Honey plants of our country. Short review

On the territory of our country there are more than a thousand species of honey and pollen plants, but not all of them are of interest for beekeeping. In each locality, only a few species of honey-bearing grasses, trees and shrubs give the main honey crop, and some of the crops give a small (supportive) honey crop. Such plants can be attributed to secondary melliferous plants. The remaining species do not represent a practical value for such an agricultural sector as beekeeping.

What are the most nectariferous plants? The main crops are buckwheat, rapeseed, sunflower, coriander, cotton, sweet clover, sainfoin. Wild-growing honey-plants - linden, acacia (yellow and white), willow, maple. In terms of life, honey plants are divided into annual (melons, buckwheat, sunflower), two-year (angelica, sweet clover) and perennial (strawberry, clover, alfalfa, meadow grasses, fruit plantations).

For effective beekeeping is very important the presence of diverse lands: gardens, forests, fields and meadows. Near the apiary it is recommended to plant honey-bearing grasses and trees. Different kinds of honey-plants bloom almost continuously, providing constant honey gathering. In spring, a dandelion, mother-and-stepmother, maple and fruit trees blossom. In the summer, meadow grasses, raspberry and linden blossom. In the autumn - chicory, heather, some late crops. The seeds of the mead-bearing plants, spreading through pollination over vast areas, give rise to the growth of new plants and an increase in the mead of the nearest apiaries.

Let us consider briefly the most effective crops. Here are the most popular honey plants grown in our country:

Buckwheat. Excellent honey, in some areas it is from her bees bring almost all commodity honey. Refers to cereal annual crops. It is sown on fertile land in several terms. Under favorable conditions from 1 hectare of buckwheat it is possible to collect 70-100 kg of honey. Distributed mainly in the central regions of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Bashkortostan. Buckwheat honey of dark color (reddish shade), has a sharp pleasant smell. Compared with light honey varieties, it has more protein and iron. Other melliferous plants are inferior to buckwheat in honey production.

Sunflower. One of the best honeycombs. Nectar gives less buckwheat, but a large number of its crops allows you to get a good collection of honey. Refers to oil annual crops. Honey is light yellow, has a delicate flavor and aroma. It quickly crystallizes, which can lead to the death of bees in honeycombs, so it should be partially replaced with sugar in the hive.

Cotton. One of the most important technical cultures of Central Asia and Transcaucasia. Honey from it has a white color and a pleasant delicate taste, quickly crystallizes, so it is undesirable to leave it for the winter in the hives.

Rape. Refers to one-year crops. It is winter and spring. Winter rape begins to blossom earlier than other mead-bearing plants (May-June) and provides early honey gathering. He blossoms for about a month. At the end of June, spring rape blooms, its flowering lasts about 40 days. Honey, obtained from rape, has a whitish-yellow color, it crystallizes very quickly.

Mustard. Annual oil plant, which has great value in beekeeping. It is grown in the Volga region, Kazakhstan and areas of the Southern Urals. Gives a fragrant honey of light yellow color. Honey quickly crystallizes in honeycombs, so it is not suitable for bee wintering.

Donnik. Is not only a honeycomb, but also a good fodder plant. It is unpretentious, can grow on depleted or arid lands. In the beekeeping the annual white clover is used. Honey of white color, high quality.

Clover red. Perennial fodder culture (family of legumes). This is a field plant. Highlights a large amount of nectar, but the honey from it is low. This is due to the fact that the nectar is in the depths of the tubes of its coronals and is hard to reach for bees.

Coriander. An annual plant, cultivated in the center of Russia, in Ukraine, the Volga region. It happens to be spring and winter. A good honey harvest results from sowing in large areas.

Alfalfa. Fodder bean plant, good honey plant. Distributed in Ukraine, the Volga region, Kazakhstan, Central Asia and the southern regions of Siberia.