"I have heard that some varieties are better at producing nectar than
others, but have been unable to find any supporting data, obviously
environmental conditions have a large impact as well. Anyone have any
experience with different varieties? The local feed store just carries
generic large buckwheat or something."

Here in the Northeast the rumor is that the newer "Japanese" buckwheat
varities (large seed) will not produce nectar and one needs to plant the
old-fashioned varities.  Cornell has a program to encourage buckwheat
planting both because it is an ideal cover crop and because the demand for
the seed and hulls seems insatiable.  So, I called the Cornell professor in
charge to inquire about the nectar/honey issue.

He said he had heard the same thing, but didn't believe it.  He pointed out
that the plentiful nectar is fully visible to the human eye, and said he
suspected the reason bees did not work it was because there were other
choices (flowers, or nectar bearing plants) blooming at the same time with
nectar preferable to the bees.  At the time, 10 years or so ago, that was
certainly true as purple loosestrife bloomed at the same time and honeybees
were always all over purple loosestrife.  Now, there is little to no purple
loosestrife, so I don't know if planting Japanese varities of buckwheat
would be more successful.

I get my buckwheat honey from the pacific northwest where it is grown under
center point irrigation in the high dessert and nothing that is not so
irrigated will not bloom...so there is no competition from weeds.  The
varities grown, I am told, are all large-seeded Japanese and tons of great
quality buckwheat honey is harvested.   So, there seems no question that
the large-seeded Japanese varities do, in fact, product nectar that the
bees will collect *under the right circumstances.*

Lloyd

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