How many honeybees have we lost in Ohio?

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning everybody. Welcome back. I'm Ron Wilson and you
are in the garden here on news radio six' TEN.
Wtvn you, know came out of the winter not seeing
some very good reports with the honeybees. Situation as we
slowly but surely we're learning to find out that millions
of honeybees were lost coming out of the winter and

(00:21):
into the spring. Season obviously mad scrambled because it was
almond trey pollination, time and of course where did all they? Go?
Where you, know were you back into the colony, collapse,
disorder virus, diseases what's going? On, well we've been waiting
to hear if any results have happened with all the
research so, far and to help share a little bit

(00:43):
more information with us is of course our main source
of information when it comes to the, bees and that
would be the bee queen Bar b b lets. You good,
Morning good, Morning, ron how are.

Speaker 2 (00:58):
You i'm doing it.

Speaker 3 (01:00):
Okay the sun is. Shining that's.

Speaker 1 (01:02):
Well the bees have got to be enjoying. That as
a matter of. Fact first question here before we talk
about the honeybee. Loss this spring has been somewhat of
a cool and wet. SPRING i GUESS i would classify.
It how how how the bees react to?

Speaker 3 (01:16):
That, oh you, know it's up and, down up and,
down so the bees won't fly when it's cool, raining
and then because we've had some, downpours it washes all
the nectar and pollen out of the. Flower so we
have like a week when it's cool and many the
bees don't, fly so they're stuck inside with all these screaming.

(01:38):
Babies they finally get, outside they can bring in some
nectar and the plants are responding well and the honeysuckles.
Flowering we've had decent black locust, bloom so the plants are,
flowing but just having a chance to get out there
and bring feedback has been. Difficult but what we're fighting

(01:59):
is that one week. Killer the fucking, side they're, crowded you,
know in these. Hives they finally have a couple of
warm days and they. Swarm so we've been getting quite
a few swim calls on these warm weeks after the
chlorine Day kulorini.

Speaker 1 (02:17):
Weeks, wow so, yeah let's we want to dress that as.
Well but SO i think when, folks you, know especially
with fruit trees that may have been in flower over
the last. Month things like that that may not have
quite the fruit set that they've had in the. Past
those are the types of things you got to think
about a little. Bit.

Speaker 3 (02:35):
YEAH i had to hand pollinate our apple trees because
it was too cool when they were. Flowering so how
do we do? That a little paint?

Speaker 2 (02:46):
Brush are you?

Speaker 1 (02:48):
Serious?

Speaker 3 (02:49):
Yeah you tie your little paint brush to your wings
and you fly from flower to flower and, great take
a poll on someone and stick it into the ovary
of another. One, wow especially when you're.

Speaker 1 (03:02):
Short, YEAH i, CAN i can. Imagine so you think
ever down the, road you, know we see all this
research being done with these drones that look like bees
that are going to be able to. Pull you think
that will ever come to?

Speaker 3 (03:15):
FLUITION i think it will, help especially in. GREENHOUSES i
think it will help a. Lot they go from little,
flower little flour in amongst the branches and. PLANTS i
think it's going to be challenging to be really, efficient
BUT i think every little bit. Helps it's kind of fun, gimmick.

Speaker 1 (03:37):
A gimmick right, now but maybe maybe reality sooner than we.

Speaker 3 (03:41):
Think, yeah and you, know the almond people are trying
to grow self fertile almonds because we have so many
problems getting them. Palmated but nothing is as good as
the honey.

Speaker 1 (03:54):
Bee, yeah no doubt about. It talking with our queen,
Bee Barbee, bletcher and, so you, know the last time we,
talked trying to get some see if they're able to
come up with any kind of findings on what happened
to these millions of bees that were lost coming out
of the winter this year across The United states and
into the spring. Season of, course it was a horrible

(04:15):
timing to find that out because that was when the
almond crop was flowering and they were, needed et, cetera et.
Cetera so what are they found so, Far, well you.

Speaker 3 (04:24):
Know there's no official, report SO usta has an umbargoed
they're not allowed to say. Anything, however the suspicion is
that there's a virus that has, morphed sort of like
OUR covid that kept. Morphing so that's that's their. Suspicion
but there's still there's still running. Tests they're still trying

(04:46):
to figure it. Out but that's that's how the direction it's.
Going soon a, virus there's no cure for, it so
that's at the, Conundrum.

