Manuka in the US.

[tmarques]

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

Hello Bron, I thank you for taking the time to send some word of wisdom your thought, which I value very much especially coming from a family of beekeepers. Regarding you missing your daughter expertise on your business I think that it is so much precious for her to enjoy the little one, they grow up so fast that we don’t want her to miss the blessings that they bring to her heart. Since I heard the honey bees demising I felt compelled to take action in doing my part to help them to help them to thrive in my area, so I acquired tree hives of Italian honey bees and I enjoy the so much that I decide to take up a beekeeping as a hobby. I’m watching YouTube videos in attempt to become a better beekeeper so I can take care of them. Here in mine are swarming is very common occurrence, sometimes the hive population increase so fast that the will find large hollowed oak trees and they move to a new residence, I just started to understand the signs prior to their swarm. I’m not saying that I’ll plant 4 acres of Manuka all I said was that “I could if I want to” and I’m considering to plant some “Acacia Manguium” to provide plenty supply of nectar. My goal is to have 4 hives by next month. I know that New Zealanders are nice people, Nick Wallingford proved so. I thank you for reaching out. Bee Happy! Thanx……Tony….. Ps. I’ll visit your area (Gisborne) via Google Earth.

 

[tmarques]

The trail to the Manuka fields of Middle Earth is rough and rocky, and only sometimes does fortune favour the brave.
View attachment 252

View attachment 253

Hi James. Thank you for your note. Few words but wise! Bee Happy! Thanx….Tony…..>)))*>…

 

[tmarques]

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.

Hi Mummzie, You are missing the point! When you write (Please do not lash out at the people who have posted answers you didn't want to hear.) I came to this forum for help NOT to be bashed! So far ONLY “THREE” people understood my motivations, and these are people that truly wants to help. I don’t think that you fit in this category! Thanx……….Tony……………….

 

[tommy dave]

Can't help much regarding manuka growing conditions, but one of the posts above lists locations in Florida - my suggestion would be to get hold of a few if you can and try growing them. Any honey you get will be a blend of the floral sources nearby, if there's manuka planted and flowering and the bees collect from them, the honey will include manuka in that mix.

In terms of keeping the bees themselves, locations vary a lot - a suggestion that holds here, and probably there too? - is that if you can find nearby beekeepers and go through hives with them you'll learn loads! Some YouTube beekeeping videos are great, some less so. Here in NZ we have a great series of videos for beekeeping in NZ conditions from @Trevor Gillbanks , look up "trevs bees" on YouTube.

In terms of entertainment value.and interest about NZ beekeeping and manuka, there have been a few episodes on an NZ tv series called country calendar, and a series about a beekeeping business based out of Northland too.

Makes me wonder, @Grant thoughts on a thread or post that can be updated simply listing links to NZ beekeeping videos/tv?

Best of luck, there's plenty to learn, learning by doing is great, it's good fun, and honey is a great little bonus at the end!

Edit to add: if you buy one more to end up with two hives, you can learn a lot by splitting them yourself to end up with four hives, can help with swarm control too until you pick up all the tips and tricks to minimise swarming. Wonder if there's the opportunity to go through hives for half a day with whoever you buy the bees from?

 

[tmarques]

Hi Tommy, thanks for the recommendation and tips. I appreciated your help! Just like Bron said: New Zealanders are nice people. Again Thanx………..Tony……….>)))*>………..

 

[Grant]

When you write (Please do not lash out at the people who have posted answers you didn't want to hear.) I came to this forum for help NOT to be bashed! So far ONLY “THREE” people understood my motivations

I disagree. You started antagonising people in post 7 when you didnt get the answers you wanted to hear and you continue to do so.

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?????

 

[Grant]

Makes me wonder, @Grant thoughts on a thread or post that can be updated simply listing links to NZ beekeeping videos/tv?

We have this already. A video gallery that allows you to like to hosting sites such as YouTube and Vimeo

Video & Podcasts

Embedded video uploads and podcasts (audio files)

forum.nzbees.net

 

[Maggie]

Ki ora Tony

As you might realise from some of the posts, manuka is a fickle honey crop. Another issue is that the honey bee struggles to harvest it's poor quality pollen, therefore pollen deficit in the hive is an issue. The hive needs pollen to survive. Also you need the specific manuka varietal for your area, and this has become quite a specialised line.

In NZ we have a charitable research trust www.treesforbeesnz.org Have a look at their website and extensive database. The Australian govt has also published a database and you can download
https://www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/05-054.pdf - If you look through you will see plants listed, with their protein counts. Have a look at these databases, and you might find plants that would be successful in California. Almonds come up very high and I understand your state is a major world almond grower. In the Australian publication, they took about bulk feeding. That is not recommended in NZ.

