This year in Coastal South Carolina it has been a very wet and cold spring.
Six hives of bees were placed in a strawberry field prior to March 1st. At
that time there were very few strawberry blossums. Since the 1st we have
had about 2 weeks of very cold days and some rain. The patch has not
produced as in other years and the grower thinks he has partial pollination.
During this time the Blueberry and early peaches were also blossuming. The
early peaches were lost due to hard freezes. Any thoughts about how much of
a strawberry fields get pollinated by honey bees or results of problems
such as this.
Thanks
Ron Taylor
Cottageville SC