Bumble Bees In My Cymbidium

[Ashby Chadburn]

I have a big Cymbidium traceyanum. I was leaving on vacation the beginning of Nov. It was in full bloom and I was going to move it into the greenhouse while away. When I went to move it I found that several flowers were occupied by black and yellow bumble bees. I didn't move it into the greenhouse in fear that the bees would fertilize other orchids in bloom. Three weeks later the bees were still there moving slowly inside the flowers. Anyone know why this is or has anyone had the same experience? I live in Calistoga, one hour north of San Francisco.

[euplusia]

During summertime bumble bees enter my greenhouse and creep into Cattleya flowers, where they spend the night. Often they take out the pollen, so the flowers wilt. Sometimes they also pollinate. The next morning they have a problem to find the way out and die of thirst or starve.

[WhiteRabbit]

I often see the big black bees at my Cyms - they just like them, I imagine .

[Cym Ladye]

Bumble bees or solitary bees as they are also called, show up in the late winter here in Northern California. They are looking for nectar/honey from flowers and with fragrant tracyanums in full bloom and not much else, they learn to go inside the flowers. They will also stay in the flower as a hiding place. I always flick them out when I find them over-nighting but usually by then, they have pollinated the flower. I have never had them die inside a flower. Mine must be really smart dudes!!!

Really big pests too, as far as ruining flowers is concerned!