Buckwheat and bees

This quote from the National Honeybee Day website says it all: "The world's production of food is dependant on pollination provided by honey bees." No bees, no food.

 It turns out, though, that focusing my appreciation to honey bees is a bit limiting. Like most people, when I think of bees pollinating buckwheat, my mind goes right to this stuff.

And honeybees do love buckwheat. Beekeepers will often plant buckwheat very close to their hives.

I've been reading up on pollinators, though, and it turns out I wasn't giving bumblebees their due. Buzz pollinators, including bumblebees, shake the pollen from buckwheat blossoms, rather than spread it from their body and legs flower-to-flower. Buzz pollination, according to this article, really gets the job done. Here's a bit more information about that, from a site devoted solely to the bumblebee. 

I enjoy this YouTube video showing bees 'n' buckwheat.  And in the background, I can hear them buzzin' buzzin' buzzin'.

When we plant buckwheat, not only are the bees getting what they need, but the buckwheat flowers will attract flying helpers who may help help pollinate other plants in our gardens.

And now, for your listening enjoyment, here's Lionel Hampton and his orchestra playing "Buzzing 'round With the Bee."

 

Sources: the beehives in the buckwheat photo came from this site https://honeybeesuite.com/bees-in-the-buckwheat/