[Renegade Ziggy]

Anyone here raise and manage Orchard Mason Bees? A coworker told me about the practice, I'm interested, could be a good project for the wife and me coming up.

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Other/note109/note109.html

 

[barnetmill]

Thanks very much for the topic and it is a reminder that besides honey bees I have to take a look at all of the possible pollinators that are out there.

 

[Dragonid]

I've seen the colony blocks before, but have never done it myself.

 

[saln]

What do you want to know? I've kept a few different pollinators over the years.

One of the best trees to attract native pollinators and other winged insects is the Korean Bee Bee Tree. (Korean Evodia)

You can purchase the bees, make the nest blocks/tubes or treat it like bats. Provide the food and the nest area and try to "pick up" some wild ones. Their forage season is very short and once done they crawl in, seal up and wait the winter out. Look at the Japanese Osmia too.

Edit. These small pollinators are very important for production. Just as important if not more important than Honeybees since they are very selective with what they will fly. This is the main reason I have Bee Bee Trees, not to mention that you just won't believe what these trees will call in.

 

[barnetmill]

What do you want to know? I've kept a few different pollinators over the years.

One of the best trees to attract native pollinators and other wonged insects is the Korean Bee Bee Tree. (Korean Evidia)

You can purchase the bees, make the nest blocks/tubes or treat it like bats. Provide the food and the nest area and try to "pick up" some wild ones. Their forage season is very short and once done they crawl in, seal up and wait the winter out. Look at the Japanese Osmia too.

Edit. These small pollinators are very important for production. Just as important if not more important than Honeybees since they are very selective with what they will fly. This is the main reason I have Bee Bee Trees, not to mention that you just won't believe what these trees will call in.

Where did you buy your Korean bee trees?

 

[saln]

I took a bunch of young from under a friends tree as they are (supposedly) very invasive. You probably wont find them for sale due to this fact. I haven't had any luck in getting young, yet. Might be due to the thick grass under mine. I have some seeds saved and I am going to try this spring.

Another beek friend of mine has had better luck and usually makes a bunch every spring, so I have been counting on him.

Other good ones are the American Linden, Golden rain and the weaping cherry. BUT, nothing beats the Bee Bee, it is just insane, some insects wont even leave it at night, they curl up under the leaves. The Bee Bee is a late bloomer, blooming during the dearth of July/August. Also, lack of water will shut them down, not very drought tolerant.

 

[n1d]

This fellow seams to bee a source

http://hoosierbuzz.freeforums.org/bee-bee-trees-t523.html

[email protected]

Re: Bee Bee Trees
Postby John67x » Tue Jan 07, 2014 8:17 pm

"Just wanted to update. The above post is still in effect. I have both dormant seedlings and seeds available as of 1-7-14. Contact me at [email protected] with any questions."

 

[Sumatra]

http://hoosierbuzz.freeforums.org/bee-bee-trees-t523.html

[email protected]

Re: Bee Bee Trees
Postby John67x » Tue Jan 07, 2014 8:17 pm

"Just wanted to update. The above post is still in effect. I have both dormant seedlings and seeds available as of 1-7-14. Contact me at [email protected] with any questions."

The same person sells them on another forum as well. Haven't seen a bad review yet!