Among all beekeeping products, linden honey is considered the most popular. Flower nectar is characterized by excellent taste, a very pleasant aroma, long crystallization period and healing properties, which are actively used in traditional and folk medicine. Linden is a very productive honey plant, but when and in what quantity a flowering tree releases valuable nectar, we will look into it further.
Description of culture
In their natural environment, linden trees grow in deciduous and mixed forests.The plant purifies polluted air, releases large amounts of oxygen, and is actively planted in parks and squares of large cities.
In addition to valuable nectar, the bark and leaves of the plant are used in folk medicine, and linden wood is used in various industries. The culture is unpretentious to growing conditions and is widespread in temperate, subtropical latitudes and regions with a continental climate.
The average lifespan of a plant ranges from 200 to 300 years, sometimes 500-year-old and even 1000-year-old specimens are found. During the flowering period, the tree enters its 20th season of active growth and development. There are many varieties of the crop, differing in the size of the trees, the shape of the leaf blades and the flowering period.
In Russia and neighboring countries, the small-leaved or common variety of linden is most often found.
- Mature trees are tall, with a spreading crown of an oval or pyramidal outline, often reaching 40 meters in height and 5 meters in width.
- The shape of the leaf blades depends on the plant variety, but the most common are trees with heart-shaped leaves with multiple teeth along the edges.
- The rhizomes are powerful and go deep into the soil, which allows the tree to receive the necessary amount of moisture and nutrients.
- The trunk is straight, in young trees it is covered with smooth protective bark of an olive shade. In adult plants, the bark is dense, with multiple cracks of a dark brown color.
- The culture is characterized by excellent resistance to low and high temperatures, easily tolerates heat, drought and frosts down to -45 degrees, and easily takes root in Siberia, the Urals and the Far Eastern region.
- During the flowering period, racemose inflorescences with small, yellow or cream flowers appear on the trees, from which bees extract tasty and healthy nectar.
Important! After flowering ends, fruits appear on the trees in the form of small nuts containing seeds. The crop is propagated by seed or vegetative methods.
Features of cultivation
To grow a healthy, flowering tree, use seeds, cuttings, root shoots or layering. The timing of planting seedlings in open ground depends on the region where the honey plant is grown. In southern latitudes, work is carried out in the fall, 3-4 weeks before possible frosts. In temperate and northern climates, planting activities are postponed to spring.
To grow valuable crops, choose flat, well-lit areas. The more sunlight a tree receives, the more nectar its flowers produce.
- The soil is carefully dug up, loosened, and organic matter and mineral compounds are added to the soil.
- In the prepared area, planting holes are dug with a depth and width of at least 50-60 cm.
- A drainage layer of small stone and sand is laid out at the bottom of the hole, fertile soil is poured on top and moistened abundantly.
- A seedling is placed in each hole, earth is added on top, compacted and mulched with organic materials.
To prevent young shoots from being damaged by drafts and strong gusts of wind, support pegs are dug next to the seedlings and the plants are tied to them.
Honey trees are planted next to the apiary. If this is not possible, the hive is moved closer to the plantings for the flowering period. In extreme heat and prolonged drought, seedlings require additional watering, once every 5-7 days. Mature trees independently extract the necessary moisture and nutrients from the soil.
Important! Fertilizers are used in the first 2-3 seasons of linden growth and development. Further, the plant does not need them.
Honey productivity and nectar productivity
Linden natural honey is considered the best beekeeping product. The nectar contains more than 300 useful and nutritious substances that contribute to the correct and efficient functioning of the human body.
Honey productivity directly depends on the weather and climatic characteristics of the region, on the topography of the area where the tree grows.
Nectar production is negatively affected by daily temperature changes, heavy rainfall, and strong, gusty winds. Long rains wash away the sweetness from flowers, and gusty winds dry it out and make it inaccessible to hardworking insects. When the air temperature drops sharply, the flowering linden tree stops producing honey nectar.
Moderate humidity and temperatures from +18 to +24 degrees are considered comfortable for abundant flowering and nectar production. From 1 hectare of linden plantings, from 700 to 1000 kg of valuable, medicinal and tasty beekeeping product are obtained per season. An adult tree produces up to 40 kg of delicacy during the flowering period.
Flowering period and duration
The timing and duration of flowering of linden trees also depend on the weather conditions of the growing region.
If in the Caucasus and Crimea the period of active flowering of the crop occurs in the middle or end of June, then in regions with a temperate or continental climate the plant blooms 10-15 days later.The duration of flowering of linden plantings is not long, lasts from 12 to 16 days, in rare cases due to weather conditions it can increase to 20 days.
Useful properties of linden
Linden nectar contains a large amount of healthy sugars, acids, biologically active substances, vitamins and mineral compounds.
The beekeeping product is used as a preventive and healing agent:
- to strengthen the immune system;
- for colds and viral diseases to lower body temperature;
- linden nectar has restorative, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties;
- used in the treatment of diseases of the digestive system;
- normalizes blood pressure, promotes proper functioning of the heart and blood vessels;
- has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
The beekeeping product is also used in cooking for the preparation of desserts, sauces, baked goods and drinks. In cosmetology, healthy and rejuvenating masks and balms for skin and hair are made from linden honey.
Important! Linden delicacy is not recommended for people with high blood sugar and a predisposition to allergic reactions.
Where does it grow
Linden is unpretentious to growing conditions, therefore it is widespread in both the southern and northern hemispheres of our planet. The largest plantings of honey plants are found in Russia, the countries of Southeast Asia, Europe and neighboring countries.
Features of honey pumping
The timing of honey pumping also varies depending on the region where the trees grow. Nectar is pumped out from honeycombs sealed by insects, otherwise the beekeeping product will be unripe and will quickly turn sour. Work is carried out in dry, sunny weather.In southern latitudes, work on pumping out linden nectar begins at the end of July or early August, in regions with a temperate climate - 2-3 weeks later.
