Viva on pollination in sunflower and legume plant
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Like flowers, the sunflower (Helianthus spp.) relies on pollinators -- in the form of insects and small birds -- to reproduce. Since these agents are living things, their ability to pollinate is affected by several factors. Most of these factors can be anticipated and planned for, allowing you to mitigate the difficulties and increase the sunflowers' yield.
Weather
Bees are the primary pollinators of sunflowers and while they feature several physical adaptations that make them an ideal pollinator, they are stopped by several weather conditions. Excessive cold or heat can slow down and even stop a bee colony in its search for food. Bees work best in temperatures between 60 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Other weather factors that may stop a bee from doing its job include winds in excess of 15 miles per hour and prolonged rains.
Lack of Pollinators
Of course, the presence of pollinating insects is necessary for any serious pollination effort. Because of this, many large garden owners set up an appointment with beekeepers to rent their hives. This provides hives in areas where none are present. In areas where bee hives are present, plant sunflowers within one and one-half miles of the bee hive. This distance is well within range for bees to make daily trips, even in less-than-perfect weather.
Domesticated Pollinators
Even when using a hive of bees rented from an apiary, the result may be affected by the presence of native species of bees in your area. A University of California study, published by the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences," found that the number of sunflower seeds created from pollination increased as much as five times in areas where imported honey bees interacted with native bee species during pollination. This study found that domesticated bees interacting with native wild bee populations maintained a more efficient method of harvesting pollen and nectar from the sunflowers.
Insecticides
Another reason sunflowers may not get pollinated as well or as quickly is the presence of broad-spectrum insecticides. These insecticides can kill individual bees immediately or entire colonies over time, depending on the chemical. Sick and dying bee colonies will not travel as far or as often for food. When spraying your sunflowers for pests, use only insecticidal soaps that are designed with bee safety in mind.
Weather
Bees are the primary pollinators of sunflowers and while they feature several physical adaptations that make them an ideal pollinator, they are stopped by several weather conditions. Excessive cold or heat can slow down and even stop a bee colony in its search for food. Bees work best in temperatures between 60 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Other weather factors that may stop a bee from doing its job include winds in excess of 15 miles per hour and prolonged rains.
Lack of Pollinators
Of course, the presence of pollinating insects is necessary for any serious pollination effort. Because of this, many large garden owners set up an appointment with beekeepers to rent their hives. This provides hives in areas where none are present. In areas where bee hives are present, plant sunflowers within one and one-half miles of the bee hive. This distance is well within range for bees to make daily trips, even in less-than-perfect weather.
Domesticated Pollinators
Even when using a hive of bees rented from an apiary, the result may be affected by the presence of native species of bees in your area. A University of California study, published by the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences," found that the number of sunflower seeds created from pollination increased as much as five times in areas where imported honey bees interacted with native bee species during pollination. This study found that domesticated bees interacting with native wild bee populations maintained a more efficient method of harvesting pollen and nectar from the sunflowers.
Insecticides
Another reason sunflowers may not get pollinated as well or as quickly is the presence of broad-spectrum insecticides. These insecticides can kill individual bees immediately or entire colonies over time, depending on the chemical. Sick and dying bee colonies will not travel as far or as often for food. When spraying your sunflowers for pests, use only insecticidal soaps that are designed with bee safety in mind.
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