In a message dated 98-03-31 22:57:59 EST, [log in to unmask] (Paul Cronshaw,
D.C.) writes:
 
<< A local avocado orchard grower is going to spray a bee phermone on his
 blossoming avocado orchard to attract more bees to the blossoms.
 
 Has anyone heard of this proceedure before?
 
 Would this be a viable project for other plant species? >>
 
  Yes it is being done for many crops, with quite variable results.
 
   It may help in some cases, such as plentiful bees, but marginal weather.
 
    But there is no substitute for good strong hives of bees. And it is
cheaper to put a hive into an acre of orchard than to spray a pheromone on
that acre. If there aren't bees around, you can't attract them.
 
    (We had a peach grower, this past week, spray corn syrup on his peach
trees to try to stimulate bees. Personally, I think it was more effective
applied at the hives.)
 
    You might try a search of the APIS newsletter archives. I recall it being
discussed there.
 
[log in to unmask]     Dave Green  Hemingway, SC  USA
The Pollination Scene:  http://users.aol.com/pollinator/polpage1.html
 
Jan's Sweetness and Light Shop    (Varietal Honeys and Beeswax Candles)
http://users.aol.com/SweetnessL/sweetlit.htm