Speaker 1 (04:56):
And would that virus be like the like when the
virus like the might's vector or how would they get?

Speaker 3 (05:02):
That, yeah, okay, yeah like The israeli a cute pralysis,
virus one of those at the might of. Vectoring you,
know we have The Royal. Way commercial beekeepers have troubles
with might control because there we're dealing with hundreds of
thousands of. Colonies you have one colony that's full of,
might it's gonna spread those mights to the other, colonies

(05:25):
so you can't it's difficult to keep your colonies down
to you, know two mites per one hundred bees or.

Speaker 1 (05:31):
Less, YEAH i would think so, Wow so so it
could be. That but but for the most, part you,
KNOW i haven't heard or you've not said anything about continued.
Losses SO i, mean are we on the rebound at this?

Speaker 3 (05:48):
STAGE i think the losses are are finished for at
least for, NOW i. Hope but the problem is that
all those losses occurred right Before i'm in. Pollination so
all they can do now is make splits of the
colonies that they have and try to. Recover but they
never you, know you never recover year losing that made

(06:11):
colonies that's a year's income that's. Gone beekeepers would report
they take a semi of colonies down to almonds and
they get down there in the semi rich floor dead.
Hives so how do you go from you, know sixty
thousand colonies down to one hundred? Colonies? RIGHT i mean you,
can you can make, splits but you've lost that income

(06:34):
from the pollination in from honey.

Speaker 2 (06:36):
Productions.

Speaker 3 (06:37):
Right it takes out really a whole season for a
colony to build back up enough to be strong enough
to produce a lot of honey or to do.

Speaker 1 (06:45):
Pollination, so assuming that we don't have any other issues
and it's a halfway decent winter and there's no more
viral upswings or whatever, it's would it be feasible then
by going into the next, ring our numbers would be
back to where they normally should.

Speaker 3 (07:03):
BE i don't think. So, now, No, No and and
now that we you, know we had that one virus
that's out of the, box there's probably. More and we
don't have any NEW might, control so you, know they're
dealing with EVERY mc control product that they can to
keep THEM might levels. Down there's some resistance with some of.

(07:26):
THEM i decide that they're. Using SO i don't mean
the sound like gloomy.

Speaker 1 (07:31):
Gus but, WELL i think it's important to let you,
know be.

Speaker 3 (07:35):
Honest, yeah you, know somehow we need to find a
way to stop these Might and then there's a NEW
mc you, know right around the. Corner we don't know
if it vector's viruses or, not but there's another might
of Round europe that's worst in the vamite.

Speaker 1 (07:54):
Geez, well you put all that, together and then you,
know the bottom line is that just should be even
more of a, warning a flag or whatever for all
of us to really bear down more than we ever
have and do everything we can to obviously take care
of these the bees and the pollinators in our yards and, gardens,

(08:17):
planting you, know watch Our howie, garden et, cetera et.
Cetera because it's a really tough time right.

Speaker 3 (08:24):
Now support your local, beekeepers you, know buy local, honey
and let those deadlions boom if you.

Speaker 1 (08:31):
Can before we take a break and we'll come, back
we'll talk about the swarms and what to. Do but
how about the state Of ohio. Itself what we're looking
at with these millions of bee losses is a nationwide.
Result But what about state Of? Ohio where do we
stand after coming?

Speaker 3 (08:49):
Out i've heard mixed, stories but we're around fifty percent
probably of.

Speaker 1 (08:54):
Loss.

Speaker 2 (08:55):
Yeah we have.

Speaker 3 (08:56):
Some commercial beekeepers and some of them did lose a
majority of their colonies.

Speaker 1 (09:04):
To unknown, reasons so they just you, know whether it
be the winter or. Whatever.

Speaker 3 (09:08):
Yeah how frustrating is that to lose that many colonies
and not know why or what to?

Speaker 1 (09:12):
Do? Yeah, really and let me just get ten seconds.
Here what do you think the dry warmer fall has
to do with any of?

Speaker 3 (09:21):
This it did contribute because we didn't have the pollen
coming in when we have a. Drought these, flowers especially
like the gold, nod they don't produce the quality or
the quantity of pollen that they. Should so the bees
were going into the winter. Hungry and commercial beekeepers will

(09:42):
feed their, bees you, know they feed them pollen patties
and supplements and everything else under the, sun just to
try to keep them. Strong but there's nothing better than
real pollen from.

