Noting non-sunflower bee activity
Tue, 05/13/2008 - 19:01 — wynk
I'm curious if the organizers of this project would be interested in knowing about bee activity that ISN'T around sunflowers. The reason I ask is that I just signed up, so it'll be a bit before my sunflowers get going, but in the meantime I DO have a lot of honeybee activity around a clump of Mexican heather in my front yard.
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Bee Activity
Having bee activity bodes well for what we'll see when your sunflower is up. I'd love it if you'd mention that in the comments when you actually enter data. We can't use data from other flowers, even other sunflowers, because it's like comparing a crab-apple and a pippin. They might look similar but one isn't as tasty as the other. With sunflowers, one cultivar might be even tastier than the ones we've sent out and a different cultivar (like the pollen-less ones) might be less tasty.
Where can I buy the seeds ?
Okay, so we can't use sunflowers in this study exept yours. Well, none of the ones I got from you came up. So, where can I buy them so I can participate in this study? And why were these type of sunflowers picked from other types? And why is there such a low germiation rate on this type? AND, what happens if none of the seeds are any good?
Thanks
Colleen
Bought seeds
Okay, guess I should check out the site more thoughly. I just bought 1/4 lb of the seed from American Meadows. I should get some to grow from them. I don't know how much 1/4 lb is yet, but it cost as much for the shipping as it did for the seed!!! Wish me luck :)
Colleen from Michigan
Problems with Germination
Dear Colleen,
I am sorry this has been frustrating. I tested seeds last year before launching the project and had over 90% germination on every variety of sunflower I tested. When I chose to contract with American Meadows, they told me to expect an equally high germination rate and they guaranteed 80% germination. When we got our first batch of seeds that did not germinate well, I trusted that it was an isolated incident. I'm now getting reports from you and others that you are having low germination. While Mike Lizotte, my contact there, is very congenial and has been generally helpful, I certainly won't use American Meadows again next year. It sounds like you've got more than enough seed coming. Otherwise, let me know and i"ll send you more.
Gretchen
Plenty of Seeds
Hi Gretchen,
Thanks for answering so fast. I am sure that from seed I have coming, some of them will grow. I can hardly wait to get them. I have a sister interested in the Great Sunflower Project and I will be giving her seeds too. I'll keep in touch about the germination from this bunch of seed I have coming.
Thanks again
Colleen from Michigan