Alpines not attracting Bees.

I bought several pots of Alpines from local garden centre a few weeks ago. Some are in a pot and some in an old tyre. At the garden centre there were Bees all over them, which is why I bought them. Now they live with me and I've seen a couple of Bees go to them, but they're not getting any nectar and leave. Any idea why this might be, please? They're still in flower and don't look like they're starting to fade.

 

Very few bees around here, it could be the wind, if you have a wind blowing.

Mostly around here there are not many any way.

 

May be that those alpines are pollinated by beetles or flies rather than bees. Certailny high alpines are.

 

There were Bees all over them at the garden centre, several different species?? I chose the pots the Bees had been too.

 

It's not the wind. I see the Bees on calm days.

 

Maybe the nectar has already gone? Some flowers don't produce any more nectar after they've been pollinated, like forget-me-nots - the little yellow ring in the centre turns white after pollination, telling the insects not to bother. Your flowers might be putting out a signal only the insects can see given that they see in a different spectrum to us.

 

It could be that there’s something they prefer nearby? I’ve not noticed it so much at this time of year but definitely in the summer some plants will fall in and out of favour depending what else is on offer

 

Your bees may be disorganised by signals you cannot see.
https://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/do...nsides statement Wildlife the Environment.pdf

 

I didn't know about this! It's quite shocking . My phone is 4g and usually close to me wherever I am, including in the garden. I'd hate to think my phone is causing damage to the Wildlife I'm so keen to help!

Saw a large Bee today and she went to one of the Tete a Tetes and right inside, where she stayed for about 10 seconds before emerging. She went to the Alpines but after browsing found nothing and off she went.

 

Most of the flowers had already pollinated so there's nothing to interest the bees.
How does your phone survive in the garden?
Mine stays inside; as in the garden it would either get cooked in the greenhouse, drenched, trodden on, composted, buried or just lost. Also it wouldn't be any use out there, apart from maybe levelling off compost in seed trays.

 

It stays on the chair or the top of the brown bin and in the shade if it's hot.

 

I have one of those little gardeners tool bags that fit around the waist. It has a zip up pocket just right for a phone, and I can put in other small items like secateurs and string. I only need the phone so I can listen to podcasts/audiobooks through wireless headphones and hence block out neighbourhood noise like dogs barking or the lads in the area endlessly powerwashing their cars (seriously, the whole street runs with pink suds ...). But also with the terrain in my garden I guess I could need it to summon help one day.

 

They need habitat really but theyll travel a long way if its still and warm. If its the only thing around theyll simply be less, but it may still be useful for a passing bee or two as a stopup on a long journey.
Flowers only give out nectar for a brief window when the pollen is ready so they may be exhausted already.
Also The more you plant the more will show up, hence so many at the garden center. Lawn flowers, bushes like Abelia, all helps.

I wouldnt worry too much about phone noise. They were developing 5g at my university years ago and the flowers they left still got many visitors.

 

I hope you bring it regular refreshments while it's sat there lounging around.
I'd expect it to be pulling up a few weeds or at least scaring the birds and cats away.