Speaker 1 (09:53):
Flowers, SURE i saw an article. THERE i guess a
new feeding cake that could be a year round feeder for.
BEES i. SAW i didn't know IF i forwarded that
to you or, not but doing some research on, that but,
still like you, said nothing better than the pollen and
the nectar from the, bee from the plants, themselves and
so again very very important that we continue to do,

(10:15):
that even more than we have in the. Past let's
take a quick, break we come back talking With Barb,
butletcher our Queen. Bee let's find out About so now those,
swarms it may be happening right now or the next,
week who, Knows and what if you see it be
coming in and out of your foundation every now that
they're a little, hole should you be concerned and what
should you do about? It coming up next here on
news radio six to TEN, Wtvn please allow me to introduce.

(10:36):
Myself I'm Ron, wilson your personal yard. Boy here on
news radio six', ten wtvn talking With Our, Queen Bee,
barb blecher trying to get an update on those hundreds
of millions of bees that have been lost to this
past winter and into the. Spring season and where we are.
Right now so, you know you're talking about the swarming

(10:57):
in the, warm weeks and well we we've seen. Swarms
already we're into that stage. Right now so a couple
OF questions i have for you one is what if?
You know and this happens all the time you sit on.
Your patio let's say you have a brick house and
in the in the mortar there's a, small HOLE and

(11:18):
i noticed a bee, go IN and i noticed a bee,
Come out and a little WHILE later i see another
one go in and. Come out not a lot, of
activity but going in again and. Coming out is THAT
something i should be? Concerned?

Speaker 3 (11:29):
About, yes warning, warning Danger?

Speaker 1 (11:35):
Will, smith yes, Or Whatever. Will robinson.

Speaker 3 (11:41):
So bees naturally swarm in. The spring that's how. They
reproduce it's, totally normal just like ants will swarm in.
The spring what happens is that there are two crowded
in their and their hives and they just want. To
split so the old queen willie with some of her
loyal workers to find a. New home before, that happens

(12:02):
there are scout bees and they're flying around trying to
find a perfect place to have their. New home so
some will be checking out a hole in. The tree
some will be checking out your, neighbor's house hopefully. Not
yours it could be an old car with the, window
down so they these initial scouts they check. It out

(12:28):
they check out the size and the diameter and how
safe it is if it has. Good circulation then they'll
fly back to a hive and they tell, their sisters
How this i've got, this wonderful. Cool place it's just
the best in the world for our. New house so
they're all coming back and they're all telling their sisters
about their, wonderful place and they get, all excited and

(12:50):
depending on how good of a sales be, they are
other bees will go out and follow them to find this.
New place and so there's all this excitement. Going on
bees talk about all these, great places the one that
is the best. Sales bee they, All, decide okay we're
moving to this. New location so when you see those

(13:10):
initial bees flying around taking out, a hole those are
the scalp bees and they're trying to determine if this
is where their new home is going. To be so
if you see that hatch up, that hole immediately get
up from your coffee or your tea and go plug up.

Speaker 1 (13:26):
That, hole okay now we're assuming this is in, The
springtime so HOW do i know maybe it's more into
the Summer and i'm seeing this activity in and out
of this hole all. The time HOW do i know
they don't already have a nest, in there and it's.

Speaker 3 (13:43):
Very possible that's a. Great question, you see if you
see like a constant stream of bees flying in, and
out that's a pretty good indication that they're. Already there
you see them bringing, back pollen so they'll have pollen
on their hind legs and those Little cookie if you're bringing,
back paullen that means that there's larvae in there that.

(14:03):
They're feeding so you have an. Established colony so when those.

Speaker 1 (14:08):
Scouts are out when, they're looking. They're not they don't
collect pollen and look and scout for the. New home
they're either doing one or.

Speaker 3 (14:15):
The, other correct it's one or.

Speaker 1 (14:17):
The, other yeah, right now here's here's the. Dumb question are?
You ready you talk about the worker be going back
and trying to sell this new new house to the.
Group be how do they how do they sell the
how do they sell that to The group, THEY all

(14:37):
i mean obviously they, don't talk but how does?

Speaker 3 (14:40):
That happen they do the, waggle dance the old, waggle
dance the old. Waggle, dance yep they're shaking their cud
telling them what direction, to go, you know at a
portion to the direction of the sun and the angle of,
the sun and they'll take them right.

