Manuka in the US.

[tmarques]

Thanks for the welcome.
I am a 72 years old, retired mechanical engineer, interested in hobby beekeeping and perhaps get my own Manuka Honey (For personal use). Last year I acquired three hives and two swarmed out, presently I have one hive and I intend to acquire three more this spring (I’m try to view as many “YouTube” as I can to learn about the bees), but would appreciate any recommendation, also I got interested in growing some Manuka tree to feed the girls with good nectar. I would appreciate any tips on both be keeping as well growing Manuka threes, like; requirements (Soil pH, fertilizers, etc, and management practices), any info., any good sites on the subject will be greatly appreciated. My location is; (29* 58’ 6” N – 81*28’ 3” W).
BEE HAPPY!
Thanx……….Tony……>)))*>….

 

[kaihoka]

I think as long as there is good money in manuka honey it is not likely that NZ would want a manuka honey industry in the US.
We are having enough trouble with Aussie manuka at the moment.
Most dark honeys have health properties .
There is probably a north american nectar producing plant that would be just as good .

 

[tmarques]

Hello Kaihoka, I don’t understand your comments and concerns, please understand that I’m a senior citizen that just want to preserve the bees existence since they are in decline worldwide so I decided take beekeeping as a hobby right now I have (1) bee hive. Based on my researches Manuka honey is the most therapeutic honey known to men. So I thought to get my girls (bees) should produce the best honey for my personal consumption so what is wrong with that? If you want to help me to achieve my goal great, please just don’t make defensive comments like these. I believe that New Zealanders are nice people and eager to others. Please keep in mind that God made the bees and God made the Manuka plant, so we all should be thankful for that. Ps. The Aussies are nice people and I'm Brazilian and we are all God's creation.
So Bee Happy, and have a great day!
Thanx………Tony……….

 

[yesbut]

Based on my researches Manuka honey is the most therapeutic honey known to men. So I thought to get my girls (bees) should produce the best honey for my personal consumption

Tony I think you have been sucked in by the Great Marketing Machine. Manuka honey has been proven to be of benefit for external application for things like skin conditions and wounds. Can you show us a study that demonstrates any benefit of taking manuka honey orally please ?

 

[Gordie]

I am a bit of 'greenfingers' like mucking about with propogating plants a bit, but no expert! But I would suggest, if you can get seed, which you may not be able to, but if you can, plant it and see! That's what I do, and sometimes things grow and sometimes they don't. Manuka seems to grow in some fairly depleted soils here, sand country for instance. So I dare say it isn't the fussiest or hardest of plants to grow.

 

[Grant]

Hello Kaihoka, I don’t understand your comments and concerns, please understand that I’m a senior citizen that just want to preserve the bees existence since they are in decline worldwide so I decided take beekeeping as a hobby right now I have (1) bee hive. Based on my researches Manuka honey is the most therapeutic honey known to men. So I thought to get my girls (bees) should produce the best honey for my personal consumption so what is wrong with that? If you want to help me to achieve my goal great, please just don’t make defensive comments like these. I believe that New Zealanders are nice people and eager to others. Please keep in mind that God made the bees and God made the Manuka plant, so we all should be thankful for that. Ps. The Aussies are nice people and I'm Brazilian and we are all God's creation.
So Bee Happy, and have a great day!
Thanx………Tony……….

How are you going to ensure that you only have manuka as a single crop and what are your 3 hives going to use outside of the flowering times of manuka. In my experience its not appropriate for a hobbyist to concentrate on a single crop with such low hive numbers.
Just let your hives have access to whatever is growing locally. As yesbut says there is no scientific proof that any honey is beneficial orally.

