APPLE POLLINATION COMMENTS 



Roger A. Morse 

 Department of Entomology 

 Cornell University 

 Ithaca, N.Y. 



To set fruit, apples must be cross-pollinated. Mcintosh pollen 

 will not grow on a Mcintosh flower's female parts; the pollen must 

 come from another apple variety. This is true with most apple varie- 

 ties. Many insects may carry pollen from one apple flower to another 

 and oftentimes flies, wasps and solitary bees are important in cross- 

 pollination. When one has only a few acres of fruit, there are 

 usually enough insects in the vicinity to do the job. In most years, 

 if eight percent of the flowers on a tree set fruit, one has an 

 adequate set for a crop. 



In larger orchards, those with five, ten or more acres, there 

 are usually too few insects available to accomplish cross-pollination. 

 This is especially true in those years when we have cool, cloudy 

 damp weather during bloom. Large orchards need to have colonies of 

 bees moved in to insure pollination. 



The wholesale price of honey has tripled since 1971. The re- 

 tail price for a pound of table honey has moved from 45(f to 99(f: 

 to $1.30. Many beekeepers are reluctant to move bees into orchards 

 because they fear their colonies may swarm. Swarming weakens a 

 colony and the beekeeper may lose his honey crop. Beekeepers who are 

 renting bees for apple pollination are charging more than ever 

 before and it is important that growers get the most from rented bees. 

 There are several very simple rules to follow. 



Where to Place Colonies 



Honey bee colonies should be placed where they receive a 

 maximum of sunlight. The entrances should face east or south. We 

 prefer to see colonies on land which has a slight slope to the east 

 or south. If the colonies have some protection from prevailing 

 winds, more bees will fly than if they do not. Never place colonies 

 under trees where they will be shaded. Sunlight warms the hives 

 and encourages more bees to take flight. 



How Large A Colony to Rent 



It appears the price for rented colonies in New York State for 

 apple pollination this year will vary between $15 and $35 per 

 colony. One must not expect that colonies rented for $15 or less will 

 contain as many bees as do those which command a higher price. 



We recommend that colonies for apple pollination be in at least 

 two boxes [supers). We recommend the bees have brood in six frames 

 in each colony. Having brood in six frames is not the same as 

 having six frames full of brood. A brood nest is more or less the 



