FL Beekeeping Calendar – September 2022

Welcome to the first blog post on Pinesmoke.com! I figured since we are launching the website in September, I should just start out with a calendar post. Each month a similar post will publish on this blog explaining the various floral sources that open up and what Florida beekeepers should be doing each month. Sometimes native plants will be in the spotlight other times the many invasive plants will see the light. I hope you enjoy and find these types of posts both entertaining and informative.

September in Florida, this is the time of year when Florida’s invasive plants really shine. While many are not all happy that someone would be excited to see so many invasive plants in bloom, as a beekeeper near these plants, the reason is only display front and center. Full honey supers!!

The main invasive floral sources that open up in Central Florida’s September are Brazilian Pepper, Golden Rain Tree, and Pink Coral Vine.

What is in bloom in your region?

North Florida:  Bush Aster, Golden Rain Tree, Goldenrod, Mexican Clover, Primrose Willow, Red Bay, Smartweed, Spanish Needle, Spiderwort, Spotted Mint, Sumac, Vine Aster

Central Florida:  Brazilian Pepper,  Bush Aster, Golden Rain Tree, Goldenrod, Mexican Clover, Primrose Willow, Pink Coral Vine, Red Bay, Smartweed, Spanish Needle, Spiderwort, Spotted Mint, Sumac, Vine Aster 

South Florida: Brazilian Pepper, Golden Rain Tree, Melaleuca, Mexican Clover, Palm, Primrose Willow, Shrubby False Buttonweed, Smartweed, Spanish Needle

What should beekeepers be doing this month?

North Florida:

• Golden Rain tree blooms this month for you, however you do not have the Brazilian Pepper as Central and South Florida does. Super your colonies if needed.
• Some areas will see more nectar than others coming in, though feed your colonies if they’re light.

Central Florida:

• If you are a migratory beekeeper, you’ll want to have your colonies equalized and moved to the apiaries that are near the main nectar sources, Brazilian Pepper, Golden Rain Tree, and Pink Coral Vine.
• If you are stationary, you’ll want to add a queen excluder and a honey super to your strongest colonies.
• All beekeepers, watch your colonies for swarming impulse, make splits / nucs for swarm control. Introduce a mated queen, do not attempt to open mate via a “walk-away split”

South Florida:

• Your invasive nectar flow is already in progress. Your Brazilian Pepper flow is typically very strong. You’ll need to super your strong colonies often.
• Watch your colonies for swarming as well.