 

[tmarques]

Hello yesbut, based on Dr. Jackie Evans, PhD (Head of Research for Comvita).
Please check “Manuka Honey: What is the Science Behind” at; https://www.comvita.com/blog-articl...he-science-behind-natures-wonderfood/X8600003
Read the article; (The potent unique non-peroxide antibacterial and wound healing properties of medical grade Mānuka Honey are well known, and have been clinically proven in multiple Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials). If you don’t recognize your own PHD’s clinical studies, what is going on here?
I’m a NEWBIE, I know very little about the subject matter and you ask me to prove be benefits of Manuka from your own country??????
Are you up to date on the subject matter?
I'm just trying to better understand the Manuka Honey benefits.
Did I came to the wrong place to get educated?????
NZ is supposed to be the Mecca of Manuka Honey is it?????
Please advise.
Have a great day! Thanx………Tony……..>)))*>……………

 

[Grant]

The paper refers to the topical application of Manuka NOT eating it.

And why am I spending all my time recently with people who read into an article what they want to hear when it's clearly not what the article is about

 

[tmarques]

The paper refers to the topical application of Manuka NOT eating it

Hey Grant, I came to you seeking help and guidance. I'm on your corner NOT the enemy!
Manuka Honey is widely used to support digestive and immune health. It can help soothe coughs and sore throats too. Enjoy a delicious spoonful daily, or add to your tea, toast, yogurt, or smoothie as a daily superfood. See; https://www.comvita.com/blog-article/manuka-honey-101/W5400009 . Are you guys for real?????? I'm only an engineer no medial or clinical experience and here we have a Brazilian defending the therapeutic benefit of Manuka Honey???? I just joint the organization to learn about the subject matter and you guy are gang up on me.
What is going on?????
Please advise.
Thanx........Tony.........>)))*>...........

The paper refers to the topical application of Manuka NOT eating it.

And why am I spending all my time recently with people who read into an article what they want to hear when it's clearly not what the article is about

 

[Grant]

Tony. My reference to 'the paper' means scientific peer reviewed input, not the blog of a multinational honey marketer trying to pedal their stock with a back story. As they state themselves, there is research ongoing that Comvita are doing themselves but it hasn't been published yet.
There is no scientific evidence that eating honey has any benefit. Even though it may soothe a sore throat, there is no evidence to support this claim

 

[tmarques]

OK, Thanx..................Tony.............>)))*>........................

 

[NickWallingford]

Hi Tony... You seem to be catching some flak for things that don't have a lot to do with your initial questions.

The last few years of the manuka honey part of the beekeeping industry has resulted in some strong feelings about many of its aspects. But you are a hobbyist beekeeper, and seem to be wanting to plant a few nectar/pollen sources near your hives that might make good honey. And there's nothing wrong with that...

As with any such plantings, to be really *significant*, you'd have to plant multiple acres - remember that your bees will be foraging over a massive area around their hive. In practical terms, it is quite an undertaking to plant enough of a source to make any difference to the overall crop.

But to plant a few manuka plants, hoping that that small addition to your hobby crop might make the crop even better, however small, is not really a reason for you to have caught some of this. Do not feel obliged to defend what you are wanting to do in this forum.

 

[tmarques]

Hi Tony... You seem to be catching some flak for things that don't have a lot to do with your initial questions.

The last few years of the manuka honey part of the beekeeping industry has resulted in some strong feelings about many of its aspects. But you are a hobbyist beekeeper, and seem to be wanting to plant a few nectar/pollen sources near your hives that might make good honey. And there's nothing wrong with that...

As with any such plantings, to be really *significant*, you'd have to plant multiple acres - remember that your bees will be foraging over a massive area around their hive. In practical terms, it is quite an undertaking to plant enough of a source to make any difference to the overall crop.

But to plant a few manuka plants, hoping that that small addition to your hobby crop might make the crop even better, however small, is not really a reason for you to have caught some of this. Do not feel obliged to defend what you are wanting to do in this forum.