Speaker 2 (14:56):
To it.

Speaker 1 (14:58):
So whoever does the best way, waggle dances who?

Speaker 3 (15:01):
Everybody, Follows, correct yes show only a proportion of the
workers that. Will go the rest of them don't know where.
They're going so we'll have like maybe a dozen or
a couple dozen bees that are kind of fly around
the rest of, the bees which is why it looks
such a crazy massive circles when you see a swarm

(15:23):
like they're going in every direction because most of them
don't know where. They're going they're just following the few leaders.
Who know so it's it's. Really fascinating, YE see.

Speaker 1 (15:34):
I learned i learned something new EVERY time i talk.
To you it's that it is, that seriously it is.
That fascinating so if, by, chance okay so we if it's,
early on we don't see the pollen and you need to,
PAY attention i can seal. That off BUT if i
see the pollen and there's a lot, Of activity i'm
not going to seal it, off THEN?

Speaker 3 (15:53):
Am, I no please don't because they will find another
way out and it may be into, your house.

Speaker 2 (16:02):
And there.

Speaker 3 (16:03):
There's, combing there, there's honeycomb there's, young larva there's lots.
Of honey so if you steal that up and potentially kill,
the bees all that wax is. Gonna melt so bees
can keep that bees wax at a. Cool temperature but
when the sun hits the side of, your house even
if it's, a brick it's going to get that that

(16:23):
bees wax hot and it. Will melt so then you
have melted honey and wax inside. Your walls it can
permeate through the inside of. The plaster plus, the tracks,
you know ants and yellow jackets and domestics and all
kinds of other girl creatures which you.

Speaker 1 (16:42):
Don't want, so yeah and that's in. That case so
then we're going to get a hold of a bee
keeper to come and, verify, that yes something's going, on
here and then they can take it from there and
advise what. To DO and i know YOU and i
a couple of, years ago we had somebody listening to
our show that had, that happen WE'RE and i think you.
Would recommend there's several WEBSITES which i know you're going

(17:03):
to give. OUT here i think they went To The
central higo beekeepers and found somebody was a beekeeper and
a handy person and they came out and actually cut the,
dry wall retrieve, the bees got the honey and the,
hives out and then actually fixed it for because they
was a handy person. As well so kind of walked.

Speaker 3 (17:21):
Out there you find somebody, like that. It's perfect and
that's called. A cutout so a swarm is a clump
of bees hanging from a limb or on the ground.
Or wherever but once they move into a structure or,
a tree that's now a cutout because we can't we're not,
pied pipers we can't just plead them to, come out
so we have to cut.

Speaker 2 (17:42):
Them out and if.

Speaker 3 (17:44):
They're in a tree and they're twenty feet up or twelve,
feet up just leave them be because the only way
we can get them out of a tree is to
cut the, tree down and it usually doesn't end well
for the. Bees anyhow so they're not going to hurt anything.
Up there just leave, them, Alone, right SO, if i.

Speaker 1 (18:00):
If there is, A swarm i do have, an, issue obviously.
Don't panic there are several WEBSITES that i can go
to to.

Speaker 3 (18:09):
Find, Information Yeah Central hall beekeepers dot org just Spelled
Out central ohio beekeepers. Dot org they have a swarm
List Also Ohio. State beekeepers you Click On swarm removal
and you can click on your county and it will
have a list of people who do swarms or cutouts.

Speaker 1 (18:30):
And then they'll come because obviously they want to collect.
THOSE up, i mean that's we need.

Speaker 3 (18:35):
Those bees those are the ones that have survived, the.

Speaker 1 (18:37):
Winter so they, want those so You'll do they'll do
everything they. Can DICTARTA and i know you've, done it
and you've sent me pictures before of you going out
and collecting those up, as well so you know it's just.
Very important, so again. DON'T panic i know some folks
saw that story a couple weeks ago with a guy
the beekeeper that got stung, out there and like you,
told me there's two sides of. The story there's something

(18:59):
else there, going ON but i not to. Question that
but don't let that, panic you scare you into, you know.
Doing whatever get a hold of somebody in. This, profession
yeah and it's.

Speaker 3 (19:11):
Not going to hurt you.

