Perth (WA, AU) Flowhives and honey flow

[Detto]

I’m with you mr Skeggley Greggley! (I hope you don’t mind the nicknames, I’ve knocked back a coupla cold ones tonight )

I too have been testing the buds periodically and they’re dry, albeit only one tree and closest to the hive.

It made me wonder though how often and when do the flowers produce nectar?

Well who else but none other than WA’s very own Joseph Banks aka @busso answered:

@busso

I do not see honey flow is an incorrect term to use. Nectar does not flow (I am sure there are exceptions) it is replenished usually nightly. If somebody like I me goes to a Eucalyptus blossom and licks out the nectar there is no flow to replenish it. The nectar is replenished usually on a schedule. On the other hand when flowering is prolific the bees create a honey flow, from the nectar and this lovely stuff is stashed away in frames.

Well that’s my take and I’m sticking by honey flow.

And to also confirm I also used the wise local @Wandjina’s bush knowledge!

@Wandjina

An easy and sure way to know whether the eucalypts have nectar is to observe bird activity rather than bee activity. The Marris on my property are in flower and full of bees, but they are mostly gathering pollen.

Once they have nectar in a few days time, the honey eaters like the Brown and Singing Honeyeater and Red Wattlebirds move in and can be seen feeding on the flowers. Then I know there is nectar.

Yup, these old sentinels fire blanks too!