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Morgan Freeman Converts His 124-Acre Ranch into a Giant Bee Sanctuary

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Re: Morgan Freeman Converts His 124-Acre Ranch into a Giant Bee Sanctuary

#81
post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

About number 3, according to wikipedia [1] > the total U.S. crop value that was wholly dependent on honey bee pollination was estimated to exceed $15 billion. and > honeybees perform some level of pollination of nearly 75% of all plant species directly used for human food worldwide. Which sounds like a bit more than just beekeeping. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_collapse_disorder#Econo...

> honeybees perform some level of pollination of nearly 75% of all plant species directly used for human food worldwide. Bees pollinate 75% of species, but not 75% of calories. The major cereals (wheat, corn, rice) are all self or wind pollinating, as are number of other staples (e.g. potatoes, peas).

Thank you for pointing that out. I wouldn't have included it if I had realised the distinction.

Re: Morgan Freeman Converts His 124-Acre Ranch into a Giant Bee Sanctuary

#82
post #8

Near my house there is what you could call a insect ”sanctuary”. When it was established a few tears ago we kind of shrug our shoulders and did not think much of it. But the amount of new flowers and insects popping up, not only inside but also around the area is astonishing. I almost see it as a positive feedback loop with more insects, better pollination, more diverse flowers, more insects... Just as pesticides cou…

Could you describe the sanctuary nearby? We live on a typical city lot, and I am going to try to become a mini-sanctuary over the next few years and would love working examples.

Not the parent, but my situation is similar to yours and so I'll offer my experience :

First, raked out [thinned / dethatched bermudagrass rhizomes] an area roughly 100 square feet. Broadcast region-appropriate wildflower and herb seed mixes [I'm in the southwest, but regional mixes are available everywhere].

Planted lots and lots of herbs in containers - mints, basils, and every kind of kitchen herb. Herbs tend to attract masses of bees with their yummy inflorescences. Had the added benefit of creating a supply of fresh kitchen herbs. I started out with probably two dozen herbs in containers the first year.

Planted lots of sunflowers in borders and pre-existing beds. Bulletproof plants that attract an alarming number of bees. Also had the side benefit of attracting a flock of feral lovebirds [!], who ate not only the seeds but the flesh of the plant [!!]

Planted a goodly number of squash and pumpkins all around, wherever space permitted

^ that was the first year, and boy I tell you, did the bees ever come! I was amazed to see mobs of bees on the sunflowers and gangs of bees fighting to occupy the pumpkin blossoms. They teemed on the spikes of mint flowers and buzzed in the chicory. All this with very little effort -- the above plants require very little maintenance beyond judicious watering. The one 'trick' is to water with a fine spray wand while the seeds are getting established, so as not to dislodge them.

The second year, I planted sweet clover [Melliotus altissumus] and flowering fruit trees [peach, citrus, apple] and spread more wildflower seeds around. The sweet clover grows tall but pays off with just ridiculous amounts of bee action and great aroma.

The original wildflower planting had already 'established' and a lot of the annuals in there self-seeded. Same goes for herbs like basil. I planted even more herbs in pots the second year, going for more variety, and carrots which if allowed to flower are massive pollinator attractors.

The bees came in droves -- all kinds of bees, not only honey bees -- I mean big black carpenter bees, little shiny orchard mason bees, black-and-white-striped bees, bees that live in the ground, all kinds. Plus a great many other insect and bird pollinators. Plus more dragonflies!

And it just kept building like that, with the plants doing most of the work themselves. Now the place is like 'The Secret Garden" or something, always abuzz with bees and I'm quite sure that it's the nexus of bee activity in the neighborhood. In fact, it worked a little too well, with one colony of bees establishing itself inside my laundry room wall, haha! [but that was an anomaly]

We don't have an HOA, but an annoying neighbor did complain about the wildflowers one year, citing a dumb city ordnance prohibiting grass over six inches in height. The city came to inspect and basically said "uh yeah, we're not gonna issue a citation against a wildflower garden."

Lot size in my case is a quarter-acre, but I think based on observed results that a real impact can be made with almost any lot size. For reference, I broadcast about two pounds of seeds in total the first year, and usually "re-up" with a pound or so annually, depending on how things are looking. Overall, one of the most satisfying endeavors I've undertaken.

Re: Morgan Freeman Converts His 124-Acre Ranch into a Giant Bee Sanctuary

#83
post #71

A number of people have mentioned varroa mites and the problems they cause for domestic and wild bee populations. For those interested mycologist Paul Stamets has been trialing the addition of polypore extract to bee food (water / sugar water) to boost their immune system. Results on smaller sample set (~100 hives) was near total eradication of the mites (I think broken wing disorder was diminished too). Next trial i…

Ha, I could have sworn this was a carefully worded joke -- Paul Stamets is the name of the mycologist on the new Star Trek series. Coincidence?

