Goldenrod (see http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/fa07/fa07030.jpg or
http://www.nnlm.nlm.nih.gov/pnr/uwmhg/mhg94087.html) is often mentioned as a fall nectar and
pollen source for honey bees here in New England. I seldom if ever see any bees on goldenrod
locally. Hornets and wasps and bumblebees, but not honey bees.
 
        Is goldenrod really that good forage for honey bees?
 
        Also this year due to the dry August the jewelweed (see Impatiens_capensisis
http://chili.rt66.com/hrbmoore/Images/H-L/Impatiens_capensis-2.jpg) is in full bloom now. It
seems to be a very attractive source. When watching the hive entrace I see many bees entering
with their backs powdered with the white pollen. The plants have numerous bees and bumblebees
collecting nectar.
 
        The flower of jewelweed in not structured for easy access for honey bees. Bumblebees
have a longer tongue and can access the nectar inside the flower. What is interesting is that
most honey bees access the nectar from outside the flower. The tapered end gets punctured at
some point and this provides easy access to the flower. I don't know if it is the honey bee
that causes the puncture. I'm assume it is cause by the bumblebee's tongue as the flower get
older.
 
        Does anyone know the qualitites (taste, color, tendency to granulate) of jewelweed
honey?
 
        Thank,
 
        Jim Moore
        5 hives
        second year
        Acton, Massachusetts.