Hi Nick, so far you are the only logical person in this forum, the points that I was focusing are; any buddy in this forum that want to help? So far everyone is fighting me and disregarding my request for help me on my simple questions; is it possible for me to be a better beekeeper? The answer is YES if logical sharing people may help! Is it possible for me to grow Manuka here in Florida? Again the answer is YES, if logical and positive people are willing to help me! I started to think that New Zealanders people where a bunch of ostriches with their heads in the sand, fortunate you save the NZ nation! So I when I hear about NZ or New Zealanders I can NO longer think of OSTRICHES.
I will fulfill my goals with or without the OSTRICHES! I have enough land to plant 4 hectares of Manuka if I chose to and I can purchase 20 hives of honey bees this spring if I want to. The Lord has blessed me with enough funds that that I can do if He chose to allow me to do so. Unfortunate these type of people they don't understand that they can not prosper, they don’t understand that “is giving that you will receive”!
Thank you so much patching the situation and bringing some logic to it.
Again thanks for your positive effort.
Have a wonderful day! Thanx………Tony……….>)))*>……….

 

[tristan]

Hi Nick, so far you are the only logical person in this forum, the points that I was focusing are; any buddy in this forum that want to help? So far everyone is fighting me and disregarding my request for help me on my simple questions; is it possible for me to be a better beekeeper? The answer is YES if logical sharing people may help! Is it possible for me to grow Manuka here in Florida? Again the answer is YES, if logical and positive people are willing to help me! I started to think that New Zealanders people where a bunch of ostriches with their heads in the sand, fortunate you save the NZ nation! So I when I hear about NZ or New Zealanders I can NO longer think of OSTRICHES.
I will fulfill my goals with or without the OSTRICHES! I have enough land to plant 4 hectares of Manuka if I chose to and I can purchase 20 hives of honey bees this spring if I want to. The Lord has blessed me with enough funds that that I can do if He chose to allow me to do so. Unfortunate these type of people they don't understand that they can not prosper, they don’t understand that “is giving that you will receive”!
Thank you so much patching the situation and bringing some logic to it.
Again thanks for your positive effort.
Have a wonderful day! Thanx………Tony……….>)))*>……….

if i remember right there is manuka growing in usa. much the same as in the UK.
if its the right sub species i do not know.
as far as the best growing conditions for each sub species, i suspect the people who know won't tell anyone.

however the biggest concern is the bees. there is no point to any of this if you cannot look after the bee hives.
bee hives should not swarm out (did they swarm out or abscond?).
i would contact the local beekeepers. beekeeping is highly dependant on local conditions. asking for help from the other side of the world doesn't work well. spend the money on beekeeping books.
don't bother buying hives until you learn to beekeep, and by then you will have no need to buy hives as you will make your own.

what most beginners do not understand and really dislike being told, is that they need to shelve their plans and learn beekeeping first.
once your proficient then get stuck back into your project.

 

[Mummzie]

Tony
Please do not lash out at the people who have posted answers you didn't want to hear.
First- if you want information on the conditions required to grow Manuka- ask a plants person.
Second - get your beekeeping knowledge from people near you. Beekeeping laws are different, let alone the range of pests and diseases you will need to contend with that in some cases we do not have. Even within NZ there are climatic variations that impact on beekeeping practices.
Third - consider your starting position. Have you bought into hype?
The bees do not need saving ......its all insect life that is in danger of humans. Native pollinators are suffering also.

With 4 hectares or land and ample funds, think what a difference you could make to your local ecosystems.

 

[kaihoka]

Hello Kaihoka, I don’t understand your comments and concerns, please understand that I’m a senior citizen that just want to preserve the bees existence since they are in decline worldwide so I decided take beekeeping as a hobby right now I have (1) bee hive. Based on my researches Manuka honey is the most therapeutic honey known to men. So I thought to get my girls (bees) should produce the best honey for my personal consumption so what is wrong with that? If you want to help me to achieve my goal great, please just don’t make defensive comments like these. I believe that New Zealanders are nice people and eager to others. Please keep in mind that God made the bees and God made the Manuka plant, so we all should be thankful for that. Ps. The Aussies are nice people and I'm Brazilian and we are all God's creation.
So Bee Happy, and have a great day!
Thanx………Tony……….

