The nectar supply to the flower is constant with independence of the
seasonal conditions.
        Of course an extended drought can reduce the nectar supply, but this
is difficult that occur at the very least in the means in which I know,
given to the fact that the roots of the  eucalyptus  are very deep and the
droughts in Uruguay do not tend to have so much duration.
 
In the zone where my beehives are located there is a strong predominance of
the Tasmanian Blue Gum .  This tree blossoms in autumn - winter, and
consequently their/its flowerings are usually affected for  rains.
 
        The people says that the rain "washes the flowers", but the idea is
that the tree will follow producing agreed nectar to the needs of the flower
and of the pollination.
 
        The above oppinion is just an observation, and I no have strong
evidence about it.  Further evidence will be needed for definitive conclussions.
 
        Regards
 
 
        Carlos Aparicio
At 08:37 PM 26/04/1998 +0900, j h & e mcadam wrote:
>I am curious as to whether trees continually draw moisture to supply nectar
>to their blossoms until full pollination has occurred or whether there is a
>pre-set amount according to the seasonal conditions.
>
>In this part of Australia Eucalyptus Cosmophylla (Cup Gum) has been
>flowering for 4 to 6 weeks.  The early flowers were dry although the bees
>visited blossoms for pollen.  Two weeks ago season breaking rains occurred
>and Cup Gum blossoms now brim with nectar.
>
>Can anybody shed light on whether trees re-supply their blossoms with nectar
>daily and whether there is a limitation on the amount of nectar supplied,
>given that ground water is available to the root system.
>
>Is it a case of the more you take, the more you get?
>
>Betty McAdam
>HOG BAY APIARY
>Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island
>J.H. & E. McAdam<[log in to unmask]
>http://kigateway.eastend.com.au/hogbay/hogbay1.htm
>
>Why not visit the South Australian Superb Websites Ring?
>http://kw.mtx.net/sawebring/sawebring.html
>
>