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Browse Beekeeping Resources

Browse our resource links and articles about common beekeeping methods and important issues facing Connecticut Beekeepers...

Floral Blooms - Late June Sustainers

Updated: Mar 31

Bee on green buds, gathering nectar. Background of leaves and stems. Close-up shows intricate bee wings and budding flowers.

A Hidden Gem: Indian Hemp or Dogbane

This plant generally goes unnoticed but can help sustain your bees during a waning nectar flow. I like both names, Indian Hemp and Dogbane. Dogbane describes something every dog knows - it's poisonous to both dogs and humans. So don't taste it, just let the bees collect the nectar. It grows in nice clusters with thousands of blooms.


greenery

Close-up of milkweed flowers with pink buds and white petals, surrounded by green leaves. An ant is visible on one of the flowers.
Milkweed

The Fascinating Role of Milkweed in Pollination

Milkweed is another sustainer. I think this gem of a plant is one of the most interesting floral blooms in late June. It attracts many pollinators, with some so small they are hard to see. Larger bees cross-pollinate milkweed in the most interesting way by removing the sticky pollinium sacs and moving them to another plant. You can watch the entire process, but be prepared because the pollinia are so sticky that a bee can get stuck on the plant and die.


The Unpredictable Promise of Basswood Floral Blooms

At the end of June, the next promised bloom is the unreliable basswood. A beekeeper's dream when the fragile blooms hold, and a letdown otherwise. Let's hope for the best...





Connecticut Beekeepers Association promotes and supports all beekeepers and their local organizations. Our goal is to provide a common forum for the beekeepers of Connecticut to come together to share information and ideas.

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