I understand that the US govt pours a lot of $ into research. There may well be similar US govt publications and websites.

Trees for Bees have published a "Handbook For Manuka Plantations And Farms - Profitable and sustainable manuka honey harvesting", Angus McPherson and Linda Newstrom-Lloyd, June 2018. Sorry, but I don't know whether this is on their website, or whether you can download the pdf - I have to race off & do a graft right now. I understand that Angus has written a number of articles on manuka plantings.

I have no idea how the leptospernum species would fare in California, but all the very best with your new hobby and creating a honey bee friendly environment.

 

[Trevor Gillbanks]

Ki ora Tony

As you might realise from some of the posts, manuka is a fickle honey crop. Another issue is that the honey bee struggles to harvest it's poor quality pollen, therefore pollen deficit in the hive is an issue. The hive needs pollen to survive. Also you need the specific manuka varietal for your area, and this has become quite a specialised line.

In NZ we have a charitable research trust www.treesforbeesnz.org Have a look at their website and extensive database. The Australian govt has also published a database and you can download
https://www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/05-054.pdf - If you look through you will see plants listed, with their protein counts. Have a look at these databases, and you might find plants that would be successful in California. Almonds come up very high and I understand your state is a major world almond grower. In the Australian publication, they took about bulk feeding. That is not recommended in NZ.

I understand that the US govt pours a lot of $ into research. There may well be similar US govt publications and websites.

Trees for Bees have published a "Handbook For Manuka Plantations And Farms - Profitable and sustainable manuka honey harvesting", Angus McPherson and Linda Newstrom-Lloyd, June 2018. Sorry, but I don't know whether this is on their website, or whether you can download the pdf - I have to race off & do a graft right now. I understand that Angus has written a number of articles on manuka plantings.

I have no idea how the leptospernum species would fare in California, but all the very best with your new hobby and creating a honey bee friendly environment.

@Maggie James . Please note in Tony's profile that he lives in Florida, not California. The East coast of USA is quite different from the West coast.

However, I do also recommend the publications you have highlighted.

 

[Maggie]

Please note in Tony's profile that he lives in Florida, not California.

Whoops - Least I got the country right. Typed with a graft in mind. Busy time of the year

 

[tmarques]

Can't help much regarding manuka growing conditions, but one of the posts above lists locations in Florida - my suggestion would be to get hold of a few if you can and try growing them. Any honey you get will be a blend of the floral sources nearby, if there's manuka planted and flowering and the bees collect from them, the honey will include manuka in that mix.

In terms of keeping the bees themselves, locations vary a lot - a suggestion that holds here, and probably there too? - is that if you can find nearby beekeepers and go through hives with them you'll learn loads! Some YouTube beekeeping videos are great, some less so. Here in NZ we have a great series of videos for beekeeping in NZ conditions from @Trevor Gillbanks , look up "trevs bees" on YouTube.

In terms of entertainment value.and interest about NZ beekeeping and manuka, there have been a few episodes on an NZ tv series called country calendar, and a series about a beekeeping business based out of Northland too.

Makes me wonder, @Grant thoughts on a thread or post that can be updated simply listing links to NZ beekeeping videos/tv?

Best of luck, there's plenty to learn, learning by doing is great, it's good fun, and honey is a great little bonus at the end!

Edit to add: if you buy one more to end up with two hives, you can learn a lot by splitting them yourself to end up with four hives, can help with swarm control too until you pick up all the tips and tricks to minimise swarming. Wonder if there's the opportunity to go through hives for half a day with whoever you buy the bees from?

Hello Tommy, thank you so much for taking the time to lead me in the right direction. “Trevor Gillbanks” this man is a wealth of knowledge, I just started viewing his YouTube series as you recommended. I believe that he will be able to lead me from A to Z in beekeeping. Your answer to my request (Blog) was “PACKED” with valuable information about manuka information sources and beekeeping . Thanks understanding what I was looking for. Have a blessed day!
Thanx.........…Tony.............…>)))*>…................

Ki ora Tony

As you might realise from some of the posts, manuka is a fickle honey crop. Another issue is that the honey bee struggles to harvest it's poor quality pollen, therefore pollen deficit in the hive is an issue. The hive needs pollen to survive. Also you need the specific manuka varietal for your area, and this has become quite a specialised line.

In NZ we have a charitable research trust www.treesforbeesnz.org Have a look at their website and extensive database. The Australian govt has also published a database and you can download
https://www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/05-054.pdf - If you look through you will see plants listed, with their protein counts. Have a look at these databases, and you might find plants that would be successful in California. Almonds come up very high and I understand your state is a major world almond grower. In the Australian publication, they took about bulk feeding. That is not recommended in NZ.

I understand that the US govt pours a lot of $ into research. There may well be similar US govt publications and websites.

