How Cranberries Grow: Pollination - Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association

Cranberry growers in southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod are bringing the buzz back to the cranberry bogs with migratory honey bees and bumble bees for cranberry flower pollination. It is vital that growers introduce migratory honey bees and/or bumble bees; According to Anne Averill, Entomologist with U-Mass Cranberry Station “Similar to many other fruit crops, bees are needed for adequate pollination. Cranberry flowers are not capable of self fertilization so pollinators are required to move pollen from one flower to another.” Often, several pollination visits are needed to ensure good berry development.

A grower needs to carefully time the delivery of the bees to the bogs. Cranberry blossoms are not a high priority flower for all bees. Cranberry blossom do not offer the same nectar appeal that other crops offer. If bees are introduced prematurely, the bee will fly off and find other flowers to pollinate, such as area weeds. Once a cranberry bog starts to blossom at 5%, bees should be introduced. Honey bees are hard workers, but they do prefer a dry day. Bumble bees offer another option for pollination, and will work earlier and later in the day and when the cranberry bogs are wet. It’s a grower’s choice and many growers introduce both honey and bumble bees to their farms.

Migratory honey bees will remain on the cranberry bogs until mid July; after that, cranberry pollination has ended, and the bees will continue to forage for pollen and nectar from other flowers in the area. Growers do not want summer weeds to be pollinated. Golden rod grows within the cranberry bog system, along with other invasive weeds. Once pollination is over, migratory bees relocate to another crop. The only buzz of the bee is from the native bees that live within the bog system all year long.

View a slide show on cranberry pollination:
(Click on the photo to start the show)

How Cranberries Grow: Cranberries 101

Introduction - a brief background on cranberries

Cranberries ~Growing ~ Pollination
How Cranberries Grow: Pollination Cranberry growers in southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod are bringing the buzz back to the cranberry bogs with migratory honey bees and bumble bees for cranberry flower pollination. It is vital that growers introduce migratory honey bees and/or bumble bees; According to Anne Averill, Entomologist with U-Mass Cranberry Station “Similar to many other fruit crops, bees are needed for adequate pollination. Cranberry flowers are not capable of self fertilization so pollinators are required to move pollen from one flower to another.” Often, several pollination visits are needed to ensure good berry development. A grower needs to carefully time the delivery of the bees to the bogs. Cranberry blossoms are not a high priority flower for all bees. Cranberry blossom do not offer the same nectar appeal that other crops offer. If bees are introduced prematurely, the bee will fly off and find other flowers to pollinate, such as area weeds. Once a cranberry bog starts to blossom at 5%, bees should be introduced. Honey bees are hard workers, but they do prefer a dry day. Bumble bees offer another option for pollination, and will work earlier and later in the day and when the cranberry bogs are wet. It’s a grower’s choice and many growers introduce both honey and bumble bees to their farms. Migratory honey bees will remain on the cranberry bogs until mid July; after that, cranberry pollination has ended, and the bees will continue to forage for pollen and nectar from other flowers in the area. Growers do not want summer weeds to be pollinated. Golden rod grows within the cranberry bog system, along with other invasive weeds. Once pollination is over, migratory bees relocate to another crop. The only buzz of the bee is from the native bees that live within the bog system all year long. View a slide show on cranberry pollination: (Click on the photo to start the show) How Cranberries Grow: Cranberries 101 Introduction - a brief background on cranberries Seasons of the Bog: Winter \| Spring \| Summer \| Fall Dry Harvesting - See how growers harvest fresh fruit Frost Protection: Spring - Cranberry plants need protection from cold temperatures Frost Protection: Fall - Cranberries need protection from cold temperatures Ice Sanding - See how growers perform this critical cultural practice Nutrition - Understand fertilizer use in cranberry production Pesticide Use - Learn how cranberry growers manage pests Pollination - Find out about cranberry flowers and the use of pollinators Water Use - A summary of water use in cranberries

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