in this random rambling thread we post random pictures

[gryeyes]

The airplane crash WAS covered in the news (on the West Coast) the day it happened. Just amazing that no one died!

 

[Marty1876]

I love it!

 

[Marty1876]

HOLY COW!

That is astounding, simply astounding.

 

[3goodeggs]

Quote: I about ready to stop trying to grow vegetables because we have no pollinators... I need my own hive. You would think here in Florida we would be buried by all the somethings wanting to pollinate my squash and cucumbers... but if it isn't a fire ant, we do not seem to have it anymore.
better living through modern chemistry my eye.

 

[KristyHall]

 

[Marty1876]

Quote: I about ready to stop trying to grow vegetables because we have no pollinators... I need my own hive. You would think here in Florida we would be buried by all the somethings wanting to pollinate my squash and cucumbers... but if it isn't a fire ant, we do not seem to have it anymore.
better living through modern chemistry my eye.
Your right. So many plants are grown in your state that excess use of pesticides has decimated the population. However, you can very quickly hand pollinate with a small cheap doller store kiddie paint brush. The little kind, use with water colors or something.

 

[KristyHall]

I about ready to stop trying to grow vegetables because we have no pollinators... I need my own hive. You would think here in Florida we would be buried by all the somethings wanting to pollinate my squash and cucumbers... but if it isn't a fire ant, we do not seem to have it anymore.
better living through modern chemistry my eye.

that is horrible. Have you tried planting a "wild" garden near your vegetables? It is full of native plants (what some call "weeds") including flowering types. If you leave it sectioned off and unmolested once your chosen plants are in place, they become a valuable breeding area for beneficial insects and birds, including butterflies, wasps, bees (both native and honey bees) types of flies, mantises, humming birds, and lady bugs. It might help with your lack of pollinators. Only a small percentage of vegetable plants need honey bees for pollination.
The many vegetables that come from the Americas are either wind pollinated (corn) or pollinated by native bees like bumble bees (squash), or self pollinating (tomatoes).

 

[KristyHall]

oh and you can also provide habitats for the beneficials by putting up "butterfly houses" and "mason bee condos" and little shallow pools of water that is kept sheltered to stay cool. Also placing out sliced fruit like oranges help give wasps and butterflies extra nutrition.

 

[KristyHall]

 

[3goodeggs]

We have a large section of 'do not mow' full of wild flowers.
We had a hot winter and then several freezes in the spring when the insects would have been emerging, that may have added to the problem.