Re: Garden pollinator attractors
[Re: SNIPERBBB]
#6466570
02/19/19 12:34 PM
02/19/19 12:34 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 27,037 Georgia
warrior
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 27,037
Georgia
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Corn and to a lesser degree tomato are wind pollinated and not reliant on bees. However corn can pose a threat to bees as bees readily gather corn pollen. Corn seed treated with systemic insecticides can pose a risk. All of the curcubits (squash, melons, most cucumbers) are insect dependent for pollination and highly attractive to bees. Brassica/Cole crops are probably the most bee attractive plant in the garden however since we grow brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, turnips, mustard, etc) as leafy greens and rarely if ever let it bolt/go to seed that's a moot point. The few members of the mallow family (okra, cotton) are nectar and pollen producers. All of the bean (both snap and lima) and field peas are basically self pollinating with pollen release being a function of the bloom opening (often fully pollinated prior to opening hence the reason you can save bean seed year to year without isolation). Yet to varying degrees beans do produce nectar the bees will work with field peas (blackeye, crowder, etc) having extrafloral nectaries (nectar producing organs outside of the flower). Carrots and the alliums (onion, garlic, etc.) are attractive to bees however like brassicas rarely allowed to bloom.
Basically, everything you're already planting is attractive to pollinators and lack of pollination is more often an issue of low pollinator populations and or poor conditions for pollinator activity (weather or more attractive pollen/nectar source off site). I would look to two items to improve pollination. One increasing the pollinator population such as moving a honeybee colony or two close by, providing habitat for orchard or mason bees or squash or blueberry bees (soil nesting miners bees). The next would be cultural issues the would be harmful to pollinators, specifically pesticide use. Eliminate the use of malathion or sevin (long half life) particularly in dust form that bees can mistake for pollen. Use the least harmful product possible only when needed and never treat while bees are active (usually early morning but anytime during daylight hours). I've come to rely on spinosad and Bt and do my treatments at dusk. Overhead irrigation can also deter bee activity, look to drip irrigation.
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Re: Garden pollinator attractors
[Re: SNIPERBBB]
#6467029
02/19/19 08:42 PM
02/19/19 08:42 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,626 Flint, Michigan
bhugo
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,626
Flint, Michigan
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I plant broccoli for eating but usually don’t get around to some of it for some reason or another. Bees love those little yellow flowers. You could get those going early.
Member MTPCA, FTA and NTA
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Re: Garden pollinator attractors
[Re: SNIPERBBB]
#6467117
02/19/19 10:02 PM
02/19/19 10:02 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 7,091 MO
cfowler
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 7,091
MO
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Some very educational stuff here. Thanks Warrior.
I trap for fun. I skin 'em for the money! Grinners For Life-Lifetime Member, MO Chapter, Den #1 ~You Grin, You're In~
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Re: Garden pollinator attractors
[Re: SNIPERBBB]
#6467135
02/19/19 10:15 PM
02/19/19 10:15 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,532 Kanabec Cty, MN
Drakej
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,532
Kanabec Cty, MN
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Bumble bees and Mud bees are major pollinators of tomatoes - Honey bees not(they don't vibrate flower hard enough to shake pollen loose to fall on anther).
I've learned enough thru the years to now know that I don't know enough. KNOWLEDGE IS FREEDOM.
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Re: Garden pollinator attractors
[Re: Drakej]
#6467248
02/19/19 11:52 PM
02/19/19 11:52 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 27,037 Georgia
warrior
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 27,037
Georgia
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Bumble bees and Mud bees are major pollinators of tomatoes - Honey bees not(they don't vibrate flower hard enough to shake pollen loose to fall on anther). I can't pass blooming tomatoes without giving the blooms a little tap just in case. LOL
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Re: Garden pollinator attractors
[Re: SNIPERBBB]
#6469212
02/21/19 07:52 PM
02/21/19 07:52 PM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,650 Southeast Ohio
amspoker
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,650
Southeast Ohio
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Something my bees hit hard when in bloom are any mint herbs, oregano and some volunteer catnip I let grow around the lawn.
Levi
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Re: Garden pollinator attractors
[Re: amspoker]
#6469268
02/21/19 08:55 PM
02/21/19 08:55 PM
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,373 Pa.
Bigbrownie
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,373
Pa.
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Something my bees hit hard when in bloom are any mint herbs, oregano and some volunteer catnip I let grow around the lawn. All the above is good. Bee balm is good too. The best attractant I’ve come across is cat mint. It’s tiny purple flowers will be covered with bees.
Last edited by Bigbrownie; 02/21/19 08:56 PM.
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