Botanical Gardens

Gardener's Corner

Time to BEE Responsible

Cheo Rodriguez, Senior Horticulture Tech

Many of us are aware of the importance of honeybees and the role they play when it comes to their contribution to pollination. I think it’s past time that we shed light on a group of some of the hardest working pollinators often overlooked but their impact is felt every day. I’m talking about our 325 native bee species found right here in Northern Florida.

What are Native Bees?

Native bees include many different sized solitary species who don’t live in communal hives. They are nomadic as well as opportunistic. They are responsible for the vast majority of pollination and they are the ones rushing to get things done behind the scenes, never getting the notoriety that they truly deserve. Let’s change that... Our native bee species are the ones picking up the “pollination slack” to ensure all those fruits and veggies we enjoy end up right where they are supposed to, on your table.

Why are they so important?

Well simply put, without these hardworking Bees our native ecosystems would collapse. Many of our native species are in serious trouble. Habitat loss, the overuse of pesticide, and over fertilization of lawns all contribute to the demise of species. An example being the Rusty patch bumblebee (Bombus affins) whose numbers have decreased by 87% in the past 15 years.

But we have honeybees……Right?

Honeybees simply can’t keep up with the pollination demand, which would intern cause an overall food shortage due to lack of overall pollination. But have no fear! Getting involved is easy it just takes some time and elbow grease to make a positive impact for our future.

That small pile of sticks you’ve been putting off picking up that resides as a fixture in your backyard, why not let the native bees utilize it? Fallen branches make perfect homes and provide suitable nesting structures for homeless bees. You want something more functional and aesthetically pleasing? Offer a “Bee House”, a non-treated piece of wood that different sized holes can be drilled into to offer the perfect size and space for our natives to lay their eggs. Planting native fruiting trees and flowers will increase the number of pollinators you will see in your yard. If you aren’t sure what plant material to use, please contact your local nursery and they can help you select plants that are bee friendly. As an added bonus you get a yard full of different pollinators and increased biodiversity. These hardworking girls need our help and it’s our duty to answer the call, together we can SAVE THE BEES.

Summer Sweetness

Scott Koll, Senior Horticulturist

Synonymous with summer, picnics, and cookouts - what could be more wonderful than a sweet slice of watermelon?

Watermelons have a long and distinguished history. Believed to be native to west Africa, watermelons have long been cultivated in the Nile valley. Watermelon seeds were even found in the tomb of King Tut! Brought to the new world by Africans and Europeans, watermelons have been grown in Florida since the 16th century.

Watermelons require a long growing season and rich, sandy, well-drained soil. For these reasons cultivation is well suited to the deep South. Make sure you have plenty of room! Vines will soon overwhelm a small garden.

At the Zoo, watermelons are planted on hills, to provide good drainage, and watered close to the stem with micro-irrigation. This keeps the leaves drier, cutting down on fungal type diseases. Although watermelons require drainage, they also are heavy feeders and drinkers. Be sure to amend your soil with compost and perhaps an organic fertilizer and provide plenty of water.

Knowing when to harvest at the peak of delicious ripeness is an art. Some folks swear to thumping the skin, searching for a hollow sound. I prefer another method. Check the bottom of the fruit, where it rests on the ground. When the skin on that spot becomes more yellow/green then white (you may even see some slight striping in the spot) I harvest. I love my melons chilled, providing relief during the hot summer weather, but many prefer their fruit at room temperature.

Watermelon is really a very healthy item. Loaded with vitamins and lycopene (the same chemical that makes tomatoes red) which battle free radicals in the body and help to prevent many cancers. Watermelon also contains good amounts of fiber and is relatively low in calories.

At the Zoo we once grew a large variety of watermelon, ‘Carolina cross.’ We had one fruit measure in at 140 lbs! An amazing treat for our elephants, who love them, along with other animals including our great apes.

So tip your hat to this juicy fruit, and make sure you have plenty of napkins!

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