Re: Morgan Freeman Converts His 124-Acre Ranch into a Giant Bee Sanctuary

#84
post #40

🇺🇸 I met Morgan Freeman at a screening of Bucket List in DC. I asked him if we could play Rock Paper Scissors. He said he didn’t know how. So I taught him. He then told me what he was going to throw. I told him he shouldn’t do that. Then I beat him. So I both taught and beat Morgan Freeman at Rock Paper Sissors.

Fun story. Btw, is that an emoji? Thought they were stripped from input.

I thought so too, but for some reason a few aren’t. I posted about it yesterday.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19482991

Re: Morgan Freeman Converts His 124-Acre Ranch into a Giant Bee Sanctuary

#85
post #36

This article is a bit superficial. CCD is more than just pesticides killing bees. The invasive varroa mite is likely a big factor. It’s a good thing that he is taking care of bees. The solution might be more complex than sanctuaries though— IE how can we reduce the mite population? Potential CCD Causes According to EPA: ... researchers who are leading the effort to find out why are now focused on these factors: Incre…

Well, one of the theories is that pesticides weaken bees and make them more vulnerable to varroa mites and other parasites, diseases etc. (the "potential immune-suppressing stress" in your quote).

Once you get on top of varroa it is amazing how fast a hive grows. It seems to take a while for other problems to subside (sac brood, deformed wing virus etc) and a requeening seems to be required sometimes. I’ve been using a variation on the Randy Oliver method with oxalic acid and it’s bring the varroa down fast when used. Weekly counts of varroa on a cup of bees has been (averaged) 15, 12, 8, 4, then 1 or 2 last weekend. The behaviour of the hives has changed too, and they are more settled (or as settled as can be, mid robbing season).

Re: Morgan Freeman Converts His 124-Acre Ranch into a Giant Bee Sanctuary

#86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is something I have never really understood. If your neighbors can hear or smell your hobby, then you are not really staying contained on your own property and neighbors who complain are not trampling your liberties, just asserting their own.

Hearing or smelling something from a neighbouring property is just something you have to live with. Just like leaves that fall off a neighbour's trees into your property, may be a pain to tidy up, but that's just life. Sound and smell travel, should I have pave over my garden because you have allergies or don't like the smell of my roses or the manure that I feed them?

In a number of states including Massachusetts, there are towns that have right-to-farm ordinances. They're not just anything goes obviously but the basic intent is to tell people that they really shouldn't move to a fairly rural old farm town and then complain that their neighbor is planting corn, raising goats, or generally doesn't have a neatly manicured lawn.

Re: Morgan Freeman Converts His 124-Acre Ranch into a Giant Bee Sanctuary

#87
post #83
post #71

A number of people have mentioned varroa mites and the problems they cause for domestic and wild bee populations. For those interested mycologist Paul Stamets has been trialing the addition of polypore extract to bee food (water / sugar water) to boost their immune system. Results on smaller sample set (~100 hives) was near total eradication of the mites (I think broken wing disorder was diminished too). Next trial i…

Ha, I could have sworn this was a carefully worded joke -- Paul Stamets is the name of the mycologist on the new Star Trek series. Coincidence?

Not coincidence but a homage, and not the first one in the series. Hi, Dr. Spock.

Re: Morgan Freeman Converts His 124-Acre Ranch into a Giant Bee Sanctuary

#88
post #83
post #71

A number of people have mentioned varroa mites and the problems they cause for domestic and wild bee populations. For those interested mycologist Paul Stamets has been trialing the addition of polypore extract to bee food (water / sugar water) to boost their immune system. Results on smaller sample set (~100 hives) was near total eradication of the mites (I think broken wing disorder was diminished too). Next trial i…

Ha, I could have sworn this was a carefully worded joke -- Paul Stamets is the name of the mycologist on the new Star Trek series. Coincidence?

Calling the Star Trek Stamets a mycologist is almost an understatement.

Re: Morgan Freeman Converts His 124-Acre Ranch into a Giant Bee Sanctuary

#90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In my experience bees don't really mess with you unless you try to (or accidentally) mess with their nest.

I think GP was making a joke based on the ambiguous wording of the headline. ;) FWIW though, we have a hive in our back garden and the bees don't bother us or the neighbours at all.

Dosing them with honey works in my experience. I’m up early with lights on and it’s the end of the season (meaning lots of bees with little to productive work to do). They are pinging off the window next to me.
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