The Queen Bee

 

The queen is the only sexually mature female in the colony and therefore the mother of all workers and most of the drones. Born from a fertilized egg, she is the result of a royal jelly diet, which is a secretion produced by the worker bee during the 15 days of their adult life and it is used in the nutrition of larvae. A queen bee lives an average of three years and only leaves the hive for her mating flights that usually take place between the sixth and tenth day after birth. Her only function is to lay eggs; which amount to approximately 2,000 per day. Attendant workers who surround the queen feed her and collect her waste.  Additionally, the workers distribute her pheromone to inhibit the workers from starting queen cells and keep the colony together.

  

The Worker Bee

 

Worker bees are infertile females born from fertilized eggs and fed with a combination of royal jelly, pollen and honey. Their average life is 85 days. The worker bees during their lifetime perform different tasks, they secrete the wax used to build the combs, suck nectar from flowers for energy and carry water when the hive is in danger of overheating.  They also collect pollen for proteins and collect propolis, a resinous mixture from tree buds and sap flows used for sanitizing and sealing cracks in the hive. They defend the hive against intruders . . . even the beekeeper.

 

The Drones

 

Polygonatum odoratum, pronounced po-lig-o-nay'tum o-do-ray'tum vair-e-ah-gay'tum, carries the common names of variegated Solomon's Seal, striped Solomon's Seal, fragrant Solomon's Seal and variegated fragrant Solomon's Seal.  This all-season perennial has greenish-white flowers in late spring and variegated foliage throughout the growing season. The foliage turns yellow in the fall and grows well in moist soil in partial to full shade.

The genus Polygonatum, native to Europe, Asia, and North America is a member of the Asparagaceae family. It was formerly found in the family Liliaceae. Regardless of its new location, members ofPolygonatum are excellent perennials for the landscape. The genus botanical name (Polygonatum) comes from poly (many) and gonu (knee joints) and refers to the many-jointed rhizome from which the leaves arise. The common name Solomon's Seal has several proposed derivations. The first is that the scar that remains on the rootstock after the leaf stalks die off in the fall resembles the seal impressed on wax on documents in the past. The second source is that John Gerard, the English botanist and herbalist, suggested that the powdered roots were an excellent remedy for broken bones. He also felt that the plant had the capacity for "sealing wounds", which was why the perennial received the common name - Solomon's Seal.

Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum' grows 18 to 24 inches tall and will spread by rhizomes to form colonies. The oval-shaped leaves are carried on upright, arching, unbranched stems. The variegated leaves are light green with white tips and margins. Leaves turn an attractive yellow in the autumn.Sweetly fragrant, small, bell-shaped white flowers with green tips, are borne on short pedicels from the leaf axils underneath the arching stems. Bluish-black berries are sometimes present in the autumn

There are no serious insect or disease problems with variegated Solomon's Seal.  Plants may be divided in the spring or fall. The white rhizomes should be planted just below the soil surface.Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum' is a very easy perennial to grow and will enhance any shade garden, especially a more natural one.

Click here for more information or to apply online .  To request a printed application or for more information, please call 207-942-7396.  Applications should be submitted no later than February 13th.  The course fee is on a sliding scale from $110-$330.  A limited number of scholarships are available. UMaine Extension programs are open and accessible to all in accordance with program goals.

• Dr. Doug Tallamy, University of Deleware professor, researcher, and author of the award winning book Bringing Nature Home 
• Roger Dorian, founder and director of Kitchen Gardens International and renowned writer/public speaker known for his successful campaign to replant a kitchen garden at the White House

• Eat the Suburbs:  a permaculture case study for turning a 1/3 acre lot into an edible ecosystem
• Orchids for the Home Garden
• Backyard Poultry Management for Beginners
• Drying Fruits, Vegetables, and Herbs
• Planning a Preserving Garden
• Fruit Tree Bench Grafting & Bark Cleft Grafting

Pruning Woody Landscape Plants  Download for FREE or purchase for $1.00

Renovating Old Apple Trees Download for FREE or purchase for $0.50

Smart Gardener:  A Learning Guide for Home Vegetable Growers  Sale! $4.00

Teach ME about Food and Farms - Searchable lessons aligned to the Maine Department of Education Common Core Standards and ME Learning Results.  
UMaine Extension

4x8' raised-bed plots in prime Bangor location (near the intersection of Essex Street and Stillwater Ave) are available to lease for the 2013 growing season.  Join fellow gardeners in a safe and enjoyable place to get your hands dirty, learn, harvest, and share time with your neighbors.  Applying is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. Read Member Agreement 

2. Send in application, payment, and signed last page of Member Agreement 

3. Complete the Bangor Community Garden  survey 

 

 

Maine Garden Show and Spring Fling (formerly the Bangor Garden Show) 

April 5th, 6th, and 7th in the Bangor Auditorium.  http://bdnmainegardenshow.com

 

Composting Workshop 

Saturday, April 27th, 9-noon at Treworgy's Orchard in Levant.  Free.  Learn the basics of pruning, pest management, and tree maintenance.  If time permits, a little grafting demonstration will also be offered.  For more information call Kate 207-942-7396.   

  

Black Bear Beauties Plant Sale in the Lyle Littlefield Gardens at the University of Maine May 17th, 18th, and 19th.  Look for details in our next newsletter!

Penobscot County           Piscataquis County