When you think of blueberries, you might not immediately think of honey bees. However, these tiny insects play a crucial role in the pollination of blueberry plants. In fact, without honey bees, blueberry harvests would be significantly smaller. Let's explore the fascinating relationship between honey bees and blueberry pollination. (If you just want the recipe for the blueberry and Indiana Whiskey Honey biscuits, it's at the end of this blog - get them baking and then read the blog while you enjoy them!)
Why are honey bees important for blueberry pollination?
Honey bees are highly efficient pollinators due to their unique behaviors and physical characteristics. When honey bees visit blueberry flowers in search of nectar, they unintentionally transfer pollen from the male parts (anthers) to the female parts (stigma) of the flowers. This transfer of pollen is essential for fertilization and the production of blueberries.
How do honey bees pollinate blueberry plants?
Blueberry flowers have a special structure that requires a specific pollination technique. The anthers of blueberry flowers are located inside the petals, making it difficult for wind or other insects to reach them. Honey bees, however, have the perfect tool for the job - their long proboscis.
When a honey bee lands on a blueberry flower, it extends its proboscis and inserts it into the flower, reaching the nectar at the base. As the bee feeds on the nectar, its body brushes against the anthers, picking up pollen. When the bee visits another flower, some of this pollen is transferred to the stigma, allowing for pollination to occur.
What happens if honey bees are not present?
If honey bees are not present to pollinate blueberry flowers, the plants would rely on other less efficient pollinators, such as bumblebees or solitary bees. While these insects can also pollinate blueberries to some extent, they are not as effective as honey bees.
Without sufficient honey bee pollination, blueberry plants would produce fewer fruits and the fruits that are produced may be smaller and less uniform in size. This would have a significant impact on blueberry farmers and consumers alike, leading to decreased yields and potentially higher prices.
How can we support honey bees in blueberry pollination?
Given the importance of honey bees in blueberry pollination, it is crucial to support their populations. Here are a few ways you can help:
- Plant bee-friendly flowers and flowering herbs in your garden to provide a source of nectar and pollen for honey bees. Flowering trees are best if you have room because they have so many more blossoms than a flower.
- Avoid using pesticides, especially during the blooming period of blueberry plants, as they can be harmful to honey bees.
- Support local beekeepers like the Mullins family at Bee Great by purchasing honey and other bee-related products from them.
By taking these simple steps, we can all contribute to the well-being of honey bees and ensure the continued success of blueberry pollination.
Next time you enjoy a delicious blueberry muffin or a bowl of fresh blueberries, take a moment to appreciate the hard work of honey bees. Without them, these sweet and nutritious berries would be much harder to come by.
Recipe for Blueberry Biscuits with Blueberry and Indiana Whiskey Honey Sauce
Option : If you want it fast and easy with the least amount of effort - and far less flavor but still delicious - buy a tube of blueberry biscuits and a pint of blueberries at the grocery. Bake the biscuits according to the directions. Heat all the blueberries in a pot with about a tablespoon of water and boil off the water until it's reduced about in half. Then remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of Indiana Whiskey Honey. Put the icing from the tube biscuits on and then pour the berry and honey sauce over the biscuit. Enjoy!
Option 2: Still fast and easy, but so much more flavorful!
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold butter cut in small pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 teaspoon lemon juice added)
- 1 cup blueberries
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Add dry ingredients to a bowl. Cut in butter by pushing it down into the dry ingredients with the tines. Just push straight down on the butter with the fork laying length wise so the tines cut the butter into little pieces against the side of the bowl into the flour and stir it up and do it again until the butter is in tiny balls. This makes the biscuits fluffy. Mix in the buttermilk and berries, and stir it up with a spoon. Then just roll it out on a floured surface and cut it with a glass into biscuits. I pinch off dough, roll it into a ball, and flatten it like grandma did. You can also just use a big spoon and scoop out the dough and place it on the cookie sheet. Whatever way you like is the way to go! Don't make it complicated, and be sure your kids or grandkids are helping. They love getting their hands in the dough! Put them on a cookie sheet, and bake for about 10-15 minutes until they are as brown as you like.
Make the sauce by heating a pint of blueberries in a pot with about a tablespoon of water and boil off the water until it's reduced about in half. Then remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of Indiana Whiskey Honey. You can substitute any Bee Great honey. Cinnamon Honey, Ginger Lemon Honey, Raw Honey, Salted Vanilla Honey...the list goes on. Just browse our store and you're sure to find something you love!