If I found a field of it again, I would put some hives to it, if I was able.

 

[alancooper]

Hardly ever on elder - occasional sighting sucking nectar.

 

[North End Bees]

Have you any left? A jar maybe?

Maybe you could twist @rolande 's arm for a jar?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Maybe you could twist @rolande 's arm for a jar?

I’ve already made the first move
but alas he hasn’t any left

 

[North End Bees]

That went quick! Must have been super nice.

 

[rolande]

Maybe you could twist @rolande 's arm for a jar?

Sadly not a large enough area to get any real benefit, if it was then I think it would require a juji gatame rather than a simple twist to get me to release a jar!!

Last sainfoin we had was probably just over twenty years ago from the Salisbury plains, it infuriates me to think that the need to get cash moving resulted in it being mixed in drums and sold to Mrs S at Exeter bee supplies for £1.29 a lb.... Those were the days!

 

[The Poot]

Salisbury Plains? That’s a mighty long way for your bees to fly to find forage!

 

[rolande]

Salisbury Plains? That’s a mighty long way for your bees to fly to find forage!

It was a mighty hectic time for the beekeepers!