Speaker 1 (19:12):
At all so there, you go and then get a
hold of somebody to take care. Of it you're doing
a darn good deed to keep those going and to
give them to somebody and they'll take care of it
and do it all properly. For you and it's a
done deal by. The Way i'm i'm, Just Curious, barbi
Bletcher Our, queen bee when The three stingers, get together
You and Teresa, and nina and if you're out somewhere

(19:34):
at a bar or something, like that do you then
get everybody to do the? Waggle dance we all do the.

Speaker 3 (19:40):
Waggle dance so it's like a.

Speaker 1 (19:41):
Line dancer, well sure but then well they want to
but then so that's like a line dance when you guys,
are there but it's the.

Speaker 3 (19:48):
Waggle, dance yeah and there people get a buzz out, of.

Speaker 1 (19:51):
It and and the drone's gonna buzz out of it
watching people all. The, work yeah got it, All Right,
barbie bletcher always great in, from me really. Appreciate it
let's get back together in another month, or so find
out what updates you've gotten at, that point and we'll
keep keeping us unformed as you.

Speaker 3 (20:08):
Always, do yeah thanks for Supporting.

Speaker 1 (20:11):
The bees, Oh well i'm, my PLEASURE and i hope
everybody else continues to support the bees and the bee
keepers and all the pollinators out there. As well have a.

Speaker 3 (20:19):
Great weekend thank you on, you too.

Speaker 1 (20:23):
There, you Go. Happy Yeah bar B b Letcher are
Queen be oda retired entomologist and apiarist, as well and
has been SHARING great b information with us for many,
many years. BOTH personally i knew bar before we start
having her on the show and as having her on
the show AS our exb expert, as well so we
appreciate all that. She does now let's take a, quick

(20:46):
break we come. Back cut lots of tips to, share
again and of course we're taking your calls eight two
TO one wtvn eight hundred and, SIXTY Ten wtvn here
on news radio six TO Ten wtvn Guarden With ron
wilson here on news radio six TEN at wtvn eight
hundred and SIXTY ten wtvna two to one W tv

(21:06):
and thanks Again To barbie bletcher for all she does
sharing that information, with us and she does a. Great
job she is all about her bees and. Rightfully SO
and i hope we figured this one out as far
as the, big loss hope it doesn't. Happen anymore this
might have been the issue, FOR years i mean after colley,
collapse disorder, you know doing so much money has been

(21:27):
put into research and we found out so many things
over the years about the issues of bees are, faced
with not only the, honey bees but the native bees,
as well and other, pollinators too and, you know bringing
it to, the front let, you know realizing what's going
on out there and all the, different issues and the
fact that it's not just, one thing it's a combination
of all kinds, of things, you know and again the.

(21:49):
Might issue nothing YOU and i can do. About that
if we're, a beekeeper we try to work as best
we can to keep. Them clean but YOU and i
can't do anything. About that but what we can do
is continue to increase our, side yards, our backyards front yards.
With pottery we're potting pots that we containers that we
pot up and things. Like that to focus, more on,

(22:10):
you know using, the natives the native species and native
selections and and and non natives that bees enjoy and
the pollinators enjoy then, benefit from and doing more and
more of that all, the time and and and gardening
to beee friendly and. Pollinator polite and, you know we
just got to do that more and more and more
as they're faced with things, like this it's so darn

(22:32):
important monarch butterfly possibly going on the possible extinction list
to try to get more attention to what we need to.
Do there and, it's again it's just the. Bottom line
the biggest thing with both of them that we do
is bringing back. The habitat it's taken away now we
need to bring it back and increase it for all
of these these bees and pollinators and that so and the.

(22:53):
Monarch butterflies so you know again it's it's up to
you and me to turn our yards into bed and
breakfasts for. These critters and we've got to. Do it
we've got to be continue to think about it more
and do what we can to make it more friendly
for the bees and, the pollinators no doubt. About it
To The guardening fund lines we. Shall, go michael, Good morning.

Speaker 2 (23:13):
Good morning how are?

Speaker 1 (23:14):
You? TODAY michael i? Am great how? About yourself.

Speaker 2 (23:17):
I'm good the bees we got patches out of, The
grass we got quite a bit, of LAND and i
lead the clover grow for like two WEEKS until i
have to mote it because it gets too tall just for.
The bees that have something to eat and. MILK weed,
i know the monarch butterflies like that. Milk weed, oh.

