I read a magazine article that said up to 90% of wild bee populations had
been wiped out by two different kinds of mites and also by hard weather (I
think the SW US drought and cold winter weather were mentioned?).
Commercial bee populations have been hurt as well but not as bad. It has
had serious repercussions for agriculture as many farmers used to relying
on free services from Mother Nature have had to hire beekeepers to
pollinate their crops this year. Inspired by CP pollination conversations
on this list, I have been pollinating my tomato plants with a paintbrush
although I can't say it's been an unqualified success, maybe my plants are
just infertile and don't really lack bees. Or maybe I just haven't hit the
naughty bits on the tomato flower.
CP Question --
Does red coloration usually show up in seedlings if it is going to be
present in the adult plant? I have an S. pupurea seedling that shows no
signs of red color even though it's parent was a lovely crimson. I'm
curious.
Phil