The native Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) is coming into bloom.
I checked some of the populations (Lake Interstate and Bunker Hwy) I had collected samples from. Between 80% and 90% of the samples were attracting
no pollinating insects. I cut new samples from the specimens that were most attractive to insects. I will pitch the old ones....having only one-in-five or one-in-ten pay off is just not good enough.
Experiences like this are the reason for my tag line, "...Test everything. Keep what is good."
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzhC4krD4cYa9Gmd3DpHocwwnWnInKCW-TBlQO9vVChK8fbkSwD147dAagXAOJ-xMvZzqcMgrMm7Nom2wZVjBgEn6u2Fn3d-366EO-odlQo5HY0Wivqrbx7_QwifstPtoVOXQw0CGDg/s1600-rw/DSCF1965.JPG) |
Many catkins. No bugs. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFX2ArZewDkvDOEgMXIFrLynMWaOvvG3dKoeXxYzSQPoPC4jZlT9FNz_Va6oztGnjrCpogPHbyOtLQXZlnaQ2W-nDsDKtygcd-F5Kze5NJel7rsnoq4VitlhRnldVR81JFBIydB6rbeA/s1600-rw/DSCF1970.JPG) |
The specimens with the most action were yellow with pollen, very densely loaded with catkins and fragrant. I suspect that the most attractive specimens also have heavy nectar loading (which is visible to bees in the near infrared spectrum) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowjSVw_zHeqf-LXH2tvtpM9nBFktGRSpfLbWQrBcyOMyFhZ4tRQ_yv17-FqIP2t5wHtAfWSbiWryBJClieGWug-19iUAQyNIv42Qz_3JTiT8nxffgIX08moH8rnvZtYJKwXBBuxtARw/s1600-rw/DSCF1966.JPG) |
Not the greatest shot but there are three insects in flights caught in this photo. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6nLciYr4320pGnkW1X5ES8sX0ANaz8N6YEf0Yfcd2Z7Zd7bFNBF01zd3NaI646lWnOpoYrku4XaV3cAIRcct18g5RgAn8fUf25K1MiEVSvfsBXjeG4uupIx8y55I0ORikgS7PGMM6w/s1600-rw/DSCF1974.JPG) |
Some of the catkins are 1.75 inches long. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8_5d1YgZ4gTY-4Iles61L0vXm80nKCpsXPUVO-3oIuQkcW8jPQ6K9eTZaBj6-kjWZppfrFVuI7C-E3r87mYxdO1e87rHy-oAN1ERHAdM-M_f4cjuNU6KfKLLK8TPyHLyo0dtd-Y3yQ/s1600-rw/DSCF1981.JPG) |
A close-up of one of the select specimens. I "stuck" these cuttings in my garden and they were immediately attracting bees. |
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