Speaker 1 (23:36):
Yeah absolutely as a matter, OF fact i, Tell, you
michael anything you read now about helping obviously the, monarch
butterflies but helping pollinators, in general and that would include
the bees, as well milkweed is right back up at
the top of the list because it's not just for monarch.
Butterflies anymore it's for all. The pollinators you go out

(23:56):
there and there's all kinds of insects that are taking
advantag of, those flowers including. The butterflies so that's and again,
that's uh that's a plant that's kind of been was.
Taken away obviously the name, milk weed uh you know
talking about, you know we used to see it all.
The time you don't see. It anymore so bringing that
milk weed back into the into the gardens and into

(24:19):
containers or whatever it, may be is so. So important
and that thing with the clover you do for a
four week period. Absolutely outstanding you let them enjoy, the
flowers you come back and, you know, the lawn, the soil,
the earthworms they're all benefiting from that clover. As WELL
so i applaud you for, doing that.

Speaker 3 (24:36):
No.

Speaker 1 (24:37):
Doubt yep, and.

Speaker 2 (24:39):
Well the State of ohio sending me milkweed plant seeds.
OR something i used to have a real nice patch of,
out THERE and i don't know what happened to it
all died.

Speaker 1 (24:47):
Or, something yeah what what they're doing now is they're
actually collecting the milk weed pods at the end of
the season and they collect those UP and i think
they were handing, some out but they were also, replanting them,
you know and creating these waste stations for. The butterflies
so they're trying to re establish that as well in
the State. Of ohio so that's what they're using. Those

(25:08):
FOR and i think that one of the collection facilities
is the soil and Water Like franklin Soil and water
different counties. And All and i'm not sure if you
can get seeds from them, As well but if you see,
them out, you know growing along the fence row or
whatever that time of the year Getting Into, september october,

(25:29):
you know feel free to collect a few of those
pods up and take. Them back they're not the easiest
thing in the world to grow. From seed you don't
get one hundred, percent germination but it's worth. The try and, Of,
course michael local garden centers and nurseries now selling quite
a collection, of milkweed all different types of species and

(25:49):
native oars or native selections of the milkweeds as well
as you can buy already growing like in a one.
Gallon container, all right that.

Speaker 2 (25:58):
SOUNDS good i have a lot of. Ac land it's,
not killable so to plant stuff in all that. Areas
excellent what happened to what happened to? THE grasshoppers i
haven't seen a grasshopper, in years you.

Speaker 1 (26:10):
Know what that's funny that it. Comes up we'll bring
that Up to joe sometime and let him talk to
a little bit more. About that, but again it's a change.
Of HABITAT but i think about. THAT too i grew
up out in the country on. A farm we had.
Grasshoppers everywhere we were always chasing grasshoppers and grabbing. Them
all and, you're right you just don't see them quite
like we used to. See them and you get out in,

(26:31):
the country you still see, some grasshoppers but you don't
quite see them like he. Used To but I'll let
joe address. That sometimes see what his opinion is.

Speaker 2 (26:37):
On that so.

Speaker 1 (26:38):
Keep listening, All, RIGHT.

Speaker 2 (26:40):
Well i listened to You every.

Speaker 1 (26:41):
Saturday morning we, Appreciate. That michael have a, great weekend are,
you too? All right good talking. With you and by,
the way talking about, that milkweed you will find you can,
buy these get, the seeds but you'll find milkweed of all,
different types, beautiful blooms different types, of milkweed different species
and against some navar or native selections from, those species

(27:03):
for different colors that the butterflies will. Absolutely enjoy you
can do, in containers you can do them in, the
ground whatever it. May be you'll also find in the
garden centers at annual or tropical. Milk weed now there's
been some controversy about the Tropical Milkweed monarch's surprise something,
LIKE that i think is one, of them which is

(27:24):
a tricolored beautiful foliage using containers and things, like that
mostly for the foliage and then. The flour but there's
been some controversy about using it because in states, further
south it doesn't die at the end of the year
and it keeps flowering because it's an annual and it,
keeps flowering and they have seen in some situations where

(27:45):
they think monarch butterflies have kind of been confused and
or hang around longer because those things are still. In
bloom we're, up here they've. Stopped flowering they know to
continue to. Move, on well this thing continues until the
frost takes. It, out fortunately and zone six, and colder
we don't have to worry about that because the frost
typically does take it out that first, frost boom, they're

(28:07):
finished or by the time we get to, that point
they're usually looking starting to look a, little bad or
you're starting to redo. Your containers you pull, a mouth
throw them away and plant. Something else so not an
issue for us in. This area so if you see
that and then you're on the internet and you're reading
about why you shouldn't plant tropical that's for zones further south.

