Re: Are you seeing bees?

Tbites 5/27/2011, 12:41 pm

There's a bumblebee constantly in my backyard... I saw him dive right into the MM in my box with tomatoes and peppers. If there's a nest in there, can it hurt my plants' roots ?

sherryeo 5/27/2011, 10:59 pm

I went out to my garden yesterday morning with a q-tip to do a little polinating of my cucumbers, zucchini and honey dew melons because I haven't seen bees lately. I bent to swab inside a large zucchini blossom and was startled to find a bee inside! affraid

I don't know who was more scared - the bee or me!!! Needless to say, the q-tip went a-flying and I stumbled back as the bee zoomed past me. I'm not an expert on bee identity, but it wasn't a bumble bee - wasn't that fuzzy. I looked up pics of bees online and it looked like a honey bee. I sure hope I didn't scare it so badly that it doesn't come back!
Very Happy

shannon1 5/28/2011, 1:40 am

I saw the 6th honey bee of the year this morning Very Happy

. As I was watering my eggplant and taking a pic of this tiny grasshopper on one of the fruits I kept getting strafed by a bumble bee. I finaly jumped back and was like "Hey why are you after me?". Then it dove into the ground where my foot was. Are you seeing bees? - Page 5 926169

**camprn** 5/28/2011, 11:04 am

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/beekeepers-report-losses-of-30-percent-of-their-1494015.html <~~~Click

quiltbea 5/28/2011, 7:53 pm

I've noticed a few bees in the last few days, around my pansies and strawberry blossoms and in general. They were even flitting around my seedlings hardening on the picnic table yesterday and they don't have any blossoms yet. I think they were looking for moisture because as soon as I watered the nearby potted tomato plants, the 2 bees in sight flew right down to the soil in the pots. It was unusally hot here yesterday afternoon at 84. I guess I'll have pollination this year.
Even had 2 dragon flies.

pelujilla 5/29/2011, 8:34 am

all I have are wasps. No butterflies or ladybugs either....for next year I will purchase my own butterflies and ladybugs. Does anyone know when it would be a good time to order them for the south? Zone 9?

FarmerValerie 5/29/2011, 8:39 am

Most places that you order them from, ship them when it is time to release them. I know Gardens Alive has lady bugs, and I also plan to release some praying mantis next year.

shannon1 5/29/2011, 11:42 pm

I live in zone 9 and plan on ordering lady beetles from gardens alive as soon as I get paid. I did not want to order until the aphids showd up. Now I have some to feed the ladies. One of the reasons I chose gardens alive is they screen for the parasitic mite that infect lady bugs and I sure don't want to spread that around.

petals1973 5/30/2011, 12:33 am

FarmerValerie wrote:Most places that you order them from, ship them when it is time to release them. I know Gardens Alive has lady bugs, and I also plan to release some praying mantis next year.

When do you release them in our area?

shannon1 5/30/2011, 1:08 am

As soon as they arrive. That morning or evening. You first chill them in the fridge for two hours and mist the garden with water this encourages them to stay put. If you don't have an aphid problem though they will starve.
Shippers just don't want to send them if it is still too cold. Not a problem this time of year Very Happy

FarmerValerie 5/30/2011, 8:56 am

Thanks Shannon, I leave the release date up to the experts, there are so many dates to remember and honestly just because it's a release date does not mean you can release them, you may have a freak snow storm. I like the fact that some things you can order early, like in January, and the place you order from will send them just in time to release or plant.

petals1973 5/30/2011, 1:38 pm

Thanks ladies for the info. I do have good news. I actually saw a bee yesterday! My squash and cucumber plants were not being pollinated so I picked up some huge flowering bushes Saturday. Rose of sharon and a Hibiscus (I thought it was a rose of sharon too because they look so much alike). Hopefully that bee will tell its bee friends all about my new flowers. Very Happy

shannon1 5/30/2011, 11:29 pm

I hope so. flower

This way :arrow:

**donnainzone5** 5/31/2011, 10:24 am

I thought I saw one yesterday but couldn't be sure, since it flew away so quickly.

Perhaps it was hurrying back to its hive to spread the good news.

**camprn** 5/31/2011, 4:19 pm

http://vimeo.com/21746934
In HK.

pelujilla 5/31/2011, 7:22 pm

Well now I am not sure...I did the paintbrush pollinating and there seems to be a bit of swelling.....could it be? But then ALAS I think I saw a bee...or was it a horsefly? Was I succesful at pollinating or was it the masqued flier?

Also, I am AFRAID of lizards but one has set up camp in my garden and I had a talk with him...I said Just make sure that every time I come to the garden you show yourself inmediately....don't go hiding behind leaves or rocks and then jumping out at me!

GreenBlueberry 5/31/2011, 8:35 pm

I know you guys were wondering where they were. Well, they were on vacation in NYC! lol!

http://www.dnainfo.com/20110531/lower-east-side-east-village/massive-bee-swarm-shuts-down-little-italy-sidewalk

sceleste54 5/31/2011, 8:54 pm

How neat is that !!

**camprn** 5/31/2011, 9:25 pm

All those bees so mellow hanging out on the postbox.Catching such a huge swarm is sweet!! Ooooooh, wicked lucky beekeepers from Queens!
Are you seeing bees? - Page 5 820

shannon1 6/3/2011, 12:27 am

pelujilla wrote:Well now I am not sure...I did the paintbrush pollinating and there seems to be a bit of swelling.....could it be? But then ALAS I think I saw a bee...or was it a horsefly? Was I succesful at pollinating or was it the masqued flier?

Also, I am AFRAID of lizards but one has set up camp in my garden and I had a talk with him...I said Just make sure that every time I come to the garden you show yourself inmediately....don't go hiding behind leaves or rocks and then jumping out at me!

You are so lucky I've been talking to the lizards sunbathing on the wall and telling them there is lots to eat just over there, pointing the way to the garden. I would love it if one would join the ranks of garden protectors.

Lindacol 6/3/2011, 1:51 am

You are so lucky I've been talking to the lizards sunbathing on the wall and telling them there is lots to eat just over there, pointing the way to the garden. I would love it if one would join the ranks of garden protectors.

I have a bunch of lizards in my garden. There is a black one that hangs out on top of the compost bin and I usually see 2 or 3 in my large bed. They seem to really like the concrete blocks that I built the bed with. I talk to my lizards too. Mr Lizard is why I don't lay down any of the sticky paper to catch bugs as I don't want to catch these good guys.

shannon1 6/3/2011, 2:17 am

Good point. No stuck lizards that would be so Sad

FarmerValerie 6/3/2011, 8:19 am

You could take a tuna can or two and keep water in them, or a saucer that a plant pot sits in with water. These encourage the lizards and jumpy things (frogs and toads) to hide in the garden. I have a toad in the broccoli box, and a tree frog in one of my 3 sisters boxes.

sherryeo 6/3/2011, 11:45 am

Saw a bee again this morning, flitting around my eggplant! Yeaaaa, go little bee, I love eggplant and love the gorgeous purple blooms, too! This bee didn't really seem very disturbed at my being there, just kept going about its oh-so-helpful business while I watered my plants! Are you seeing bees? - Page 5 418730

I

bees!

pelujilla 6/3/2011, 8:23 pm

Indeed I have a cucumber!
I will post pics soon. It has been crazy here, the school where I teach was evacuated due to wildfires in the area and when they throw you out of your routine it takes a toll on your body and brain! I am fried and exhausted.

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