What's this plant.?

[Robbo8916]

Ive just been checking on the new apiary site progress. As I had the dog with me we decided to walk along the stream at the bottom of the site. Im terrible with plants. The banks of the stream are bursting with thistle and this plant.

Both were buzzing with bumbles and a few honeys. Looks like we picked a good spot

Sorry its a screen shot, im also hopeless on this tablet thingy lol

 

[Galaxy55]

Himalayan balsam/RHS Gardening
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=480

Excellent for honey bees

 

[Robbo8916]

Himalayan balsam/RHS Gardening
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=480

Excellent for honey bees

Thankyou! I had a hunch but wasn't 100% sure. Theres about a mile of it either side of the stream at the bottom of the orchard we're building/creating. Good spot picked then ��

 

[Galaxy55]

Excellent spot, here is a link showing a bee that has been foraging on himalayan balsum - they get this stripe on their back.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=b...Znss5WNxwIVhpYeCh2BRQKH#imgrc=NqU0c-Oox1wnIM:

 

[Robbo8916]

Excellent spot, here is a link showing a bee that has been foraging on himalayan balsum - they get this stripe on their back.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=b...Znss5WNxwIVhpYeCh2BRQKH#imgrc=NqU0c-Oox1wnIM:

I saw one or two like that but as there aren't that many hives in the area there should be plenty for the girls.

I've approached a local landowner who has some fenced off woodland near the train line which has tonnes of the balsam on its edges too about using his wood for a second site. They've just cut a load of trees down a few months ago and replaced it with a beautiful wildflower meadow. Perfect site for more ladies

 

[MartinL]

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . They've just cut a load of trees down a few months ago and replaced it with a beautiful wildflower meadow. Perfect site for more ladies

Not if they're going to cut more!

 

[Robbo8916]

Not if they're going to cut more!

They've not cut down where the hives are hopefully going. Its just down the lane about 20 metres or so. Its lovely.

 

[Erichalfbee]

What's this plant.?

Ahhhh............ how sweetly innocent

 

[Robbo8916]

What's this plant.?

Ahhhh............ how sweetly innocent

Huh?

 

[birdsandbees]

Mine have recently discovered the Himalayan balsam about 1/2 mile away by the river, there are loads coming in with either white patches or full pollen sacks, it must be a good food source.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Huh?

Sorry Robbo.....Not meant in any nasty way.
Himalayan Balsam.....an extremely useful plant for bees, beloved by beekeepers but hated by many others for the damage it does to watercourses etc. Some discussions here can get quite heated.

 

[Robbo8916]

Sorry Robbo.....Not meant in any nasty way.
Himalayan Balsam.....an extremely useful plant for bees, beloved by beekeepers but hated by many others for the damage it does to watercourses etc. Some discussions here can get quite heated.

Ahh yeah I've read a few things that say it is a weed and a massive problem. Although if it benefits the bees I don't see it being a major issue.

IMHO water courses do a fair amount of damage themselves (granted over a long period of time). Might just fill my garden with it.

Apparently that is fine as long as you 'don't allow it to escape into the wild'

 

[Davelin]

VERY invasive plant, swamps everything else.

I think we have to accept that it's here and it is good forage, but please don't do anything to encourage it's spread, illegal in the wild I believe.

 

[Robbo8916]

VERY invasive plant, swamps everything else.

I think we have to accept that it's here and it is good forage, but please don't do anything to encourage it's spread, illegal in the wild I believe.

I couldn't possibly do anything to spread it. Tis on common land. And I was jesting, I can't put it in my garden. My Nasturtiums are going for world domination, they're actually trying to get over the wall lol