Rata Vine

[kaihoka]

Dunno what's going on inside, but they're flapping about seemingly enjoying another tee shirt & short day.

the red rata vine is having a prolific flowering and the bees are busy among the flowers.

 

[southbee]

the red rata vine is having a prolific flowering and the bees are busy among the flowers.

I didn't know it flowers that late in the year, could you possibly post a pic? Just curious to see it...

 

[kaihoka]

Its a vine .
Not the tree , flowers autumn , early winter .

 

[yesbut]

It ultimately outlives the host tree and becomes a tree itself.

 

[kaihoka]

It ultimately outlives the host tree and becomes a tree itself.

I think there are different types and not all vines become trees.

 

[CHCHPaul]

Like a parasite that lives symbiotically or a parasite that kills its host... very beekeeping.

 

[yesbut]

I think there are different types and not all vines become trees.

Quite right too, apparently 6 species.

 

[John B]

Like a parasite that lives symbiotically or a parasite that kills its host... very beekeeping.

I like to think I am in a symbiotic relationship with my bees.
I know some bee havers who are definitely in a parasitic relationship and there seems to be quite a few out there now that are more like epiphytes hanging on and hoping the next storm doesn't send them crashing.

 

[southbee]

Its a vine .
Not the tree , flowers autumn , early winter .

Thank you @kaihoka, looks beautiful, I don't think we got them down here. Our Southern Rata had a prolific flowering too this year, started in November and lasted till January.

 

[bighands]

Thank you @kaihoka, looks beautiful, I don't think we got them down here. Our Southern Rata had a prolific flowering too this year, started in November and lasted till January.

Is that early for your area? In the Otira Valley it started early January and was over by 1st week of Febuary, normally it starts mid to late Jauary and is over by end of Febuary

 

[southbee]

It was very early @bighands , when we saw the first trees coming out in flower we didn't believe it and got the bino's out to confirm. Normally it starts around Christmas/New Year. The nice bit was, that it lasted for so long and even with bad weather in between the bees worked it well.

 

[kaihoka]

It was very early @bighands , when we saw the first trees coming out in flower we didn't believe it and got the bino's out to confirm. Normally it starts around Christmas/New Year. The nice bit was, that it lasted for so long and even with bad weather in between the bees worked it well.

The rata tree had a very extended season here too .
It started normal time . The previous summers it had started early but we had a cool summer this yr.
We have had two good rata flowerings in a row , do not hope for much next season .

 

[James]

This vine was flowering March 1 at Lake Kaniere

 

[kaihoka]

I think a lot of dry weather and a bit of warmth is need to get the sugar concentration high enough in the flowers to make it worth while for the bees to bother with rata vine .

 

[Josh]

I had that debate with my Dad of vine vs tree. Turns out rata can be both. Vines tend to be norther, and further south you go the rata is less of a vine and more of a tree and doesn’t have a host at all.