Bee Review
I would like to report information on my observations. The first bees I saw in 2008 was on May 22. They were on colts foot which in the past I would have pulled as a weed. I now consider them bee food and they are here to stay.
The sunflower seeds came in the mail and I planted them in several locations (at two addresses) including some in pots.
On July 3 there was no sign of seedlings. Bees are present on many garden flowers.
By July 13 the sunflower seedlings were up about 3 to 6 inches in the pots, no sign of them in the beds.
By July 15 the plume poppies were 5 feet tall and forming flower heads.
July 22, many more flowers are in bloom and bees are abundant.
By August 11, the black oiled sunflower seed volunteers from the left over bird seed were in full bloom and covered with bees. The project plants were growing but no blooms.
The plume poppies hosted many bees at a time by August 30 some of their blooms were passing and finally the sunflowers in the pot were blooming and on September 2 several blooms were open.
The plume poppy was still blooming and the bees totally enjoyed them. I never saw a bee land on the sunflowers from the project, yet as many as 20 bees can be seen at one time on the poppies just a few yards from the sunflowers. I brought the pots with the sunflowers inside the barn to allow the seed heads to dry so they can be planted next year. I also let the seed heads go to seed on the plume poppies.
All dates mentioned I have photos to go along with as my camera is a much better recorder of time than I am, if you would like to see any photos, just let me know.
Leasa
Eastport, Maine