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Post by lisaann on Jun 21, 2015 17:59:28 GMT -5
I see NO pollinators out there. The ANTS are worthless.
So I did a pumpkin and some zukes. With a QTip.
Could not get any pollen off the watermelon male flowers to transfer to the females.
Did my best with the corn pollen. It's so wet and humid...............Good grief.
I sure hope you guys don't have this stuff to deal with.
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Post by datgirl on Jun 21, 2015 18:15:57 GMT -5
Not me, I have a lot of bees around. Not honey bees though. Bumble bees mostly. They have built the little mud nests again under my kitchen window. I also have a lot of clover instead of grass.
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Post by Mumsey on Jun 21, 2015 18:18:59 GMT -5
The wind/breeze should do the corn pollination for you. Just shake the tassels.
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Post by lisaann on Jun 21, 2015 18:27:20 GMT -5
I pull weeds but not clover.
Wind only comes with a storm at this point. Dead calm, humidity is finally down to 60%, but way to late in the day to help any.
I'll get corn, but I work for it around here. hhahahahaha
Remember, I ain't working with an acre of corn stalks here!
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Post by brownrexx on Jun 21, 2015 19:17:12 GMT -5
Lots of honey bees, carpenter bees and bumble bees are evident at my place right now. There are some little tiny bees too but I don't know what they are. Of course having 3 hives of honeybees DOES help.
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Post by Mumsey on Jun 21, 2015 19:41:45 GMT -5
We have bees, they love the catmint. I am seeing them in the garden too.
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Post by tbird on Jun 22, 2015 9:48:41 GMT -5
So I did a pumpkin and some zukes. With a QTip. perv!
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Post by tbird on Jun 22, 2015 9:55:16 GMT -5
but - that is very concerning lisaann. My garden is buzzing with them nonstop, particular favorites are the borage and the comfrey - chives too, but those flowers are past now.
what is you neighboring situation? In terms of chemical gardening? I would be very worried something serious was amiss.
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Post by desertwoman on Jun 22, 2015 10:58:42 GMT -5
We are loaded with bees. Right now, they are loving the ornamental thyme and russian sage. The hum is a strong presence. Love it!
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Post by lisaann on Jun 22, 2015 17:18:18 GMT -5
I mentioned before..........a terrible thing..........Maryland ranks 5th in the nation for bee loss. 61% loss. Average is 41%.
My efforts paid off.
Zukes are hanging on and growing. Pumpkin should be good. I see 2 more pumpkins getting ready for pollination out there by Wednesday.
I must focus on my watermelons.
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Post by tbird on Jun 22, 2015 18:27:35 GMT -5
I must focus on my watermelons. pervy!
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mj1962
Sprout
north cental iowa
Posts: 23
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Post by mj1962 on Jun 22, 2015 21:32:04 GMT -5
Seen only one bumble bee here this spring . Got bee balm , white clover,lambs ear and flower's all over. No honey bees for several years. Every year getting worse. Just thought hardly any lighting bugs either. Not good!
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Post by brownrexx on Jun 23, 2015 8:40:23 GMT -5
No, it's sad. Our pollinators are in trouble from all of the herbicide use. I hope that people using stuff to create the "perfect" lawns wake up before it's too late. The plight of the Monarch butterflies has made headlines and hopefully can help the bees too.
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Post by OregonRed on Jun 23, 2015 10:49:44 GMT -5
I noticed how the bees like the herbs gone to flower, so I planted every single herb I could find into the 6 x 20 flower bed!
the oregano in a CG gardners bed, you could HEAR the bees before you even got close
my thyme this year, I had to walk a wide birth around it , lest be driven off! "this is MY flower bush!"
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Post by James on Jun 24, 2015 0:37:43 GMT -5
Too bad there are no pollinators around. The number of honey bee colonies in the country is on the decline. Diseases, mites and pesticides are taking a toll. I keep bees here as a sideline along with the gardening. I have 8 colonies, and my son just brought 21 more and set them down on my lot. So I have bees at the present time. Quite a lot of gardeners have started to keep a few bees. I know its another job, and the equipment is costly to get into it, but it can be rewarding. You might do a little searching online about bees and equipment if you get an interest? www.kelleybees.com/
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