Trees for Bees have published a "Handbook For Manuka Plantations And Farms - Profitable and sustainable manuka honey harvesting", Angus McPherson and Linda Newstrom-Lloyd, June 2018. Sorry, but I don't know whether this is on their website, or whether you can download the pdf - I have to race off & do a graft right now. I understand that Angus has written a number of articles on manuka plantings.

I have no idea how the leptospernum species would fare in California, but all the very best with your new hobby and creating a honey bee friendly environment.

Hello Maggie, as I respond to Tommy Dave, I also thank you for contributing to answering to my needs, thanks for the links of and sources cited in your reply. Have a great day! Thanx…..Tony….>)))*>…………

@Maggie James . Please note in Tony's profile that he lives in Florida, not California. The East coast of USA is quite different from the West coast.

However, I do also recommend the publications you have highlighted.

Hello Trevor, is an honor to write to you, as I just answered Tommy, I’m so glad that he recommended me to watch your video series on YouTube, which I just started, great videos I probably will watch all (120) of them, great videos, ease to understand, thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with people like me (eager to learn). Again thank very much! Have a blessed day! Thanx…..….Tony…….…>)))*>………..

 

[John B]

I would be very wary planting manuka anywhere other than New Zealand. For most of my life it has been regarded as an invasive weed species and it has a huge range of soils and climates that it will grow in from dry hot clay hillsides to peat swamps and from the winterless North of New Zealand right down to fjordland where they measure the rainfall in metres. From coastal areas, right up to the mountains where it snows regularly. It is not highly palatable and is one of the few New Zealand plants that thrive after fires.

 

[Maggie]

Hello Trevor, is an honor to write to you

So it isn't an honour to write to others that have provided information to you.


Staff note: This post was initially removed as staff felt if offered no positive benefit to the conversation, especially with the OP being warned above for antagonising members. We received the below complaint and as a result the post has been re-instated with the same warning the OP received for antagonising members.

I don't think what I said was needless stirring at all. I am sick to death of when I talk about my experience of over 25 tears to be told it is stirring or I don't know what I am talking about, or that my extraction plant is lazy, doesn't know what they are talking about or are dictating the way I beekeep. People need to understand that beekeeping is v different in different parts of the country. I am sick to death of posts saying that what I say, or other beekeepers say, is a joke. Time and time again I come across people who watch this forum, and tell me what I say is sense, but they refuse to comment because they don't want to stick their neck over the parapet. Can't say I blame them.

 

[Maggie]

There is absolutely no way I would critique others who have offered advice

 

[tmarques]

There is absolutely no way I would critique others who have offered advice

Hi Maggie, I did not mean any disrespect, yes it is an honor to write to you and to all that took the time to write and offering valuable input on the subject of good beekeeping practices in and growing Manuka, your collaboration on these subject was very much appreciated, the reason the I try to respond differently to every individual is that I try not to be repetitive. Maggie, I really appreciate your knowledgeable contribution. Please accept my apologies. Ps. Constructive criticism is always healthy and I do welcome it! Nothing wrong here. Have a blessed day! Thanx………Tony……….>)))*>………..

 

[kaihoka]

If the only honey worth any money is manuka honey , NZ and australia would be crazy to encourage growing manuka in any other country.
Even by a well intentioned hobyist .
Sorry Tony it is not personal .

 

[tmarques]

If the only honey worth any money is manuka honey , NZ and australia would be crazy to encourage growing manuka in any other country.
Even by a well intentioned hobyist .
Sorry Tony it is not personal .

Hello Kaihoka, I respect your opinion, but we should reflect on the explanation of authenticity that was proposed by Bron: “Champagne, only comes from France” and Manuka Honey can only come from NZ. I’m here not to change the world, I’m just as a hobbyist that fell in love with bees, and no one can stop me from fulfilling my goals. Remember what I sad earlier “It is giving that you shall receive!” that is the only way that you will prosper in this world! Keep this in mind this is fact of life. The Manuka plant give the nectar to the bees and the bees will proliferate its existence. Got it? The symbiotic relationship. It’s an honor to get you input. Bee-Happy! Thanx……….Tony………>)))*>……………

 

[southbee]

The Manuka plant give the nectar to the bees and the bees will proliferate its existence. Got it? The symbiotic relationship.

Hi Tony, are you trying to teach us the basics of beekeeping? Well, thanks, I can see you're living by your principle of giving to receive....bee happy too!

 

[tristan]

If the only honey worth any money is manuka honey , NZ and australia would be crazy to encourage growing manuka in any other country.

it already is. afaik its been in other countries for 100+ years.
stuff from nz got sent around the world.

 

[Grant]

it already is. afaik its been in other countries for 100+ years.
stuff from nz got sent around the world.

Everything you need to know about manuka Leptospermum scoparium

https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/30097