Sorghum
A wind-pollinated cereal without nectar; bees gather its pollen early in the morning and in places collect aphid honeydew from it.
- Nectar
- None
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Pollen colour
- Height
- 1-4 m
- Life cycle
- Annual
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Sorghum secretes no nectar; its value is pollen. The flowers in the head shed pollen early in the morning, and bees come to the field in large numbers to catch this short window. In hot regions where other pollen sources dwindle in midsummer it makes a noticeable contribution to the hive.
Flowering
It flowers from July to September; a head flowers from the top downwards within 5-10 days. Differences in variety and sowing date between fields spread the pollen period over several weeks.
Honey and pollen
There is no blossom honey. In some regions the sorghum aphid leaves heavy honeydew, which bees collect; this can enter the hive as honey of variable quality. The pollen loads are yellow.
Note for the beekeeper
Spraying against aphids and stem borers directly affects pollen-collecting bees. It is important to discuss spraying times with the grower and to ask that no spraying be done in the morning hours.