kaihoka 2685 Posted December 23, 2019 (edited) once again at this time of yr my blackwood trees were inexplicably humming with bees in the tops of the trees. so i researched blackwoods . it is because of Psylla acaciae It secretes a honey-dew which grows sooty mould, and larvae feed in terminal leaf clusters. i also found this .... Psyllids have an aversion to cool, shady conditions . which is why i only hear and see bees in the tops. the flow must have been enough to prevent the honey crystalising. it must be the 15 % unknown in my pollen test. Edited December 23, 2019 by Trevor Gillbanks spelling 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yesbut 5691 Posted December 23, 2019 30 minutes ago, kaihoka said: it must be the 15 % unknown in my pollen test. If it's honeydew, there'd be no pollen to be "unknown pollen" 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaihoka 2685 Posted December 23, 2019 1 hour ago, yesbut said: If it's honeydew, there'd be no pollen to be "unknown pollen" Yes I realised that as soon as the edit button disappeared. But I was confident I would be corrected . 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maggie James 260 Posted December 23, 2019 I like beech dew produced in the Canterbury foothills. Not too bad in hot water or mulled wine. Prefer it to manuka Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaihoka 2685 Posted December 23, 2019 1 hour ago, Maggie James said: I like beech dew produced in the Canterbury foothills. Not too bad in hot water or mulled wine. Prefer it to manuka I never reaIised there was another honey dew in NZ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sailabee 761 Posted December 23, 2019 7 hours ago, kaihoka said: I never reaIised there was another honey dew in NZ Believe me, the giant willow aphid introduced us to willow honey dew, and we could have well done without it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stoney 1096 Posted December 23, 2019 11 hours ago, Maggie James said: I like beech dew produced in the Canterbury foothills. Not too bad in hot water or mulled wine. Prefer it to manuka Let me know if you would like some... can wheel a few drums to you no drama. Agree though, very versatile is our Beech Dew.... hot drinks , meat marinades... baking...etc. Never granulates, has a nice strong Smokey caramel flavour that enhances venison steak when mixed with soy, garlic and a touch of Chinese 5 spice.. mmmm 3 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jas 389 Posted December 23, 2019 1 hour ago, Stoney said: Let me know if you would like some... can wheel a few drums to you no drama. Agree though, very versatile is our Beech Dew.... hot drinks , meat marinades... baking...etc. Never granulates, has a nice strong Smokey caramel flavour that enhances venison steak when mixed with soy, garlic and a touch of Chinese 5 spice.. mmmm I’ve just made a marinade with soy , garlic , honey and smoked paprika to coat some cubed venison for some kebabs for tonite ! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaihoka 2685 Posted December 23, 2019 4 hours ago, Sailabee said: Believe me, the giant willow aphid introduced us to willow honey dew, and we could have well done without it. That is true , I had forgotten about willow honey dew . We have no willows in our area . There are lots of blackwoods in NZ , it must show up in other peoples honey . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bighands 885 Posted December 23, 2019 14 minutes ago, kaihoka said: That is true , I had forgotten about willow honey dew . We have no willows in our area . There are lots of blackwoods in NZ , it must show up in other peoples honey . Did they not go for the nectar in the flower Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yesbut 5691 Posted December 23, 2019 44 minutes ago, Bighands said: Did they not go for the nectar in the flower Blackwoods are wind pollinated. Pollen source, but no nectar. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maggie James 260 Posted December 23, 2019 2 hours ago, Jas said: cubed venison for some kebabs for tonite ! Home kill rump steak tonight. Clover honey and lemon sauce on home grown strawbs and icecream for pud. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaihoka 2685 Posted December 24, 2019 4 hours ago, Bighands said: Did they not go for the nectar in the flower They are ignoring the rata . But it could be they are just not on the one out the front . The bees are very busy maybe they are going to one of the other flowering ratas . If they started on a big tree further away that started flowering earlier will they keep going there and ignore the closer one ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bighands 885 Posted December 24, 2019 2 hours ago, kaihoka said: They are ignoring the rata . But it could be they are just not on the one out the front . The bees are very busy maybe they are going to one of the other flowering ratas . If they started on a big tree further away that started flowering earlier will they keep going there and ignore the closer one ? I do not know,they go to the tree that yields the most wether it is close or not.That is a very interesting question. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaihoka 2685 Posted December 24, 2019 6 hours ago, Bighands said: I do not know,they go to the tree that yields the most wether it is close or not.That is a very interesting question. They could be flying to this tree , on the south face , its come on full flower earlier than the others around it . 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bighands 885 Posted December 24, 2019 Now you do not know what they are collecting without going into the hive and tasting the honey being collected,Fhat is the only sure way of knowing. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nikki watts 695 Posted December 24, 2019 On 24/12/2019 at 8:38 AM, Stoney said: Let me know if you would like some... can wheel a few drums to you no drama. Agree though, very versatile is our Beech Dew.... hot drinks , meat marinades... baking...etc. Never granulates, has a nice strong Smokey caramel flavour that enhances venison steak when mixed with soy, garlic and a touch of Chinese 5 spice.. mmmm Yum. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stoney 1096 Posted December 25, 2019 20 hours ago, kaihoka said: They could be flying to this tree , on the south face , its come on full flower earlier than the others around it . What does the bush look like wider scale Kaihoka? Is this the only red tree in the vicinity or are we looking like it’s going to bloom wider scale? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaihoka 2685 Posted December 25, 2019 (edited) 12 hours ago, Stoney said: What does the bush look like wider scale Kaihoka? Is this the only red tree in the vicinity or are we looking like it’s going to bloom wider scale? It is on the south side and it is strange that only that tree is flowering. On the north side there are lots out now and lots covered in buds . There is a lot of beech on that face . Edited December 25, 2019 by kaihoka 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BJC 76 Posted December 30, 2019 On 23/12/2019 at 1:44 PM, kaihoka said: t must be the 15 % unknown in my pollen test. What did you do for your pollen test? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaihoka 2685 Posted December 30, 2019 (edited) 57 minutes ago, BJC said: What did you do for your pollen test? Sent a honey sample to a lady in nelson who does pollen tests Edited December 30, 2019 by kaihoka 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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