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Title: Pollination Snafu: Michigan Fruit Trees In Bloom, Bees Are Still In Florida, California
Source:
mlive
URL Source: http://blog.mlive.com/kzgazette_imp ... nation_snafu_michigan_fru.html
Published: Apr 5, 2012
Author: Rosemary Parker
Post Date: 2012-04-05 11:13:36 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 989
Comments: 3
PAW PAW-- Southwest Michigan fruit is in bloom, and has even survived a few frosty nights, but there's another threat challenging this year's crop: Many of Michigan's bees are still in Florida or California, wrapping up their work there. Michigan fruit growers have been frustrated in their efforts to find enough worker bees to properly pollinate Michigan's fruit trees and bushes and vines, all blooming about a full month ahead of schedule, according to a recent report by Michigan State University Extension educator Mark Longstroth. He said growers "were scrambling to get bees to pollinate their orchards and are frustrated that, despite their efforts, their bees are not here. Most of the bees that pollinate Michigan fruit crops either overwintered in Florida or just finished pollinating almonds in California." Longstroth said he spoke with Michael Hansen, state apiarist for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and learned of these problems reported by Michigan growers: Michigan bees are ready to step up, Hansen said. The mild winter was definitely been a boon to beekeepers in Michigan, and their increased numbers may be able to fill any gaps.
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#1. To: Brian S (#0)
Better start pollinating by hand. How about other bee species, are they active yet?
Almost every country in the Middle East is awash in oil, and we have to side with the one that has nothing but joos. Goddamn, that was good thinkin'. Esso posted on 2012-01-13 7:37:56 ET
Not sure how one could get that done on 100's of 30 ft trees. Don't know much about the type bee it takes to pollinate fruit trees and had no idea that importing bees just for pollination is such big business.
Never swear "allegiance" to anything other than the 'right to change your mind'! Don't know much about the type bee it takes to pollinate fruit trees and had no idea that importing bees just for pollination is such big business. If you can find a copy of "The Last Beekeeper" it's well worth watching. I believe that most popular varieties of peaches, plums and similar are self pollinating. Apples.. not so much.
Almost every country in the Middle East is awash in oil, and we have to side with the one that has nothing but joos. Goddamn, that was good thinkin'. Esso posted on 2012-01-13 7:37:56 ET
He said growers "were scrambling to get bees to pollinate their orchards and are frustrated that, despite their efforts, their bees are not here. Most of the bees that pollinate Michigan fruit crops either overwintered in Florida or just finished pollinating almonds in California."
#2. To: mininggold (#1)
Better start pollinating by hand.
#3. To: Brian S (#2)
(Edited)
Not sure how one could get that done on 100's of 30 ft trees.
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