Blueberry Glasshouse Pollination

It can bee done!

BeezThings has been asked to place honey-bee colonies inside the worlds biggest glasshouse for Blueberries. 6 colonies arepollinating40,000Blueberry plants.When we entered the glasshouse we could not see to the farend of the glasshouse -2.6ha -it is ginormous!

Usually growers pollinate inside glasshouses with Bumblebees but Blueberries need 10 to 15 visits for the pollination to be successful. BeezThingz has been asked to the rescue.On Monday 24/07/2017 we turned up with 6 strong colonies to help with the pollination.

We turned up with 6 strong colonies to help with the pollination.

We placed 3 platforms with 2 hives each.

Size Matters!

We have chosen colonies from our small cell breeding program. Specifically because the flowers of Blueberries are very small and Bumblebees tend to rip the flower in order to get to the nectar which is at the bottom of the flower.We were surprised when we unloaded the hives how many bees had escaped through the brand new Hive Doctor floors. All three gates of the floors were shut and still hundreds of bees got out.

Our small bees are just the right size to get into these small flowers

A Healthy Diet!

In order for Beez to thrive in an environment like this, we have to supplement their diet. On Monday each hive has been given a frame feeder filled with syrup and essential oils. Later this week we will add pollen patties and fill up the frame feeders with fresh syrup mixed with Kōbee Bee Nutrition. It has all the Amino Acids and Trace elements bees require.

Pollination Services

If you would like to know more about our pollination services,

give us a call on 09-622-3055or visit our website https://beezthingz.co.nz/pollination/

Tune in for regular updates on the Beez in the Glasshouse!