We moved ours to a spot where they could do their thing. We know the bees love them and didn't want to destroy them.

Saving Pollinators One Thistle at a Time

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Chris Helzer

"Pollinator populations are in trouble for a lot of reasons. Loss and degradation of habitat, pesticides, and diseases are all major contributors. However, at least in the Central United States, much of the pollinator decline can be tied to spiny pink/purple-flowered plants and the way humans react to them.

"On the face of it, thistles seem like they’d be pretty well-liked. Thistle seeds are a major food source for birds and other wildlife, as well as for a variety of invertebrates. The abundant nectar and pollen found in thistle flowers make them one of the most popular plants among both pollinator and non-pollinator invertebrates. As if that wasn’t enough, most thistles have large and/or abundant blossoms, which you’d think would make them very attractive to people. Sure, they’ve got spines, but so do cacti, yucca, and many other plants gardeners love to landscape with. So why do we hate thistles so much?

"The cultural dislike of thistles is not at all a new phenomenon; references to the unpopularity of thistles can be found at least as far back as the Book of Genesis in the Bible. There, thistles are mentioned when God curses Adam after he eats the forbidden fruit. Genesis 3:17-18 – 'Cursed is the ground because of you… Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you…' Clearly, if God includes thistles as part of His curse on all humanity, they are not a crowd favorite.

"Regardless of why thistles are so widely disliked, our contempt for them causes serious problems for pollinators. This happens in two ways: 1) direct destruction of an important floral resource for pollinators, and 2) major side effects associated with #1.

"Because thistles are so important to pollinators, our compulsion to destroy them is a major problem. Sure, some thistle species are invasive and can cause enough ecological damage that their control is warranted. Most thistle species, however, are targeted for destruction purely because they are thistles. Many of those are native wildflower species and are not at all aggressive or problematic. Regardless, there are few places where thistles are tolerated, let alone encouraged. The result is the loss of a big source of food for many pollinators."

Read more:
https://prairieecologist.com/2015/08/26/saving-pollinators-one-thistle-at-a-time/

#SolarPunkSunday #GardeningForPollinators #Thistles

Freu mich drauf.

#photography #schoenesgegendoofes #nature #insects #thistles

I dug out some invasive/unwanted #thistles.
They have strong taproot that become bigger & stronger if left to grow/spread.

#InvasivePlants #spiky #foliage #weeding #textures #plants #botanical #green #Saanich #VancouverIsland #TextureTuesday

#theBeeAt3
Basic bee facts every day at 3pm.

# 279

When bumblebees move their vision improves!
A study found that walking bumblebees actually process visual information 20% faster than inactive bumblebees.
#bees

#environment
#nature #bumblebees
#science #insects
#vegan #education
#wildlife #pollinators
#worldbeesanctuary #thistles

#theBeeAt3
Basic bee facts every day at 3pm.

# 252

Male #bumblebees tend to have a sweet tooth preferring to feed on nectar with high concentrations of sugar.

#bees
#nature
#science
#education
#worldbeesanctuary
#environment
#biodiversity
#wildlife
#thistles

#theBeeAt3

Basic bee facts every day at 3pm.

# 251

Thistles are a vital #nectar source for male #bumblebees specifically (also for many other #pollinators!).
Their current status should be revisited in both a rural and urban context.
#thistles do good!
Leave them grow.
#bees
#nature
#biodiversity
#wildlife
#wildlifephotography
#monday
#environment
#vegan
#worldbeesanctuary

#theBeeAt3

Basic bee facts every day at 3pm.

# 250

Bumblebees love #thistles (as do many #insects and #birds).
Forget boyband bedding plants (so 90’s, pretty but ultimately useless) and have these kickass #punks of the #wildflower world in your patch.
Sunflower family.

#bees
#nature
#biodiversity
#environment
#bumblebees
#wildlife
#worldbeesanctuary

RE: https://fairdinkum.one/@John/115879202108857262

AND - as you can see in the photos, the bloody #thistles are still going crazy out in the paddock!

The vinegar worked & killed all the thistle in the front yard.

We’re thinking of trying again. This time instead of spraying the vinegar - we’ll be pouring it onto the thistle.

$100 worth of vinegar has been purchased.

Just waiting on my back & cooler weather.