Submitted by Jillian on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 9:30pm
To get everyone in the mood for spring, Deb has compiled a few fun facts about bees and our blooms for you to peruse! We are so excited for all the blossoms to be back, it is such a beautiful time of the year. It is incredible to think that these delicate flowers will begin to develop into delicious, juicy fruit in a matter of months -
The term “honeymoon” comes from a tradition in the Middle Ages when newlyweds were given a months worth of honey wine as wedding gifts.
Skunks are the only natural enemy to a bee.
Plums have white blossoms and have at least 2 varieties planted in an orchards for the necessary cross pollination.
Edible honey was one of the items found in the tomb of King Tut.
Bees are given different jobs based on their age:
Week 1: They clean the hive.
Week 2: They feed larvae.
Week 3: They repair honeycomb cells.
Week 4: They guard the hive.
Week 5: They collect pollen and nectar for the rest of their life.
Apricot trees bloom pink and are harvested mid to late May.
It would take only 1 ounce of honey to fuel a bee’s trip around the world.
A bee visits 50 to 100 blooms on a single pollen / nectar gathering trip.
Peach and Nectarine trees boast a wide variety of blossom colors ranging from pale pink to red.
Honey bees are not native to the Americas; they were brought over by the Europeans.
Bees are the only insect that produces a food product for human consumption.
Apple trees display white bloom and there are approximately 6 varieties harvested in Fresno County.
Honey bees pollinate approximately 80% of all vegetable, fruit and seed crops.
Honey bees never sleep!
The 24th Blossom Trail Opening Ceremonies were hosted in Kingsburg on February 3, 2012. If you've never taken the drive or biked the route, consider doing it this year! For more information, check out: Fresno County Blossom Trail