(28:27):
From us that is a great way to get because
with planning, regular MILKWEED and i know we have to take.
A break you're planning regular milkweed takes a while to,
get established whereas this annual or tropical, milk weed it's a.
Quick end it's. An annual it grows like a weed
right off the bat and you got lots of, great
foliage and they do use, the foliage and they do

(28:47):
use the plant for, the eggs and you got the
flowers at the. Same time so it's instant quick, food
source host source for. The butterflies as your perennial, native,
butterflies butterfly wheed or milkweed is becoming, more established so
there are many benefits to. Using it and it's a
beautiful plan as well and great. In containers so if

(29:11):
you read that on, the internet we're good to go.
With it not, an Issue and i'll keep watching to
see if it becomes. An issue but it's not. For
us it's more For The southern states that it can be.
An issue eight two to ONE wtv in is our
number here on news radio SIX.' ten Wtvn it. Is
memorial weekend hopefully you're going to get out and get
a few things planned, beautiful day today continue to work

(29:32):
in that, yard and garden continue to get things, planted
out there and then of course hopefully you get together
with the family and don't forget what it is all
About on This Monday. Being MEMORIAL day and i have
a quote THAT real quick i just want to share
With you that i've, had FOR years and i always
thought it was one. Of the, best you know there's
all kinds of quotes Out There, about memorial day, but
it says and we're, not sure who it's an unknown who,

(29:53):
is quoted from, but it says our flag does not
fly because the. Wind moves it it flies with the
last breath of each soldier who died. For Detecting it
and i've always THOUGHT that was i always thought that was.
A great, quote and uh, and IT'S right it's. I like,
That and Again Monday, is memorial day so let's make
sure we honor those remember and honor those that made

(30:13):
the ultimate sacrifice for you and me to be able
to do what we're. Doing this weekend back to the.
Guarding phone ies and, by the way if you, want
another plant you need to. Plan. Out there sunflowers we'll
talk about. That next week but you talk about benefits
for you and me and the pollinators. And the bees
sunflowers are a. Major, major player, Greg good, Morning.

Speaker 2 (30:36):
Good.

Speaker 1 (30:37):
Morning ron sir.

Speaker 4 (30:40):
Three three miniature spruce in front, of a sunroom and
two of them have browned out. On, one side uh
DUE to what i think is shaded from a really
large pine we're. Thinking about moving will that? Once remove
them will that? Brown come? Back or no.

Speaker 1 (31:02):
Are these like are they these like globe blue spruce
or birds nest spruce Something like that.

Speaker 4 (31:08):
From what we can figure out there either White spruce.

Speaker 1 (31:11):
Or, canadian spruce okay but the small enough that you can, Still,
move them. Yeah all right and there is the browning
on the side towards the house or, toward the tree.

Speaker 4 (31:25):
But, towards the house and some of, the, tree, Isself yeah.

Speaker 1 (31:29):
Okay and a lot of times what happens, there is that,
especially with moisture if between that thing and the house you.
Got two things you have the shade. Behind the plant
then you also have the lack of moisture because all
the rainfall or wherever you water is in the front,
of the plant not. Behind the plant and you go
into the the fall and winter time where it's been
dry like we've had the last, couple of years and
that really dries out and that will affect those those

(31:52):
needles on. That back side so a combo of lack
of moisture and the shade really can. Do, a, number
so yeah you're you're right as far as the probably
the two reasons why, they're like that and, you'll find,
that you know if you keep them watered a little
bit more between the plant, and the foundation they'll still thin,

(32:12):
out a bit but a lot of times they'll still.
Retain those needles there's enough sunlight. To do that but
you put, the two together it can. Cause a problem
so it. Answered your question will they? Fill back in
it depends on what. Specifically they are, but with evergreens you,
got to, remember you know they put out one shot of,
growth every year and if those are, small or dwarf

(32:33):
they probably put out a shot of growth that's what a? Couple,
inches long?

Speaker 4 (32:37):
Yeah, if that?