I realise you are a hobbyist with no commercial agenda .
The manuka you would want to grow is a high umf specialist plant that has high activity, any other manuka is no more effective for health than any other dark honey .
I think NZ would be dumb to let the high activity manuka leave the country .
Even if you had 4 acres of manuka there is no guarantee that your bees would get the honey.
In NZ we have a native bee that flies in less favourable conditions and collects the nectar before the honey bees get it .
Getting manuka honey seems to be a lot of work for bees and if there is anything else flowering and flowing then the bees could ignore it .

 

[Grant]

First- if you want information on the conditions required to grow Manuka- ask a plants person.

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known growing locations

Last year I acquired three hives and two swarmed out, presently I have one hive and I intend to acquire three more this spring

I decided take beekeeping as a hobby right now I have (1) bee hive. Based on my researches Manuka honey is the most therapeutic honey known to men. So I thought to get my girls (bees) should produce the best honey for my personal consumption so what is wrong with that?

I have enough land to plant 4 hectares of Manuka if I chose to and I can purchase 20 hives of honey bees this spring if I want to.

The other issue you face is that the story is changing. So far we've got:
1 hive with a view to get 3 more in spring.
One hive.
Then all of a sudden there is potential to get 20 hives across 4 acres.

You aren't going to get accurate guidance without the full story, we also don't have ostriches in New Zealand. I'm sure they would be classed an invasive pest if we did. But if you are planting up 4 acres, how long will it take for the plants to get large enough to give you a crop? Then will that crop contain active manuka or just plain manuka? Then refer back to my previous points above about how do you ask your bees to forage on that crop, when they have a 2-3km range?

 

[Bron]

Hi Tony, I really hope you are enjoying your beekeeping. I’m one of three members of a small commercial beekeeping family in Gisborne on the Eastcoast of the North Island. Theres myself, my husband and my daughter (who is busy with two tiny humans so is on semi-permanent maternity leave), don’t tell her but she’s the best beekeeper we’ve got and we can’t wait till she’s back on the job.

Bees are our passion and livelyhood. We rely on a variety of floral sources to feed our bees through the year. Willows in the spring, a variety of flowering native trees, pasture crops such as clover, and good old fashioned weeds. We aren’t migratory beekeepers, so value the variety offered by the environment our bees are stationary at. As others have mentioned it our honey then becomes a blend of all of these floral sources within the flying zone of 3 to 5 kms. (Which is a lot of acres or hectares.) Too many bees not enough variety through the year = low crop.

Around Gisborne and the coast there are very large areas of Manuka. You need very large areas to ensure that the Manuka produced meets the laboratory standards required to be called Manuka Honey. Hives are placed to hopefully gain a crop, however it is never a certainty, or indeed enough to sustain the hives for an entire year. There are many migratory beekeepers who take their hives to the Manuka and then remove them once the flowering is finished to areas that can sustain the bees for longer periods.

Manuka (particularly leptospermum scoparium) is NZs honey, something that can be found in most regions of NZ and some areas of Australia. This scarcity provides a lot of beekeepers with an income, however not all leptos are equal, and finding the best, most valued areas are closely guarded, commercially sensitive information.

NZ is currently legally trying to ensure that Manuka Honey, (which is the Maori word for leptospermum scoparium) can only be produced if it comes from NZ, just like Champagne, only comes from France.

So the short version of all this is yes, you probably could grow Manuka, but you would need a lot more that 4 acres to produce any quantity.

We are nice people really!
Bron

 

[James]

Tony, go for it I say .
Nothing to stop you growing a crop ..... it thrives in soils of poor quality and is generally a pioneer crop after bush has been cleared, or land stripped for gold mining.
The best quality comes from land where it has 'wet feet'.
It'll grow like a weed in a warm and moist environment.
Look on the internet site TradeMe and you will find nurseries here selling seedlings by the tray .
But like Bron says, you will need quite a lot of it, and it needs to be the major flowering plant in the area to get a pure yield.

Probably don't call it Manuka though ..... perhaps something more indigenous to your region ...... Mivanka ....
And if all else fails , come and visit and help extract your own bucket full !

 

[James]

The trail to the Manuka fields of Middle Earth is rough and rocky, and only sometimes does fortune favour the brave.