grapes and bumblebees

jbp · Aug 21, 2012

The first grapes were frozen and a second crop was set on the vines, best crop ever. Something is starting to eat them as they begin to ripen so blamed it on the birds. Its not birds, but bumblebees, not just a few but clusters of them. It must be because of the drought and lack of other sources of nectar. Guess we are never too old to learn but have never seen this happen before. Joe

PeteTheRookie · Aug 21, 2012

Interesting about the bees.
Reminds me of when I tried to grew tomatoes in SC.
Every time they started to ripen and get juicy dam birds poked them full of holes!
Pete

Dave in GA · Aug 21, 2012

I'm growing 30 muscadine grapevines on double trellises and spent Sunday afternoon laying bird net over them. Last year I waited too late and the birds found them getting ripe and tore into them. The nets will keep them out. A roll of 100' x 14' at the big box store is about $20. Next weekend, if we can get a dry spell, I'll spray Sevin on them to keep the bugs away. Without the Sevin, all sorts of wasps, bees, fruit flies, and ants will arrive and tear into the grapes as they ripen. Spraying Sevin about every 2 weeks will usually save the crop.

SweetFeet · Aug 21, 2012

jbp,

Interesting. I did not know bees would do that either.

grapes and bumblebees

jbp

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PeteTheRookie

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Dave in GA

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SweetFeet

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