The Buzz from the Great Sunflower Project
Hi Everyone!
It's been an exciting spring. The Great Sunflower Project (www.greatsunflower.org) has almost 30,000 participants and people are planting in every state in the United States and every province in Canada. Wow!
We've had a few issues getting seeds out and appreciate your patience. We originally planned to have four of us stuffing all the envelopes! When we had 12,000 people sign up in one week, we realized we needed another plan. At the same time, we tested the seeds that American meadows had sent us. Instead of the guaranteed 80% germination rate, we planted 102 seeds and got SIX plants. I have to say that this was about my worst nightmare.
Fortunately, American meadows has replaced the seed and sent us a new shipment of packets. So, if you haven't received your packet of seeds yet, they are being mailed tomorrow from San Francisco. I haven't had the opportunity to test these seeds but American meadows says 80% germination - again.... I've got my fingers crossed.
If you have planted your seeds and had poor germination, please send an email to sfbee@sfsu.edu or call 415-405-2409 (our new phone number) and Fern or Shanon will send you a new packet. We've got them all ready to go!
On the bee news front, one of my former students, Quinn McFrederick, just published a study showing that pollution may cause the scents produced by flowers to deteriorate quickly making it much harder for bees to hone in on flowers. Bees follow what we call "scent trails" to a plant. Some of the chemicals produced by flowers can create a scent trail that extends for almost half a mile. What a different way to encounter the world!
Let us know what we can do to help you with the project! We're thrilled you've joined us.
Gretchen
www.greatsunflower.org
Comments
Sunflower Seeds
The seeds from the packet didn't germinate but I have plenty of volunteers from the seeds that I put out for the birds. I'm looking forward to the count. Carole
Bees and a Look at Humanism
Hi Everyone! I just wanted to share that I am writing my final research paper (SFSU Student) on CCD and how it can be analogous to the humanist aspirations of humanity (positive and negative). But from doing my research the problem is deeper than what it is (in my opinion). Our impact on this planet is so destructive that we are causing a decline in a creature that has been on this planet longer than humanity. So with that said keep up the good fight everyone!
O yes...has anyone else been inspired, if not doing it already, to transform other people's gardens (with their permission of course) into bee sanctuaries? Meaning planting the plants for them and maintaining the garden to be bee welcoming and friendly. I see front yards that are barren and could be put to much better use and used for a good cause: saving bees and maintaining their food supply and populations.
Comments?
Butterflies
Hi,
I think you are speaking to me??? But it was butterflies not bees.
I actually "invaded" 2 of my neighbor's abondant planter pot with permission today. I planted Milkweed in them.
It is the food sourse of beautiful Monarch butterflies. You can go to livemonarch.com to make a small donation to get milkweed seeds or send a self address return envelope to request free seeds. I learned this at the environmental center of my town on EARTH DAY.
I also think people need more education, I never think of the importance of BEEs until I accidientally visit this
Sunflower project website. I always think about trees, bushes which use CO2 and give Oxygen, not really flowers.
And my favorite flower is tomato flowers which will give me tomatos :)
I did plants some flowers for the bees, I hope the bees will like them.