Rape honey plant is an unpretentious cruciferous plant that tolerates wintering well. It is popular with beekeepers in areas poor in early bribes. Here, its spring variety is sown in areas near apiaries. In early spring this plant provides the colonies with a good supplementary feed.
The content of the article
- 1 Significance in agriculture
- 1.1 Spring culture
- 1.2 Winter crop
- 2 Productivity and quality of honey
- 3 Medicinal properties
Significance in agriculture
In the North Caucasus and Ukraine, rape is cultivated as a fodder and oilseed crop.
Rape can be:
- spring
- and winter.
Spring culture
Spring rape is a late honey plant – flowering occurs in August and early September.
It is not suitable for cultivation near apiaries, since it is picky about the quality of the soil and is often damaged by flea beetles during late sowing. It grows best on black soil, although cultivation on other types of soils is allowed.
This is an annual plant up to 1 meter tall with golden yellow inflorescences. Blooms for a month.
In beekeeping, it is of great importance precisely as a culture that gives late nectar and pollen to bees.
Winter crop
As a honey plant, winter rape is almost as good as spring crops. This variety is often cultivated not only in agricultural fields, but also near apiaries. The plant blooms at the same time as the gardens, significantly increasing the spring flow.
When grown on estates, pruning of the tops is practiced, which leads to the growth of side shoots and longer flowering.
This annual plant is demanding on the soil – well-fertilized and moist soils are needed. With a lack of moisture and nutrients, rapeseed will suffer during wintering.
Reaches a height of 1,2 meters, has characteristic blue-green leaves, covered with a waxy bloom. Inflorescences are collected in clusters of small yellow flowers, less often white. The brushes unfold gradually, starting from the lower branches.
It blooms in May and secretes nectar for 35-45 days. Winter rape as a honey plant is extremely attractive for bees – insects spend whole days on inflorescences, actively collecting pollen and nectar.
Productivity and quality of honey
A winter plant produces from 30 to 90 kilograms of honey per hectare. Collecting this amount of nectar requires one to four colonies, depending on their strength.
Commercial honey has a pronounced herbal aroma, has a white or intense yellow color. It tastes very sweet. Poorly soluble in water and has a very thick consistency. Differs in fast crystallization.
Not suitable for feeding bees in winter! Souring is possible during long-term storage.
Medicinal properties
Rape is a honey plant, the value of which has not yet been appreciated at its true worth in the domestic food market!
The beneficial properties of rapeseed honey have long been recognized in European countries. We, however, are somewhat wary of it because of the tendency to rapid crystallization, which among inexperienced buyers for some reason is considered a “sign of artificial origin” of this bee product.
Useful qualities to look out for:
- high content of essential oils that affect cholesterol levels and are involved in the regulation of fat metabolism;
- good digestibility – rapeseed honey is recommended for mental and physical exertion;
- the ability to remove toxins and increase the body’s resistance to radiation;
- high content of boron, which is involved in the regulation of the thyroid gland (this type of honey is especially useful for women during menopause), as well as stimulating the function of the hematopoietic organs;
- the presence of a slight antispasmodic effect – the product is used for coughs and runny nose;
- honey can be used for tissue regeneration in the treatment of wounds and ulcers, as well as in various cosmetics.
To prevent acidification during long-term storage, it is necessary to exclude the access of light and air – honey is placed in a tightly closed container, which is placed in a dark and cool pantry.
