Portland area flows?

[wannabee]

General beekeeping Qs from a newbee:
Greetings, wise and venerable or at least more experienced fellow beeks, what and when are the typical major nectar flows in the Portland area? Is there a lull during August/Sept when it gets really dry or is there usually enough irrigated landscaping around the area to carry the bees? Also, with our mild winters and winter blooming plants (I have a ton of big old Camellias in my neighborhood, not sure how good those are for bees but the squirrels sure chow down on the blossoms, perhaps for the protein in the pollen?) how do the bees tend to fare in winter? (I realize this has been an unusual cool and wet spring that has been tough on bees). Trying to anticipate what feeding needs my new ladies might require, and when.
many thanks

[columbiacritter]

Unfortunately camellia pollen is pretty low grade as far as bees are concerned and pretty sparce for such big flowers. I told my husband, the president of the Oregon Camellia Society, he had to get a hobby my bees liked better. ;-)

The summer lull will really depend on who's growing what around your area. I'm sure some heavily gardened parts of Portland are bee heaven from first thaw to first snow, but others not so great. Look around your area, paying special attention to the big trees, maples, chestnuts, etc. Also every year will be different dependn gon the weather.

Best you can do is spending time watchng your bees and watching the world around them.

[wannabee]

Ah, I feared an easy answer would be too much to hope for. Ok, do you know of any good bee specific plant lists or books for W Oregon? Here in Nopo we have lots of: big leaf and ornamental maples, fruit trees (my neighborhood was once an orchard), nut trees (usually english walnut, but also some chestnuts), of course the huge patches of blackberries in all the culverts and alleys and schoolyard and park edges (looking forward to what happens when that bloom is on), and lots of native trees and plants in the city parks near me, cottonwood, maybe some native willow, oaks, madrone, etc. I have a fair handle on what is within a mile of my bees and when it blooms, just not sure what bees prefer.


I have nothing going on this summer really, so I will wander the hood and see what my bees are up to, and try to start to make some sense of it all.

cheers

[columbiacritter]

Ruhl Bee supply in Gladstone sells a book call Nectar and Pollen Plants of the NW. $16.00. It's a good read, I've got it and have made some changes in my garden because of it.

When you're walking around check out what the bees are intersted in. They don't just gather pollen and nectar.

[wannabee]

I have looked at that book but did not buy. Did it list trees as well? I did find this link, which seems pretty useful:
www.beeeducation.com/BeeEducation/Beekeeping101_Nectar.cfm
And I bought a bunch of all summer blooming bee positive herb plants at the farmers market this weekend.

What else are bees interested in (besides water, propolis, nectar and pollen?) Old jazz records? Furbies?

[Electric Herb]

Here is a good chart courtesy of the Lane County Beekeepers Association.

www.lcbaor.org/Supportfiles/nativeplants_for_honeybees.pdf

[wannabee]

Thanks Electic Herb,
I will paste that into my bee journal.

cheers
wannabee

[Nancy]

Hello beekeepers,
I am new to beekeeping also so have been reading this thread with interest.
I would like to find a way to connect my two favorite things, which is beekeeping, or more specifically, the keepers of the bees, and foreign exchange students. I find host families for these students and am always looking out for people who would be able to provide them with a good experience. I am finding beekeepers to be generous, open hearted people who should be great at giving a foreign teenager a home for the school year. Maybe our love of bees could be passed on to a student who will take up beekeeping in his/her own country when they are an adult. It seems like a perfect match to me - these are adventurous brave young people, anxious to learn new things. Do any of you have any ideas for me to get the word out about this opportunity to other beekeepers? Please feel free to e-mail or call if you do, or if you are interested yourself. Our website is www.nw-services.com. My e-mail [e-mail].
Now about my industrious new lady friends, they sure would appreciate some sunshine. I am amazed that as soon as the sun comes out they are immediately on the wing. They are fascinating.
Peace, Nancy