Speaker 1 (32:38):
Yeah, if that so what happens then is that you
know it's going to take, you multiple years but eventually
they do start to fill back or grow back into,
those bare areas but it takes a long time for.
That to happen so if you decide, to move them
just put that bear size so you, don't see, it
you know. Face it away AND and and i know it's,

(33:01):
hard to do but take a pair of pruterers and
go in there and clean out the branches that you,
know are dead that, are totally dead. Nothing in them
they're not going to regrow anyway and clean all that
dead stuff, out of there giving room for those that
new growth to start to move into. That open, spot
but again if it's a one inch growth two inch,
growth every season you can kind of calculate from that

(33:23):
what is going to take for that to eventually seal
or fill that. Back over again it's going to, take
multiple years but they. Can do that just takes. A, long, time,
great okay right best time, to move those, by the
way is when that, not, right now obviously when the
new growth is coming out is. The worst time once
that new growth hardens off and it's the same color as,

(33:46):
the old, needles you know we can go back in
and water those, and move, those you. Know early summer
we'd rather wait until fall or do it in early
spring before the new. Growth comes out that's the best.
To two times but if you had, to do it
you could do it after the new. Growth hardens off
but if, You can wait i'd do it in the
fall and then get it replanted at that point and
then take. It.

Speaker 4 (34:06):
From, there great well thank. You very.

Speaker 1 (34:09):
Much you're welcome good. Talking to you, appreciate the call
appreciate you listening. To the show rick got about a. Minute, To, go.

Speaker 2 (34:16):
Hey ron thanks for, taking my. Call uh pleasure just
a quick question on blossom end rot ON tomatoes that i.

Speaker 1 (34:23):
Have in containers i've had issues with it in the
Past years and i'm trying to prevent. It this, year
when right have you potted up?

Speaker 2 (34:31):
The, tomatoes yet yeah everything's, In pots now.

Speaker 1 (34:36):
OKAY find Yourself i like. Aspoma's tomato tone it's a,
great fee pleasant has, calcium IN it and i think
they put about nine or ten percent calcium added. To
that formula it's the lack of calciums in the fruit
that causes. That blossom innrod so you want to make

(34:56):
sure you've got calcium, in the soil which potting soiled typically,
Does not have so you, add the calcium and then
of course consistent watering to move the calcium. Into the
fruit so it's a combination of. The two things and
if you've already planted it in all you can still
come back and either top dress with a little, bit
of that or you can just poke some holes down

(35:18):
in that and pour some of that down. In the holes. Don't,
overdo it no It's a granular SO that's why i
say you just sprinkle. It right on the name of
the Company, is called espoma and then the Product Is,
called tomato tone and they have a whole whole. Line
of products but. That works straight you can also. Use

(35:41):
calcium nitrate there's other products, you CAN use but i
like that because it's, a slow. Release easy feed your
tomatoes and peppers will love. You for it it's. A
Good One, so tomato tone get it in as soon,
as you can and then that'll help to get the calcium.
To the fruit, THANKS so much i. Really appreciate. IT
you're welcome i. APPRECIATE the call i appreciate you listening.

(36:02):
To the show and then again as we go into
the spring season now in about three four, or five
weeks to get, down the road finally starting getting, some
warm temperatures tomatoes, starting to. Flowers set fruit we're going
to start hearing more about. Blossom in rod it happens
every year and it's where the bottom of the fruit
just turns. Black or brown peppers will do, The, same,
thing cucumbers melons they can do the same. Thing as

(36:25):
well eggplant, can do that but tomatoes and peppers mostly
and again it's the lack of calcium getting. To the
fruit now it won't be the lack of calcium. In
the soil or you may have calcium in your soil but,
the watering process or it's not rooted in well enough
to take that and move it. To the fruit so
you make sure you got calcium in the soil and

(36:47):
you make sure you're watering on, a regular basis so you.
You get both the. Movement's going through if it, stays
really cool sometimes that slows. Down the process you may,
get it early but then it goes away as, time
goes along the season start to. Heat up more thanks,
to our callers thanks, To our sponsors thanks of course
to l Our, producer without ela another show what goes
now shout, so Slow. Down run ella thank you so

(37:08):
much for all. That you do now do, Yourself a
favor get out and keep. Planning this weekend visit your
local independent garden centers and by all means Making the
best memorial weekend. Of your life see you